Where Are They Now Wednesday: Sam Dodd

CHICAGO – This week, we continue our series of feature profiles known as "Where Are They Now Wednesday" with former DePaul Softball star Sam Dodd.

In the middle of each week as we navigate our way around a deadly pandemic, we will bring back a little normalcy into your world reminiscing about some of those favorite Blue Demon players that you cheered on in the days when we could all get loud and rowdy at a packed arena or stadium where no one ever heard of social distancing.

We will get the DePaul community and Blue Demon nation caught up on the life and times of familiar faces who brought you good vibes during their playing days in Lincoln Park.

Some continue to pursue their dream of playing in the pros, both overseas and in this country while others have launched successful careers and started raising a family of their own.

One thing they all share is a deep, abiding sense of kinship and gratitude for the impact on their lives from the DePaul experience and the willing sacrifices of coaches and athletics personnel to kick-start a successful journey while unlocking their vast potential.

We shine this week's spotlight on 2013 alumna Sam Dodd. Dodd and the Blue Demons made three NCAA Regionals appearances between 2010-2013. The Fontana, Calif. native was named an All-BIG EAST honoree three times in her career, earning First Team distinction in her senior season.

Dodd closed out her career with 210 career hits, nine home runs and 88 RBI. In her senior season, Dodd started all 53 contests and led the Blue Demons at the plate with 67 hits and a .379 hitting percentage.

After her DePaul undergraduate career, Dodd went on to pursue her MBA in Sports Management at DePaul while assisting the athletics department in the business office. Following completion of her coursework, Dodd made the move back to her home state of California where she continues her work in collegiate athletics at Stanford University with the women's basketball program. Sam.

In her own words, Sam brings us up-to-date in this Q & A exchange.

What years did you attend DePaul and compete in athletics?
I attended DePaul from 2009-2013 and was a member of the softball team.

What were the most memorable performances for you and the team?
A few team performances that were memorable for me were winning the BIG EAST Regular Season in 2010 and beating #8 ranked Mizzou in Missouri at the NCAA's in 2011. Both of those teams had solid team chemistry and taught me as an underclassman the level of competitiveness that's needed to be successful at the college level. Personally, being a first team all-conference player, my senior year was special to me. It was a goal of mine coming into college and to accomplish it on my way out was definitely a feel-good moment.

What are the best memories you have of being a Blue Demon?
My fondest memories have to be interacting with my teammates and having fun playing softball, as simple as it sounds. DePaul softball is always known for its work ethic, its grittiness, and the competitive excitement that comes along with being the underdog. Those memories of competing with my team and going through the ups and the downs together was actually the best part. Also, as a West Coast native, having the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Chicago.

What did you learn from your DePaul experience that is helping you now?
My DePaul experience ultimately taught me how to persevere. We are always going to be in situations where the cards are stacked against us and we are expected to perform or in scenarios where it's time to work hard with no excuses. I gained confidence in learning things like navigating the city, surviving my first Chicago winter, and having to practice indoors for months at a time. All those things it takes in order to be a successful student-athlete, Blue Demons always have to work a little harder at. That work ethic has carried me through my successes post-college.

Talk about life after DePaul---did you attend grad school and when did you graduate and with what degree?
I am blessed to be a Double Demon, I attended grad school right after undergrad and got my MBA in Sports Management from our Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

Where did you live after graduating DePaul and what was your first job out of college?
After graduating, I moved right down the street. I had an opportunity to become a graduate assistant for our Athletic Business Office while pursing my master's degree. Along with learning the financial piece, I got to work in a number of departments and expand my overall knowledge of college athletics.

When did you launch your career and what profession are you working in? Where are you working, for which company and what are the top priorities of your job?
I officially launched my career in 2015 at Stanford University as an Accounting Associate for the athletic department. I worked with a number of sport programs to assist them in their budget preparation, keep them on track throughout the fiscal year, and provide them with financial reporting. After working in that position for three years, I moved into my current position as the Assistant Director of Finance and Administration for the Women's Basketball program. In this role, my top priorities include building and maintaining the team's annual budget and overseeing the team's financial activity throughout the year. I also coordinate all of the travel plans for the program during the season and am a travel liaison during the NCAA tournament.

How did you land your job, and were there any DePaul connections or university networking that helped?
I applied to a number of jobs in the sports business industry. My experience working in the DePaul Athletics business office and other units became a huge strength and helped me become a qualified candidate. In addition, my business classes in grad school were helpful in gaining more insight into the sports industry.

In what ways did your DePaul education and student-athlete experiences prepare you for your success after college?
The time management aspect of being a student-athlete is vital to success post-college. The majority of success in my position comes from having the ability to multi-task at a high level and I credit my experiences balancing student-athlete life. Another huge part of finding success includes learning and understanding the work styles of coaches, admin, and other department staff. I learned that through my experience with navigating travel nuances, experiencing coaches' various methods of teaching on-field skills, and even observing how coaches prioritized their spending. Learning to adapt to those various work styles with teammates and coaches is useful in working with others in your professional life.

What is the situation with the coronavirus in your locale? What precautions are being taken to keep you healthy?
Our county is still high risk so we are still shut down, with a few exceptions. I reported back to work due to the college basketball season moving forward, so I've been wearing my mask, getting tested every work day, and staying 6ft apart! In order to help keep others around me safe, all those steps are a must.

How has COVID-19 affected your career and your life overall?
Like the world, my life definitely came to an abrupt halt. We were in the process of getting ready for the NCAA tournament when the shut downs happened so March Madness being cancelled was a huge bummer for everyone. On the upside, I have had the chance to spend more downtime with my family in these past few months, which has been a blessing. I'm grateful to be healthy and I definitely learned to slow down and be more still.

How do you spend your free time?
During the past few months I spent my free time reading, binge-watching all my favorite old shows, and I took on yoga. I also enjoyed watching the WNBA and NBA games. It was tough not attending sporting events this year but having that on TV was a good fix.

What message would you pass onto current Blue Demons getting ready to venture out into the real world? How much hard work and perseverance does it take?
The real world is out there for the taking! The transition out of student-athlete life has its challenges but like sports, the dedication to your craft is the key. There are always tough days but having the confidence and trust in your work ethic is essential! Many scenarios we experience during our time playing sports repeat themselves in different ways in the real world and all the skills you are acquiring now will be used for a lifetime. It's alright to be nervous but don't be discouraged because you are well equipped.

Related Videos