Meet Annie Marum, a Blackhawks Soccer and Phoenix Rising Football Club alumni who has come full circle to lead the club’s stadium operations and game-day events as Director of Stadium Operations. With an impressive career that includes roles with top sports organizations like the Arizona Diamondbacks and NCAA, Annie brings her expertise back to her roots, shaping unforgettable fan experiences at Phoenix Rising FC for all youth in Arizona.
What are some of your fondest memories of playing for Blackhawks Soccer/Phoenix Rising FC, and how did those experiences shape your passion for the sport?
My fondest memory from playing for Blackhawks was the friendships you can build with teammates and with coaches. I am still friends with teammates I played with when I was as young as 14 and now with my current job at Phoenix Rising FC it’s so great to see some of my old coaches at the games!
How did your experience playing for Blackhawks Soccer/Phoenix Rising FC influence your career aspirations and decision to pursue a role in professional sports?
From my time on and off the field with Blackhawks I knew that I wanted to pursue a career working in professional sports and more specifically working for a professional soccer team.
Were there any specific experiences or moments at Blackhawks Soccer/Phoenix Rising FC that sparked your interest in pursuing a career in sports operations?
The love of the game from a very young age, and then discovering I could do this every day as an actual career? I was hooked on continuing my passion for soccer both on and off the field!
How did your experience playing for Blackhawks Soccer/Phoenix Rising FC shape your leadership skills, and were there any specific mentors or role models who helped guide you?
Mick Reavey and Chris Brown have always been great inspirational mentors for me. Their passion for developing young talent on the field as well as inspiring young athletes to be the best version of themselves off the field is something that helped guide me to where I am at today.
What skills or values learned through Blackhawks Soccer/Phoenix Rising FC have been most transferable to your professional career, particularly in your current role as Director of Stadium Operations?
The most valuable lesson that still applies to my job today is to be a team player even when you are the lead.
What initiatives or projects have you implemented as Director of Stadium Operations that reflect the values or lessons you learned during your time at Blackhawks Soccer/Phoenix Rising FC?
We try to include our youth teams as much as we can. From Blackhawks Soccer/Phoenix Rising FC youth nights out to youth teams serving as our walkout kids or our ball retrievers. We want these youth teams to get an up close and personal experience with the professional players. It is one of the coolest opportunities Blackhawks Soccer/Phoenix Rising FC Youth provides, which is unique from other youth clubs!
Were there any notable relationships or connections made through Blackhawks Soccer/Phoenix Rising FC that have benefited your professional career?
I have worked many of the large international games at State Farm Stadium and I love being able to call up one of my old coaches to say “Hey we need kids for ball retrievers or for walkout kids”. Knowing that I can always rely on the coaches and parents of Blackhawks Soccer/Phoenix Rising FC to come through. Even when the games are at the hottest times of the year.
It’s always fun to see the way the kids’ faces light up being on the professional field with international players.
Looking back, what do you believe sets Blackhawks Soccer/Phoenix Rising FC apart from other youth soccer clubs, and how did those unique aspects contribute to your success?
I would say the longevity of most of the coaches and leadership at Blackhawks Soccer/Phoenix Rising FC is what sets us apart from other youth clubs. You can tell the staff/leadership truly cares about the current state of the organization as well as the future.
What skills or knowledge did you gain outside of playing (volunteering, internships) that complemented your experience at Blackhawks Soccer/Phoenix Rising FC and prepared you for your current role?
I started with Phoenix Rising FC in 2017 as an intern. I knew this is where I wanted to work so when they first started and did not have any job openings, I took any role that I could just to be here and be a part of the team. It is one of my favorite details to share about how I started at Phoenix Rising FC, to my current role as Director of Stadium Operations.
What advice would you give to current Phoenix Rising FC players or young professionals aspiring to break into sports management or operations?
I would share the story above on how I got my start. Stay consistent, take any opportunities presented to you (paid or unpaid) because if you show up and put the work in, one day you will be in the right place and the right time to continue forward on your dreams of working in professional sports.
