MSU student finds success in big opportunity
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It's not just football players who get recognized across the country for their abilities on the gridiron, it's those who work in the sport who can get recognized as well. For Logan Dean, a sophomore at Minot State University, his talent of filming football was recognized, and it earned him a massive opportunity.
During the end of January, Dean made the journey from Minot to Pasadena, Calif., where he got a chance to film practices for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Collegiate Bowl which was played at the Rose Bowl.
The NFLPA Bowl began 11 years ago and serves as a showcase of talent for college football players who want to display their abilities and hopefully make a positive impression on an NFL coach or scout as they get ready for the NFL Draft.
Joining NFL personnel, there were representatives from the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the United States Football League (USFL) at the bowl as well. With an opportunity to impress coaches from multiple leagues, it was Dean's time to shine in Pasadena and he certainly made the most of it.
"Logan's film was excellent. He's filming a tight shot from the ground level of the quarterbacks, the punters, the kickers, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, and a lot of different situations," Chad Ostlund, a Film Coordinator with NFLPA Bowl, tells The Minot Daily News.
Ostlund added, "the scouts came in and said, 'the film that Logan shot gave us everything we needed to make a proper evaluation.' So, to put Logan in a situation where he's never been in before, and to not only do a good job, but a great job and to get that feedback, that's the critical element."
Getting this opportunity was not something that Dean applied for himself, it was an opportunity that he earned through his work on the sideline and Ostlund was the one who approached him with the opportunity.
"A key component to the whole thing of why Logan was selected was they use DVSport at Minot State and the quality of video that he's produced from filming the sideline over the last two years has been excellent," Ostlund said.
When Ostlund began searching for a candidate to fill the role this year, he reached out to his contacts from the CFL which pointed him towards Dean and Minot State. According to Ostlund, the CFL is unique in the fact that they can only draft a Canadian and Minot State has previously provided them with film to help in the evaluation process.
From there, Ostlund made a stop to see Dean while he was in Duluth, Minn. working on film, where Ostlund presented Dean with the opportunity. When asked what went through his mind when receiving a chance to go to the NFLPA Bowl, Dean shared that he was excited.
"I figured, 'why not?' I enjoy going on the trips and watching football, so I wanted to take this to another level. When I got offered this opportunity, I thought it was a great time for me to get my foot in the door," Dean tells The Minot Daily News.
While Dean received a lot of praise for his work heading into the NFLPA Bowl, he used his time there to sharpen his skills and even expand on what he can do with the camera, making an investment on the career path he wants to follow.
"I feel like I've expanded what I can do. I'm not just a sideline guy. If they need me on the field to do some things, I can totally do that. Or if I need to upload or do anything else, I can totally do that. I feel like I widened what I can do more," Dean said.
Even though Dean found success during the end of his time in Pasadena, things weren't as easy as they seemed. For starters, he was far away from home and away from his family.
Both things, Dean said, made him nervous going into the first day. Once he settled in, however, he felt like he got into a groove and began feeling more comfortable which led to him learning a lot.
In the end, Dean took a chance on a big opportunity and made the most of it. With the goal of following a career path in sports film, Dean is showing a lot of people that great things can come from taking a leap of faith, and how rewarding it can be to make an investment in your future.
For anyone out there in the sports field, or any field in general, who is unsure about making a jump like this, Dean shared that a good thing can come from something that takes you out of your comfort zone.
"I would say if you enjoy sports, especially football, go talk to coaches and see if they have a spot for you to help out. If they like what you do, maybe you will get an opportunity like I did. Don't be afraid to go ask, a 'no' won't hurt," Dean said.