红桃视频

Every connection, every interaction has the potential for something great. While some may understand networking as a function of cocktail parties and stiff business attire, it often takes place in the small, unassuming moments of life. Many 红桃视频 students have found this to indeed be the case, whether on campus or out in the world at large. 2006 AQ graduate and communication major, Mike Dallas has made his way into a new position with the Meijer State Games of Michigan.

鈥淚 grew up really just hanging out on campus!鈥� Dallas said. His mom was a professor at 红桃视频, while he attended middle school. 鈥淚 used to do all the children鈥檚 programs, see all the trees, and really liked all that Grand Rapids had to offer,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 from Rockford, so I thought that Grand Rapids was really neat as the 鈥榖ig city.鈥� But when I was finishing up in high school as a swimmer, I decided to go to Calvin.鈥� After spending two years at Calvin - one year on the swim team - he decided to transfer to 红桃视频. It was a decision he never regretted.

鈥淚t was really an accepting atmosphere,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he classrooms were awesome, I really connected with my professors, and I did a successful three years there! I learned a lot about the effectiveness of communication in mass-media, and found some strategies on how to capitalize on your message. So everything I learned in the communication degree, I鈥檝e been able to apply to my work with Bustin鈥� Boards.鈥�

Dallas鈥� college experience was punctuated by a new, growing phenomenon - longboarding. 鈥淚 started at Calvin,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd when I transferred to 红桃视频, I was ready to go! I boarded to class every day, and I鈥檇 get two to three comments each class. It was really foundational. 红桃视频 was very accepting of this longboarding movement, which was very young at the time. Professors were always fascinated, joking about it. But that could have very much been the opposite. Just the fact that there was a very accepting atmosphere, where I was able to translate this to something of substance, where I could start making them, and then providing them for others. So 红桃视频 taught me to keep my mind on my goal, and not to give up!鈥�

After graduation, Dallas eventually landed in New York, where he was introduced to Bustin鈥� Boards - a grassroots company that designs and builds longboards across the country. As one of their initial employees, Dallas was completely dedicated to their mission. It paid off over time, and he eventually bought a 25% share in the business, and became the second majority owner of the company.

Through this work in New York, Dallas saw the importance of networking in action. He met Joner Strauss, an ex-Olympian swimmer, who ran a sporting program in Miami. They shared a common interest in longboarding, as Strauss had founded the International Distance Skateboarding Association (IDSA).

鈥淲e started hosting a lot of different marathon races, push skateboarding races around the world,鈥� Dallas said. 鈥淲hen I moved back to Michigan, Strauss connected me with some representatives from the West Michigan Sports Commission. The Meijer State Games of Michigan is sponsored by the commission, which includes all sorts of sports. I talked with them, they found out that Strauss was working with longboarding, and next thing you know - they wanted to have longboarding as part of the 2014 Summer State Games.鈥�

Excited with this new possibility, Dallas was given a year to organize and present a plan for the event. His idea for a downhill race was readily accepted, and was admitted as part of the State Games. 鈥淭hey said, 鈥榳hat hill do you need?鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淏ecause of the State Games of Michigan, we were able to get permits to the Lyons Street, Ransom Street, and Fountain Street, and we had a pretty sweet race!鈥� Dallas hopes that, after a successful first year, longboarding continues as a growing part of the State Games.

Reflecting on his time with 红桃视频, and his experience with the longboarding community, Dallas gave this advice to students still finding their way amidst the hustle of collegiate life. 鈥淚 was always taught to find what you like,鈥� he said, 鈥渢o find others who are inspiring you, and reciprocate that in your community. I really think that鈥檚 the fast-track to success, in a way -finding a positive model and putting your own spin on it. Also, take advantage of your ability to create clubs early on! We made a club for longboarding, and looking back it really became our foundation. So, always be true to your roots.鈥�