Jarred Latta couldn’t have possibly imagined a better summer.
The 2012 Iola High graduate spent most of his summer working for the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Triple-A affiliate for the defending World Series Champion Kansas City Royals.
“With the Royals winning the World Series, I knew that anywhere in the organization would be a great experience to not only learn the baseball aspect, but also the business side of sports,” Latta said. “I did day-to-day operations in the front office. I got experience in the ticket office, at the ticket window and calling season-ticket holders; I worked with the promotions group, the marketing group, the advertising group and the corporate sales group. I really was happy to get that experience with a lot of different departments.”
Latta served as an intern as part of his work to finish his undergraduate degree in sports management from the University of Kansas. During his extensive internship, he was able to rub elbows with some of the main cogs in the Royals organization.
“With the Royals winning it all, I had heard the talk about the camaraderie in the front office was the best in baseball and now looking back on that, I can first-hand say that the Kansas City Royals run a first-class organization from the top-down,” Latta said. “I built relationships with the entire office.
“(Royals’ general manager) Dayton Moore was there. Long-time scout Art Stewart was there, I got to talk to him a lot. (Storm Chasers’ President and General Manager) Martie Cordaro is a great guy. I just built a ton of great relationships.”
Of course with the a role within the front office, Latta had to try to contain the fan within him as he would come across top Kansas City prospects Raul Mondesi, Hunter Dozier and Jorge Bonifacio as they all spent a majority of their seasons in Omaha, but the hardest time he had being professional was when Alex Gordon was sent to Omaha for a rehab assignment earlier this season.
“Since 2007 when he broke into the big leagues, I’ve looked up to Alex Gordon,” Latta said. “Having close contact with Alex Gordon, it was hard to shelter my fandom around him.”
Latta his passion for sports began growing up in Iola with his parents’ passion for them.
“I played baseball at Allen (Community College) a couple years, I wasn’t great. I was a pitcher, but I knew my career in sports wasn’t going to be from playing,” Latta said. “I thank my mom and dad, Patty and Randy, for giving not only myself the opportunity to pursue my dreams and goals, but also my brothers, Ryan and Trent… I’m thankful for my parents for instilling that love of sport.”
Latta finished up his memorable summer with another opportunity that he has dreamed of for his entire life. On Monday, he will begin his new job as a New Business and Development Sales Consultant with the University of Kansas.
“When I was six years old I thought, how cool would it be to have an office on Naismith Drive and now that is actually happening,” Latta said. “It is a dream come true.”
