That Zoo Life
Devin “Denver” Johnson is the Graduate assistant at Western Michigan University Athletic Facilities. Today the interviewing roles are reversed. Born and raised in Kalamazoo Michigan the journey to Western Michigan was only few miles away. Devin played sports all his life. “Growing up I played football, basketball, baseball, soccer, cross country…” “So, everything?” “Yea pretty much.” His passion for sports ran deep inside. The genuine love established; Devin barely could hold himself. Nothing could hold him back for following his dreams to play professionally, nothing until injuries.
“I had concussion issues during high school. It made me do other sports with less contact to keep me active and playing. That’s where I began doing cross country and more baseball.”
Injuries derail so many careers before the athlete can began to blossom. Even those few who do make it may not last due to catching the injury bug.
“I played sports because, I love it. That’s why I wanted to pursue a career in it.” The reason Devin stopped playing was after he took a gap year. He wonders what’s next, and that’s where and when he came to terms that sports was his pathway.
“I played baseball at KVCC (Kalamazoo Community College). It wasn’t until I hurt my shoulder when I needed time to recover. That’s when I thought what can I really do next.”
He then transferred over to Western Michigan with the intent on getting degree in sports management. Working 3 years within a smaller school athletic facility showed Devin that this isn’t something he want to do in his future. “Working here is fine but, I just like the actual business side of it. Putting up and tearing down events is cool, but I just wanna be behind the scenes and a desk.” “The boring stuff?” he said with a smirk “Yup the boring stuff.” The reason being is because, he feels once he follows up a career in facilities that’s the day he gives up his love for sports. No more heart for any of the sports he’s played. Working from the outskirts of the official teams and having to not really be invested within the organization takes away his passion. “If I lose the love for sports is the only way I’d be working facilities.” The physical demands and continuous manual labor aren’t an ideal dream of a position for any big dreamer. I know I don’t want to build a career of just being a facility manger. After a while a person with real fire is going to want to make organizational changes. Make real change from the inside rather than the repetitive nature of facilities. To Devin, learning from a smaller organization in facilities makes him want to eagerly branch out and explore bigger.
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Let’s take it back some more, from the beginning. Growing up in Kalamazoo was something to behold. He witnessed the birth of the Kalamazoo promise. The Kalamazoo promise gives kids that goes to Kalamazoo public school’s free tuition to any university in Michigan.
“No, I didn’t get the promise. My schools were right outside qualifying range.”
Something so beneficial to a person’s life was the reason his parents considered moving for Devin in 6th grade. Unfortunately, the move never worked out. He instead stayed and, swallowed the pill. “It sucks.”
Now Devin is still here at Western Michigan University trying to gain his master’s degree. On his way here he’d gained experience from different aspects of sports. He’s even coached baseball. Working different avenues for sports allowed him to garner more experience. With this behind him his future seems clearer. He’s gotten married this fall and now after settling down is prepared to do what’s next. “Being tied down is definitely the reason I haven’t left here. The lady didn’t want to yet.” Devin has had thoughts of branching out for a while and leaving the Kalamazoo area. His wife wishes to stay until they’re both sturdy and pathways are prime for more. His envision now is to get done with school and see where it takes him after.
“Where do I see myself in 5 years?… well I… wow that’s tough one.”
It felt like an eternity waiting for Devin’s response “Definitely not in Kalamazoo.” Where he ends up isn’t an issue for him. He’s leaving that small-town mentality behind him. Facilities is not Devin’s endgame; he’ll do whatever it takes to be inside an organization within 5 years. He prefers to work marketing department or business orientated position. His true love in sports lies within how and why its run. If he’s not physically playing anymore this road is his passion.
To start, Devin just needs to make the first move. A list of goals on how to get to where he needs and wants to be was not available. I don’t believe he truly knows what to do next. Do anyone though? There’s always a vision, everyone dreams. Getting there is the question. This journey with Devin has made me believe no one is alone. Graduation gets you a degree as well as an education to be able to work. It’ll help you get a job but, doesn’t guarantee you will get one.
This world is a Michigan road, full of potholes and smooth cruising. Devin’s road through life has its setbacks, as well as clean trailing. He has endured growing up and learning he’s not eligible for the Kalamazoo promise. Persevered and used sports as his out… an escape he fell in love with. He worked his way up playing all facets of every kind of sport testing where his true heart lies. Comstock high school playing until concussions began to add up. Instead of giving up his lifestyle he alters what he was able to play and kept pushing forward. Played well enough to play college baseball at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Shoulder injury gave him another bump and question his future. Transferred to Western Michigan University in a quest to find his calling. Graduated, finishing his master’s degree, and married the Love of his life. This story is far from finished. Devin is just getting the car started.
