Whether competing, marketing, or coordinating events, athletics have played a major role in the life of Anthony Goetz ‘19.

In his role as Event Coordinator for the Omaha Storm Chasers, Goetz has arranged events that have helped raise awareness for ALS, cancer, organ donation, brain aneurysm, Parkinson’s disease, and congenital heart disease.

A native of Elizabeth, Colorado, athletics created a path for Goetz to attend Midland as he was given a track and field scholarship. His original plan was to be an athletic trainer, but after one semester, he decided a Sports Marketing major was a better fit. He has no regrets about that decision.

“I have been working in the sports tourism and events industry since my time at Midland,” Goetz said. “I have been creating, coordinating, and running sporting events since my sophomore year. I was encouraged to start on this path early due to the internships required for my major.”

Through the help of his coach, Goetz was able to land an internship with the Omaha Sports Commission, becoming the organization’s first-ever intern. “I jumped at the opportunity,” he said. “It was only supposed to be 80 hours, but it turned into an 18-month position. I successfully led our marketing and communication efforts through website and social media management. I was also able to recruit and host my own national elite pole vaulting event as well as meeting and working with several United States Olympic athletes in curling, track and field, and swimming.”

Following graduation, Goetz worked with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), starting as an intern before eventually becoming Championship Sport Manager. “I was in charge of six NAIA National Championships,” he said. “I also had the opportunity to be in charge of the first-ever NAIA Women’s Beach Volleyball National Invitational. Being able to hand teams their championship trophy was one of the coolest experiences of my career so far.”

Goetz was always involved as a student at Midland, and actually met his future wife on campus. Aside from competing on the track and field squad, he helped organize the Human Performance Student Leadership Council, as well as being a part of other student organizations. “I loved that Midland was not an overwhelming place,” he said. “Everyone knew everyone, and it was easy to find and make lifelong friends.”