Alumni Spotlight
Kelly Rose ’02
Major: Business Management and Marketing
Occupation: Association
Administrator for the Texas Golf Association (Dallas)
Attending Evangel University was not a difficult decision for Kelly Rose to make. By attending Evangel, she would be following in the footsteps of her mother, Diann (Kelly ’72) Rose; aunts Elizabeth (Kelly ’68) Meers, Janice (Kelly ’76) McCloy, and Linda (Kelly ’81) Thomas; and cousin Ginger Meers ’96. When the opportunity came along to play golf for Evangel, it made her decision that much easier. “I knew I was following the path that God had set forth for me,” she said. “Not only would I be attending Evangel, I would be representing the school by playing on an Evangel sports team like my mother and aunts Janice and Linda had -- they played on a basketball court, and I would play on the golf course.”
Some of Kelly’s fondest memories from Evangel include her friends and golf teammates. “I will never forget all the long study sessions, early morning/late night drives to and from golf tournaments and working late on Wednesday nights trying to put the Sports section of The Lance together. Being at Evangel gave me opportunities that I probably wouldn’t have experienced had I gone to another university. For example, being the sports editor for The Lance was something I would have never thought of myself doing, but I am so glad I did. It opened my eyes to a whole new world. Growing up, the Bible verse that I always looked to for strength was Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me.’ This got me through many long nights and long rounds. I was also fortunate enough to participate in two NAIA National Championship Golf tournaments, an opportunity that very few can experience. Each year on the golf team had its different memories and accomplishments that I will never forget.”
After graduating from Evangel, Kelly did an internship with the Dallas Mavericks professional basketball team, serving in the Game Operations Department during the 2002-2003 regular and postseason. “The professors at Evangel knew my desire to work in the sports industry, and Professor Bernie Dana took that extra step to put me in contact with the Dallas Mavericks. Without that extra care, I would not have had that opportunity,” she said. The internship consisted of working in every aspect of the Game Operations Department, from giving out free tee shirts to working the public relations desk or making sure the half-time performances went off smoothly. Kelly met many interesting people during her time with the Mavericks, including Mark Cuban, Mavericks owner; professional golfers Tom Lehman and Lee Trevino; future governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; and Emmitt Smith. “My opportunity at the Mavericks was much like the years I spent at Evangel--priceless! It was such a blessing that I had an opportunity to explore something that I had such a desire to do. Because of Evangel, I was able to land that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
After completing her internship, Kelly began working for the Texas Golf Association. She does everything from website design to tournament administration for all the statewide amateur events.
Kelly still enjoys playing golf, even though she doesn’t have as many opportunities to do so now. She also enjoys going home to Canyon as often as her schedule allows so she can watch her sister, Savannah, playing either basketball or volleyball or performing in the school musicals.
Kelly is pleased to carry on the tradition started by her mother and her mother’s sisters more than 30 years ago. “ Evangel University was such a wonderful experience,” she said, “both spiritually and educationally. God blessed me with wonderful friends and professors at Evangel. It was definitely one of the best decisions I have made in my life.”