Holley, a broadcast journalism graduate, is now a Minorities in Sports Fellow with Tepper Sports & Entertainment and works with the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Football Club in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles.
When BreShawn Holley ’22 first came to Elon as a broadcast journalism major, he wasn’t comfortable with his camera work or production skills. But through the diligent and innovative faculty in the School of Communications, Holley has not only developed greatly in these areas, he has excelled in them.
“Now, I’m literally doing that work for an NFL and MLS team. It’s all coming to fruition,” Holley said, who is in the middle of a year-long Minorities in Sports Fellowship with Tepper Sports & Entertainment.
Working with the Carolina Panthers and the newly minted Charlotte Football Club for the year-long fellowship, Holley will spend three months getting hands-on experience in four different departments for both franchises – ticketing, stadium operations, brand and consumer marketing, and “Panther Vision,” the team’s broadcast network. The variety of experiences Holley has gained in a field he is passionate about has been the ultimate reward.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do; I just knew I wanted to be in the sports world. And for me to find a fellowship that had four different departments in one and I’m able to get my feet wet in every area was a blessing in disguise,” he said.
A piece of advice Holley would give current students preparing to embark on their future careers is to be passionate about what they’re doing. Although it’s not an original or insightful observation, Holley said it’s still important.
“The biggest tip for anyone that wants to get into the sports world is you have to love what you’re doing,” Holley said. “Right now, I’m averaging between 60 and 70 hours a week, but I love it because I’m going into an NFL and MLS stadium and it’s something that a lot of people wish they could do. I never take it for granted.”
Holley said his short-term goal is to land a full-time position with the Panthers once his fellowship is completed. But long-term, Holley has his sights sets on a far loftier goal.
“I definitely want to be the general manager one day. It’s a hard position to get, but with me being born and raised in Charlotte and being a life-long Panthers fan, that’s the main goal,” Holley said.
But it’s not just the position title that motivates him. “I just want to be able to leave a legacy and be remembered for doing good in the community. I just want my name to be associated with nothing but positivity and respect … that’s my life goal,” Holley said. “My career goal would be to have a lasting impact on the Carolina Panthers organization before my time is up.”
Holley said he’d be remiss not to acknowledge all the helping hands that have supported him along the way. Whether it be his family, the mentors he developed in the Panthers organization through LinkedIn networking such as Director of Inclusion and Belonging Jasmine James, or Elon faculty and staff, like Kelly Furnas, Alex Luchsinger or Kathy Ziga, Holley has always had the right people in his corner.
“That’s the best thing about Elon,” he said. “I didn’t know how to do a lot of things and I would question and doubt myself if I was capable enough to do it, but Elon had the right people to be in my corner and push and guide me.”
Holley said Elon didn’t just give him the car and keys and expect him to drive. But step by step, he was given the tools to take his career forward and now is utilizing them in great ways.
“Right now, I think I’m driving pretty good,” Holley said.