How Jianyu Yang traveled from Boston to Lubbock to stints with three professional sports franchises.
Jianyu (Jay) Yang, a recent doctoral graduate in Fine Arts (Arts Administration) from Texas Tech University's J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts (TCVPA), often finds himself in awe of the life he lives today.
Every morning, he wakes up excited about his work, creating engaging content for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. His path to the role was anything but traditional, reflecting on his immense gratitude for the opportunities that have come his way.
Jay graduated with a bachelor's and master's degree from Boston University. When making the shift from Boston to Lubbock, Jay felt like he was jumping into the unknown.
“Moving from Boston to Lubbock was a big change," he recalled. "At first, I didn't like the small-town life. It took me about two semesters to feel like I belonged. I made a lot of good friends, including my schoolmates and professors. Now, I consider Lubbock another home."
Jay's time at Texas Tech, from 2017 to 2021, was pivotal. He completed his doctorate in 2023, with his campus life revolving around courses and comprehensive exams. The support from his professors, particularly Janice Killian from the School of Music, was crucial in his decision to pursue a Ph.D.
Jay described it as “a challenging but rewarding experience.”
The interdisciplinary approach of Texas Tech's program profoundly shaped Jay's perspective on content and storytelling, particularly as it relates to sports.
“The courses I took provided a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education,” Jay noted. “The program included music, theater, art, and philosophy courses. This approach gave me a well-rounded understanding of aesthetics and significantly improved my learning abilities, allowing me to quickly acquire new skills and apply them effectively in my work.”
Peter Martens, chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Arts at TCVPA, highlighted Jay's pioneering role.
“He's one of the very small handful of students for whom we designed something that's more explicitly interdisciplinary in that degree program because we had students who wanted to do certain things. So now we've designed something where, if the next Jianyu Yang comes through the door, it would be much easier.” Martens remarked.
Jay's experience at Texas Tech laid the foundation for his career in sports.
Jay mentioned that he had some work experience with the Athletics Department and the Robert H. Ewalt Student Recreation Center, which prepared him for future roles in sports organizations. He described this experience as “invaluable,” setting the groundwork for his subsequent positions with professional sports teams.
Jay channels his creativity and passion for sports into every project. From designing eye-catching visuals for the NFL Draft to crafting engaging video content for the team's digital platforms, he brings the excitement of the game to life for fans. His work not only highlights the players' on-field achievements but also captures the spirit and energy of the Cardinals' community, making him an integral part of the team's storytelling and branding efforts.
The magic of Jay's current job lies in the daily interactions with athletes he once admired from afar. This was especially true during his previous work with the Cincinnati Bengals', another NFL franchise.
“Seeing those athletes on TV every day and then having the opportunity to interact with them as colleagues is extraordinary,” Jay shared. “When your team performs well, especially when the Bengals made it to the Super Bowl (2022), you feel like you're part of it.”
One of Jay's most memorable moments in professional sports was witnessing the retirement of Stephen Vogt with the Oakland Athletics, a Major League Baseball franchise where he landed his first job.
“You get to tell the story of these legends through your lens, your creativity, which makes your work feel very important and makes you feel proud,” he said. “Seeing your work broadcast across various platforms, especially on the big screen, with thousands of people watching, is an incredible feeling.”
Jay's journey to his current role was not without setbacks, but he has remained optimistic throughout.
“I got hired by NASCAR, but due to timing issues, it didn't work out,” he recalled. “That was frustrating, but then the Bengals opportunity came up. If I had gone to NASCAR, I wouldn't have experienced the NFL's full journey from training camp to the Super Bowl."
When asked what advice he would give students aspiring to work in the field of sports, he said, “Stay passionate and persistent. The sports industry is competitive, just like the players. Be dedicated and willing to continuously learn and adapt. Embrace your unique perspective and don't be afraid to take creative risks. Building a strong network can also provide valuable support and opportunities.”
This point was emphasized by Janice Killian, one of Jay's closest mentors. She described Jay with two words: “Absolute persistence,” and elaborated, “Persistence is probably really good for almost anybody, but he's got it in spades.”
Additionally, Jay has had the privilege of being involved with Sports Emmys, which he distinguished as another significant milestone in his career.
“Serving as a judge for the New York chapter of the Emmys has been an honor and a learning experience,” he said. “It's validated my expertise and provided a platform to contribute to the industry's standards of excellence.”
Despite his accomplishments, Jay remains grounded and thankful.
“I'm very grateful, especially for my time at Texas Tech,” he said. “Sometimes, when I talk to people outside of sports, I realize how amazing my job is. It's important to remember how you got here and to cherish the journey."
Jay never envisioned his current career path while working on his doctoral degree.
“Even though my professor said, ‘Jay, you just proved our slogan, From Here, It's Possible™,' I didn't expect this. I doubted myself at times, but I figured it out. Just do what you love, focus on what you can control, and do your best.”
