Agency Teaches Professional Practices at Sports Symposium
There are athletes who evolve beyond their playing days to simply relish in memories of their success. And then there are those athletes who never stop looking for ways to give back to the game they love and the rising stars who continuously develop.
Dallas native Demarquis Brooks has had a storied affair with the game of football, a relationship that has heralded him to both high school and collegiate success on the gridiron. Today, as he reflects on the ever-changing world of sports – he is constantly looking for opportunities to empower athletes in their respective sport and in life.
Insert Buzz Sports Agency, the brainchild of the 40-year-old CEO and his handpicked team. With over 15 years of experience, Brooks, via the agency works to provide services that include branding, career management, contract negotiation, marketing and talent development.
The agency has made the absolute most of its six months in existence – working the most recent NFL combines and recruiting talented athletes for representation. Last month, the agency and its founding members convened in Austin, Texas to prepare college athletes for their respective futures. They did so during a full weekend sports symposium that brought collegiate athletes from around the country together.
“Everyone in here has dreams of playing in the NFL and we want that to happen, but even if you don’t make it to the NFL – we want you to still play professionally,” Brooks emphatically addressed the room of attentive college athletes. “With that said – everyone in here needs to get a passport.”
It was those poignant words that made several of the highly recruited athletes perk up even more. While the NFL is a reachable goal for every young man in the room – the reality is there are additional football leagues that will provide a stellar career experience and opportunities to see the world. These young men respect Brooks, making him both the right messenger with the necessary message.
The weekend in Austin proved to be both educational and eventful for the 13 young men who participated in the symposium. Brooks and various guest speakers engaged the athletes in discussions on financial literacy, expenses and taxes, marketing, public relations, drug testing, injury and payment.
For William Nettles, a cornerback at Southern Methodist University – the sports symposium served as confirmation that his efforts as a college athlete are not in vain. Nettles comes from a supportive family and has his sights set on a productive collegiate experience both on and off the field. The graphic design/sports journalism major is not shy about keeping God first and enjoying the process of developing his game.
“What you see from me here is really a reflection of who I am,” Nettles says. “I’m just trying to soak up all the good information I receive and apply it to my everyday life.”
The bonds created within the agency are undeniable. Throughout the weekend, the players gathered in the hotel meeting room, took notes and delved into thought-provoking topics – but they also took time to have fun at a local bowling alley. Brooks’ message to recruits and signees remained focused on business, while not neglecting opportunities to build a healthy and supportive brotherhood.
On Saturday morning, the athletes convened at a nearby field to work with professionals on various drills, routines and exercise in agility. While Coach Brooks and his fellow coaches provided the athletes with immediate feedback on the field – there were individuals back at symposium headquarters ensuring that an abundance of educational materials and tools awaited the players.
Scharlene Brooks is undoubtedly Coach Brooks’ biggest fan. She knew when her son was a child that he would make her proud. Today, her dedication to the agency reflects her devotion and pride to her son’s vision. One would be hard-pressed to catch her without Buzz Sports clothing,
Monique Jenkins serves as Talent Event Coordinator for the Buzz Sports Agency. Her affinity for the agency far surpasses her duties in providing meaningful engagement opportunities for the signees. Jenkins is mother to Baylor University athletes and twin brothers Caden and Cameren Jenkins. She was so impressed with the way Brooks nurtured the athletic potential of her sons, that the decision to work with the agency was a no-brainer.
“I knew that Buzz Sports was the right fit for me and my sons because I knew there was no doubt in my mind that Brooks had the best interests of my sons at heart,” she explains. “It is not about the money with him. He has made sure my sons have been in the right position since they were freshmen. Joining him and helping him build just made sense.”
Both brothers are excited for their plans to embark on professional careers, however, they are both very transparent about the not-so-glamourous parts of football. They shared their insights into paying taxes, negotiating deals and making legitimate connections.
“This whole agency wants us to be successful,” Caden shares. “The information we receive at these symposiums has helped me become a leader in my family.”
“My work ethic has gotten so much stronger,” Camren explains. “You can’t be lazy or get complacent if you want to get to the next level. Even on those days we don’t feel like lifting or whatever the assignment may be – those are the days we must go after it the most. We can’t take anything for granted.”
To know that someone is rooting for you beyond the excitement of Friday Night Lights means the world for a young person. Cultivating a system of guidance and support is what garners the respect of an athlete. Some of the biggest personalities on a football team come from players who carry the most on their heart. It is imperative that someone attempting to help those players pursue a professional career also care about them as individuals.
“I bounced around a lot growing up,” Sacramento State running back Savion Red shares. “Buzz Sports feels like home for me – like a family. One day I would love to write a book so people can understand my story. Events like these help me understand that there are ways to advance my career and good people who are rooting for me.”