Graduate Assistant Spotlight: Michael Fenster
4/26/2024 9:43:00 AM | General
Boise State Athletics is spotlighting the graduate assistants who work to help each department within athletics run smoothly while obtaining their master's degree. These features will tell the stories of graduate assistants while also giving information on what each department within Boise State Athletics does.
Michael Fenster is a first-year event operations graduate assistant (GA) working in the operations, stadium & grounds branch of the Boise State Athletics department, while pursuing a degree in the Master of Athletic Leadership (MAL) program.
The operations branch is responsible for coordinating any and all logistics of Boise State home events, as well as rentals for all sports, including football. It also handles all of the scheduling of any facilities for practices, games or other events.
Specifically, Fenster is the game manager for the women's basketball and soccer programs at Boise State, acting as the liaison for all varsity practices and games. He communicates with internal athletics staff, concessions, security, parking, visiting teams and officials to ensure that Boise State and Mountain West policies and protocols are being followed at each event.
"Michael has again redefined the standard of what it means to work like a true Bronco," said Boise State Soccer Associate Head Coach, Max Weber. "Michael is blue collar tough, taking on each task and challenge with grace and determination. He's a problem solver who has led our game day operations to another amazing level this past year and we are so grateful for him."
Fenster has also recently taken on the task of being the lead on scheduling varsity practices, campus groups and external rentals for assigned facilities, mostly consisting of Albertsons Stadium, Caven-Williams Indoor Complex and Dona Larsen Park.
"Michael came off as competitive, hungry to learn and contribute to our department," said his supervisor and director of event operations, Rene Barraza. "Michael was confident in all of his answers, having multiple years in facility and event management from his undergrad. Our staff clicked instantly with him during the interview and we felt that he was going to be a great fit as a teammate and in our culture."
Before working in operations, Fenster initially wanted to work in facility management. However, after taking on an internship at Illinois in event management, he learned that he enjoyed his involvement in sporting events the most from his responsibilities as an intern.
After earning his degree in recreation, sport & tourism management with a minor in business from Illinois, Fenster chose to research graduate assistant programs in the country to further his education. While looking into various programs, he came across the MAL program at Boise State.
"There were a lot of positive remarks on Boise State having an enjoyable work environment and same with the MAL program," said Fenster. "I've always wanted to learn more about leadership to help myself grow as a leader, both personally and professionally. Since I've always been a logistical-minded person and am working in operations, it felt necessary for me to pursue a degree that was going to help me grow. I also really enjoy working in athletics so the program just felt like it was meant for me."
While he still has another year left in the MAL program, Fenster knows he wants to pursue a career in operations. His professional goal is to continue moving up the chain, eventually becoming a director of operations in college athletics or professional sports.
"Boise State was the one school that caught my eye, not just because of the blue turf but the way its athletic department has really started putting itself on the map as of late," said Fenster. "I definitely feel like I picked the right place to pursue my master's degree not only because I've had the chance to work with and around some of the best sports programs at the collegiate level, but also the culture in the department and community that supports it."
Michael Fenster is a first-year event operations graduate assistant (GA) working in the operations, stadium & grounds branch of the Boise State Athletics department, while pursuing a degree in the Master of Athletic Leadership (MAL) program.
The operations branch is responsible for coordinating any and all logistics of Boise State home events, as well as rentals for all sports, including football. It also handles all of the scheduling of any facilities for practices, games or other events.
Specifically, Fenster is the game manager for the women's basketball and soccer programs at Boise State, acting as the liaison for all varsity practices and games. He communicates with internal athletics staff, concessions, security, parking, visiting teams and officials to ensure that Boise State and Mountain West policies and protocols are being followed at each event.
"Michael has again redefined the standard of what it means to work like a true Bronco," said Boise State Soccer Associate Head Coach, Max Weber. "Michael is blue collar tough, taking on each task and challenge with grace and determination. He's a problem solver who has led our game day operations to another amazing level this past year and we are so grateful for him."
Fenster has also recently taken on the task of being the lead on scheduling varsity practices, campus groups and external rentals for assigned facilities, mostly consisting of Albertsons Stadium, Caven-Williams Indoor Complex and Dona Larsen Park.
"Michael came off as competitive, hungry to learn and contribute to our department," said his supervisor and director of event operations, Rene Barraza. "Michael was confident in all of his answers, having multiple years in facility and event management from his undergrad. Our staff clicked instantly with him during the interview and we felt that he was going to be a great fit as a teammate and in our culture."
Before working in operations, Fenster initially wanted to work in facility management. However, after taking on an internship at Illinois in event management, he learned that he enjoyed his involvement in sporting events the most from his responsibilities as an intern.
After earning his degree in recreation, sport & tourism management with a minor in business from Illinois, Fenster chose to research graduate assistant programs in the country to further his education. While looking into various programs, he came across the MAL program at Boise State.
"There were a lot of positive remarks on Boise State having an enjoyable work environment and same with the MAL program," said Fenster. "I've always wanted to learn more about leadership to help myself grow as a leader, both personally and professionally. Since I've always been a logistical-minded person and am working in operations, it felt necessary for me to pursue a degree that was going to help me grow. I also really enjoy working in athletics so the program just felt like it was meant for me."
While he still has another year left in the MAL program, Fenster knows he wants to pursue a career in operations. His professional goal is to continue moving up the chain, eventually becoming a director of operations in college athletics or professional sports.
"Boise State was the one school that caught my eye, not just because of the blue turf but the way its athletic department has really started putting itself on the map as of late," said Fenster. "I definitely feel like I picked the right place to pursue my master's degree not only because I've had the chance to work with and around some of the best sports programs at the collegiate level, but also the culture in the department and community that supports it."
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