Temple Owl is the Eagles’ selection for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award.
Cristian Narino Garcia, STH ’22, who works as the facilities operations coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, has been chosen as a nominee for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award.
During his four-year stint serving in the United States Air Force, Cristian Narino Garcia was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Florida. On October 22, while the Philadelphia Eagles were gearing up to face the Miami Dolphins, Cristian Narino Garcia, STH ’22, was going about his usual pregame tasks as the team’s facilities operations coordinator. It was during this time that he received an unexpected surprise.
Unbeknownst to him, Dom Smolenski, the President of the Philadelphia Eagles, informed Garcia that he had been selected as the Eagles’ nominee for the NFL Salute to Service Award for 2023. This award, presented by USAA, recognizes the steadfast contributions of veterans and active-duty service members within the NFL community.
“My brother and mom, who are also big Eagles fans, were in town to visit me, so I invited them to experience being on ground level prior to the game,” Garcia shared. “My family, who have always been truly supportive, knew prior that Dom was going to make the announcement, but I had no idea, so it was a great surprise.
“Most people in the military will agree that we don’t do it for recognition, but it was a great feeling, and I am really thankful,” he added.
In his role with the Eagles, Garcia plays a part in managing overall event logistics and breakdowns, supports innovative projects around the facilities, and maintains important vendor relationships to ensure smooth operations at Lincoln Financial Field and the NovaCare Complex.
“The operations department gave me a wide knowledge about what it takes to create, run, and review an event and project,” he stated. “I am thankful for the opportunity to work with great people who are part of my day-to-day life.”
Additionally, Garcia is a committed Air National Guard active member, dedicating a weekend every month and one to two weeks every year to training with other reserve members.
During his time in the Air Force, Garcia served in various capacities such as warehouse coordinator, contracting officer representative, and fitness NCO. He gained expertise in culinary services, facility and lodging operations, fitness operations, and search and recovery.
Originally from Colombia, Garcia’s journey led him to his current position with the Eagles. He moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 2013, where he lived on Naval Station Mayport with his then stepfather, who worked for the U.S. Navy. Inspired by the support he received and the veterans he encountered, Garcia decided to join the military to give back to the country.
Having served two deployments during Operation Inherent Resolve, Garcia researched colleges with sports management programs during his time in the Air Force. His passion for pursuing a career in the sports industry led him to Temple University.
After being accepted to Temple, Garcia joined the Sport and Governance Association, took part in a trip to London to explore the global sports industry, volunteered for the Eagles, and became a member of the Temple Veterans Association.
Garcia began working for the Eagles Pro Shop in 2019 and later transitioned to a seasonal associate position for marketing entertainment teams in 2022. During his time at Temple, Garcia achieved the rank of staff sergeant, where he prioritized leadership accountability, fitness, logistics, and administration.
In 2019, Garcia left active duty to join the Air National Guard while continuing his education at Temple. He graduated with a degree in sport and recreation management in 2022, crediting Amy Giddings, chair of the Department of Sport and Recreation Management at STHM, for preparing him for a career in the sports industry.
“My role with the Eagles has impacted my professional and personal life by allowing me to be part of a great group of professionals who are looking to positively impact the local community and create new and better experiences for all the fans,” he expressed.
The winner of the Salute to Service Award for 2023 will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 8.
Leave a Reply