By Sam MacGilpin
@sam_macgilpin
For many people, it takes multiple years to find a full-time and secure job after college. But, for Cameron Borges, it was a matter of work ethic and developing connections throughout his time at Springfield College that has him thriving less than a year out from graduation.
Borges graduated last year with a bachelor’s degree in sports management. He was a part of the Pride’s football team all four years, starting his junior and senior years on the offensive line. Borges learned a lot from the football program, and it helped him keep a competitive edge.
“I loved the environment, and I’m very competitive, so every single day, I had that opportunity,” Borges said. “‘Let’s crush it. Let’s be great today. Let’s be a good leader. Let’s be a good teammate. Let’s be a good brother.’ I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without Springfield. I found my best friends in that place, and they really changed my life.”
While Borges eventually found his path at Springfield, it wasn’t always bright. Borges struggled with many problems but had an extremely positive outlook.
“It was really hard,” Borges said. “But embrace the hard. It was one of the hardest times of my life. Mentally [and] physically, there would be days I would separate my shoulder at football, or mentally I was too in my head. Those failures lead into my everyday life. At the end of the day, it’s all about your mindset.”
Mindset is something that Borges was keen on. In 2020, Borges co-founded the Minds in Motion club, ensuring students knew other people cared about them.
“People were like, ‘Why is this football guy starting a mental health club?’ but what I learned is that to be great in the world, you have to separate yourself from others,” Borges said. “What is something that you can bring that is unique, and for me, [Minds in Motion] was that.”
As for the classroom aspect, Borges excelled. Borges earned multiple dean’s list honors and was a part of events such as The Hoophall Classic, The NCAA Lacrosse Championship and the media/marketing team for Springfield athletics.
Borges has a strong relationship with Kevin McAllister, the chair of sport management and recreation at Springfield, for 20 years. Through his relationship with McAllister, Borges met Jean-Paul Dardenne, a class of ‘94 alum.
Dardenne is now the Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Activation at Georgia Tech and the Senior Vice President of Legends, a sales program. Dardenne came to Springfield one day intending to meet with a half-dozen students, but Borges was the only one who showed up.
“(Dardenne) offered to get me into a sales academy,” Borges said. “I finished top two in it, and [in] the winter of my senior year, I was trying to get myself a full-time job. The Mets offered me a full-time job, and I was thinking about taking it, but ultimately, I was told I could get an internship with the Legends program for the [Dallas] Cowboys, so I went down to Dallas.”
For the second semester of Borges’ final year in college, he was a Premium Ticket Sales intern for the Cowboys. He met several people who helped him navigate his time with the Cowboys, and eventually became the account executive for six months through Legends again.
Although Borges loved his time there, he wanted to return to the football side of the business. Borges was pursued for interviews and opportunities in the NFL, but a job opened up: the Director of Football Operations (DFO) at Holy Cross, a prestigious Division I FCS program.
“I want to make this a better place than before,” Borges said. “It’s a special place. I’m brand new, but I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
Whether it’s working with coaches day-to-day, negotiating contracts with video products, or even embracing being one of the youngest DFOs in the country, Borges wants to give back and help people who have been with him through his journey.
“Eventually, If I have a job that’s up high enough, I’d have everyone around me be people that have helped me get to where I am and who I’ve built connections with,” Borges said. “Connections are the biggest part, and I want to help as many people as possible.”