Learning the business of baseball

LCCC students engage with panel of Rockies professional staff

There was an electricity in the air in the waning days of summer at Coors Field on Sept. 18 as the Colorado Rockies prepared to host the Miami Marlins. Behind the forthcoming athletic spectacle on the field, the anticipation of the matchup meant that a large team of professionals had a lot of work to do, ensuring that the game would be an ideal spectator experience. 

Not all fans stop to think about the work it takes to stage a Major League Baseball game, but students from Laramie County Community College got a rare look at the professionals behind the curtain during a pregame panel with Rockies staff.

From information technology to graphic design, from event coordination to business operations, LCCC students learned that it takes a diverse team to bring Major League Baseball to life. Students from nearly all of LCCC’s eight pathways had the unique opportunity to hear directly from Rockies staff about what it takes to succeed in those roles. The event was made possible by the Union Pacific Business & Industry Series. 

The trip wasn’t about baseball as much as it was about careers, said Carole Boughton, LCCC’s Business & Accounting Pathway coordinator, who organized the event. 

“The panel was the focus of the event,” Carole said. “The game was the bonus to see operations in action. Every student had to have an academic purpose to go, whether they were interested in business, IT or even sports medicine. It was a great example of how learning can be fun.”

Panelists challenged students to think differently about the “imposter syndrome” or other elements of doubt they could encounter in their professional journeys. Katelyn Hekkert, Group Sales Services & Special Events manager, said succeeding in her career meant she had to embrace being afraid. In the professional world, people often have to take risks in the face of apprehension to realize their ambitions, she said.

“The worst advice I ever got — from parents, teachers, coaches, everyone — was ‘don’t be scared,’” she said. “Not knowing what you want to do is scary. Interviewing for jobs is scary. Even getting ready for this panel this morning was scary. Be scared and do it anyway. Don’t wait until you’re not scared, because that day might never come. The first time you do something, you might be terrified, but once you’ve done it, the next time it’s easier. There are scary things you’re going to face every day, so just embrace that you’re scared, prepare as best you can, and do it anyway.”

Students echoed that sentiment in their reflections after the event. Several wrote that “it’s okay to be scared” and “embrace it and do it anyway,” while others noted that “if your goals aren’t scary, you aren’t reaching high enough.”

Fear was something Chase Brown, an LCCC student, had already learned to confront in his college experience. 

“There’s definitely been some nerves with college,” he said. “I came in scared, like, ‘what if I fail?’ But I think the main thing is just doing it. Even if you’re scared, just push through and keep going.”

Developing skills and learning preparation skills, a consensus of panelists agreed, would be critical for the future workforce to land the right careers. Rick Haddock, Retail Buyer for the Rockies, encouraged students to go all-in on their strengths while also paying attention to the fundamentals of business. 

“Find the one or two or three things that you’re really good at or passionate about and go all in on those things,” Rick said. “Whether it’s graphic design or retail or IT, find your niche and go all in. You’re already in the business world now. If you’re scooping ice cream, know what that cup costs. Understand what payroll looks like, what owners are facing. And one more point: Math is super important in business. It doesn’t have to be advanced calculus, but master the math you’re going to use, because it’s important.” 

Those points lined up closely with what students identified as takeaways: the importance of internships, connections and teamwork. Many wrote that internships are essential, while others stressed the need to be open to new opportunities and to “learn what you do well and do something you enjoy.”

Later, as the students settled into their seats to enjoy the ball game, they experienced firsthand the result of the work those professionals described. It didn’t hurt that a meal ticket covered their lunch, and many enjoyed frozen lemonades, Berrie Kabobs and funnel cakes while taking in the game-day atmosphere.

On the field, the Rockies played from behind most of the day. Miami stretched its lead with steady offense and carried a 9–3 advantage into the bottom of the ninth. That’s when things got interesting. A flurry of Colorado home runs sparked a four-run rally, sending fans into “rally hat” mode and bringing the tying run to the plate. The comeback fell short when Jordan Beck grounded out to end the game, sealing a 9–7 Marlins’ win, but the ninth-inning surge gave students a taste of the excitement that keeps fans coming back.

Carole noted that the Rockies’ late rally was a fitting metaphor for the lessons of the day. 

“It showed the resilience of a team that didn’t give up, even when the odds weren’t in their favor,” she said. “That’s exactly what our students are learning — that persistence matters, whether in school, a career, or life.” 

Addy Tucker said that when she first came to LCCC as a nontraditional student, she was unsure of herself — meeting people, getting involved, even just going to class felt intimidating. Facing those fears, however, led her to grow into a student leader. Today, she serves as president of LCCC’s Rotaract chapter, a service organization for students that partners with Rotary clubs to connect members with community leaders, develop professional skills and “have fun through service.”

“When I first started at LCCC, I was nervous about everything,” Addy said. “But I’ve learned that if you don’t face those fears, you don’t grow. And now, I’m glad I did.”

The final out was recorded at Coors Field and the Rockies had fallen in an already challenging season. But the students saw more than just a ballgame; they engaged with professionals and saw what they could aspire to with their education from LCCC in tow. Beyond the business of baseball, the students saw that if they put in the work, they could have the rewarding futures they aspired to.