My Calling by Alton

My Calling by Alton - July 2014 Scholarship Essay

The field of athletics is as much a discipline as English, History, Chemistry or Art. My name is Alton Conwell and I intend to become the Athletic Director for the private university where I currently work. This is my motivation for obtaining a Master’s in Coaching and Athletic Administration (MCAA). I want to prepare student athletes for life through the field of athletics. I also want to increase the appeal, usefulness, and effectiveness of the university’s athletic program and facilities.
I earned a B.A. degree in Psychology in 2006, 30 years after leaving college. Since then, I’ve wanted to integrate psychology and my passion ― athletics. While working full time in various financial positions at the university, I’ve coached basketball, served on the athletic committee, and guided the school in joining the United States Collegiate Athletic Association, of which it’s been a member for six years.

In 2009 I was asked to teach one P.E. course, for which I had to obtain personal training certification. During my three years in the classroom and my ten years of coaching, I realized how much I enjoyed educating young minds about life, using sports. Teaching students how to respect themselves, what they have, and their surroundings, can translate into learning how to respect others, and to appreciate the journey and achievements of their personal efforts.

These experiences have inspired me to pursue teaching full time in order to do what I really love ― impacting students’ lifetime successes through athletics. So, to answer the question of “What teacher influenced my education?”, the answer would be me and what I feel I have become as an instructor according to the responses and evaluations of the students I have had the pleasure of teaching.