Graduate sport administration alumna's journey recruiting top athletes to working with top talent agency in sports
From recruiting top football talent to working with one of the most powerful talent agencies in sports, alumna Addison Hill (‘22) has turned her passion for college athletics into a prolific career experiencing a string of "dream roles” at Vanderbilt and Auburn Universities and now Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in Nashville.
Hill credits Belmont’s personalized mentorship and flexibility for guiding her toward achieving her dream of working in sports.
The Tampa native has had her eye on college football since attending University of Florida games when she was younger. As an undergrad at Samford University, she consistently carved out opportunities for herself that drew her closer to her dream career, particularly by creating an internship position for herself with the football team.
“I basically walked up to the football facility, and said, ‘Hey, I love football. It's my favorite sport. Are there any opportunities for me as a student to intern? I will literally take anything,’” Hill shared. “I ended up working for free in the football office under recruiting and player personnel and I absolutely fell in love with it.”
After graduating from Samford’s sport administration program in 2020, she wanted a graduate program to set her up for success. The abundant sports opportunities in Nashville, personalized approach and small class sizes made Belmont the perfect fit.
“I’ve recommended the program to multiple people now,” Hill said. “Obviously, Belmont does not have a football program for me to work with, but it was the perfect place for me.”
Setting the Tone for Pursuing Big Dreams
Belmont’s Master of Sport Administration requires students to complete internships, which are great opportunities to get real-world experience and expand their professional network. For her internship, Hill aimed for Vanderbilt Football, a program that had never hosted a graduate assistant from an outside university.
Supported by her professors, Hill cold-called Vanderbilt, expressed that she would love to be a part of the program as a graduate assistant and eventually secured a spot. “The Belmont staff were so understanding and encouraging of my passion, which made me so happy because I know other places may not allow that,” she noted.
Her tenacious drive has become an example that professors in Belmont’s program encourage students to follow. In 2023, The Tennessean ranked Nashville as the eighth best city for sports business in America. Home to teams like the Titans, the Predators and Nashville SC, Nashville is a sports fans dream city. This thriving sports scene creates excellent opportunities for students studying sports in Nashville, offering real-world experience with major teams and organizations.
“[The professors] told me I set the tone of what they want their program to be nowadays,” she said. “Belmont was a great listener. If a student has something they want to do, they say go for it. They adapt so the student can get credit. The students can find their passions and follow that.”
After Belmont, Hill was a recruiter at Auburn University and the University of Missouri, where she used the experience she gained during her internship to organize campus visits, evaluate potential players, create content and communication strategies for the team and more.
Hill heard of CAA through her previous work, and decided it was the perfect way to move back to Nashville and make a transition in her career.
“I fell in love with Nashville, and I wanted to move back here eventually. Belmont was the place that helped me feel so at home,” Hill said.
Creative Artists Agency specializes in helping athletes develop personal brands and secure brand endorsements. The agency also provides media training and supports athletes through contract negotiations. Hill now assists an agent transitioning into sports, a role that aligns well with her professional background.
For Hill, the most rewarding part of working in sports has been watching the success of the students and athletes she mentors. Many of the students she worked with during her Belmont internship remain close to her today.
“I am so thankful that I found a way to work in sports," she said. “I will keep on trucking in it as long as I can.”
Learn More
Learn more about Sport Administration at Belmont