|
Alumni In the News - April 5, 2004
Jeff Kingston '99 Featured in Sports Illustrated |
In its "Baseball Preview 2004" edition, Sports Illustrated included an article about the increasing use of statistics and quantitative analysis in baseball. Part of the article profiled "the new breed of front-office executives: fresh, Ivy League-educated faces..." Six executives were profiled. Their colleges? Harvard, Penn, Georgetown, Haverford and Dickinson.
An economics major from the class of 1999, Jeff Kingston is director of baseball operations for the San Diego Padres. He was hired by his predecessor Theo Epstein (Yale '95), and took over the position when Epstein left to become general manager of the Boston Red Sox.
TheSI article noted the shift in backgrounds of front-office personnel. Instead of emphasizing baseball experience as a player or manager, teams are hiring individuals with college degrees in statistics and business. Jeff, who had considered a career in investment banking, started with the Padres as a corporate development intern after graduating from Dickinson. His skills and abilities made an impression on Epstein and Padres GM Kevin Towers.
In an article about Jeff in the Camden Courier-Post, Towers is quoted as saying, "We saw this kid who wasn't afraid to roll up his sleeves and work extra hours. He had a passion for the game, and a great work ethic. That's where it starts."
Jeff is one of many Dickinson alumni who work in professional sports management. They include:
- John Carroll '77, Boston Celtics interim head coach.
- Andy MacPhail '76, Chicago Cubs general manager
- Adam Katz '81, sports agent
- Scott Cohen '91, Philadelphia Eagles director of pro personnel
- Keith Fischer '02, Philadelphia Eagles assistant, pro personnel
- Leon Rose '83, sports agent
- Steven Hoffman '80, Dallas Cowboys kicking coach
- Kirsten Nixa Sabia '92, PGA Tour media account manager
- Eric Margenau '63, minor-league teams owner
- Kevin Nathan '90, sports director at NBC 30 Connecticut News.
- Jonathan Murray '84, financial adviser for professional athletes
- Mark Gorscak '79, Pittsburgh Steelers college scout
- Bill Hudock '02, Buffalo Bills media relations assistant
For more information:
|
|
|
