Q&A with Megan: Featuring Brandon Harrision

Alfred State sport management major Megan Gridley recently interviewed one of her favorite professors Brandon Harrison. Harrison is in his second year teaching in the Sport Management department at Alfred State. Harrison can also be found helping out the Sport Information and Game Day staff at various Pioneer athletic events.

What is it like having to teach students with masks on after a few years of not?

It honestly hasn't been bad at all. Coming into the semester I thought it would be extremely distracting and unbearable due to the heat early in the semester. However, I barely even notice anymore. I even found a benefit to the mask beyond health reasons – no one can tell I have eaten an everything bagel five minutes before class. Definitely a plus for a food lover like myself!

One draw back is that I do miss some of my students in the hallway without seeing their face. One of the key things I love about Alfred State is that it doesn't matter how many students I have in my classes, I can usually recognize them on sight. I still have been impressed with my ability to recognize most of my students' even with a mask on.

What is your favorite class to teach, and why?

That is a great question. I love all the topics I teach. That is the beauty of Sport Management – there are so many topics that are so much fun. But putting me on the spot, I would say Sport Communication or Sport Marketing. As a former Director of Athletic Communications, those topics were always my wheelhouse. The Sport Communication aspect pulls at my public relations past while Sport Marketing gets the creative juices going. So, I would say it is a tie between those two.

What advice would you give to a student-athlete wanting to pursue a degree in Sport Management?

I'm sure most of my upperclassmen are going to roll their eyes at this but getting experience early and often. I know I am a broken record. That is by design. Much like a coach that sears a key play into the brain of the athlete, I want my students to know when they are tired or lost, the answer to moving forward in the sport industry is getting more experience. There is nothing that can replace experience, especially for a graduating senior. Also, networking, networking, networking. Don't underestimate what your small interactions with individuals will do for you career.

What are some tips that you could give to a student-athlete about balancing academics and athletics?

My advice is do not compromise. I have the utmost respect for student-athletes, especially at the Division III level. These are students that are playing the sport solely for the love of the game. Balancing academic and athletics is no easy task, but it is certainly possible. If you have the dream or the will to continue to play your sport in college, do it. You will not regret it. Additionally, research shows that student-athletes have higher GPA's while in season as opposed to the offseason. It comes down to time management, and coaches ensure that their student-athletes have their time budgeted down to the minute. I must give it up for our coaches here on campus – they do a great job of focusing on academics and I am proud to work with them.

What are some of your most memorable experiences while working in sport?

There are so many! The top moment in working sport for me has to be winning the Empire 8 Championship with AU men's basketball at home. I have never seen such an intense Division III crowd as I saw during that tournament. The energy was beyond anything most people would imagine in a Division III setting. Also, traveling with that team down to Virginia to play in the National Championship tournament was incredible!

Another great experience I had was traveling out to Los Angeles with AU's softball team. I had so much fun with that group. There were so many personalities that I am not sure that I stopped laughing for the week we were there!

Quick Hits: 

Favorite NFL team: I know I am rather shy about this in the classroom (sarcasm), but nobody circles the wagon like the Buffalo Bills! #JoshAllenforMVP

Favorite food: Coming from the answer to the last question, no one is going to be surprised here: chicken wings. The key in the blue cheese though. You can keep the ranch away from me.

Favorite sporting event to work: Football or softball. Both have their specific appeals. Covering football was one of the most stressful things I have done in my career, but there is nothing like the energy at kickoff on a college campus. Also, playing a part in that energy through operating the video board gave you a certain egotistical boost. No one knew who was running that thing, but hearing the crowd react to the video board was extremely exciting.

When it comes to softball, it was all about the game. As a former baseball player, softball holds a special spot in my heart. Doing color commentary for a couple games was an absolute rush. That is not my traditional job responsibility, but due to the amazing support staff I had at AU, I was able to fulfill a dream of broadcasting. I hope there is more of that to come!

iPhone or Android: iPhone no doubt. I am an Apple guy through-and-through.