Passion and perseverance elevate KU sport management student Santiago Arias to his dream career

"From a little kid growing up in South Florida, I just loved sports," Santiago Arias recalls. "I knew since then that I wanted to do something with that passion. I didn't know what, I just knew I wanted to be in the industry."

That childhood dream has materialized into a career where Arias leads a team to recruit athletes and agencies for Special Olympics Georgia, and makes a tangible difference in the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities. Along with hard work, an education at the University of Kansas's online Master's in Sport Management program* played a pivotal role in opening doors and preparing him for success.

Now serving as Director of Programs at Special Olympics Georgia, Arias’s journey to sport management success showcases how education, determination, and stepping outside one's comfort zone can transform a childhood passion into professional achievement. From playing football in his neighborhood growing up to directing programs that send athletes to international competitions, his journey offers valuable insights for aspiring sport management professionals.

From childhood Arias found refuge and joy in sports. "We would just walk across the street and play football," he remembers. "Since I could walk, I would throw a football around." This early passion led him to play throughout middle school and high school, eventually receiving Division III scholarship offers.

Though he didn't pursue collegiate football at that time, his love for the game remained a constant in his life. At Arizona State University Arias earned his undergraduate degree in health sciences. The program combined his interests in nutrition, kinesiology, and psychology with a focus on sports. "I fell in love with it the last two years of college," he says. "It did not feel like I was going to school just because it was so interesting and so fun."

After graduation, Arias recognized that breaking into the sports industry would require additional education. "I was applying to jobs left and right, but most of them required or preferred a master's degree," he explains. "I had the drive and the motivation to do whatever I wanted to do. But I knew that this degree would help me tremendously.”

With determination, Arias researched top sport management programs across the country, evaluating programs and courses for their ability to help him achieve his career dreams. "I want to work in sports to make a difference," he says, drawing on skills he developed as a manager at Starbucks, where he learned that "no two people lead the exact same way," and how much could be accomplished through keen management and motivation.

Arias ultimately chose KU's online Master's in Sport Management program for its curriculum and personal touch. When offered admission, "someone called me, and they were so excited," he recalls. That personal connection, combined with courses that aligned with his career goals, made KU the clear choice for the next step in his journey.

For Arias, the University of Kansas's online master's in sport management program stood out for its comprehensive curriculum, but what truly made the difference were the faculty members and “how much they cared and how they taught.”

Unlike his experience at larger institutions where he felt like "just a number," at KU, Arias felt personally known and valued. "I wasn't a student ID. I was Santiago, the student," he explains. "I could reach out to them, have a conversation with them, and they'll listen and be personable."

The curriculum provided Arias with practical knowledge that he continues to use in his professional life. "I use [what I learned] every day," he shares. "I do stuff at work, and think, 'Oh, I learned that in school.'" From finance to marketing, the program equipped him with a comprehensive set of skills for managing sports organizations, which he now implements successfully in real-life situations.

Beyond the academic knowledge, KU's program facilitated significant personal development for Arias. "Throughout grad school, that's where my personal growth happened," he reflects. The program challenged him to do things he "never thought I would do in a million years," pushing him beyond his comfort zone and preparing him for professional success.

This combination of personal attention, practical curriculum, and opportunities for growth made KU's Sport Management program transformative for Arias, setting him up for success in the competitive sports industry landscape.

One of the most transformative aspects of Arias's education at KU was the program's emphasis on real-world experience and practical skills. As part of his curriculum requirements, Arias needed to complete an internship. What followed was a bold decision that would significantly shape his professional development: Arias packed up his life in Athens, Georgia, gave his notice at Starbucks, and drove over 450 miles to Cincinnati, Ohio, to begin his first internship with the Cincinnati Open (then called the Western and Southern Open), part of the US Open tennis series. "I moved to Ohio and worked with stadium operations," he explains. "At that point, it was really cool doing behind the scenes work and seeing how everything flows together to put on this great tournament."

The adventure didn't end there. After a month in Cincinnati, Arias drove to Kansas for his second internship with Sporting Kansas City, again in stadium operations. He describes this period as challenging but firmly believed the end goal would be worth it.

These internship experiences, facilitated by his KU education, weren't just resume builders but helped Arias take his career to a new level. “It was way out of my comfort zone, but I knew that was what I needed to do to reach my final goal," he reflects. "It was extremely difficult, but I don't regret it at all."

While in Kansas, Arias embraced the opportunity to visit the KU campus in Lawrence. "I went to football games, the library, all that good stuff," he shares. "I felt like I was on top of the world. It was the best feeling ever, and it just felt like a second home to me."

Though challenging, these experiences provided invaluable real-world exposure. Arias credits KU as the key to this career breakthrough: "Without KU, those doors would not have been open." More importantly, he learned a philosophy that continues to guide him: "I just love being outside my comfort zone because that's where growth happens."

Today, Arias serves as Director of Programs at Special Olympics Georgia, where he leads a team of five professionals dedicated to recruiting athletes and agencies to participate in Special Olympics programs. His role involves extensive outreach, relationship building, and program management—skills he developed through his education and internships.

The impact of his work is tangible and profound. "We've had athletes that we recruited that just represented the United States in Italy and medaled," Arias shares proudly. "They came back to Georgia, and they did this huge parade for them. Without our program team, that athlete would have never had that experience."

"This job is the perfect spot for me because I am making a difference every day, and I get to see it," he reflects.

His management philosophy, shaped by his education and experience, focuses on "inspiring people to not just hit our goal but to exceed our goal and have fun while doing it." The result is a rewarding professional life that he genuinely enjoys. "I don't go to work thinking, 'I have to go to work another day.' It's fun. I look forward to waking up and going to work," Arias says, adding, "I know not many people can say that, so I'm very, very blessed."

Through his role at Special Olympics Georgia, Arias has found a way to combine his passion for sports, his talent for leadership, and his desire to make a positive impact—a professional trifecta made possible by the foundation built during his time at KU.

Perhaps one of the most inspiring aspects of Arias's professional journey is how he's now using his position to create opportunities for others facing the same challenges he once did. His personal experience with the difficulties of breaking into the sports industry has shaped his approach to hiring and mentorship.

"If I were in a position where I can make a difference to someone fresh out of school in a sports management department, like someone who just needs a chance or a shot... I will take that person because I've been there."

Arias is now fulfilling that promise. He recently hired a recent graduate with a bachelor's degree in sports management whose only experience came from internships—a profile remarkably similar to his own after graduation. Arias recognized the young man's potential and motivation, offering him a position as a program manager on his team.

"That's the difference that I wanted to make," Arias explains, "because I didn't have that chance." He emphasizes that lack of experience doesn't necessarily indicate lack of ability: "Just because you don't have 10 years of experience, or even a year of experience, doesn't mean that you can't do the job."

For Arias, this approach to leadership and mentorship represents the completion of a circle, from being a young professional struggling to break into the industry to opening career doors for others. It's a testament to not only his professional success but also his character and commitment to strengthening the sport management field.

As Arias reflects on his journey from a sports-loving kid in South Florida to a successful professional making an impact in the sports industry, he offers compelling advice for those considering a similar path.

"Just go for it," Arias urges aspiring sport management professionals. "If you're passionate about it and you're hesitant or scared, just go for it." This willingness to take risks has been fundamental to his success.

For those specifically considering KU's Sport Management program, Arias notes what set it apart for him: the instructors. The impact of KU's faculty has been so profound that Arias is now considering furthering his education to become a professor himself. "I'm thinking about going back to school for my doctorate to become a college professor for sports management, just because I've seen the impact they've had on me," he shares. "I want to make that difference for someone else."

Arias credits his master's degree with giving him the boost he needed to pursue his dream. "It gave me confidence—not just academically, but just personal confidence," he explains. This confidence has served him well in interviews and professional settings, allowing him to showcase his expertise effectively.

Through his education at KU, his determination to push beyond his comfort zone, and his commitment to making a difference, Arias has created a rewarding career path worth emulating. His journey stands as an inspiring example of how passion, education, and perseverance can lead to success in the competitive world of sport management.

*This program is a Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in health, sport management, and exercise science with an emphasis in sport management.