BGSU student’s transformative journey leads to promising career in college athletics marketing

Jay George ’23 capitalizes on both BGSU campuses to turn curiosity into success

By Patrick Pfanner '14

As Jay George ’23 settles into his new role as assistant director of marketing with Naval Academy Athletics, he will do so with the same mindset that carried him from his hometown of Chester, Virginia, to the classrooms of Bowling Green State University: work hard and stay curious.

George, a first-generation college student, looks back fondly on the progress he has made since the start of college.

“If anyone ever told me before my college career that I’d be able to present in front of so many bright and experienced minds, I would have laughed,” he said. “BGSU was where that belief started to grow.”

George began his college journey at BGSU and later joined the 3+1 communication program, a path that gave him the flexibility to balance coursework originating from both the Firelands and the Bowling Green campuses. As a first-generation student, he admits he didn’t arrive with a clear roadmap.

“I didn’t have a fleshed-out plan for what was possible for me,” George said. “But the flexibility of the program gave me space to build confidence. It’s where I first learned how to approach college with curiosity, and it made the idea of bigger opportunities feel achievable.”

Dr. Raymond Schuck, professor and faculty chair of the humanities department at BGSU Firelands, saw that transformation firsthand.

“After struggling to find his path as a student – and at times struggling to find motivation to continue – Jay really found his home while taking an introductory public speaking class,” Schuck said. “From there, his progress was tremendous.”

The smaller classes and accessible professors in the program helped George develop academic habits that carried him forward. His communication courses taught him how to find credible sources, cite them properly and assess their legitimacy. Those skills made research projects manageable and later helped him produce strong graduate-level work.

“You’re citing pages and pages of sources, and to be able to bring credible sources and properly list them is just as important as the material in your research work,” George said.

BGSU also helped George grow as a communicator. Though he once dreaded public speaking, his courses pushed him out of his comfort zone.

“I had countless projects where I was anywhere from giving formal speeches to acting out full-on character scenes,” he said. “I never enjoyed public speaking before, but by the time I graduated, I felt comfortable with small but key tactics such as pausing and making eye contact. That helped me in job interviews and when speaking at conferences.”

Building in Bowling Green

George sought to complete his bachelor’s degree in communication with an organizational communication specialization.

“My time at Bowling Green truly was one of the best periods of my life,” he said. “The education was extremely practical with engaged learning and creative projects. And the community there – both on campus and in Bowling Green itself – was something special.”

Schuck said George’s shift in motivation was clear once he committed to the communication program.

“When Jay declared for the 3+1 communication program, everything started clicking for him,” Schuck said. “He was suddenly motivated not just to finish his degree but to think bigger about what might come next.”

That motivation led to experiences that shaped his career goals. George completed an internship at Dollywood in the summer of 2022 and worked on an independent study project exploring the cultural and communicative meaning of theme parks. Those experiences gave him a deeper understanding of how entertainment, culture and communication connect.

George credits Schuck as one of the most influential figures in his academic journey.

“He really helped guide me as a student when I wasn’t sure I could finish my college education,” George said. “He helped me realize my potential, and that type of commitment is something I won’t forget.”

After graduating from BGSU in 2023, George earned a master’s degree in sports and recreation management at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), where he worked as a graduate research assistant.

“I produced strong graduate-level work without feeling overwhelmed because of the foundation I built at BGSU,” he said. “The ability to assess credible sources, cite them properly and stay organized – it made a huge difference.”

While at ETSU, George produced a research manuscript and presented his writing at an academic conference. That writing, which was written with the advisement of Schuck, is now under review for publishing.

“That conference not only reminded me that I am capable of accomplishing what I put my mind to, but it also gave me a sense of gratitude for the opportunities afforded to me through college, starting with my time at Bowling Green,” he said.

George is beginning his role with Navy Athletics and hopes to build a long career in college athletics marketing.

Staying connected

Though his career is just beginning, George remains deeply connected to his BGSU roots.

“Bowling Green and all the great groups and people I connected with there – from the Falcon Fanatics to my professors – will always be cherished,” he said. “But it all started with the opportunities I found through BGSU. That’s where I learned to believe in myself.”

Schuck said George’s success is exactly what the communication program is designed to foster.

“Jay’s story shows how far you can go when you build confidence in your abilities,” Schuck said. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see him have a long and meaningful career in college athletics.”

For other students, George offers this advice: “You can accomplish what you put your mind to. Take advantage of the opportunities around you. You might be surprised where they lead.”