CAREER ADVICE

Making the Game 

Cedar Rapids is now the home of a new, state-of-the art baseball stadium.  It is the home of the Cedar Rapids Kernels minor league baseball team.  Nearly everyone has attended a baseball game, played the game or at least seen the game on television.  How does the game happen?  There’s more to the game than playing ball.  

We’ll focus on the career of General Manager.  The glue that holds a minor league operation together is the general manager.  What does a general manager do?  Within the minor leagues, the activities of the general manager are centered on marketing the ‘program.’  The program includes selling advertising, public speaking and media relations as essential activities.  Duties include the promotion of the stadium, selling advertising on billboards, souvenir programs and radio advertising.  The money that the advertising generates is used to pay the expenses that are incurred in keeping a team in a city.  The general manager also manages and coordinates the activities of the full-time staff, both during the season and the off-season.  Because of the continuous need to market the team (even in the off-season) to make sure the stadium has a crowd attending each game, the work of promotion is year round.  The general manager is responsible for generating enough revenue to pay all the expenses, such as stadium rental, salaries of the office staff, equipment such as bats and balls, utilities, insurance, office supplies, maintenance, etc. 

High school students interested in managing sports organizations must plan to have education beyond high school.  A four-year degree would be a big plus for anyone who wants to be a general manager.  Once in college, the student would study marketing, public relations and business.  The student would find that these skills are transferable, meaning that the skills can also be used in many businesses other than sports.  Other transferable skills that are needed include teamwork, listening, communicating and problem solving.  According to Mr. Jack Roeder, General Manager of the Cedar Rapids Kernels, “ Listening is one of the most underrated skills today.  Also, you will not succeed for very long if you are not willing to get along with others and work as a team member.”  He advises students to get the best education possible because they will need to have many skills to be successful.  

Sports is big business as well as entertainment.  As sports becomes ever more popular, the growth potential should increase.  Hockey has seen recent growth.  In fact, the new Cedar Rapids Ice Arena is home to the RoughRiders hockey team.  

The salary range for general managers in a minor league sport is very broad, from $20,000 to $75,000 based on experience and the size of the community that is ‘home’ to the team.  Working conditions also vary, depending on how well developed an organization is.  General managers working in a new stadium will have a much nicer place to work than those housed in an old facility.  If the community is sports-minded, the working conditions will be better. 

When asked if there was stress in his job, Mr. Roeder said, “There is no more stress to being a general manager of a team than in any other job.  Maybe less.  Most general managers love the games they are involved in.  They are goal oriented and can see the results of their work.”  Mr. Roeder goes on to say “Our industry is all about people.  We are able to meet and form bonds with so many wonderful folks from all walks of life.  From relationships we form, we can see the results of our efforts.  There is nothing like seeing the stadium full of fans having a great time.”

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