Chiefs Kingdom has never been larger with Kansas City building a football dynasty. Wichita State University is proud to have alumni with careers in the Chiefs organization. Kellen Begnoche and David Bronson both attribute their success to their time in WSU's programs.

Being put in situations where interaction with other Shockers was encouraged made Wichita State a perfect launching point for his career, Begnoche said.

"The Wichita State experience provided the perfect background to launch a career in sports," he said. "The variety of courses offered, along with the emphasis on group projects and collaboration are skill sets I rely on daily in my career. The ability to interact with your peers, build a network of others in the industry, and solve complex problems in a group setting is exactly what my current role requires."

Carving out a career in sports, however, is an uphill battle, he said. He forewarns that the sports industry is designed where only the most devoted succeed. His best advice to students: "Relentless pursuit."

"Sports - especially early on - can be an absolute grind," Begnoche said. "Long hours, thankless tasks, and low pay. That formula has a way of quickly determining who’s committed to a career in sports and who would rather pursue other opportunities.

Begnoche received his Masters in Sport Management from WSU in 2011.

The dedication to a career is not the only part of succeeding in the sports industry. You need experience too.

"Try to gain as much real-world experience in semi-pro or professional sports as you can: whether it be seasonal jobs, internships, or full-time positions," Bronson said as advice to students. "Be open to, and make yourself available for roles and opportunities that might be outside of your normal job requirements. Expanding your knowledge and experience in different areas of a sports organization can increase your professional versatility and make you an even more valuable asset to your team."

Bronson is a 2016 Wichita State graduate with a Masters in Sport Management. He credits WSU's program with prepping him for success in the industry.

"[It] not only introduced me to my initial job opportunity with the Kansas City Chiefs, but also helped to ensure that I was exceptionally prepared for the wide range of tasks/skills required to work in professional sports," he said.

Interested in studying Sport Management? Discover how Wichita State's Sport Management program sets students up for success through applied learning.