FORMER SOUTHSIDE BASEBALL PLAYER ADDS AMERICA’S TEAM INTERNSHIP TO RESUME

The first thing Hayden Redd noticed about California is the same thing most of the 240 million people who make annual pilgrimages to the Golden State probably talk about as well — the weather is really nice. As of Tuesday afternoon, a day before Redd was scheduled to fly home to Fayetteville, the temperature was a cozy 72 degrees at high noon. “I helped volunteer the other day and we handed out cases of water and a lady was saying how hot it was that day,” Redd said. “I looked at the temperature and it was 77. “It’s not 77 back in Arkansas.” Redd, who celebrated his 27th birthday this week, was afforded a month-long trip to California after receiving an internship with the Dallas Cowboys. The 2008 Southside graduate hopes to one day become an athletic director, football director of operations or general manager He’s certainly on the right path. “Back in high school I knew I wanted to work in sports, but I was also a realist — I knew I wouldn’t play professional sports, either,” Redd said. “Sports are so important.” In the fall of 2012, Redd signed on as a defensive quality control student assistant at the University of Arkansas, working primarily with then defensive-coordinator Paul Haynes and assistant Ben Needham. Plenty of young coaches would rate that the opportunity of a lifetime. But coaching? It wasn’t for Redd. “I was a student assistant in 2012, even though I had no desire to coach,” Redd said. “But I also enjoyed working with someone like (Arkansas athletics director) Jeff Long, to see how he operates. That goes back to the continuing my education. “Without pursuing a higher level of education, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity.” The following year Redd went to work in Long’s office, serving as special projects assistant to the Director of Athletics. A year later, he went to work for Long as a GA in Athletics Administration. Hayden Redd has touched all the right buttons. “I’ve been lucky, not only to obtain a masters, but to be able to work in an athletic department with Jeff Long,” Redd said. “Earning another degree has opened up a ton of opportunities for me.” America’s Team While pursing a law degree, Redd had been accepted for two summer law clerkship opportunities — one in Little Rock at the beginning of summer and another in Fayetteville. Then, he received an unexpected phone call. “I got a phone call saying there was an internship with the Dallas Cowboys,” he said. “This was one of those ‘can’t say no opportunities’ I couldn’t pass up.” So long Fayetteville, hello Hollywood.

FORMER SOUTHSIDE BASEBALL PLAYER ADDS AMERICA’S TEAM INTERNSHIP TO RESUME

KEVIN TAYLOR

Times Record | 8/21/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Fort Smith Southside High School Athletics