What Is It Like to Hang Out With the National Championship Trophy??

What is it like to hang out with the National Championship Trophy??

Every year thousands of college football players seek one dream, to be able to hold the National Championship trophy at the end of the year. Meet someone who has gotten to live that dream, for the past 4 months.

Dana St. Germain, a native of Cedar Rapids, IA, had the opportunity over the past 4 months to travel with the National Championship trophy and ESPN's College Gameday. Dana has been working part-time for a sports marketing firm, BreakAway Sports Marketing which was founded in 2002 in Plano, Texas. Their primary focus is event marketing and public relations in the sports world. Each year during the college football season, BreakAway produces hundreds of local and national media placements for The Coaches' Trophy, the Waterford Crystal national championship trophy.

Dana was able to receive the role based on her previous knowledge through working in sports for over the past 8 years. Dana originally started working for the Cedar Rapids Kernels and has also worked for the Cotton Bowl, Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament and other college events that occur within Cowboys Stadium.

This year Dana traveled from Birmingham, AL, to Missouri and Boise, ID. Being able to travel with the trophy and promote it to the fans during College Gameday FanFest.

A couple of Dana's favorite things about her endeavor included Mellow Mushroom Pizza in Birmingham, AL, and the first trip to Boise,ID, which was College Gameday's first ever trip to Boise as well as the trophy's. Unfortunately Iowa fans, Dana also said that Missouri had a great set-up on their Quad for Gameday. Oh well, we beat them anyway!

Even though her job allows her many opportunities, Dana said her favorite part of the job is, “the people I work with and work for.” Also, “I always love the look of a fans face when they see the trophy for the first time,” is what Dana listed as her best experiences with the trophy.

I asked Dana what her one piece of advice would be for anyone wanting to follow in her foot steps and Dana replied, “If getting into sports is what you want to do, be ok with being broke and working long hours. When I'm with the trophy, we are up at 4:30am to be set up in time for College GameDay to go live, and then stay for the game, which most kick-offs aren't even until 7:00pm. That is why I went the direction of volunteering for a few events I am truly passionate about. And of course, network, network, network... and know that no job is too small.”

Unfortunately only two college teams, Auburn and Oregon, will have the opportunity to hold and kiss the National Championship trophy this year. The winning team will know they got there with hard work and a lot of sacrifice. Dana got there the same way too.

Joseph Larsen

Community Contributor