In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, Noah is joined by the former Athletic Director at the University of Minnesota, Joel Maturi, to hear his career journey from student manager to power-5 AD. Listen to Joel share about the successes and challenges that he has faced as a sport industry professional, as well as some advice that he gives young professionals within the college and pro sport industry. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this week's episode, and be sure to follow our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Curious about Uncommon Sports Group and what our ministry has to offer? Contact us to learn more here! Do you want to join the largest community of future Christian leaders of the college and pro sport industry? Apply to join here!

There are many ways to get ahead of the game as a young professional in the sport industry, but few are as effective as the handwritten note. In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, USG's Senior Engagement Associate, Michael Carpenter, and former Director of Student-Athlete Development at the University of Minnesota, Anissa Lightner, talk about the importance of writing handwritten notes to your network within the sport industry and the impact of it! A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this week's episode, and be sure to follow our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Curious about Uncommon Sports Group and what our ministry has to offer? Contact us to learn more here! Do you want to join the largest community of future Christian leaders of the college and pro sport industry? Apply to join here!

Managers On A Mission (MOAM) is excited to announce the addition of Seth Ralston to its Full Time staff starting in January, 2018. Seth will be serving as MOAMs 1st ever Director of Discipleship & Programs. Seth’s role will be focused on expanding the depth and reach of MOAMs Discipleship of Future Leaders of Sport, in addition to working with the collegiate and professional teams supporting MOAMs innovative Clean Out For A Cause program. Seth’s unique blend of experience in the sports industry and international sports ministry has greatly equipped him for this role. ​ Seth first started in the sports industry while spending four years at Western Kentucky University working 2 season each for both the Men’s & Women’s Basketball teams. Following graduation, Seth held positions in Basketball Operations, spending two seasons with Austin Peay Women’s Basketball and one season with Mercer Women’s Basketball. Throughout his career, Seth has been highly involved with global missions—participating in and leading sports camps in over 10 countries. Seth has been closely connected to MOAM throughout the past 2 years as he has led multiple MOAM teams on summer mission trips. Seth led his first MOAM team to Uganda in 2016, and then to Ghana this past summer. Seth has spent the previous 7 months in Istanbul, Turkey serving as Athletic Director for an international school. Managers On A Mission (MOAM) is a 501c3 non-profit committed to developing uncommon future leaders of sports who will utilize the platform of sport for God’s glory. MOAMs programs are focused on Student Managers, Interns, and other aspiring sports professionals. These individuals are engaged in MOAM’s annual mission trips, service projects, and scholarship programs. MOAM collects new and gently used sports apparel from collegiate and professional teams and coaches throughout the country. MOAM’s vision is to see the world positively impacted by the faith, talent, and resources of the sports industry.

“Being able to attend Passion exceeded all expectations I had for the event. I’ve never felt so connected and empowered spiritually among so many brothers and sisters in Christ and in MOAM”. Joseph Kuykendall - Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame & Minutemen Club - Intern “My experience at Passion 2019 was one that will impact my life far beyond the 3 days I spent at the conference. Passion challenged me to fully commit my life to Jesus Christ and never look back. I’m so grateful to MOAM for the opportunity to attend this incredible conference.” Mason Peeler, North Carolina State University Wolfpack - Football Student Manager “Passion was incredible for many reasons, but the ability to be in a large arena and worship God with 13,000 brothers and sisters in Christ is an experience I will never forget. I enjoyed hearing from the many speakers giving me new perspectives on how God works in our lives.” Kyle Ensor - IMG Ticket Solutions Intern/Webb School of Knoxville - Baseball Coach “When I hear the word Passion, the first thing that comes to my mind is an out-of-body, spiritual movement like no other. The speakers, singers/bands and the environment (surrounded by thousands of fellow believers) moved souls the three days it was held. Seeing individuals giving their lives to Jesus through speakers, songs or just in general was a life changing experience.” Brianne Adcock - University of Akron  Zips - Women’s Basketball, Women’s Tennis, Volleyball Administrative Assistant “My time at Passion Conference was filling, profound, growing, and it set me on fire for the new year set before me. Through each message spoke and song sung, God revealed to me so much of who He is and I truly believe that through witnessing these new revelations of God's character and His plan for my life, the year ahead of me will be shaped and molded, as well as myself in a new desire to pursue Him in a deeper way that was sparked whilst at Passion.” Maggie Bullard - Grand Canyon University Men’s Basketball Student-Manager

The faith-based ministry has updated its name and brand to better communicate its program’s focus on developing Christ-centered leaders of the sport industry. MINNEAPOLIS, MN: For the last 7 years Managers on a Mission has provided faith-based development programming for young professionals pursuing a career in the sport industry. Throughout that time, they have funded 159 Missions Trips, 23 Domestic Service Projects, 79 scholarships, and trained more than 200 up-and-coming professionals. Now, the mission and reach of the program has grown, encompassing a larger demographic and scope. Serving more than just student and equipment managers, the program aims to develop any collegiate or professional “Future Leader of the Sports Industry”. With a new goal comes a new curriculum that broadens the learning activities available to program participants. Now more than just missions, members have the ability to take part in online training, conferences, and coaching weekends in addition to Managers on a Mission’s traditional service projects and missions’ trips. In order to encompass its new direction and outreach, Managers on a Mission has chosen “Uncommon Sports Group®” (USG) as its new brand title. The new brand, including a fresh new look and logo, publicly launched on Tuesday October 13th, 2020. Along with its new look are new opportunities for participants seeking fellowship, development, and support in navigating the unique challenges and temptations that come with a career in the sport industry. “We couldn't be more excited about our rebrand to Uncommon Sports Group.” said Executive Director Drew Boe. “While our mission and support of both Student and Equipment Managers will of course, remain the same, we believe “Uncommon Sports Group®” is more inclusive of the entire demographic we serve. It is more representative of all that we seek to do as an organization. USG will continue to build on all that the Lord has created through Managers on a Mission as we continue to come alongside future leaders of the sport industry, both spiritually and professionally.” Uncommon Sports Group® (USG) looks to the Bible as its source of truth, citing Romans 12:2 as the core to its statement of faith and purpose: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” USG’s vision is to see the Sport Industry used for God’s glory. This goal has created relationships with others that are striving to pursue God’s purpose in their lives and that of all who work for and within professional and collegiate athletics. Retired NFL coach, Author, and National Spokesman for AllProDad, Tony Dungy has this to say about Uncommon Sports Group®: "Sports are one of the most influential platforms in the world. That's why Uncommon Sports Group is committed to developing the future leaders of the sports industry to use this platform for God's glory." By creating opportunities, relationships, and training with this in mind, USG is taking practical steps to ensure that the next generation of young professionals have the resources and support they need to succeed and thrive in their career and faith. Participants in USG’s program will focus on professional development; learning skills and tactics to better prepare them for work within the locker rooms and organizations of collegiate and professional athletics. Additionally, they will be equipped with practices, mentors, and resources to feed their spiritual needs, preparing their faith for the unique challenges presented by a life in sports. The USG program’s team will train a selection of applicants across four separate cohorts each year. Each cohort will complete a two-month training program, culminating in a group weekend, building authentic relationships and networks to provide support for their personal goals and spiritual health. The ministry is primarily funded by its Clean Out for a Cause® program. Donations from partner teams across the sport industry are monetized to ensure that the investment of program participants is minimal. This ensures that participation is available to any and all who are interested in applying. Uncommon Sports Group will launch its new training and curriculum in the fourth quarter of 2020, adding a new cohort of students to their program. To learn more about Uncommon Sports Group, visit their brand new website at www.uncommonsg.org

One of the most effective tools for sharing your faith with others is using a MyStory Tract! This combination of your personal testimony and an illustrated explanation of the Gospel provides you an easy way to share your faith, whether it be a quick interaction with a stranger or having a deep connection with a friend. Download the document below and fill in the blank with your 500-word testimony!

What is Play to Your Strengths? The CliftonStrengths Finder assessment is a respected business, spiritual and research based instrument to help individuals understand how to leverage their unique God-given strengths. When individuals use and know their strengths on a regular basis, they are more engaged and energized in their work, are more successful in their relationships and spiritual journeys, they benefit their personal professional development and are less likely to burn-out! We live in a remedial world in which we often focus on weaknesses. The premise of the CliftonStrengths Finder is that you will make your greatest contributions in life and feel most energized when you are working mostly in your areas of strength. Kaitlin's Testimony: Top 5 Strengths: 1. Achiever 2. Input 3. Deliberative 4. Learner 5. Arranger I felt my strengths were very accurate in explaining what I can bring to an organization. As the Play to Your Strengths experience went on through the summer, I began to understand how each individual strength is more or less prominent depending on the situation. The multi-week process helped me see the accuracy of my top 5! Knowing my strengths has helped me embrace my differences from others. I was at a discipleship project during the second half of my summer and spent all of my days building relationships with others as we grew in our faith. During that time, I was able to be secure in knowing that God created me differently than he created others. I started to become aware of how my strengths have helped me in athletics, school, and my walk with God in unique ways. Since returning to school, it has been super fun seeing how I can directly utilize my strengths as a follower of Christ, a teammate on the field, and a student in the classroom. Through this process, God has taught me most of all how I can use my strengths to be faithful to him. As I’ve grown over the last six months, these are some of the things I’ve learned about my strengths. In my pursuit of Jesus, I can use my strengths of input and learner to be constantly growing in knowledge of who God is and how to walk with him. My achiever strength keeps me disciplined in taking up my cross daily as well as being driven to share my faith. The strength of deliberative has aided me in seeking God consistently and prayerfully and allowing my actions and decisions to patiently follow his guidance. My strength of arranger has been helpful in the busyness of being back on campus, as well as the wrench that COVID-19 can throw in plans. I’m thankful that the Lord created me on purpose and in his image and that I get to use my strengths to ultimately glorify him.

Thank you to all of our Fall 2020 Clean Out For A Cause® supporters that helped us collect 22,119 pounds to fund our ministry! Watch the video below to see who donated!

In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, Noah is joined by the former Athletic Director at the University of Minnesota, Joel Maturi, to hear his career journey from student manager to power-5 AD. Listen to Joel share about the successes and challenges that he has faced as a sport industry professional, as well as some advice that he gives young professionals within the college and pro sport industry. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this week's episode, and be sure to follow our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Curious about Uncommon Sports Group and what our ministry has to offer? Contact us to learn more here! Do you want to join the largest community of future Christian leaders of the college and pro sport industry? Apply to join here!

Have you ever wondered how established sport industry professionals reach the heights they've reached within the industry? Aaron Wasson, who is presently the Assistant Athletic Director for Equipment Operations with the University of Oregon, began his career in sports as a student manager and found his way to a position of leadership at a power-5 program. In this podcast, hear about his journey through the equipment world and how the various experiences he's had have allowed him to have success in this stage of his career. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this week's episode, and be sure to follow our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Curious about Uncommon Sports Group and what our ministry has to offer? Contact us to learn more here! Do you want to join the largest community of future Christian leaders of the college and pro sport industry? Apply to join here!

Our Founder, Drew Boe, shares his thoughts on the rebrand from Managers on a Mission to Uncommon Sports Group. He discusses the organization's growth over the last year, and what you can look forward to in 2022.

In the sport industry, it is vital to have a network of established professionals that you connect with on a regular basis. In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, the University of Texas football's Chief of Staff, Jason Grooms, discusses his career journey and how he has utilized his connections to get to where he is today. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this week's episode, and be sure to follow our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Curious about Uncommon Sports Group and what our ministry has to offer? Contact us to learn more here! Do you want to join the largest community of future Christian leaders of the college and pro sport industry? Apply to join here!