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 鈥22 first came to Elon as a broadcast journalism major, he wasn鈥檛 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.
鈥淣ow, I鈥檓 literally doing that work for an NFL and MLS team. It鈥檚 all coming to fruition,鈥 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 鈥 ticketing, stadium operations, brand and consumer marketing, and 鈥淧anther Vision,鈥 the team鈥檚 broadcast network. The variety of experiences Holley has gained in a field he is passionate about has been the ultimate reward.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 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鈥檓 able to get my feet wet in every area was a blessing in disguise,鈥 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鈥檙e doing. Although it鈥檚 not an original or insightful observation, Holley said it鈥檚 still important.
鈥淭he biggest tip for anyone that wants to get into the sports world is you have to love what you鈥檙e doing,鈥 Holley said. 鈥淩ight now, I鈥檓 averaging between 60 and 70 hours a week, but I love it because I鈥檓 going into an NFL and MLS stadium and it鈥檚 something that a lot of people wish they could do. I never take it for granted.鈥
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.
鈥淚 definitely want to be the general manager one day. It鈥檚 a hard position to get, but with me being born and raised in Charlotte and being a life-long Panthers fan, that鈥檚 the main goal,鈥 Holley said.
But it鈥檚 not just the position title that motivates him. 鈥淚 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 鈥 that鈥檚 my life goal,鈥 Holley said. 鈥淢y career goal would be to have a lasting impact on the Carolina Panthers organization before my time is up.鈥
Holley said he鈥檇 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.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the best thing about Elon,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 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.鈥
Holley said Elon didn鈥檛 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.
鈥淩ight now, I think I鈥檓 driving pretty good,鈥 Holley said.