Jan. 17, 2008

Name: Mary Pink
Institution/Organization: Iowa State Athletics Department Number of years in your position: 12 years at ISU/3 as Asst. AD
Alma Mater: University of Colorado
Hometown: Plymouth, Minnesota

Your role in NACDA: NACMA President
Why you became involved in NACDA: To give back to an organization that had helped me grow in my profession
Favorite part about being in NACDA: Networking with other members

Biggest challenge to working in athletics: Finding new ways to grow existing revenue streams
Greatest accomplishment to date: Increasing our Football season ticket base to over 35,000 from a previous high
Best advice you were ever given: My father said, "Find a job/career that you love". I followed his advice and found a career that I thoroughly enjoy.
Most influential person in your career: My father
Advice for those looking to get into athletics administration: Be willing to volunteer as an intern and get as much experience as possible. Experience is going to be the key to obtaining an entry level position.

Dream Job: NFL Team Vice President for Marketing
Hidden Talent: Can recall phone numbers off the top of my head
Current cell phone ring: Some Ragtime song programmed ring by Verizon
One item you cannot live without: My palm treo. I can keep up with my emails and make calls from practically anywhere.
Who would you choose to switch places with for a day: George Bush
If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would you go: Sydney, Australia
If you could attend one sporting event this year, it would be: Superbowl
Four people you would like to have dinner with: Oprah, Chris Evert, Jimmy Buffett, and Mark Cuban

My favorite ...
Place to eat: The Cafe
Flavor of ice cream: Mint Chocolate Chip
Sports memory:Iowa State Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball winning the Big 12 Tournament Championship in 2001
Movie I've seen this year: The Kingdom
Pro Team: Minnesota Vikings
TV Show: ER
Musical group/artist: Stevie Ray Vaughan
Childhood memory: Every year, spending vacation time on Sanibel Island, Florida. It is still my favorite place to visit.
Holiday: Christmas
Gift I've received: Mother and child pendant from my husband for each of my children
College campus: University of Colorado