By: Director of Athletic Communications and Public Relations Kevin Ruple

BEREA, OHIO -- Baldwin Wallace University graduate Kate Kost '03 gets to experience the ultimate in the NFL as the Rams play the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XIII in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, February 3. As the manager of Football Operations for the Rams, Kost plays a key role in preparing the Rams as they attempt to dethrone the American Football Conference champions

It is a dream come true for Kost, who began her career in the BW athletics department and as a student assistant for former Yellow Jacket Head Coach John Snell '87. Being in the Super Bowl and playing the Patriots. It just doesn't get any better than that in pro football.

As a business and sport management major and volleyball player, Kost listed her future career aspirations as wanting to work in public relations for a professional sports organization. She has achieved her dream through hard work.

For the Fairview Park, Ohio native, it was a key moment when she decided to move with the Rams to California when the team relocated to Los Angeles more than two-plus years ago.  "You have to be willing to move and take chances while still making the most of every opportunity that you are offered," said Kost, who earned a Master's of Business and Sport Administration degree from Ohio University in 2004. She began her career in professional sports with the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League. From there she moved into the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons (2008-2012) and then joined the Rams organization in 2013. 

At BW, Kost was a volleyball standout and at one time held both the single-season (727) and career (2,142) records for defensive digs, the career mark in the Ohio Athletic Conference and led the team to a 103-35 record with one OAC regular season title (2002) and an OAC Tournament title and NCAA Division III National Tournament appearance (2001). In the classroom, Kost was a Dean's List student as a sophomore and graduated with a better than 3.0 grade point average.

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One person who is extremely excited to see Kost and the Rams make it to the Super Bowl in Atlanta is former Yellow Jacket baseball standout and 1998 graduate David Painter who serves as the facility director at the National Basketball Association's Atlanta Hawks practice facility. Painter, who worked in the BW Admission Office, for the Cleveland Indians Community Relations Office and as the Assistant facility director at the Lou Higgins Center, got to know Kost as a student.  See related story HERE

"I am excited for Kate and the Rams," said Painter via a Facebook post following the Rams' win against the New Orleans Saints on January 20. "I'm looking forward to having her come to Atlanta and join the BW party!"

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In addition to Kost, another BW graduate, Brian Hill '10, is an Area Scout with the Rams. He began his career in athletics in the BW sports information office and has had some similar experiences. Hill began his professional career with the Tennessee Titan in its video department and then joined Kost with the Rams in St. Louis. When the Rams relocated to Los Angeles, Hill moved to the Scouting Department and was promoted a year ago to Area Scout.  See related story HERE

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In addition to Kost and Hill from the Rams being in Atlanta for the Big Game, a number of students from the BW Sport Management Club are in Atlanta and working their fourth straight Super Bowl. Led by BW Professor Dr. Charles Campisi, BW sport management students get the opportunity to work as volunteers at both the College Football Playoff Championship and the Super Bowl. See related story HERE

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In other NFL News for BW, Marwan Maalouf '00 has joined the Minnesota Vikings as its special teams coach. Maalouf previously spent time with both the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins as its special teams coach. See related story HERE.