Ashley Lewis

Stephen F. Austin graduate student, Justin Saunders, spoke about his many accomplishments, and working for the biggest NBA stars of this time happens to be one of them.

Justin Saunders grew up in Athens, Texas, a small town about an hour and a half southeast of Dallas. He graduated from LaPoynor High School in 2006 as the salutatorian of his class. Justin, standing tall at 6’3, was a very decorated basketball player. As a senior, he was thrilled to have been named to the Academic All-State Team.  He was also fortunate, and talented, enough to play in two state all-star basketball games, and named First Team All-Henderson County, First-Team All-Region, and All-East Texas basketball teams. He then accepted a scholarship to LeTourneau University in Longview to play basketball but decided after his sophomore year that he wanted to attend Stephen F. Austin.

Saunders graduated from SFA in 2010 with his Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Despite being accepted into Master of Business Administration programs at Ole Miss and Tulane University, he stayed at Stephen F. Austin to continue his education. He was very active while attending school at SFA and was awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award in 2009. He was an active fraternity member of Texas Phi Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, named a member if the 1923 Society, Quality Enhancement Plan Design Team and its marketing subcommittee, Driving Jacks Review Board, a sophomore homecoming nominee, Jack Walkers, and the Safe Ride Programs United Committee, as well.

Being a very active student and athlete wasn’t all Justin aspired to do. He also worked for the championship winning team, the Dallas Mavericks, for six years.  He recalled that even though the NBA team members got paid substantially, they all worked very hard to be, and stay, in the positions that they are in. “They all work very hard and long hours,” Justin said.

He also disclosed information as to how heartbreaking it was to see the Mavericks lose against the Miami Heat. He said, “It’s not everyday that you see huge, grown men cry on their way to the locker room.” Fortunately, Saunders was also there when the Mavericks won the championship and even came to “know some of the players pretty well.”

Justin gushed about working at the All-Star game in Dallas, in 2010, and said that he was only a few feet from NBA giants such as LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. NBA stars weren’t the only celebrities he happened to come in to contact with, though. He also recalled being around singers Shakira, Usher, and rapper, Lil Wayne.

He shared a funny occurrence in which he spent “an hour coloring a basketball all black with a sharpie” for music artist, Usher. He had to admit that coming in contact with such figures eventually didn’t affect him as much as it initially did but was always a cool thing to have experienced.

Currently, Justin is in the final semester of the MBA program and will be graduating from Stephen F. Austin again this upcoming December. He isn’t positive about what exactly he’ll decide to do post graduate school, but just like his past, his future will be bright and full of accomplishments.

Landon Johnson

Landon Johnson

Most teenagers dream of working for a professional athletic team, seeing all the big stars up close and personal, waiting on them hand and foot. Well, Justin Sanders got the chance to live this dream and he told all about it.

Sanders is from, Athens, a small town southeast of Dallas. He was salutatorian of his class at LaPoyner High School in 2006, but that wasn’t his biggest accomplishment. Sanders had a very decorated career in basketball and won numerous awards his senior year alone. This led to him earning a scholarship to LeTourneau University in Longview,.

Sanders had to work his way into the Mavericks organization. He was asked to work basketball camps that the team had hosted every year by the man who was over them. The man knew that he was a good basketball player in high school so he asked him to come coach at the camps for him. Throughout the camps Justin met a lot of the players and his experiences with them began. “I got to go to the all-star game and work two NBA Finals,” said Sanders, which he thought were two pretty cool experiences. In 2009 he stopped working the camps. By this time he got to know the team’s mascot very well, whom which was in charge of a group called “Street Marketing Team” that set up fan experiences for fans on game day.

When asked about the athletes and their work ethic, Sanders said they are dedicated to their jobs and that they stay focused on what’s in front of them. “ All of them are in the position that they’re in because of hard work, a lot of people out there have the same ability and same skill, but only a small amount of them put in the time and effort to turn their skills from good to excellent,” said Sanders.

He also said that all the money they make comes from hard work and all the time that they put into it. Sanders  said the off-season is when they find the time to relax and take a lot of trips in engage in their own hobbies to pass the time away, relax and just take time away from the game. “One of the players likes to collect cars,” he said. “So during his off-season he buys expensive cars, like Ferrari and Lamborghini for example and he works on cars also.”

Another player, Shawn Marion liked to DJ, said Sanders, so he would go DJ at random clubs to pass the time. “A lot of the players use their own money which is how they are able to carry out a lot of their hobbies,” said Sanders, “but it’s money that they worked hard for and put a lot of work in to get.”

Sanders said one of the most fascinating stories was when Usher put in a request for an all-black basketball to use during his performance. So the stage manager approached Saunders and told him Usher’s request and told him to make it happen. So around he ran looking for black Sharpies to color the ball. Finally after an hour he got the ball done to find out that Usher only managed to use the ball for a few seconds then hurled it out into the crowd.

Thankful for all the experiences Sanders let go of the Mavericks organization to continue with school. After his sophomore year at LeTourneau University he transferred to SFA where he graduated in 2010 but chose to pursue his Master’s Degree and is set to graduate this December.

Willie Jefferson

Willie Jefferson III

From a Dallas Mavericks ball boy to graduating in December of 2012 with a MBA, tall, well-spoken, east Texas native Justin Saunders is in his last few weeks of being a Stephen F. Austin grad student.

 Justin grew up in the city of Athens, TX, an hour and half southeast of Dallas. He graduated from LaPrynor High School where he was an outstanding student-athlete. Receiving multiple awards for his achievements he also played in several all-star games and was placed on several all-state teams. This granted Justin a scholarship to LaTourneau University in Longview, to pursue his basketball aspirations.

After playing for a year Justin decided it was time for a change so he transferred to Stephen F. Austin his sophomore year. Justin graduated from Stephen F. Austin in 2010 with his Bachelors of Arts in Economics. He had offers to attend other universities if he wanted to continue for his master’s but he decided to stay here to continue his education. Justin is a member of the Texas Phi Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and he also carries many of positions on the campus of Stephen F. Austin

In the midst of high school and college Justin had a hobby of being a ball boy for the Dallas Mavericks. Justin was so lucky that he went to two NBA finals one in which the Mavericks won. Justin said, “They were pumped, they waited their whole lives for this,” 

The time he spent with the Mavericks wasn’t just work he also got to meet and became pretty close with a few of the teams players. Justin said he was pretty close to Eric Dampier. “Eric Dampier asked me to attend his birthday party once, I thought it was kind of sketchy so I didn’t attend,” Justin said.  Justin also got to know the Mavericks’ mascot Mavs Man really well. While knowing Mavs Man he became a member of the street team organization that went around and help setup fan experiences for the people of Dallas.

Justin was also fortunate enough to be around when the NBA hosted the all-star game in the Conway Center. When this happened Justin was the ball boy for a few of the all-star activities being held in the arena. He helped with the slam-dunk contest and he also rebounded the shots in the three point shooting contest.  For the halftime performance Justin was asked to paint a basketball all black to match the outfit that the singer Usher was wearing.  Justin said, “ I ran around the stadium looking for as many Sharpies as I could find and he only held it for half a second and threw it into the crowd,”

Because Justin was so close to so many NBA players and had a chance to get to know them he knew how were they outside of the gym. Justin said, “They have tons of money to spend, more money then you can spend in a lifetime, but they receive it on possession of hard work.”

Justin said he couldn’t imagine stepping on the court even after seeing them play for so many of years: “When I think of NBA I think of a lot of people who have physical skills to be a professional athlete, but only a few can take the time to perfect their skills to get them where they are.”

As he was there when the Mavericks won a championship he was also there when they lost. Justin said, “ You usually don’t see grown men breaking down and crying all the time.”

It was pleasure for the class to hear Justin speak about his life and how fun it was for him to be apart of an NBA teams staff being around people some could only imagine seeing from seats in the stands.

Justin graduates in December with a master’s degree in business.

Dakota Garcia

A small town kid tells about his experience behind the scenes of the extremely famous Dallas Maverick basketball team today. Justin Saunders grew up and went to high school in Athens, Texas a small town southeast of Dallas, Texas.

Saunders was only a sophomore in high school when he was offered to work for the Dallas Mavericks as a ball boy in 2003. Saunders explains his experience as a ball boy by being someone who would work the courts during the games. Working on the court included getting anything off of the court that would inhibit the players from performing at their best. Saunders himself was a very recognized and polished basketball player during this time. In high school, Saunders played in two state all-star basketball games, he even accepted a scholarship out of high school to play for LeTourneau University. Though he was a tremendous player in his area, he tells today that after working for the Mavericks it became clear to him that he would never play for an NBA team. After Saunders graduated High School in 2006 he started working at the Maverick basketball camps located all through out Dallas. That is where he developed the relationship with the man in charge of the camps who offered him a once in a lifetime opportunity to coach at the camps. Saunders has been working at these camps from 2006 to last year. During Saunders time working for the Mavericks he got to meet a lot of players, worked the all-star game in 2010, and went to two NBA finals. Saunders was also asked to do some out of the ordinary tasks while working for the team. Saunders said that he was asked to do thing such as whipping sweat off of the floor to coloring a basketball with a sharpie for an hour. When Saunders tried to explain the life style of the Maverick Basketball players he started by stating that “they have more money than you could ever spend in your lifetime.” Saunders also goes on to say that, “when I think of an NBA athlete, a lot of people out there have the skills and the physical requirement to be an professional athlete, but only a small amount of them really put in the time and effort to take their skills from good to an excellent level. During the season you won’t see them doing a lot of things because they are so focused on basketball.” During off-season Saunders goes on to explain that the Maverick players “have a lot of hobbies outside of basketball.” Saunders gives two examples of a player that likes to work on and collect cars during off season, and a player who likes to be a disc jockey when he is not playing basketball for the Mavericks. Saunders was not only surrounded by famous athletes but he states that he got to see a lot of famous people that attended Maverick games while he was working for them. Saunders said that the most famous person he ever saw was rapper LiL Wayne and it was so interesting to watch him and his Young Money crew because anytime they left the stand they had at least ten security guards around them at all times. Saunders did not neglect his education during this exciting time in his life. He went to college and graduated from SFA in 2010 with his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and despite acceptance into Master of Business Administration programs at Ole Miss and Tulane University, Saunders decided to stay at SFA and continue his education. After graduating from the MBA program at SFA in December, Saunders said that his future plans are to work for an oil and gas company located in Dallas, Texas in the accounting or finance department. Despite the exciting moments working for the Mavericks, Saunders said that the workers there put in long hours and do not get paid that much. Saunders also states, “working for a professional team is not as glamorous as it looks”.

Britney Freeney

Britney Freeney

Interview II

Picture the excitement of the world’s top athletes playing the sport that you admire within two feet away from you! “It was cool meeting all of the players and helping out at the NBA All Star Game that was in Dallas,” said Justin Saunders.

Saunders grew up in Athens, TX and graduated from LaPoyner High School in 2006. At the age of five Saunders had an interest in basketball but it was not until the first grade when he began playing. “I started playing in the first grade and I have been attending Dallas Maverick’s basketball camps since then.”

During high school Saunders skills showed off during his last year when he was awarded participation in prestigious games. “I was a very decorative basketball player, and as a senior I was named to the First Team All Henderson County, First Team All Region, and All East Texas basketball teams. Saunders was not only an athlete, but he was an academic honorable student as well. He was the salutatorian of his class and also mention in the Academic All State Team.

The summer after graduating high school, Saunders became one of the coaches teaching the youth how to play basketball with the Dallas Mavericks Camps. “I knew the director of the camp very well and because of my skill and focus he asked me if I wanted to be part of the camps.” Saunders was also the ball boy for the Dallas Mavericks. He would clean the floor and rebound for the athletes.

He kept this job with the Mavericks and was offered a scholarship to LeTourneau University in Longview, TX. Saunders said he transferred to Stephen F. Austin because it was still near his hometown but it was far away from his parents. Basketball ball was still an interest to him but he knew that he would only make it to the collegiate level and not the professional level. Focused on his academics Saunders decided to make economics his major at SFA.

During the experience with the Dallas Mavericks, he got to meet the players and have seen their victorious side as well as their defeated side. He said it was overwhelming seeing 7 feet men cry after loosing the NBA Finals to the Miami Heat in 2006. Not only have he meet players but he have meet singers, artist, rappers, and actors as well.  Saunders said he had seen many famous people like Lil Wayne, Eva Longaria, Usher and many more.

According to Saunders, his job was not as cool as it seemed to be. One time Sean Marion mouthpiece fell out “and I had to pick it up,” said Saunders. He also said that during one of Usher’s performances he spent an hour painting a basketball black because usher wanted it black. “Usher only held the ball for a second.  I spent an hour painting the ball with a sharpie just for him to throw it in the stands,” said Saunders.

Saunders learned many things from the Mavericks experience that helped him in college and will help his future. “It taught me how to manage my time, and plan out events ahead of times.” Saunders said that he would have to leave practices early and maintain good grades in college while working with the Mavericks. Saunders also gained community service experience with the Mavericks because they would go to their sponsor’s corporations and set up fun events.

Saunders graduated from SFA in 2010 with a Bachelors of Arts in Economics. He decided to complete the Masters of Business Administration program at SFA. Although he wasn’t playing basketball on the collegiate level, Sanders played intramural basketball all four years at SFA and participated in two championship games.  Also while at SFA, he was awarded the Presidential Volunteer Award, a member of both Texas Phi Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the 1923 Society Quality Enhancement Plan design team. Saunders was also a sophomore homecoming nominee and a member of the driving jacks review board.

Saunders is currently in his final semester of the MBA program and will graduate in December 2012. He recently had an intern with the Pioneer Natural Resources of Dallas, TX. His employment with the Dallas Mavericks is not part of his future. “I enjoyed the experience but I plan to enter the oil and gas industry,” said Saunders. His future plans are to become employed with the company he that offered him the intern.

Simone Evans

A small town ball boy for the Dallas Mavericks basketball team, turned into a successful young man as he worked his way towards finishing his MBA this December.

Justin Saunders grew up in Athens, TX, just an hour and a half from southeast of Dallas. In 2003, while just a sophomore in high school, Saunders had the opportunity to become the ball boy for the Dallas Mavericks basketball team.  On game days, Saunders would shoot the basketball with the players during their warms ups. Saunders would also run and sweep the floor anytime a player got hurt or injured to prevent moisture from staying on the floor. Saunders said that they did this so other players wouldn’t slip or injury themselves because of the moisture left on the ground from another player.

 From his ball boy status, Saunders went to work at basketball camps. Saunders said, “When I graduated from high school, I was a big a athletic and knew the man who was in charge of their basketball camps in Dallas. I got a job as a basketball coach. I started doing this in 2006 and kept doing it up until last year.” Saunders said that being a basketball coach opened up many opportunities for him.

Saunders got to go to quite a few All-Star games and MBA Final games.  He grew to have a close bond with the mascot of the Dallas Mavericks who was in charge of a Street Marketing Team.  Saunders said, “So what they do is, on game days they will go and set up, creating kind of like a fan experience. “ Saunders said that they would have a slam dunk area for fans and different interactive games.

, Saunders shared an experience he got to have a few years later while working for the Dallas Mavericks Team.

One experience Saunders shared was working with the R&B singer Usher. Usher was getting ready to perform at a pre-game show and Saunders had arrived to work early that day. Saunders said while Usher was on stage, preparing for his performance, the stage manager approached him and told him that Usher wanted a black basketball for his performance. Saunders said, “The stage manager said that he didn’t care how the ball got black, but Usher needed a black basketball for his performance.”

Less than an hour before Usher’s performance, Saunders ran around the Cowboy Stadium collecting as many black Sharpies as he could find to color the orange basketball black.  Saunders spent an hour coloring the basketball black.  He said, “Usher got on stage and is literally holding the basketball for a half a second and throws it off stage into the crowd.” He chuckled and said, “I did all this work for a half a second. It was pretty funny.”

While as a student at Stephen F. Austin State University, Saunders was involved on campus[LB2] . He was awarded the Presidential Volunteer Award in 2009, along with being a member of the Driving Jacks Review board. Not stopping there, Saunders also added his commitment to the Jack Walkers program, Safe Ride Programs United Committee, along with being an active member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon organization.

Saunders graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Economics. Despite being accepted into the Master of Business Administration program at Ole Miss and Tule University, Saunders decided to continue his education at SFA.

Today, Saunders has achieved a variety of altitudes in a short amount of time. Along with achieving and experiencing life from a ball boy and gaining a journalistic point of view, Saunders is pressing his way through the MBA program at Stephen F. Austin State University. Saunders will graduate in December 2012 and is currently looking for a job in the finance industry.

Crystal Davis

November 28, 2012

Interview 2

Imagine being able to work for a professional basketball team and in the process meet and see famous people from the players themselves to well-known celebrities in the industry. Here at SFA, graduate student, Justin Saunders got that opportunity when he began working for the Dallas Mavericks. For six years Saunders worked for the Mavericks, and during that time had many memorable experiences.

Saunders started working for the Mavericks as a ball boy his sophomore year in high school. He would be the rebounder and get the balls for the players as they shot and pass it back to them. While doing that he also would sweep the floor whenever a player fell . There were also other things that Saunders had to pick up. “ Paul Pierce’s mouth piece fell out and I had to get that, ” said Saunders. Sweatbands also were another hazard that he would pick up too.

Throughout the season the Mavericks would host a number of basketball camps. Saunders was a very skilled basketball player in high school and played in two state all-star games, named First Team All-Henderson County, and named First Team All-Region. Summer 2006 he was offered the opportunity to coach one of the Mavericks basketball camps, and continued that through his college years as well until last year. During that time he met many players and went to two NBA finals. He said, “ I saw people like Tony Romo, Troy Aikman, and Emmitt Smith were all there.”

After that in 2009 he got offered with a job with the Mavericks’ street marketing team. He helped set up the “fan experiences” for the Mavericks games and got the crowd involved in dunk contests and other activities during half time. He worked closely with the Mavericks’ sponsors and went out to their locations and helped put on events for the customers of those sponsors to give back to the community.

Saunders went through many experiences while working with the Mavericks, and has enjoyed every moment. Besides meeting the players at the camps he was able to develop a relationship with them as well. He said, “It’s not like we’re best friends or anything, but I got to know them through the camps, Eric Dane Peter…Matt Carol…”

 Other experiences he went through were during game days. There was a tunnel on the court floor that employees and other “higher class” people will sit and go through to avoid the bigger crowds. One NBA All Star game Lil’ Wayne and Young Money attended and according to Saunders, “They literally had ten security guards around them.”

Another game he got the opportunity to hold the American flag while Gretchen Wilson sang the national anthem. Usher also performed during the NBA Finals, and an hour before the performance during the run through, someone came up with a basketball and said, “Usher wants the basketball in all black, make it happen.” Within that hour Saunders was able to gather enough black sharpies and color the entire basketball black. He said when Usher came on stage and before he started he threw the basketball out to the crowd, and all he could think was, “ I did all this work for just a half second.”

One thing Saunders said that he learned from this experience was, “Many people see these basketball players have all this money, but they really do work for it…like ten hour day practices.”

Saunders’ goals after graduation, however, do not include working with the Mavericks. He said, “I’m trying to work for a gas company and work in finance or accounting.” He graduates December 2012 from the Master of Business Administration program at SFA.