Alumni Artists: Creating Inspiration for the Sports Industry
By: AnneMarie Hunter
Artistic expression has accompanied the sports story for eons — and the connection between sports and the arts spans civilizations and continents. With a unique capacity to shape individual and collective identity, the arts also record history, build community, propel competition and celebrate victory across sports.
Many creative UMKC alumni bring their own art and vision to sports teams and audiences. In this article, meet four alumni artists who share their experiences, perspectives and contributions to the sports industry.
Jason Cadena (B.B.A. ’22) Videographer and Video Producer
What inspired your interest in your creative field and focus on the sports industry?
I played soccer from an early age, and my entire life revolved around soccer. There was a moment during a game my senior year when one of the most iconic soccer photos ever started to flood my social media. Instantly, I wanted to be part of that and knew photography would be my way in. I bought my first camera and started working my way up, learning most of my craft online and through fellow creatives.
What teams have you worked with?
I interned with the Kansas City Athletics in 2020 and have been in the industry ever since. I currently work for a soccer-specific agency called Starting Eleven. My published work includes MLS, Apple TV, U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Soccer, the Mexican National Team, Puma and other brands.
What do you believe is the unique contribution your creative field makes to sports?
Through our work, specifically soccer, we give the viewer a unique point of view on the game and, in turn, evoke emotions they maybe didn’t feel by just watching the game. Our end goal is to grow the game in the United States, and we do so by telling these stories.
In what ways does the team and audience influence the direction of your creativity or projects?
The audience is the driving force for most of the stories and work. Finding ways to tap into their point of view — and giving them something they can relate to — will always increase engagement. We focus our efforts on tailoring stories toward the audience. Taking advantage of a moment or story gets the best out of the players and creates the most audience engagement.
Are there unique challenges to working in the sports industry — or the sport you work in?
Early on, I often found myself comparing myself to others in the industry, or thinking I needed that really expensive camera gear because so-and-so had it. However, what I found to make me the most successful is to just fall in love with the journey. Once you fall in love with the hard work and get better at your craft every day, opportunities will come. You’ll be ready for anything when it comes your way.
Please share a favorite project.
I was fortunate enough to be the assistant camera and a camera operator for the MLS Messi Mania.* Lionel Messi was actually the athlete in the picture that went viral and gave me that “aha” moment about what I wanted to do with my life. So, this project was as full circle as it gets.
*The August 2023 fan and media celebration when Lionel Messi arrived in the United States to play for Inter Miami CF.
Renita Johnson (B.A. ’15) DJ Doop is her professional name.
What inspired your interest in your creative field and focus on the sports industry?
Music and dance have always been deep in my life. I’ve been playing music since I could walk, and my family has a gospel recording group. We also have well-known singers and rappers on both sides of the family. During college, I gained a following for DJing at events.
Then, about five years ago, I DJed a few pre-game activities for the KC Current. That opened doors to DJ for the Women in College Sports Conference in 2022, and was a stepping stone for the Big 12 Women's Basketball Conference and other opportunities.
What teams have you worked with?
I’ve worked with the Big 12 Basketball Conference and am a gameday DJ for the KC Current.
What do you believe is the unique contribution your creative field makes to sports?
I feel like one of my contributions to sports is the vibe. I’m the conductor of getting the players and spectators ready for a game — whether there are 30 people or stadiums are full.
However, the biggest contribution I’m forever thankful for is that I can show other girls like me that they can do it, too.
In what ways does the team and audience influence the direction of your creativity or projects?
The teams and audience typically are who I feed off for the music I play. I try to play music that everyone in the audience would enjoy and ask for special requests from the players. I combine that with my own research of the team and audience demographics to make sure the music fits the event. I stay on top of recent hit songs, TikTok challenges and classics to keep people going. Sometimes, I’ll take a chance and introduce the audience to music I think they’d like or would fit the vibe of the event.
Are there unique challenges to working in the sports industry — or the sport you work in?
When I work outside, the weather can be the biggest challenge. Extreme temperatures can cause my equipment to overheat or be too cold to register with my computer or controller/mixer. If one or the other goes out, the music literally stops.
Another challenge is to maintain a neutral playing field when it comes to music. During the Big 12 Conference, I learned if I had multiple requests from specific schools that, nine times out of ten, it was a no-go — so others wouldn’t think we were showing favoritism.
Please share a favorite project.
My favorite project was being the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Conference DJ. From reading scripts to learning the flow of games, this experience prepared me for the KC Current. And, I unexpectedly met Fat Joe and his DJ when they borrowed my equipment because theirs didn’t arrive. It was literally everything and more than I expected.
Travis Houston (B.M.E. ’16) Member of the Kansas City Chiefs Rumble drumline and a drumline and percussion instructor at Lee’s Summit North High School in Missouri
What inspired your interest in your creative field and focus on the sports industry?
I’ve always enjoyed performing music, but the main reason I started performing with the Chiefs Rumble was to inspire my students and their playing. My own instruments, along with the excitement and energy of fans, bring me a sense of joy and accomplishment.
What teams have you worked with?
I’ve been a drumline instructor and percussion specialist for several area school districts and a member of the Chiefs Rumble since 2017.
What do you believe is the unique contribution your creative field makes to sports?
Music can connect individuals no matter age, nationality or language and makes a big contribution to all sports.
As a teacher, I enjoy inspiring students to reach their full potential through music education. They learn how to create goals, overcome struggles and develop teamwork skills they’ll use in their futures. At school games, the marching bands get the crowds excited, and the competitive show during halftime continues that excitement. With the Chiefs Rumble, our goal is to provide a full fan experience to anyone attending a game at Arrowhead or one of our community events.
In what ways does the team and audience influence the direction of your creativity or projects?
With the Rumble, where and who we are performing for will influence what we play. During the games and some community events, we often play loud, energetic music to get the fans excited. Examples include Red Friday, the NFL draft and multiple events leading up to the Super Bowl.
Are there unique challenges to working in the sports industry — or the sport you work in?
The biggest struggle we face with schools and the Rumble is performing in the different Midwest weather, including rain, snow or extreme temperatures.
With the Rumble, being flexible is key for our community events. Often, we have to adjust our performances, depending on space and time. Whereas, at the game, everything is planned out to the minute.
Please share a favorite project.
My favorite Rumble community performance was a birthday party for a 3-year-old boy who absolutely loved hearing the drumline. The joy on his face will be with me for a very long time.
Vu Radley (B.A. ’12) Apparel designer and founder of MADE MOBB.
What inspired your interest in your creative field and focus on the sports industry?
I was always a creative kid but never thought I’d have a career in the arts. After getting my associate degree, I worked in customer service for a few years thinking that would be my future. Then, in 2010, I took a few art courses at UMKC and fell in love with the arts all over again. Those classes pushed me into taking more graphic design courses and gave me the foundation to build MADE MOBB.
My love for streetwear was a big reason I created MADE MOBB, and sports has always been an inspiration for our designs.
What teams have you worked with?
MADE MOBB has been in business since 2013, but I learned a lot about the sports industry when I worked at Rally House/Kansas Sampler as a brand manager and local buyer. During my stint there, I worked with professional and college teams across the country.
In 2021, MADE MOBB worked with the Chiefs to produce limited-edition garments for their playoff season. That opened the door to collab with the KC Comets, KC Current, KC Pioneers, the Ryogoku Soccer Academy and individual athletes.
What do you believe is the unique contribution your creative field makes to sports?
At MADE MOBB, we challenge ourselves to create designs that push the general target audience when we collab or create fan merch. With our Chiefs collaboration, we wanted to create more streetwear-based pieces versus what the Chiefs’ target audience focused on via their internal merchandising. It’s always fun to take a spin on things and push the edges in design with businesses that usually have strict guidelines.
In what ways does the team and audience influence the direction of your creativity or projects?
I think apparel has always been my canvas. I’ve been able to see it not only for the utilitarian aspects of clothing but to also push messages and inspire. At MADE MOBB, we try to create designs that we or our homies would wear — and for our sports-based audience. Our audience will always let us know what they like, or don’t, when we drop products, so we work off that as well. MADE MOBB is really a community and as the company keeps growing, it definitely becomes deeper than t-shirts.
Are there unique challenges to working in the sports industry — or the sport you work in?
There are always trademark and licensing issues. When we pay homage to teams, we dig deeper into our creative bag to create designs that do not infringe on team trademarks and logos. The business side of design is something I had to learn quickly and continually learn daily.
Please share a favorite project.
As a lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan, I would say our collaboration with them was a big bucket list item for me. I rode on that high for an entire year.