Drafted to the Gridiron, UNC Graduate Scores Position with the Denver Broncos

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Explore four other exceptional graduates who forged different paths and overcame obstacles to reach their goals.

“How do you find time in the day?”

That’s the most intriguing question to ask Business Administration senior Jasmin Mazariegos Rodriguez, who has somehow found a way to be involved in a long list of organizations, jobs and communities across University of Northern Colorado’s (UNC) campus.

“I don’t know,” Mazariegos Rodriguez answers honestly. “I also ask myself the same thing, but I think it’s just this will to work and want to do good things.”

Growing up in Greeley, Mazariegos Rodriguez was the type of kid who hosted Christmas toy drives in middle school, became the student council president in eighth grade and spent her time volunteering in high school.

“I got this drive from my parents, who wanted a better life for us, and I’ve always had this goal to purchase a home, help my parents retire, be able to travel and have financial security,” Mazariegos Rodriguez said.

Mazariegos Rodriguez has always had high expectations for herself, and more times than not, she meets them and continues to raise her standards.

During her time at UNC, Mazariegos Rodriguez is the president of the campus Association of Latino Professionals for America; she mentors several undergraduate students through the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative and the Center for Human Enrichment and she is active within the Monfort College of Business, attending three professional conferences and competing in a social case competition in Europe.

“Some people say it’s me being a little bit delusional, but I just feel like if other people can do it, then I can too,” Mazariegos Rodriguez said.

As a first-generation student, she has also become a Reischer Scholar, which means her full tuition is paid for. The Reisher Scholars Program, one of Colorado’s premier scholarship programs, supports students who demonstrate academic and leadership potential as undergraduates.

“Not having a financial burden is huge,” Mazariegos Rodriguez said. “I recognized that UNC and Reisher were meeting me halfway, so now it was time for me to do my side–– do the clubs and the internships because the financial burden was off my shoulders.”

So, it’s not shocking to hear that Mazariegos Rodriguez already has a job lined up after graduation. And yes, it is with a commanding, nationally known program that many would love to work for.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to recently receive a full-time internship with the Denver Broncos,” Mazariegos Rodriguez said.

Breaking into the Big Leagues

While Mazariegos Rodriguez is getting ready to focus on weekly kickoffs during the football season, her introduction to professional teams started on the court.

Two years ago, Mazariegos Rodriguez saw an internship opportunity for the Denver Nuggets on LinkedIn and applied. That snowballed into her spending the next 2 years working in different departments for the Nuggets, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Denver Broncos. Which means Mazariegos Rodriguez’s resume showcases experience with all three premier professional sports leagues in North America – the NBA, the MLB and the NFL.

“I remember my first day at the Nuggets thinking, ‘how is this possible?’” said Mazariegos Rodriguez. “Still today, I’m a late processor, and I think back like, ‘was that real? I did that. Holy cow.’”

In her role with the Nuggets, Mazariegos Rodriguez was focused on ticket sales, assisting her colleagues who booked performances for the pre-game, halftime and post-game events. Even though she had to fight imposter syndrome in the beginning, Mazariegos Rodriguez found her footing with the Nuggets and extended her internship to mentor two new interns.

“It gave me credibility and taught me about networking, and how to be professional,” Mazariegos Rodriguez said. “It set a solid foundation, and my mentors there linked me with the Diamondbacks and the Broncos.”

Wrapping up her time on the hardwood, she was off to the mound for her second internship.

During her time with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Mazariegos Rodriguez was introduced to the entire sales process. She made cold calls trying to get people’s interest in season tickets and learned about the different ticket packages people could purchase.

“I grew up watching baseball with my grandpa and uncle, but the business side was a new playing field,” Mazariegos Rodriguez said. “It gave me the development and growth to feel much more confident in meetings with professionals.”

Capping off the three-peat, she landed in the mile-high stadium. Last fall, Mazariegos Rodriguez scored a part-time role with the Denver Broncos Marketing Department, working in an event-focused setting, managing pre-game field passes and helping with tailgating activities.

“This was a full circle moment for me,” Mazariegos Rodriguez said.

Jasmin Mazariegos Rodriguez on the Diamondbacks field

Jasmin Mazariegos Rodriguez

Jasmin Mazariegos Rodriguez standing on the Broncos field

Jasmin Mazariegos Rodriguez at the Reishers Graduate Banquet

Out of the three teams, Mazariegos Rodriguez has the most ties with the Broncos. She remembers in 2015, when the Broncos won the Super Bowl. She was in middle school, and through a program called The Greeley Dream Team, went on a field trip to the stadium and watched the Super Bowl parade roll through downtown Denver.

“I went from that to working at a Denver Broncos game, and it was a surreal pinch-me moment,” Mazariegos Rodriguez said. “The music was loud; the players ran right in front of me and the cheerleaders were working hard. It was a moment that I realized this is what I worked so hard for. Every battle and behind-the-scenes moment led to this.”

Even though it wasn’t originally in her playbook, Mazariegos Rodriguez has created a roster of noteworthy career experiences in the big leagues, all while completing her coursework at UNC and giving back to others. And while she will miss her community and her support systems at UNC, she is excited for the next step. Mazariegos Rodriguez will be working in the Premium Services Department for the Denver Broncos, helping manage stadium suites for premium clients.

“The opportunity is calling, so I’m going to take it,” she said.