Cross country captain races past competition

Chris Duerr, BA’20 (Flor), is captain of the FDU Devils cross country team.

By Karthik Aggarwal

A straight-A student, cross country team captain and multi-job employee, Christopher Duerr, BA’20 (Flor), is constantly setting his sights higher.

“I know that I’m willing to work harder than others. I’m willing to do what it takes to succeed,” Duerr says.

Duerr, a 22-year-old Cape May County native, balances his day job as a sports facility supervisor for the Long Island Rough Riders soccer team with coursework toward completing his final semester in FDU’s Bachelor of Arts in sports administration program. Duerr also works the night shift from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Long Island and typically returns to the Florham Campus by 4 a.m., heading to class or practice shortly thereafter.

“It really is a lot of work and a long drive, but to have supervisory experience while in school is impressive,” he says. “I can say when I graduate that I’ve already been a supervisor and managed a sports facility. I have the experience to back it up.”

Duerr’s work ethic and passion for sports has already distinguished him both on and off the field.

“Christopher has made exceptional strides in the professional world of sports,” says Robyn Lubisco, associate professor and director of the sports administration program on the Florham Campus. “He is the first sports administration student to obtain an internship at five professional sports teams – Philadelphia Union, New York Mets, New York Giants, New York Red Bulls and New York Jets – and at a professional football stadium, MetLife. He accomplished this while running cross-country at FDU, volunteering in the community, and maintaining a 3.0 or better GPA.”

His next move is always on his mind. Duerr just landed his fifth internship with a professional sports team, a competitive Premium Partnerships internship with the New York Jets. Duerr expects this to tap into his diverse skillset in event operations, hospitality, marketing and sales.

“The Jets Premium Partnerships internship will round me out and help me go in any direction a team may need me to go. I hope it opens doors for the future, including a full-time position,” he says.

Duerr interns with the NFL’s New York Jets.

Duerr credits his FDU education with giving him practical skills, knowledge and the versatility needed for a career in sports. His dream job, he says, would be to manage events for an NFL team or stadium. This dream developed during his tenure as the University’s cross country team captain, in which he learned to lead and bring a team together.

“I like to work with people and want to find a way through which my employees and teammates are happy and most productive,” he says. “As cross country captain, I partner with my teammates to design our workouts and runs, ensuring my approach is inclusive and my team is happy and not overexerted.”

Duerr says bettering himself and others is what motivates and propels him through his challenges. “Innovative,” “diligent,” and “ambitious” are the three words that he says describe him best. It’s safe to say that his accomplishments have already earned him that description.

“I do everything I can to better myself and everyone around me, whether it’s my teammates or the organizations I work for,” he says.