College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

“I was blessed with the chance to work on the football team in equipment. That opportunity pulled me here and ended up shaping my whole college experience,” said Bryce Donato, a graduating senior from Union.
 
As a Marketing major with a concentration in Sales, Donato found clear ways to mix knowledge gained in the classroom with his role with the football team. Donato works with the Equipment Operations team, providing input on designs for helmets, jerseys and other equipment before it is presented to leadership.

Donato explained that he gets to “throw out ideas and see which one sticks”- often practicing different sales pitches for equipment. 

Now in his fourth season, Donato has contributed ideas for helmets worn in Hawaii, across the country, and at home.

“They crafted a machine that is unstoppable, especially when it comes to the creativity that they allow us to do,” Donato said of WKU Football Equipment Operations. “A smaller school has smaller resources; we are able to get more hands-on experience than most students [in larger Division 1 programs].”

This experience became instrumental in developing Donato’s character and work ethic.

“Working in football equipment taught me more about real responsibility than anything else I have ever done. There were mornings when I had to be there before the sun was up and nights when I did not leave until everyone else was gone,” he said. “I learned what it means to show up every single day, even when I was tired or overwhelmed. I also learned how to handle mistakes, own them and fix them fast. Equipment is a world where attention to detail actually matters, and that pushed me to grow.”

Aside from his desire to work in equipment operations, Donato came to WKU with an interest in sales. 

“I think every day we’re selling ourselves, personally and professionally. Learning how to communicate and influence people is something I knew would help me wherever I go,” he said.

His sales skills showed during the Gordon Ford College of Business’ annual WKU Sales Competition. Donato won first place in 2025. This individual competition prompted students to sell the same product and follow the competition format. Each student had to win their room before going to the championship round.

“Winning the WKU Sales Competition was another major moment for me. It showed me that if I put in the time, study the craft and stay consistent, I can perform at a high level. It gave me confidence in the skills I have been building and showed me that I am capable of stepping into big opportunities,” Donato said.

Jeffrey Peake, Marketing Executive in Residence in WKU’s Department of Marketing, coordinated the Sales Competition and shared how the experience benefits students and what he has seen from Donato. 

“Opportunities like these expose students to pressure, uncertainty, and real-time decision-making, all of which mirror what they will encounter in the field,” Peake said. “While it’s completely normal to feel nerves in these situations, the value comes from being able to experience those emotions in a controlled, supportive environment. Bryce learned how to manage that pressure, stay composed, and adapt quickly. These skills dramatically shorten the learning curve once he transitions into a sales role. Experiences like these ensure he isn’t starting from scratch; he’s already familiar with the rhythm of professional conversations, the expectations of buyers, and the need to think strategically in the moment.”
 
Donato’s willingness to accept opportunities prompts his continued learning from and pouring into others.

“It has been humbling to be surrounded by people who have more experience than I do. Learning from them helped me grow,” Donato said. “Being in different organizations helped me understand people better and taught me how to work toward a shared goal.” 

One of those organizations was the Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM) at WKU. “I mentored new freshmen and walked through Scripture with them,” he shared. He served with the BCM until May 2025.

On December 12, Donato will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from WKU; however, he will miss attending his ceremony. Donato begins his career after completing final exams. “I am blessed with an opportunity at USI [Insurance Services] where I will work toward becoming an account manager. I want to bring strong solutions to the partners I work with and keep growing both professionally and personally.”