Morgan Kieffer, a graduate student in sports management at Georgia Southern University, recently participated in an international program that connected her with leaders in the global sports industry.
Kieffer, who grew up in Sharpsburg, Georgia, has been involved in soccer from a young age and continues to play on a semi-professional team based in Dublin, Georgia. Her interest in athletics led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and food science at Georgia Southern before enrolling directly into the university’s sport management master’s program.
“I go watch a ton of sports anytime I can, and then I just got really intrigued with nutrition and how nutrition really affects the body and performance,” she said. “So, I put two and two together, and thought to myself — that’s what I want to do.”
While seeking opportunities for professional growth beyond the classroom, Kieffer found Women in Football—a United Kingdom-based organization supporting women pursuing careers within the sports sector. She applied for both a conference scholarship offered by Women in Football as well as a travel grant through the Georgia Southern Graduate Student Organization. She was awarded both grants.
“I thought, ‘I might as well just sign up for one of the free tickets, even though I probably won’t get it,’” she laughed. “And then I got it.”
At the annual Women in Football Conference held at Wembley Stadium, Kieffer attended panels featuring executives from Spain, England and Norway. Discussions centered on breaking barriers within the industry and career development for women working in football. The experience provided her with insight into how organizations around the world are addressing equity issues within sports.
During her trip to England, Kieffer also attended a national team match at Wembley Stadium. Reflecting on her experience among passionate fans at one of soccer’s most renowned venues she said: “I was wearing a jersey of one club and someone came up to me and they were just like trying to talk smack about the club,” Kieffer recalled. “So, it was kind of funny how passionate everyone is. It was really cool.”
