Lifelong Cleveland Browns fan now develops team's software

The thought of developing software for the team who has been the reason for waking up every Sunday with a purpose, from the end of August through hopefully February, never crossed the mind of 28-year-old Seth Hooker.But for the 2003 Youngstown State University graduate from Uhrichsville, Ohio, this dream became reality.

"Euphoria . I'm a lifelong Browns fan. I grew up in a Browns household, [and] the job itself was a great fit for me as far as what all my favorite parts of the software industry [are]," Hooker said about his reaction when he found out he was given the job. "It's a lot of work, it's a lot of hours [and] they're looking for driven people here, but it's a very rewarding job, and so I was really beside myself when I got the job. It's a great opportunity for me, and it has been so far."

Hooker, who interviewed with the Browns for nearly two months prior to beginning on Aug. 10, is in charge of developing the applications for draft trackers, free agent lists and even game evaluation software.

Like many high school students, Hooker wasn't aware of what he was going to pursue in college. Hooker said he wasn't only a Browns fan, but also an architecture and engineering enthusiast.

After graduating from Claymont High School, Hooker had to make the decision that would shape his future, but said he wasn't able to choose a major until the last possible moment.

"I really didn't come across what I really wanted to do until I got to YSU, and I didn't decide on my major until the last possible day before I had gotten into school," Hooker said.

"I've always liked computers [and the] idea of development, but I never really had the opportunity to get into it."

After deciding that developing computer software was his passion, Hooker immediately knew he wanted to major in computer science and minor in mathematics.

Hooker, who was able to navigate through college in four years without changing his major, said he was fortunate for this because it allowed him to graduate on time. This has allowed him get to where he is today at such a young age.

Hooker has achieved an incredible amount of success, and said he attributes all of it to YSU.

"What YSU was great for was the interactions between people," Hooker said. "YSU's environment through the dorms, through the campus atmosphere, through all of the intramurals and extracurriculars, really encourages people to get together."

Faculty members such as assistant director of Student Programming Greg Gulas, Honors Program assistant director Dr. Amy Cossentino and associate professor of computer science and information Dr. John Sullins were all inspirations, Hooker said.

Gulas, who worked with Hooker in bringing the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity up off the ground, said he knew Hooker was going to be an asset not only to himself but also to the fraternity.

"He was one of the guys that was a driving force in trying to get them [Sigma Tau Gamma] recolonized, and you just knew that entire group, Seth included, was a very, very special group because number one, they had 'stick-to-it-iveness.' They were very caring and they were very passionate," Gulas said.

Sigma Tau Gamma still exists, and Gulas said since they have been reorganized, they have been one of the elite fraternities at YSU, winning Greek Sing numerous times and being named all-sports champions.

"They were the number one chapter academically nationwide out of all the Sig Tau's, and in the top five several times," Gulas said.

Gulas and Hooker aren't just Sigma Tau fraternity brothers; they now have both worked with the Cleveland Browns.

Gulas, who interned with the Browns as a graduate student at Ohio University in 1978, said he knew Hooker would get the position.

"Not only are we fraternity brothers, but we both worked for the Browns," Gulas said. "[Hooker is] much more important than I ever was."

Although working for the Browns is certainly the milestone of his career so far, his main goal in life is quite simple, and Hooker said that because of his busy schedule, he hasn't had the time to have the benefit of the doubt.

"My main goal in life has never really been a work-related goal . [my main goal] is to learn more about having a family, a nice place to come home to and just at the end of the day just to be satisfied with who I am and with where I am in life," Hooker said.