Beyond the CCPS Tassel - Volume 2

Beyond the CCPS Tassel is a new series celebrating Culpeper County Public Schools alumni and the incredible things they are accomplishing after graduation. If you know a CCPS graduate with a story worth sharing, please email Laura Hoover at lhoover@ccpsweb.org

When Culpeper County High School alumna Jayla Ford (Class of 2022) walked into her first Sports Marketing class, she knew she loved athletics, but she didn’t yet know how her passion could translate into a career. Today, as a senior at George Mason University preparing to graduate this spring with a degree in Sport Management and a minor in Marketing, Jayla is already building an impressive résumé in professional sports. With roles at D.C. United and the Washington Nationals, leadership positions on campus, and a clear vision for her future, she is well on her way to making her mark in the industry.

Jayla’s longstanding interest in sports stems from both personal experience and family influence. Her father played college football while studying sport management, eventually serving as the Blue Devils’ head football coach and later, Assistant Athletic Director. Jayla played volleyball and threw shot put and discus in high school. She continued to play volleyball on George Mason’s Women’s Club team and serves as president of the club. “These experiences played a major role in my current love of sports, and inspired my passion to pursue a career in the industry,” Jayla said.

When she started high school, Jayla wasn’t sure where she fit within the broad world of sports. That changed when she enrolled in Sports Marketing class her 10th grade year. After that class, Jayla says that she took every marketing course CCHS offered, including Beth Lane’s classes and the Entrepreneurial Energy (E-Squared) program, where her team won the competition with “FizzSafe,” a concept for a tablet that detects drink tampering.

“My Sports Marketing classes opened me up to the opportunities within the sports industry,” Jayla said. “But my Co-Op experience really pushed me down this path.” As a front office aide during her junior and senior years, she often assisted the Athletic Director, giving her a real-world look into sports operations. She also credits her teachers, highlighting Mrs. Tanner and Mrs. Lane, for equipping her with skills she continues to rely on today. “I learned how to use online tools like Canva and Microsoft Office, and how to present myself professionally,” she said. “Those skills have been extremely useful after high school.”

Sports Marketing teacher Nikki Tanner, who has stayed closely connected with Jayla, describes her as an early standout. “Jayla was in the very first class I taught at CC four and a half years ago, and was a superstar from the start," Tanner said. “She returns every semester to speak in my ‘Beyond the Athlete’ guest speaker series and is so patient, kind, and abundant with my students. She tells them about her work, her classes, specific assignments she’s had and even how she has been able to save money on her education by being an RA while in college.” Tanner added, “We’re incredibly proud of all she’s doing and can’t wait to see what her future holds.”

When Jayla arrived at George Mason University, her professors emphasized that experience is everything in the sports world. She took that to heart. Within her first year, she accepted a position as a Gameday Operations Intern with the Culpeper Cavaliers, a Valley League collegiate baseball team. She served in that role for two seasons while also throwing herself into campus involvement. In addition to serving as the president of the club volleyball, she served as president of the Sport Management Society, shaping the student experience for others interested in the field.

This year, Jayla moved from collegiate athletics to professional sports, joining the Washington Nationals (MLB) in March as a member of the NatPack entertainment crew, where she helps orchestrate in-game activations and engages fans throughout the ballpark. In June, she also began working with D.C. United (MLS) as a Brand Ambassador in the marketing department, connecting with fans and promoting the organization. By far, she says, the best part of both jobs is interacting with fans, “I love the thought of brightening their day and their experience at the games,” she said. “I’ve learned that no day in the sport industry is ever the same, you have to stay open to change.”

Jayla will graduate from George Mason this spring with her bachelor’s degree and is already working toward her master’s degree through Mason’s bachelor’s accelerated masters (BAM) program. Her goal is clear: Work in entertainment or marketing for a professional sports team.

Jayla encourages CCPS students to stay curious and embrace every opportunity, sharing one of her guiding messages: “Stay open to new opportunities, you never know where you’ll end up!”

Jayla credits the lessons learned in CCHS marketing and sports marketing programs with shaping her curiosity, confidence, and willingness to take risks, qualities that have already taken her far. For students interested in a career in sports, Jayla emphasizes the importance of trying new things, meeting new people, and remaining open to every possibility.