By Theresa Schmidt
Touchdown on Lifelong Learning: Kyle Eversgerd, ‘07
In the game of life, McKendree alum Kyle Eversgerd is scoring touchdowns left and right in the field of lifelong learning. The former McKendree football player has been making his mark on the St. Louis sports scene ever since his graduation from McKendree with a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication (emphasis in Sales and Marketing) in 2007. He explains, “One of the greatest aspects of my current position [as Fan Development Coordinator for the St. Louis Rams] is being part of a team. Much like the Rams on the field every Sunday, our corporate side of the building works together in a variety of aspects. Additionally, my position has given me the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people, from local high school football athletes to tornado victims in Joplin to members of the Greatest Show on Turf to
Professional Football Hall of Famers.”
However, success hasn’t come without risks: Kyle owes his current position to a long
“hail mary pass” in 2009: “I was hired as the Community Outreach Department Intern in May of
2009. [When] our organization restructured and created a traditional marketing department, I approached our Vice President of Marketing and presented him with a position I thought I would be ideal for. In February of 2010, the position of Fan Development Coordinator was created for me and I have been in that role since. Not a day goes by that I don’t feel very lucky to be in this position and am humbled by the opportunities I can be a part of.”
Fortunately, Kyle learned lessons at McKendree that have helped him not to fumble such successes and opportunities. He says, “My experience at McKendree as a student-athlete prepared me immensely for my current position with the Rams. I played four years of football, took a full course load every semester and also worked 16 hours per week in a student program

at Scott Air Force Base. More than anything, managing my time with several responsibilities while in college helped prepare me for my career today.”
As a result, Kyle still feels a close connection to McKendree. He adds, “McKendree will always be a special place for me and rarely do I drive through Lebanon on my way home to
Breese, IL and not stop to ‘check out campus.’ In fact, Kyle is scheduled to speak at a brown bag luncheon at McKendree in November, and will introduce former Rams pro-bowler Aeneas
Williams at the Distinguished Speaker Series at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts in
February. Kyle remembers, “I have so many fond memories of my time at McKendree. I will always remember my first road trip with the football team and also being in the stands for Coach
Statham’s 880 th
victory! I knew going into it [McKendree] I probably wasn’t going to play in the NFL, but my experience gave me the opportunity to grow as a person, and I guess I made it to the NFL in some fashion.”
At McKendree, Kyle learned that it is these relationships that make a person a winner:
“Looking back, I loved the small class sizes and having the ability to get to know a lot of people.
I learned that college isn’t all about books, exams, projects or parties. College is mainly about people. The people you meet, work with and especially those you become lifelong friends with.
I have a lot of friends and colleagues who attended much larger schools, but in the end, I truly believe there are several hundred people I attended McKendree with that I could walk up to after years of not seeing each other and start up a conversation like we never skipped a beat.”
While he has enjoyed tremendous success, Kyle hasn’t called a “time out” on education just yet: “No matter what field you work in, things are always changing and you have to continue to educate yourself--there is always new and relevant information out there that you can empower yourself with. If you think you have all the knowledge you need, you will be swept off

your feet. I didn’t walk across the stage and receive my diploma at McKendree with everything I needed to enter the real world at full force. But I did have the tools to continue to grow and learn and I feel like I have made the most of them thus far.”
Make the most of yourself—apply to McKendree today!
Name: Kyle Eversgerd
Living in: St. Louis, Missouri
Hometown: Breese, IL
High School: Mater Dei High School in Breese, IL
Education History: McKendree University – Graduated 2007 with a BA in Organizational
Communication, emphasis in Sales and Marketing Communications
Employment History: Fan Development Coordinator for the St. Louis Rams (Feb. 2010-
Present); Freelance Sports Writer at Belleville News-Democrat; Intern - Community Outreach at
St. Louis Rams; Hoops City - Attraction Manager at mktg; Time Out Coordinator at ESPN;
Regional Event Director at BEST (Blue Entertainment Sports Television); Assistant Regional
Event Director at BEST (Blue Entertainment Sports Television); Sports Editor at Waterloo
Republic Times.
Current Position: “In my role as the Fan Development Coordinator, I work in our marketing department and oversee our Alumni Relations, Youth and High School Football programs, Rams
Kids Club, and am in charge of the Bud Light Tailgate Party prior to every Rams home game.”
McKendree extracurriculars: Football team (4 years), Campus Activities Board (CAB), Phi
Beta Lambda (National Communication Honor Society)

Favorite McKendree course: “During the spring of my junior year I took Acting I. Now, I know what you may be thinking…A member of the football team, worked in sports my whole life and I say ‘Acting.’ Yes: ‘Acting.’ This course challenged students to not only think outside the box, but also think on your feet. I actually was approached to participate in the McKendree
Theatre Department’s One-Act Festival following this class. It was one accomplishment that I am very proud of.”