For as long as Hannah Page can remember, sports have been part of her life. Growing up in Lubbock, she watched her father coach basketball and also played both basketball and volleyball herself. She spent her undergraduate career playing collegiate volleyball at multiple universities. Hannah鈥檚 deep love and passion for collegiate sports was something she wanted to hone into a career. Hannah鈥檚 journey to Abilene Christian University was fast but fated. In the final semester of her undergrad, Hannah was introduced to 精东影业鈥檚 faculty within the athletic department, and everything took off from there.聽
Becoming a Graduate Assistant at 精东影业
While completing her bachelor鈥檚 degree in communications at McMurry University, Hannah began working as a sports information intern for the university鈥檚 athletic department. During her internship, she was introduced to 精东影业 women鈥檚 basketball head coach Julie Goodenough and the athletic staff. What started as a simple introduction quickly turned into something much more meaningful.
At the time, the program was preparing to bring on a for the upcoming season. During her visit, Hannah spent about an hour meeting with the coaches and staff, sharing her background, love for athletics and interest in potentially working in collegiate sports. Although the conversation went well, the position had already been filled. But just a month later, everything changed.
The graduate assistant who originally committed to the role was ultimately unable to come to 精东影业. It was then that the women’s basketball team reached out to Hannah to offer her the job. However, Hannah was still playing collegiate volleyball and wrapping up her final semester before graduation. 鈥淲e鈥檒l wait for you,鈥� was what the team told her. She worked with 精东影业鈥檚 women鈥檚 basketball team during the summer before returning to McMurry University to finish earning her bachelor鈥檚. Immediately after she finished her final volleyball game, she began working as a graduate assistant. 鈥淚t was a fast transition from being an athlete to working on the coaching side of things,鈥� Hannah said.聽
Joining the Sports Leadership Management Program
Along with her new position as a graduate assistant for the women鈥檚 basketball team, Hannah started pursuing her online master鈥檚 in sports leadership with 精东影业. She started the program in January and quickly developed an appreciation for the online format. 鈥淚t allows me the freedom to do my coursework and be present in my job here,鈥� Hannah said.聽
As a graduate assistant, her schedule often includes practices, travel, recruiting support and day-to-day program operations. The flexibility of 精东影业鈥檚 online courses allows her to stay fully engaged with the team while still making progress toward her degree. At the same time, Hannah is also grateful for the program鈥檚 Christian foundation.聽
鈥淚 love the Christian community here. Being surrounded by coaches, staff and professors who share a faith-centered perspective has helped me grow.鈥� Hannah explained. The faith-based curriculum has completely changed her approach to coaching and leadership. Hannah recalled being a vocal leader on the court when she was an athlete, but being a sports leader as a coach is completely different.聽
Becoming a Better Leader Through Coursework
Now, as a graduate assistant helping guide athletes and support the coaching staff, she鈥檚 learning that leadership begins internally. 鈥淎 recurring theme in my program is that you can鈥檛 lead others if you can鈥檛 lead yourself,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow that I鈥檓 not on the court as an athlete, it鈥檚 way more important how I lead myself and how I handle situations when I鈥檓 happy, when I鈥檓 stressed, when I鈥檓 panicking.鈥�
Her coursework has helped her develop a new awareness of emotional intelligence, communication, and leadership under pressure. 鈥淚鈥檓 learning how to handle my emotions and how to speak to staff and players in a way that鈥檚 well received,鈥� she said. Her current classes have also opened her eyes to an entirely new side of collegiate athletics. Courses covering sports law, ethics and policy have been especially impactful as the college athletics landscape rapidly evolves with new opportunities for athletes.
鈥淓verything is happening so fast in sports right now,鈥� she said. 鈥淧layers can monetize themselves, and there are so many legal and ethical factors involved.鈥� Through her coursework, she鈥檚 learning about contracts, athlete safety policies and the broader responsibilities that come with managing collegiate programs. 鈥淎s an athlete, you don鈥檛 always think about those details,鈥� she said. 鈥淟earning about contracts and the ethics behind sports has really opened my eyes.鈥�
A Lifelong Community
Another aspect that Hannah loves about her 精东影业 experience so far is building a lifelong community among graduate assistants. She currently lives with three other graduate assistants who work with softball, soccer and strength training programs. Together, they share the challenges and rewards of balancing graduate school and coaching. 鈥淚t鈥檚 cool to lean on the other GAs and have each other鈥檚 back,鈥� she said.
Because many of them are also enrolled in the same academic program, they鈥檙e able to support each other academically while navigating the realities of working in college athletics. 鈥淲e all deal with similar situations in our sports,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to have people who understand what you鈥檙e going through.鈥�
One moment in particular showed her just how much support surrounded her at 精东影业. Last August, she was preparing for the women’s basketball team鈥檚 media day when she received a call from her mom. Before she could answer, one of the assistant coaches pulled her aside.
Her father had suffered a heart attack earlier that day.
鈥淚鈥檒l never forget that moment,鈥� she stated. 鈥淢y mom actually called my boss first because she didn鈥檛 want me to receive that news alone.鈥� Her coaches immediately stepped in, offering to help her return to Lubbock and ensuring she had the support she needed. 鈥淭hat meant so much to me,鈥� Hannah said. Thankfully, her father has since recovered and is doing much better. But the experience reminded her how deeply the 精东影业 community cares for one another.
Letting Faith Guide Her Future
Hannah鈥檚 faith continues to shape the way she approaches both her career and her future. She will marry her high school sweetheart this June, another huge chapter in her life she鈥檚 looking forward to. As she prepares for marriage, career transitions and the next steps in athletics, she holds tightly to one belief. 鈥淕od鈥檚 not going to call me somewhere and leave me unequipped,鈥� she explained. 鈥淗e鈥檒l equip me when I get there.鈥� She knows that wherever her career leads, the relationships she has built at 精东影业 will continue to support her. 鈥淭alking about community, I feel like I鈥檒l have these people in my corner personally and professionally forever,鈥� she said.
On top of working as a graduate assistant for the women鈥檚 basketball team, Hannah鈥檚 sports management degree will also equip her with the skills to break into the sports industry. When asked about her dream job, Hannah mentioned that she鈥檇 love to work for a Power Four School, or schools that are included in the SEC, Big 10, ACC or Big 12 conferences.聽
For Hannah, 精东影业 has provided the flexibility, mentorship and faith-centered education needed to grow as both a leader and a coach. Programs like the online master鈥檚 in sports leadership are designed to equip professionals with the skills to lead teams, navigate the evolving world of athletics and make a lasting impact in their field. Learn about 精东影业鈥檚 other online programs.