Landing a job in Athletic Administration with Thomas Rivera II

Meet Thomas Rivera II.

Thomas loved sports from a young age, and none more than football. That passion was amplified by his experience at a local camp hosted by former NFL defensive back Ray Mickens. Seeing someone from his own community reach the highest level was a huge inspiration. He attended the camp as a kid and later returned to work it as an assistant. Beyond camp, he played football through high school and even had plans to continue at the next level before every athlete’s worst nightmare happened.

ACL tear.

The football dreams ended, but during his recovery, Thomas discovered a deep interest in the rehab process and the science behind it. That experience led him toward sports medicine, and he went on to study kinesiology at New Mexico State with the goal of working with athletes in a medical or performance setting.

Four years later, with a degree in hand, Thomas started to work across a few different areas within that path. He spent time in physical therapy settings, worked in strength and conditioning, and built a clientele base as a personal trainer. He also got into coaching and education, taking on roles as a football coach and eventually stepping into a full-time PE teaching position. On top of his full time work, he picked up opportunities in the event space through camps and activations, which gave him a different perspective on the industry.

Each of those roles gave him experience working with athletes and being in structured athletic environments, but none of them fully clicked as a long-term direction.

So eventually, he decided to go back to school and enrolled in an MBA program focused on sports and recreation management. He moved to California for the program and worked a mix of jobs on the side while continuing to figure out where he wanted to take his career.

While in school, he came across an opportunity to attend a career fair at IMG Academy.

On his own dollar and with no guarantee of an opportunity, Thomas made the trip to Florida to get in front of the team. The conversations went well, but it wasn’t until a few months later that IMG followed up with an opportunity. Thomas interviewed, and a few weeks later was offered a position. He was back in the game.

Thomas joined IMG Academy as a Residential Mentor, working directly with student-athletes on a daily basis, having a huge impact on their daily lives. The role sat at the intersection of structure, accountability, and development, giving him a close view of how the academy operates and how athletes are supported beyond just training and competition. It was an entry level role, but Thomas was invested in the experience and the impact he could have on the athletes he worked with, and people noticed.

Over time, he took on more responsibility and moved into leadership roles within Student Life. He progressed from Residential Mentor to Assistant Head of House, then Head of House, before transitioning into a broader operational role. Today, he serves as Assistant Director of Administration and Strategy, where he focuses on business operations, strategic initiatives, and the overall structure of the student-athlete experience at IMG.

Athletic administration refers to the leadership and operational management of sports programs, typically within high schools, colleges, and universities. These roles are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day and long-term success of athletic departments, ensuring that teams, coaches, and student-athletes are supported both on and off the field. Responsibilities can include budgeting, scheduling, compliance, staffing, facilities management, and coordinating events, all while aligning athletics with the broader goals of the institution.

At the high school level, athletic administrators often focus heavily on student development, safety, and accessibility. They work closely with coaches, parents, and school leadership to create structured environments that prioritize education, character development, and participation. At the collegiate level, the role expands to include revenue generation, sponsorships, media rights, and compliance with governing bodies like the NCAA. While the scale and complexity increase, the core objective remains the same: building programs that develop athletes, support teams, and create meaningful sports experiences.

The rise through the ranks at IMG is impressive, but perhaps even more impressive has been Thomas’s commitment to continue his development in the industry outside of IMG as well. He has worked in event operations with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including during the Tom Brady era and a Super Bowl run (he got to go and work the game!!), and has supported events with organizations like the United Soccer League and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

These part time, gameday roles are not glamorous. For Thomas they meant working long hours beyond his traditional schedule, but they also gave and continue to give him exposure to different leagues, environments, and organizational operations. That extra experience is going to pay off - count on it.

Looking back, Thomas’s path wasn’t built around a single, defined plan. It was shaped by trying different areas within sports, building experience across each one, and continuing to look for opportunities to grow. Most importantly, the common thread across each of these experiences is a commitment to the people and a commitment to self-improvement.

With that approach, and the help of IMG, he has built the type of foundation in athletic administration that will take you far. And far Thomas will go.

Q. How does working in an elite high school environment like IMG Academy compare to the experiences you’ve had working in collegiate and professional sports? What stands out most about the athlete development side at that level?

A. Our job here at IMGA is to develop our student-athletes in all aspects of their upbringing (most importantly, their character and their leadership.); and help them accomplish their goals of winning their future. We hope to do the same with our Student Life staff members. Our job is not only to prepare student-athletes for collegiate and pro sports (where character and leadership is the standard), but for life, where character and leadership is needed to thrive! That is the difference between youth development and collegiate/pro sports, we as adults, educators, coaches, etc. have the ability to impact beyond just their sport identity. 

Q. You’ve consistently taken on roles across the sports industry outside of your full-time job. What drives that, and how have those experiences impacted your career and growth within the industry?

A. I have always wanted to be a well-rounded individual for customers or teammates I work with. Being knowledgeable across different job functions, industries, etc. is always a plus! Working events outside of my primary job as an administrator allows me to change the pace, stay connected with individuals in the industry, and stay connected with an environment that I am passionate about. 

Q. You work closely with student-athletes every day. What’s the biggest piece of advice you give them about their future, and how can that same mindset be applied to someone trying to build a career in sports?

A. I always tell our student-athletes that first impressions are everything. People remember how you made them feel. People remember little things about you. Sometimes those little things make the biggest difference. One other piece of advice I always give them, is to differentiate themselves as students, as athletes, as workers. Stand out for the right reasons — because you are a good person, and because you are a hard worker!

1. It’s never too late to find your path
Thomas didn’t have it figured out right away. He moved through physical therapy, personal training, teaching, and events before finding the right fit. Each step gave him something he still uses today, and ultimately led him to athletic administration.

2. Bet on yourself
Flying across the country for a career fair without a job lined up isn’t the safe choice, but it created the opportunity that changed everything. Sometimes the biggest moves in your career come before you have certainty.

3. Never stop learning
Flying across the country for a career fair without a job lined up isn’t the safe choice, but it created the opportunity that changed everything. Sometimes the biggest moves in your career come before you have certainty.

-Explore a career at IMG Academy (lots of open roles!)

-Youth National Team Administrator | U.S. Soccer Federation

-Resident Advisor/Assistant Goalkeeper Coach | Barca Residency Academy USA

-Coordinator of Administrative and Business Operations | University of Tulsa

-Graduate Assistant, Athletic Administration | University of North Georgia

Thank you for reading this week’s edition of So You Want to Work in Sports. I appreciate you being part of this community.

If you have ideas, feedback, or future guest suggestions, feel free to reach out at [email protected].

If you want more hands-on support as you navigate the start of your career within sports, book a 1:1 session with me here. The sooner you start preparing, the more confident you will feel when opportunities come your way.

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