San Diego, CA -- The following information was released by the University of San Diego:
Ken Kawachi's baseball playing career at the University of San Diego didn't last one season, but he's spent the last 17 years closely connected to Major League Baseball in San Diego.
Kawachi, who earned a business administration degree at USD in 1995, is now the San Diego Padres' director of event operations. He oversees preparations for all 81 home games at PETCO Park and manages event medical and uniformed personnel services for more than 200 special events, including concerts and other sporting events.
His career was launched once he laid eyes on a Padres job advertisement in the Hahn University Center during his senior year.
'I answered an ad for ushers,' Kawachi (pictured, second from left) said. 'I was hired as an usher and I even attended the orientation, but during the process, I inquired about internships. Then the perfect storm ensued. The director and assistant director of stadium operations both left for the Los Angeles Dodgers, leaving behind an assistant. The Padres promoted a new director of stadium operations who was looking for additional help. The rest, as they say, is history.'
Kawachi shared his story at a USD Knowledge Transfer panel discussion earlier this week. Sponsored by the Office of Parent Relations, Student Alumni Association and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the focus was on sports marketing and management. Kawachi, Jeanne Bonk '83 (BBA, Accounting), Chris Stuart '96 (J.D.), as well as Joseph Garagiola Jr. and Tim Sutton, each the father of a current USD student, comprised the panel.
The panel answered questions posed by USD's Executive Director of Athletics, Ky Snyder, who served as moderator. Snyder asked them about breaking into the sports business, the importance of a law degree in a sports career, internships, the growing social media presence in sports and the realization that to have a job in sports is more than just liking sports.
All five panelists have solid sports careers. Bonk is executive vice president and CFO for the NFL's San Diego Chargers. Garagiola Jr. is the senior vice president of Major League Baseball's standards and on-field operations. Stuart is CEO and president of Encore Sports and Entertainment, an athlete and corporate representation company he co-founded in 2004 that focuses on licensing and sports marketing for athletes such as Drew Brees and C.C. Sabathia and other companies. Sutton is a coordinating producer for the Big Ten Network, which attracted 30 million subscribers within its first 30 days of existence.
Students had the chance to ask questions and for some one-on-one time with the panelists. Sutton actually sought out Gregg Clifton, a sophomore business administration major, at the conclusion of the event. Clifton had asked Sutton a question about the Big Ten Network's strategy to get more subscribers in non-Big Ten Conference areas. 'I wanted to know what other ideas he might have,' said an impressed Sutton.
Clifton, who said his interest in sports was helped by the fact that his father was a sports agent, said he was impressed by the Knowledge Transfer. 'I'm so happy that USD offers opportunities like this. The knowledge of the speakers is great. I love sports and I want to work in the front office or run a sports team someday.'
Bonk was asked about being a female working in sports. Bonk, who oversees day-to-day financial operations and has been with the Chargers since 1991, briefly reflected on attending her first NFL owners meeting years ago.
'When they did the roll call and said 'San Diego' and I answered, I was the only female in the room,' she said. All heads turned in her direction, she recalled, but it didn't faze her. 'I can't get upset. I just go with it.'
Stuart also had a burning desire to succeed in the sports business. He worked in the Chargers' player personnel and marketing departments, but he also prepared himself for other opportunities by concurrently attending USD's School of Law. His degree eventually led him to the Upper Deck Company as its senior director of licensing and acquisitions, handling negotiations with high-profile athletes, leagues, unions and more. Now at Encore, he said he's where he wants to be.
Stuart said he hoped that students who attended the Knowledge Transfer and want to be in the sports business got something from the event and that it can further their career aspirations.
'As long as they take away a few points, it will have been time well spent for them,' he said.
- Ryan T. Blystone
