Madison Decker ’20 is dedication – personified. A former student athlete, former business administration student, a committed member of the College to Sports Networking organization, and a vital part of Giving Back Linda’s Legacy—to name all of Madison’s accomplishments and experience would be lengthy. We’re so glad to feature her in her latest role as a ticket sales representative for the Miami Dolphins! Today, she joins us to discuss her journey through Merrimack, juggling multiple roles, and the value of a network within and beyond college.
Hi Madison! Congratulations on your current job with the Miami Dolphins! You were asked to come on board as a ticket sales representative just a few months ago—what are you doing in this role, and how are you liking it so far?
Hi! I’m currently on the sales development team as a ticket sales representative. I’m mostly calling fans who have come out to Dolphins games in the past, and talking to them about our season memberships for 2021. I’ve also been talking to group leaders about bringing groups of ten or more out to single games, next season.
Starting in April, we also get to work in-person events. We also get to work all of the preseason and regular season games!
That’s exciting! Cheers for us returning to in-person events, after a quiet year. Pivoting to your time at Merrimack, you were on the executive board for College to Sports Networking (CTSN). What is CTSN, and how has it helped you?
I actually joined CTSN in the summer of 2020, during quarantine. I connected with a mutual friend who wanted to bring sport management students and recent graduates together to share career goals, job openings, interview advice, and connect with professionals around the industry, in order to be ready for when everything opened up again.
Claire Foley and I are both on CTSN from Merrimack, and we have really been able to learn a lot and connect with sports industry professionals, as well.
What a great plan, bringing current students and graduates together! It’s great to hear you’ve gained so much from CTSN. Outside of that, you’ve had a ton of different internships and experiences leading up to now! Is there one particular experience that sticks out to you as particularly formative? Why?
I absolutely loved my time interning with Merrimack Athletics. Especially as a student athlete myself, really being able to make an impact and see the school transform in so many ways through that inaugural Division 1 year, is definitely something that will stick with me.
That’s really powerful, getting to see Merrimack change and evolve as a result of your efforts. You’re such a hard worker—while juggling jobs, internships, and (formerly) academics, you also held a volunteer position with Giving Back Linda’s Legacy. How did you manage this? What made you prioritize Linda’s Legacy, while also working and developing your career path?
Giving Back Linda’s Legacy is an organization based out of Baltimore, Maryland, about fifteen minutes from my hometown. We collect and distribute food, clothing, and other essentials to homeless shelters in Baltimore. My family has been a part of the organization since I was in high school. In recent years, my mom has held a leadership position with them. When I was home in 2020, I was able to use my Photoshop and email marketing skills that I learned at Merrimack to help Giving Back Linda’s Legacy.
You’ve had a long stint with them; they must really appreciate all your help. Looking forward, where do you see yourself in five, or even ten years? Where do you hope to be, and what will you be doing?
In the next five years, I definitely want to go back to school and get a master’s degree in sport management or sport administration. Ideally, Merrimack will have a sport management graduate program by then! I definitely would love to be back in Massachusetts in the next few years.
Career-wise, I’d really love to be working either in premium sales or corporate partnerships for the Red Sox, or any other professional sports team, in the next five to ten years.
Fingers crossed for you about the sport management grad program! As we wrap up, Madison: do you have any advice for fellow students, especially those fighting for a spot in the sports industry? And do you have any shoutouts?
My best advice is to work hard every day, to be the best version of yourself, and go after what you want, even if it means taking a risk like moving almost a thousand miles away.
There’s a few shoutouts I’d like to give: I had amazing professors at Merrimack, that really helped me to be a great student, while also being an athlete with a crazy schedule. There’s too many to name, but all of you helped me become the best version of myself!
In the athletic department, I have to thank Jeremy Blake Johnson and Ciaran Cullen. I really enjoyed working for you both, and learned so much along the way. I hope to see you all soon.
Last, but certainly not least, I have to thank the Merrimack Women’s Swim Team. Not only did I become the best athlete I could be, but I became a better student, and now a better professional because of all of you. Go Warriors!
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks for joining us Madison, and best of luck with your career!
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