The generosity and camaraderie of Equipment Managers allows us to award the 2017 AEMA Scholarship to Eddie Hardin just weeks after announcing another winner.
“I am grateful,” Eddie told us this week. “It means a lot going from an intern to my first real job—having bills to pay!”
Eddie sat for the Athletic Equipment Managers’ Association certification exam in June during the Atlanta convention. He passed and immediately added his certification to his resume. Soon he was being interviewed. Now, he begins a job as Assistant to the Director of Equipment Operations at Tennessee State University.
“Camp starts this week, so we are really hopping here,” he said.
GENEROSITY OF NEVADA
Helmet Tracker announced earlier this month that Michael Dryer won the scholarship, and indeed he did. When we contacted the University of Nevada, which paid for his exam, we were asked to pass it along.
“We are always looking for opportunities to help out, too,” Damien Garnett, Assistant Athletic Director of Equipment at Nevada, told us. “Pass it on. We are glad to help out.”
AEMA Office Manager Sam Trusner had picked Michael’s name randomly from an Illini helmet with names of those who applied for the scholarship. Ten equipment managers applied. Eddie’s name was picked as a runner-up, if needed.
AEMA CERTIFICATION KEY
Eddie, now a Tiger, worked a
t USA Football camps this summer while looking for full-time work. He said getting certified by AEMA was key to landing a job.
“I believe getting certified served a huge role. Before, when I applied to jobs I didn’t feel like I was getting a good look. Since I got certified I had more confidence and felt like I was seen as a professional.”
“It really helped me out. Absolutely.”
To read Eddie’s story, please visit http://helmettracker.com/meet-equipment-manager-eddie-hardin/
To apply for the 2018 Helmet Tracker Scholarship, please visit http://helmettracker.com/aema-scholarship/