We had the good fortune of connecting with Logan DeCicco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Logan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risks is what got me to where I am today.

In 2015, I made my first placement with a NY Recruitment Agency and took my earning to go back to school. At the time, I was training U-8 to U-12 soccer teams, waitressing, and working as a recruiter with a bachelor’s Degree in Communications. My passion has always been soccer, so working with students of the game is where I could be where my feet were and it never felt like work. Hence, the financial risk of going into debt for a career in Sports Administration and Coaching.

Despite this initial risk, in 2017, I completed my Master’s Degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Admin and Coaching and also acquired a full-time Recreation Leader job with Bloomfield Recreation. This job offered me the opportunity to get involved in organized sports leagues, like basketball and volleyball. I learned about summer camp administration and special event management. I implemented a Travel Camp for High School Students, as well as new events like a Drive-In Movie and Haunted Halloween Trail. However, my boyfriend (now husband) received a job opportunity in Denver, Colorado. Despite what might have been the more logical and responsible decision, I chose to resign from my role with Bloomfield Recreation and take the risk of moving to Denver without a job, and as my mother would constantly remind me: without an engagement ring.

Leaving everything I knew in New Jersey was difficult at times and presented challenges. However, I trusted my gut feeling that I was meant to be in Colorado and start my next chapter here. Ultimately, I was offered a job with Denver Public Schools as a Program Specialist. I oversaw before and after-school programming, as well as school break camps. I dove deep into licensed childcare programming, and lesson planning, and built the department’s first Enrichment Exploration Camp. However, there was a piece of me that still felt like I wanted to do more and be a part of something bigger.

In 2021, I took another risk in my career. I decided to take on an Administrative Role for Evergreen Park and Recreation District. During my interview, I was offered the Children’s Program Supervisor role. However, I knew deep down that I wanted to serve a wider demographic and despite the pay and title being higher, I chose the Admin role. This gave me the ability to serve several supervisors and learn the ins and outs of the recreation department as a whole. Just 4 months into my role, the MarCom Supervisor resigned and I was approached to take on some of her work. I ended up falling in love with the energy, creativity, and workload. Shortly after, the role was posted and after going through the interview process, I was selected for the role.

Today, I am about a year and a half into my position. I am constantly approached with new projects and challenges, which can be overwhelming at times but also keeps my job fresh, creative, and dynamic in energy. I have had the opportunity to be involved in Elections, Strategic Planning, Website Development, and more. None of this would have been possible if I stayed on the child programming route. Sometimes you need to take a step back to launch yourself forward. Sometimes you need to take a job for the opportunity to learn, rather than the compensation.

As I said, I would not be where I am today without taking risks.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a woman, building a career in any field is difficult but I think it is especially difficult in the field of Sports Management. I have been told that I am too emotional. I have been told I need to smile more. My appearance is constantly up for discussion, like my weight or my outfit, or my facial expressions. I appear younger than I am, so I am not taken seriously in some rooms despite being a 30-year-old woman. If I am being assertive and direct in my communication, then I am labeled difficult, rigid, and bossy. But if I were a man then I would just be considered a boss and someone to respect and learn from.

After experiencing not being taken seriously, I have learned to monitor my self-expression and set strong boundaries between work and home. It can be challenging to check your ego at the door, let things slide off your back, and push forward when you are not given the same level of respect by male coworkers despite having 9 years of experience and an elevated degree. The job isn’t the hard part, rather it’s navigating work as a woman. The work that I do is what keeps me coming back to work. I love taking on new projects, solving operational issues, mentoring young staff, and learning new technologies to make systems more efficient. It’s challenging and creative and exhilarating.

The way I cope is by returning to my why, which is paving the way for other young women to make their mark in the field of Sports Management. I also do this for my inner child, Little Logan, who loves sports, the friends she made, and the lessons taught to her by her coaches while playing the game. Time stops for me when I am inside the white lines of a soccer field, on the ski slopes of the Colorado Rockies with my husband, or visiting dog parks in the Denver Metro area with my husky, Blu Steel. Being outside, active, and with the people I love is where I go when I need to remember my why. I regain my energy and motivation, then give em’ hell when I clock in on Monday.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Pick them up from DIA, then take them for brunch at Bread & Cocktail Lounge, Denver Biscuit Factory, or the Post. Go for an afternoon hike at Elk Meadow with my husky, Blu Steel (who is in fact ridiculously good-looking). Next, we would BBQ dinner at my home in Evergreen or walk to Evergreen Brewery for dinner and delicious beer. The next day, we would go to Chatfield Dog Park and head home for lunch. Next, we would hit a show at Red Rocks or Dillion. If we went to Dillion, then we would definitely rent a catamaran boat pre-show for panoramic views. If they came in the winter, then we would definitely hit Breck or Vail for a ski day. I would also take them to Dio Mio or Carmines on Penn for a homemade delicious dinner, or downtown Boulder.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my mentors and coaches: Mona Cholowinski, Michael Scuerman, Luke Boldman, and Nancy Cooper. They have pushed me, challenged me, supported me, and modeled what I aspire to be and to keep pushing myself forward no matter what chaos arises. I would also like to thank my parents, Randi and John, for always supporting me even when they didn’t agree with my choices. Lastly, I would like to thank my husband, support system, and best friend: R.J. Hedinger. Through the ups and downs, we always choose each other and support one another unconditionally. I am proud of the life we have built and the risks we have taken and continue to take.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-b-decicco/

Image Credits
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