Posted on Friday, December 15, 2023
When a medical condition caused Katie Hearn ’12 to go almost blind a year after getting her dream job with the Atlanta Braves in 2016, she could have thrown in the towel. Instead, she learned to adapt. Using her experience as an example, today she encourages students not to be afraid, but rather welcome challenges as they come.
“Limitations only set us back if we let them have control,” she said.
Currently, she works as the gameday staffing and administration manager for the Atlanta Braves. She also serves as an Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator and a member of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s State Rehabilitation Council.
From political science to sports management
Hearn’s drive to pursue a career in the sports industry started as a student at LaGrange College, where she played softball.
Since a Sports Management program was not yet in place during her undergraduate years, she majored in Political Science.
Her experience of presenting research at academic conferences eventually led to her serving as an intern for former U.S. Representative Lynn Westmoreland.
“Katie was always a hard worker and surmounted any challenge thrown at her,” said Political Science Professor Dr. John Tures.
Upon graduating from LC, she took part in a trainee program for the Atlanta Braves and was offered a full-time job in 2016.
A year later, she was diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri, a condition that caused her to lose most of her vision. Despite the obstacle, she was determined to keep her job.
After some vocational retraining, she was able to return to work in 2018. That same year, she was named the recipient of the Walter Banks Award, which is given to an Atlanta Braves game day staff member who has done exemplary work.
Preparing students for success
This fall, Hearn returned to the Hill to serve on the Sports Management Club’s new Advisory Team. The group is made up of individuals from high school, professional and college athletics as well as Troup County Parks and Recreation and various sports management companies.
“These board members are committed to helping the Sports Management program and sharing their expertise with our students,” said Dr. Clay Bolton, Associate Professor of Sports Management.
He said Hearn serves as an inspiration for students in the program.
“She is a shining example of persistence and resiliency,” Dr. Bolton said. “Katie unselfishly gives more than 100% percent to her job with the Braves and even more to being a kind and generous light in Major League Baseball.”
In addition to receiving mentorship from Advisory team members, Sports Management students are also offered opportunities to travel. In July 2024, the program will be leading an 11-day study away internship in England and Scotland. For more information on this and other study away trips, visit the Global Engagement website.
With 2023 winding down, there are only a few weeks left for those who want to make a tax-deductible gift this calendar year. A donation to the LaGrange College Fund supports critical needs for students, like scholarships and career counseling. Make your gift for 2023 at www.lagrange.edu/give.
Spring Preview Day 2024
Come to Spring Preview Day at LaGrange College. Tour our beautiful campus and discover that the LaGrange Experience is the experience you've been looking for. RSVP at lagrange.edu.
3-William McCoy, Mathematics and Sciences
6-Jeff Geeter, Athletics
10-Susanna Baxter, Executive Leadership (President)
15-Matthew Strother, Communications & Marketing (Development)
17-Lanora Yates, Fine and Performing Arts
22-Rebecca Nicks, Executive Leadership (Vice President for Advancement)
Men’s Basketball
The Panthers will travel to Memphis, Tennessee to play in this weekend’s Rhodes Classic. The team will face Rhodes College on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 2 p.m. The following day, LC will play Sewanee at 2 p.m.
Freshman guard Samuel Moss earned his third straight CCS Rookie of the Week award after scoring a team-high 19 points in the 76-65 win over Point on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
Women’s Basketball
LaGrange played Samford University in an away scrimmage on Wednesday, Dec. 13. The Panthers lost 76-50 in a hard-fought game. The team will take on Georgia State University in another away scrimmage on Dec. 19 at 1:30 p.m.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Saturday, Dec. 16 – Men’s Basketball at Rhodes, 2 p.m., Memphis, Tennessee
Sunday, Dec. 17 – Men’s Basketball vs. Sewanee (@Rhodes), 2 p.m., Memphis, Tennessee
Tuesday, Dec. 19 – Women’s Basketball at Georgia State, 1:30 p.m., Atlanta, Georgia
Friday, Dec. 29 – Men’s Basketball vs. Southern Virginia (@Greensboro), 2 p.m., Greensboro, North Carolina
Saturday, Dec. 30 – Men’s Basketball vs. William Peace (@Greensboro), 4 p.m., Greensboro, North Carolina
Tuesday, Jan. 2 – Women’s Basketball at Belhaven, 3 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi
Tuesday, Jan. 2 – Men’s Basketball at Belhaven, 5 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi
Friday, Jan. 5 – Women’s Basketball at Piedmont, 5 p.m., Demorest, Georgia
Friday, Jan. 5 – Men’s Basketball at Piedmont, 7 p.m., Demorest, Georgia
Saturday, Jan. 6 – Women’s Basketball at Covenant, 2 p.m., Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Saturday, Jan. 6 – Men’s Basketball at Covenant, 4 p.m., Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Michael Bishop, Genre-Busting Writer Known for Science Fiction, Dies at 78, New York Times, Dec. 12
From player to coach in the blink of an eye: Gracie Brunel turns devastating knee injury into a new opportunity at Troup High, LaGrange Daily News, Dec. 9
Moss gets back-to-back conference awards, Newnan Times-Herald, Dec. 8
Category: College, Academics, Students
Keywords: Sports Management, Athletics
