From SDSU to SoFi Stadium
SDSU alumna Tatum Lockett ('19) applied the skills she learned in SDSUs Sports MBA program to her new position at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
San Diego State University alumna Tatum Lockett (SMBA ‘19) is part of the staff at the newly opened SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the NFL’s newest stadium and the home to a number of major upcoming events including the 2022 Super Bowl and opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Olympics.
The SDSU Fowler News Team spoke with Lockett, guest experience and scheduling specialist at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park to discuss her time in the SDSU Sports MBA program and the day-to-day responsibilities in her current position.
Do you have a favorite Sports MBA memory?
I would say I have three favorite memories from the program. The first would probably be volunteering with the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. I was able to see the back of house operations for an iconic sporting event. I can also say visiting the Dominican Republic was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I was able to bond with my cohort, learn how society works in the Dominican Republic, see the operations of various MLB facilities, and experience life outside of the United States. Lastly, interning for USC Football for a season in the operations department was an amazing experience where I gained a lot of operational knowledge.
Why did you choose SDSU?
I was looking for my next educational opportunity to give me hands-on experiences and opportunities both within the course requirements as well as outside the classroom with networking and volunteering. With SDSU being in close proximity to various sports organizations within San Diego, I felt as though I would be able to receive all that I wanted in San Diego within an accelerated fashion.
How did your experience as a college athlete impact your Sports MBA experience? Were there lessons learned during your athletic career that you were able to apply to your graduate school experience?
Being a college athlete taught me how to be persistent and determined to learn to the best of my ability. My drive has allowed me to dig deep after long days and weeks to create networking and volunteer opportunities. SDSU Sports MBA is an accelerated program, so it was important to use my time wisely and pick and choose which opportunities would be beneficial for my particular career path. My methods and drive as a collegiate athlete within all of my experiences translated over into the Sports MBA program. All in all, athletics created the foundation of my entire life and has formulated my thinking process to be as meticulous in my career as much as possible because the smallest details matter.
How did you get connected to your current role as a guest experience and scheduling specialist?
SDSU Sports MBA Director Scott Minto (SMBA ‘06) connected with me with Sports MBA alumnus Roberto Castro (SMBA ‘11) about an open position which required a similar skill set to mine. When I was a student in the Sports MBA program, I had met Roberto and worked with him several times during his time with the San Diego Padres. I was able to create a relationship with him and see how operations were run at Petco Park. Roberto’s move to SoFi Stadium, which would open the door to him being my boss, allowed me to be more comfortable and excited about the opportunity. I knew this role would be a great challenge for my career and growth overall as a person.
Describe your current position and day to day responsibilities.
My day-to-day responsibilities vary depending on the day and week, but overall, I’m responsible for ensuring that our back of house team member experience operation processes are set up and prepared for event days. Preparation of uniforms, electronic devices such as radios, earpieces, and ticket scanners, briefing sheets, and scheduling Guest Experience Team Members are some daily processes that occupy my day to day schedule. Overall, I assist Roberto on a daily basis in trying to provide extraordinary experiences, one moment at a time.
Describe what it was like to open a brand-new stadium with the Los Angeles Rams playing the Dallas Cowboys on September 13.
Opening the stadium with Rams versus the Cowboys was bittersweet for me and for a number of people within the organization. I have always wanted to work in the NFL, so I was overjoyed for this experience to finally happen. Being a former athlete, I woke up the morning of that game excited, like it was game day for me! Although we couldn’t open the stadium to fans, as a staff, we were able to look on the bright side of the situation and actually took the chance to enjoy watching the player introductions and kickoff. Having a moment to enjoy these moments is very rare when you’re working a sporting event, so it was great to be able to witness all of it the day we had our inaugural event.
What advice would you give to anyone seeking a role in the sports and entertainment industry?
I would tell anyone seeking a role in the sports and entertainment industry that even if you have minimal experience, you still have many capabilities. Be open to learning things outside your initial plans regarding your career path. Each person’s path to their current role is different, so try not to compare your specific path to that of others in the industry. Whenever possible, network and communicate with people outside your immediate peers in school, business, or your personal life in order to get advice and tips on current industry challenges and needs. Join different groups and be comfortable with being uncomfortable because that is when your best professional growth and career progression can happen.
