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Matthew Brown
CNHI Information Service
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Doree Stephens nonetheless hasn’t skilled the rationale Chicago, Illinois, is named ‘The Windy Metropolis.’ She’s prone to discover out on Christmas Eve at Soldier Area when her new employers, the Chicago Bears soccer membership, is internet hosting the Buffalo Payments in what could be a sport with severe postseason implications.
And even earlier than that when Stephens will get to expertise the rivalry that’s the Bears vs. the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Dec. 4. Or when one other famous NFC rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, come to city Dec. 18.
Stephens, graduate of each Baldwin Excessive College (Milledgeville) and Georgia Southern College, acquired her diploma from the Statesboro establishment in December 2020. Her first skilled job was that of a college instructor in neighboring Hancock County. With the Bears, nonetheless, she’s going to apply what she realized at Georgia Southern when she labored for the Eagle soccer program.
“The grace of God,” stated Stephens, describing simply how she fell into the make use of of a Nationwide Soccer League franchise. “Sooner or later I used to be sitting at dwelling and requested God to point out me an indication. Am I able to take my profession ahead?”
Stephens put her resume on the internet service Linkedin, and someday she acquired notification of an identical alternative. She stuffed out the applying, and two weeks later acquired a telephone name. Stephens interviewed with the Bears over the telephone. One other week-and-a-half of ready paid off, for the subsequent name from Chicago was a job provide.
“I obtained the information the day earlier than my birthday,” she stated. “It was a double bonus of celebration. At the moment I used to be instructing, so I talked with my principal. ‘Take it.’”
Now, what is that this job? She is an intern gear supervisor.
“I’m nonetheless within the strategy of studying all the pieces,” stated Stephens. “I care for the gamers and coaches, help them of their wants. I additionally assist arrange observe, the observe subject, ensuring they’ve all of the gear they want.
“As of proper now we’re preparing for coaching camp. Additionally, stock.”
Stephens took this job with no prior information of Chicago itself.
“I have to say, it’s stunning,” she stated. “However, I’m not prepared for the rationale why they name it ‘The Windy Metropolis.’ Proper now, it’s between 80 to 85 levels, however there’s nonetheless wind behind it. So it’s probably not sizzling. Folks at all times inform me give it two to a few months. ‘You will perceive why they name it “The Windy Metropolis.”’ Apart from that, it’s stunning up there.”
So Stephens may have a sideline view of all of the Bears video games – dwelling and away – for the 2022 season. A kind of highway video games is towards the Atlanta Falcons Nov. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“It’ll be an superior expertise,” she stated.
Chicago is, little doubt, a far cry from Sparta, the place Stephens taught bodily schooling and well being at Hancock Central Excessive. How is it, then, that Linkedin matched her resume with an gear supervisor’s function within the NFL? It’s as a result of Stephens was an gear supervisor for the Georgia Southern soccer crew.
“The one distinction between the job I had in faculty and now, I’m not over the clock and the music,” stated Stephens. “With the Eagles, I mainly did the identical factor. Generally if I had on the fallacious track, it’s like, ’Doree, come on! What are you doing?!’ I’m glad I’m not over that with the Bears.
“I liked (Georgia Southern soccer). It’s the definition of household. Everyone was there for everybody. I obtained a hoop out of it.”
And all of the “swag” that comes from a bowl look. It was the 2020 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl when Georgia Southern beat Louisiana Tech 38-3.
“My final profession purpose is to change into a sports activities agent and leisure lawyer,” stated Stephens. “I wish to be an agent for basketball, soccer and baseball. These are the sports activities I grew up on. I simply see how, as an illustration, recruiters who are available in and attempt to get gamers to return to this faculty and that college. I really like how they ensure that they’re comfy.”
Her diploma is in sports activities administration with a minor in athletic administration. She seems to be on the 50-year impression of Title IX in opening up these alternatives for feminine college students like herself and a private protege.
“It reveals ladies can do the identical issues in a male dominated space,” stated Stephens. “I even have an previous pupil of mine following in my footsteps. She’s going to Georgia Southern majoring in sports activities administration and dealing gear with the basketball crew. I assisted her with that. It’s a very good feeling to know I’ve somebody trying as much as me. I advised her, ‘It isn’t about what folks say. It’s all about flattening the partitions and fulfilling your dream. Do what it’s important to do to get the place you wish to go.’”
It makes her really feel like a trailblazer in her personal time.
In Chicago, Stephens isn’t completely alone. There are Bears with Georgia roots, most notably quarterback Justin Fields and linebacker Roquan Smith. Even nearer to her coronary heart is a fellow GSU Eagle, defensive again Kindle Vildor.
“We’re collectively once more,” she stated.
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