Hosanna Fukuzawa is a sport management major who recently got hired as a head coach for Midwest United FC. Learn how his education at Calvin set him up for this opportunity.
What are some of your highlights from the kinesiology department?
I think the biggest strength of our department is our close relationship with the athletics department. We can see direct connections between what we are learning in our classrooms and how those things play out in the real world. There are also a lot of hands-on opportunities such as working varsity games, handling equipment, and speaking with coaches. The professors in the department are very knowledgeable and have a lot of personal experiences they can share with the students.
What’s one class that prepared you for a job in sports management?
My sports administration class showed me a different perspective on sport—how it runs as a business and how it can impact different people and communities in different ways. It connected well with my internship, and I was able to actually live out the different things we were learning in class.
What was valuable about your internship?
I recently finished an internship at Midwest United FC. I helped manage and coach soccer teams. I also did some research and administrative work for the club. I learned a lot about the U.S. Soccer Federation through this experience. The internship ended in a job offer; I was hired as a head coach for one of their teams.
What are your long-term career goals?
I want to become an agent or a scout for young soccer players. I want to provide more opportunity for athletes who may not come from wealthy backgrounds so that they are given a fair chance to live out their dreams and be able to impact their home community.