Sports Agent Hoshijo Is Finding His Niche
Garett Hoshijo wasn’t sure where it was going to lead him when he agreed to help direct the budding soccer career of Chinese women’s player Sun Wen.
Wen, the 1999 Women’s World Cup most valuable player, wanted more worldwide exposure. Hoshijo, who was trying to build a sports apparel business, had a reputation as a youth soccer trainer but no real international marketing experience.
Yet, Hoshijo, who graduated from Huntington Beach High in 1984, appears to have found his niche as a sports agent.
Last year, he and partner Michael Buley co-founded Globalsports Management Group of Newport Beach. The firm primarily handles soccer players, but has recently branched into extreme sports.
“We were first approached by an intermediary for Sun Wen, to see if we could assist her with their career,” Hoshijo said. “Our initial success led other soccer players and athletes to contact us for help. . . . From there things just sort of evolved.”
Among others, Hoshijo represents Brazilian women’s soccer standout Sissi, the 1999 Women’s World Cup Silver Boot Award winner; Laurie Hill, an All-American at UC Santa Barbara who played for Mexico’s Women’s World Cup team, and numerous players in Major League Soccer, the A-League and National Professional Soccer League.
Several of his clients are participating on a world all-star team that has been playing members of the U.S. national team during a 12-city American indoor soccer tour, which stops at the San Diego Sports Arena Nov. 29.
“It has been rewarding to make a difference in the lives of world-class athletes who, until recently, have remained underappreciated,” Hoshijo said. “There is still a long way to go, but it is an enjoyable and challenging journey.”
SAILING ALONG
UC Irvine graduate Jay Glaser was the featured speaker at a Balboa Bay Yacht Club breakfast last weekend that helped kick off the 36th season of sailing competition at the university.
Glaser was a 1972 national collegiate champion and the silver medalist at the 1984 Olympic Games in Tornados. Most recently, he was a coach for the Olympic sailing team in Sydney.
FOOTBALL
Reed Mokler, A 1997 Servite graduate, was named the NCAA Division I-AA football special teams player of the week for his school-record eight PAT conversions in St. Mary’s 71-34 victory over Menlo College. One of his PATs came after a Gael penalty, making it a 35-yard kick. The eight PATs were also a career high for Mokler, who is a junior.
* Chapman punter Chris Culbertson, formerly of Capistrano Valley High, ranks 12th in Division III, averaging 40 yards.
NOTABLE
Though No. 16 Azusa Pacific was upset by the Concordia women’s volleyball team last week, Cougar freshman Jenna Sagehorn, who attended Whittier Christian High, recorded a school-record 33 kills.
Teammate Christy Kimmel, a freshman from Calvary Chapel, had a season-high 25 kills.
* Biola goalie Mark Wade, formerly of El Dorado High, was recently selected the NAIA Region II men’s soccer player of the week.
If you have an item or idea for the alumni report, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail us at paul.mcleod@latimes.com
