| Armato Gives Insight Into the World of Sport Management |
On Thursday, Nov. 12, the Pacific Sport Management Club and Tiger PAC welcomed to campus alum Leonard Armato. Armato has been a successful figure in the field of sport management, having been the sports agent to a number of notable stars (including Shaquille O’Neil, Oscar de la Hoya. and Ronnie Lott) and most recently the commissioner of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP). Armato attended Pacific and was a standout on the basketball team under coach Stan Morrison. He earned all PCAA honors, and after he graduated attended University of San Diego law school. Pacific Sport Management club president Kellee Wilson said the event “went incredibly well. We had a great turn out and I was happy to have the support of the student body, as well as the University faculty and Alumni Association.”
“If you visualize something and really believe it, you can do it,” Armato said in regards to acquiring Lott as a client. Armato believes that people who want to be successful have three main characteristics. The first is talent. “You have to be good at what you are doing,” Armato explained. Second thing you have to have is discipline. “John Wooden used to say ‘Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.’” Third characteristic one must possess is heart. “You have to have something driving you and a passion for everything you do.” Overall, Armato’s biggest lesson for people venturing out into the work force to focus on is “energy and bring it everyday.” Annika Ventura, a junior Sport Management student, said “Mr. Armato and his uplifting ‘energy’ made a significant impression on me, the audience, and this campus and it was an honor to have him here.” Professor Pete Schroeder noted “I think his speech was consistent with the things taught in our program, but he was able to bring a real-world perspective to those concepts. And it was a perspective that was very deep in the field.” Lessons from a Seasoned Sports Agent 1. Have a stomach for just about anything 2. You’ve got to be ready to do whatever it takes 3. Use relationships to build other relationships 4. You never know what anyone will think or feel until the time is right 5. You need to start developing value propositions (like Armato’s 24/7/365 speech to Ronnie Lott) 6. Don’t be afraid to be a salesperson
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