How One Woman Is Impacting MLB

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Most people consider the MLB to be an incredibly male-centric sports league. Many other major sports leagues have started to hire women in prominent positions but the MLB hasn’t really followed suit. Even so, there is one woman who works for the Boston Red Sox front office who is attempting to make some important changes. Racquel Ferreira is impacting the MLB in a major way.

Climbing the Ladder

Raquel Ferreira has been working for the Boston Red Sox organization for more than two decades at this point. She has been working her way up the ladder in this organization for much longer than most women have been involved with traditional male-centric sports leagues. She has worked her way up to become an Executive Vice President with the team. She holds the highest position of any woman in the sport of professional baseball.

People assume that there is a glass ceiling that keeps women from being able to rise too far in the MLB. If this is the case, then Raquel Ferreira has managed to smash right through it. She has used her work ethic to prove how useful she can be to the Red Sox organization. Ferreira adeptly handles minor and major league operations and is considered a shining example of what an employee can be.

Changing Things One Step at a Time

Changing things in the league one step at a time is what Ferreira seems to be doing. Her successes are going to make it easier for other skilled women to take on positions in other baseball organizations. If young women feel as if they don’t have a place in the world of professional baseball, then they can look to the success of Ferreira. She proves that women can succeed and thrive in that environment when given the opportunity to do so.

At the moment, the MLB does employ many women. The problem is that most of these women occupy the lowest positions within their teams. The MLB does not have a good diversity ranking but that can improve if more women such as Ferreira are given opportunities. There are many things that need to be changed in the MLB but women such as Raquel Ferreira are blazing a new path that others can and should follow.

The post How One Woman Is Impacting MLB first appeared on Allison Creekmore's Career Overview.

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How a Wearable Technology Could Help the Load Management Problem in the NBA

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You might be aware of the load management problem that players in the NBA face. With an 82-game regular season, playing in the NBA takes a lot of energy. Many players don’t get enough sleep but it’s possible that a wearable technology could help with this issue. If players were able to track their sleep data properly, then it could help them to manage their condition much more easily.

Whoop Helps Measure the Sleep Athletes That Are Getting

Whoop, the wearable technology that is being talked about in this article, can help to measure the sleep that athletes are getting. Many athletes have a difficult time managing their sleep schedules due to the hectic travel that is required in the NBA. A simple wearable technology such as this could give the team access to important data about how players are doing. Many people think that measuring the sleep that athletes are getting is going to be a regular thing moving forward.

In fact, many think that it will be seen as a completely normal and natural part of the sports world very soon. Some have compared the idea of not monitoring sleep to how crazy it was that athletes used to smoke cigarettes all the time in the past. It is well-known that the human body requires a certain amount of sleep in order to function properly. Ensuring that athletes are getting enough sleep seems as if it would be an important thing to consider.

Having a convenient wearable technology such as this is going to make tracking sleep a simple task. This is easy to wear and the data that the Whoop gives you is quite reliable. This company relies on a subscription model instead of charging for the bracelets too. It could wind up helping to solve the load management problem that holds many athletes back from realizing their full potential.

Will Sleep Monitoring Become an Important Part of Sports?

Whether or not sleep monitoring is going to become an important part of sports is up in the air. Many experts feel that it makes sense to look at wearable technologies such as this as an evolution of sports medicine and team management. It’s obvious that players need to be able to solve the load management problem. As exciting as basketball is, it’s important to understand that the players are still human and they need sleep to function.

from Allison Creekmore on Technology http://allisoncreekmore.net/how-a-wearable-technology-could-help-the-load-management-problem-in-the-nba/
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Professional Athletes & Philanthropy

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Many professional athletes take matters of philanthropy very seriously. Giving back to the community is important for many professional athletes and so they go above and beyond. Take a look at some of the professional athletes who have given the most by reading on. You’ll see just how charitable these big stars are.

John Cena

John Cena is one of the most recognizable professional wrestlers from the last fifteen years. He has become popular with children and is well known as a nice person who gives to charity. His extensive work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation has helped many kids to smile even when they are suffering from severe illnesses. He has also worked closely with the Susan G. Komen organization to help raise awareness about breast cancer.

Lebron James

Lebron James is known as the King on the court and but he’s known as a giving individual as well. He has the Lebron James Family Foundation that spends millions of dollars to help send children to school. James is an important figure when it comes to race relations and important social justice issues as well.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams is an absolute legend on the tennis court and she also has a reputation for being quite charitable. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador who does many things to help the cause. She has taken the time to help build schools in Africa and also works to promote better access to education for the children in Asia.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo is one of the most famous athletes in the entire world. He’s also a very giving man with a good heart. He once donated $83,000 to fund a child’s brain surgery out of the goodness of his heart. He also made the decision to donate his Champions League bonus to charity instead of keeping it for himself. This is an athlete who cares about his fellow man and has proven to be among the most charitable modern sports stars.

Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey became a household name due to her dominant run at the top of the UFC. She has continued to be popular due to her stint in the WWE. She also gives a large amount of money to charities that help with mental health services. Rousey has proven herself to be very philanthropic.

from Allison Creekmore’s Career Overview https://allisoncreekmore.com/professional-athletes-philanthropy/
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The Tech That Might Change How Concussions Are Handled in the NFL

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Concussions are a huge risk in football, and it is important to do anything possible to recognize and diagnose them as soon as possible. The NFL takes concussions seriously, and rightly so. A concussion affects the brain’s ability to focus and react to stimuli. If a player goes back on the field with a concussion, he may have trouble perceiving where another player is, which can lead to collisions and further injury. The NFL has a concussion protocol in place, but a new technology called Eye-Sync just might be a game-changer for spotting concussions.

What Is the Eye-Sync?

Basically, the Eye-Sync is a headset, similar to those used in virtual reality, that will administer tests to the player who may have a concussion. In the past, doctors would diagnose concussions by tracking eye movements. A concussion makes it hard for a person to focus, so if the doctor moved his finger back and forth, the patient would not be able to follow it steadily. 

The Eye-Sync uses embedded infrared cameras to track the patient’s pupils as they move. If the pupils jump around, they will know that the patient has a concussion and can administer treatment right away. In addition, the likelihood of a player with a brain injury returning to play and possibly sustaining further, more dire damage will be reduced.

Why Should the NFL Use it?

The answer is simple: the NFL should use it so that they can diagnose concussions quickly. If a player suffers a concussion and doesn’t receive treatment, he may return to the field with a brain injury. There are potentially serious long-term consequences to an untreated brain injury. Not only that, but the player could suffer further damage.

After the FDA cleared the Eye-Sync in 2016, the NBA began using it to detect levels of fatigue in players. In addition, college football teams around the country have started using it. The NFL could benefit greatly by adding the Eye-Sync to its Concussion protocol. 

from Allison Creekmore on Technology http://allisoncreekmore.net/the-tech-that-might-change-how-concussions-are-handled-in-the-nfl/
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How to Start a New Sports Career

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If you want to start a career in sports, then you need to have an idea for how you’re going to go about it. The sports world isn’t always the easiest one to break into. Take the time to look at some of the ways that you could start a new sports career below. There are several options to consider and all of them are quite viable.

Start an Internship at a Sports Broadcasting Company

Getting your start in the sports world might mean that you will have to start at the bottom. If you have the necessary educational background, then you might be able to secure an internship spot at a local sports broadcasting company. There are also cable sports broadcasting channels that provide internships to motivated individuals. This will involve working your way up but it could be a perfect way to get your foot in the door.

NBA Programs

There are also a few NBA programs that you might want to look into. If you’re enrolled in college, then you could apply for the summer internship program that the NBA offers. This allows you to work behind the scenes in the league office for a 10-week period. Those with career experience might be able to procure a different type of internship.

NFL Players Association Internship Opportunities

The NFLPA has an internship program that allows people to work in various fields. The NFLPA needs help with salary cap issues, player affairs, agent administration, marketing, and more. This program is designed to give work experience to people who have recently graduated from college. It’s an excellent opportunity for anyone who is looking to begin a career in sports.

MLB International Internships

You might want to think about applying for an MLB international internship if you have the necessary skills. Most of these internship opportunities are located abroad. For example, someone who knows how to speak Japanese might be able to get an internship due to having the ability to operate in Japan. Japan has a great baseball culture and working closely with the MLB in Japan could be a great way to start your sports career.

from Allison Creekmore’s Career Overview https://allisoncreekmore.com/how-to-start-a-new-sports-career/
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Why Pro Hockey’s Female Players Are Fighting for Change in Their Sport

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The sport of hockey is very easy to love and so many have become enamored with the game. For female fans, it feels as if there aren’t a lot of opportunities to pursue hockey as a career path. There are professional female hockey players, though. Currently, these female hockey players are doing their best to fight for change in their sport so that the women of the future will have greater opportunities.

Professional Female Hockey Isn’t Easy

Of course, being an elite athlete is never going to be easy. However, the best female hockey players out there aren’t necessarily treated as the great athletes that they are. Most struggle to make ends meet and many wind up having to take on a second job just to pay the bills. This means that many female professional hockey players are not able to fully commit to the game.

Some of these hockey players feel as though the game that they love just doesn’t love them back. Even so, modern female hockey players are not ready to give up. They are banding together in an attempt to try to change the game for the better. These players have now formed the Professional Women’s Hockey Player’s Association.

The overall goal of this new player’s association is to form a league that will become financially viable. They want to discover a sustainable business model that will allow elite female hockey players to earn a living. The NHLPA has voiced its support for this movement and there are signs that people are interested in women’s hockey. Time will tell whether the sweeping changes that these women desire will be able to take place.

Hockey Is for Everyone

Hockey is a sport that appeals to everyone and little girls should be able to dream of playing in a professional hockey league when they grow up. The professional hockey players of today are fighting so that today’s young girls can realize their dreams. Hopefully, there will be a solution to the problems that these athletes have faced in recent years. It’s up to everyone to throw their support behind this women’s hockey venture so that it can become a success.

from Allison Creekmore’s Career Overview https://allisoncreekmore.com/why-pro-hockeys-female-players-are-fighting-for-change-in-their-sport/
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The Best High-Tech Athletic Equipment

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High-tech athletic equipment is fast becoming mainstream. Modern technology enables the production of smart sports gear that can provide athletes with specific feedback to improve performance. 

High-Tech Balls

Athletes can use a smart basketball or soccer ball to track how they are training. The ball has a sensor inside, and it connects to an app on the athlete’s smartphone. Wilson has a basketball that tracks total time played, how many shots were taken, and how many points were scored. The soccer ball from Micoach can detect speed, spin, strike, and flight path data, and it will even provide tips for improvement.

High-Tech Racquets and Bats

Both tennis and baseball have equipment with smart technology that will help players improve their game. A tennis racket from French company Babolat is battery powered and tracks serve speed and the number of shots taken. In baseball, Zepp Labs has a mountable sensor that goes on the bat and connects to a player’s smartphone and tracks bat speed. It can even show the player’s swing in 3D on the app. They also make a sensor for golf clubs and tennis rackets

High-Tech Running

There is a wide variety of high-tech equipment for runners. Under Armour plans to release a pair of running shoes that tracks the distance traveled, stride length, and pace, and it will transmit the information to an app. Nike already has a clip-on sensor that serves the same purpose. Sony has a different approach. They use a wireless headset to track the run. In addition, it has a voice coach who will provide information on heart rate and distance traveled.

High-Tech Golf

As mentioned above, Zepp Labs has a mountable sensor that attached to a golf club. In addition, Game Golf offers a sensor that can be affixed to the player’s belt and provide feedback on the golf swing and fairway accuracy. 

Technology is advancing rapidly, and high-tech athletic equipment is growing in popularity. The ability to keep track of practices, analyze form and technique, and even receive tips is invaluable. 

from Allison Creekmore on Technology http://allisoncreekmore.net/the-best-high-tech-athletic-equipment/
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How the Sports Industry Uses AR

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Augmented reality is becoming more and more of a reality. It is used in many industries to improve and enhance professions and experiences and will only continue to grow. AR has entered the sports industry and shows no signs of slowing down. Here are some of the ways that the sports industry uses AR.

Enhanced Viewing

AR developers are working on technology that will completely change the experience at the stadium. By wearing AR glasses, a fan will have detailed information that he or she would have on the television at home. Sports broadcasters are already using AR technology to show viewers replays with 3D animations or the line of the ball with virtual drawings. 

Sports Training and Marketing

Augmented reality is used to enhance videos during athletes’ film review sessions. As they are watching video, they can see statistics and data that give relevant information on a player’s strengths, weaknesses, and other characteristics. They also use realistic 3D simulations to improve their training sessions. There are even AR apps that will connect to a player’s smartphone and assess a session through a sensor in a ball. 

AR has taken sports marketing to new levels. One of the biggest ways that AR has changed this field is that advertisements that are located in a stadium can be replaced with an LED system to show different ads in different television markets. This way, the advertising is relevant to the fans watching the event. Teams can use AR to generate greater fan interest by allowing users to click and share selfies with 3D snaps of their favorite players or by offering custom filters for photos that people share on social media.

AR Games

Finally, AR is being used to create games and tournaments. For example, a Japanese startup, Meleap Inc., has created an AR Techno Sport called HADO where players wear a wrist sensor and AR headset, and they throw virtual energy balls and block with virtual shields. AR allows people to experience many things that could not otherwise be done.

from Allison Creekmore on Technology http://allisoncreekmore.net/how-the-sports-industry-uses-ar/
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How Sports Benefit Everyone

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Sports have become an important part of culture and many people say that sports events are their favorite ones to attend. The spirit of competition is something that has the potential to bring people together. It helps to bridge the gap between different cultures. Read on to examine how sports benefit everyone.

Sports Encourage Children to Be Active

Of course, playing sports is a great way to get yourself in shape. Having sports become a part of a kid’s life is going to be very beneficial. It will encourage the child to become more active and it can lead to a healthier life.

Sports Bring Joy to People

It’s also important to know that sports bring joy to a great many people. Being able to witness a rousing sports competition is going to make people happy. Seeing your favorite team pull off a come-from-behind win is really something else. It can put a smile on your face and many people couldn’t imagine life without sports.

Teamwork

Sports are fantastic when it comes to teaching kids about teamwork. There are many great team sports that are all about working together. You aren’t going to be successful in basketball, hockey, football, or soccer if you can’t learn to work with others.

Positive Economic Impact

You should also know that sports can have a very positive economic impact. Many sports events bring a lot of money to local economies. Just think about how much money is generated each year by the Super Bowl. Sports are a powerful tool that can help to stimulate the economy.

Local and National Pride

People also turn to sports as a source of local and national pride. This is always evident during the Olympic games. Even being able to take pride in your hometown by watching the local football team play is something valuable.

Role Models for Kids

Athletes have become good role models for kids too. Kids need to have heroes to look up to and many sports stars fit the bill nicely. Kids grow up idolizing people such as Michael Jordan or Tom Brady. Seeing them face adversity and come out on top gives kids the will to carry on during tough times.

from Allison Creekmore’s Career Overview https://allisoncreekmore.com/how-sports-benefit-everyone/
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Sports Jobs for Non-Athletes

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It’s possible to work in sports even if you are not an athlete. There are many sports jobs that will appeal to non-athletes as well. If you’re intrigued by the world of sports and you have a lot of sports knowledge, then you might be able to find a career in the sports world. Take a look at some of the following sports jobs for non-athletes to get a better idea of what is available.

Coach

You don’t have to be an athlete to be a great coach. Many of the greatest coaches in the history of professional sports have never played the games that they are coaching. If you have a good mind for a particular sport, then you might be a good fit as a coach. There are numerous coaching positions and it might be good to look into this idea further if you could see yourself trying to motivate others.

Physical Therapist

Physical therapists are important in the world of sports. They help athletes to manage pain and to recover from sports injuries. Working as a physical therapist will allow you to be close to the sports action that you love. Many teams hire several physical therapists to help deliver the best possible treatment plans to their players.

Event Manager

An event manager is going to be responsible for planning athletic events. Basically, this is a job that involves planning everything that goes into hosting a sports event. Event managers play a big role in making sure that the events actually happen.

Fitness Director

Fitness directors help athletes to stay in great shape. These professionals run dedicated gyms or health clubs. Generally, a fitness director needs to have great knowledge of fitness routines and nutrition. Some fitness directors will hold specific classes to help athletes with certain aspects of their fitness.

Sports Photographer

Sports photographers are also a very important part of the sports world. If you love sports and you also have a passion for photography, then this might be a good job to look into. Sports photographers capture important moments during games for a variety of different media outlets. There is a lot of potential for this job to become a fantastic career.

from Allison Creekmore’s Career Overview https://allisoncreekmore.com/sports-jobs-for-non-athletes/
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