Summer 2018

Table of Contents

Sport Analytics program receives $1 million gift 

Commitment to developing a new generation of professionals inspires donation from Syracuse University alumnus Andrew T. Berlin 

When Syracuse University’s Falk College launched a new degree in sport analytics in 2016, it was responding to the sport industry’s need for trained professionals able to process and analyze ever-increasing amounts of information to guide data-driven decision making. A $1 million gift by Syracuse University Trustee and alumnus, Andrew T. Berlin ’83, partner owner of the world champion Chicago Cubs and its minor league affiliate, the South Bend Cubs, will make a number of student focused initiatives in this fast-growing program possible.

“Syracuse University has played a very significant role by providing the foundation for my business success, and this gift is my way of making a commitment to help ensure that students will have the resources to make sport analytics the best program in the country,” Berlin said. “I believe this cutting-edge program—the first of its kind in the country—will shape the direction of the sports industry for years to come.”

The Berlin gift will provide scholarship and financial assistance to select undergraduate sport analytics students as well as support for faculty research, participation in academic symposiums, and student-focused sports analytical competitions. Berlin Scholars will be selected based on academic proficiency, research skills, and experiential engagement. Outstanding upper-level students interning with professional teams or sport analytics companies will be eligible for participation as Berlin Senior Research Associates to mentor younger classmates and conduct seminars on analytics techniques. Associates will also support sport analytics faculty research that may include co-authoring journal articles and presenting research findings at domestic and international sport analytic and economic academic symposiums.

“As the proliferation of sophisticated analytics in the sport industry continues to transform data-driven decision making, our graduates will provide strong technical and analytical skills sport organizations are seeking to make sound business decisions,” said Falk College Dean Diane Lyden Murphy. “We are grateful for the Berlin family’s generous support that will further escalate Syracuse University’s reputation as a nationally recognized leader in sport management education.”

Plans for a lecture series and creation of an on-campus program for high school students interested in sport analytics are also under development. The annual symposium featuring leading innovators in sport analytics will be hosted across the country, with the inaugural event taking place in Chicago to feature a panel of local industry executives and Syracuse University sport analytics professors. Over time, the symposium will incorporate graduates of the sport analytics program, including Berlin Scholars and Berlin Senior Research Associates. 

“The gift from Mr. Berlin will further expand the exciting opportunities available for the incredible students in our program,” said Dr. Rodney Paul, professor of sport management and sport analytics program director. “Mr. Berlin serves as a role model for our students, not just from his successes and leadership in the business and sports world, but also in terms of his generosity and care he exhibits as it relates to young people and the future.”

The future Berlin Sport Analytics Academy at Syracuse University will include guest speakers, projects, lectures and activities for high school students. Participants will benefit from gaining first-hand knowledge presented by sport analytics faculty and students while enhancing their analytical problem-solving and presentational skills.

“The generosity of the Berlin family gift allows us to follow our blueprint of recruiting Ivy League-caliber students from across the globe,” said Michael Veley, the Rhonda S. Falk Endowed Professor and chair and director of the Department of Sport Management. “Providing opportunities for our students to showcase their analytical and academic skills will allow us to build our brand while providing students with unlimited opportunities outside of the classroom.”

Falk College’s bachelor of science in sport analytics provides students with a deep understanding of math, statistics, research methodology, sport economics, database management, finance, and computer programming. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to think conceptually and analytically while applying these principles to real issues in sport organizations. The degree incorporates a mandatory foreign language requirement to prepare students for the global sport industry in a variety of possible analytics career paths on the player evaluation side, business side, or both.

“Mr. Berlin’s gift is a huge jumpstart to Syracuse University’s sport analytics program,” said Charles Garrett ’19, a dual major in sport analytics and broadcast and digital journalism. “It will provide tremendous opportunities for students to attend conferences and present research, keep facilities state of the art, and adapt with a rapidly growing field to assure we are readily prepared for the industry.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job market for various data analyst disciplines is growing at 27 percent annually, far exceeding the national job growth average of 11 percent. The sport industry is the fifth largest economic sector in the U.S. economy, generating slightly less than $500 billion in 2014-15.

"Analytics are integral toward changing on-field baseball strategy and scouting talent,” said Jason McLeod, senior vice president of player development and scouting for the Chicago Cubs. McLeod, who is a three-time World Champion in that role with the 2016 Cubs and 2004 and 2007 Boston Red Sox, said, “The Syracuse University Sport Analytics program will offer interdisciplinary skills that will prepare students to become the next generation of analytical thinkers, both from a business and player development perspective.” Berlin is chairman and C.E.O. of Berlin.

Packaging, the leading global supplier of glass, plastic, and metal containers and closures. He graduated with a political science degree from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He earned a law degree at Loyola University of Chicago, attended the Executive Program at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University, and studied military history at Boston University. A member of the Maxwell School Advisory Board and the Chicago Regional Council, he has supported the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism—a joint endeavor of the Maxwell School and the College of Law— by creating the Andrew Berlin Family National Security Research Fund in honor of Professor Emeritus David Bennett.

“This gift is a giant step forward for the program,” said Justin Perline ’19, a dual major in sport analytics and newspaper and online journalism. “Having the resources to send students across the country and the world in pursuit of their passions is incredible. And most important, we now have the opportunity to bring Syracuse University’s sport analytics program into the national and international spotlight.”

Falk College’s offering in sport analytics is the newest addition in its academic portfolio of programs in the Department of Sport Management that includes sport management (B.S.), sport venue and event management (M.S.) and intercollegiate athletic advising and support (C.A.S.). 

Director's Greeting

As I reflect on the past year and gaze into the future, we must continue to prepare our students for the ever-changing sports industry. Legalized sports gambling … emergence of e-Sports … Virtual and Augmented Reality … global expansion … smart technology stadiums … emerging digital platforms and technology advancements … enhanced security at events, etc.

While the future of sports is intriguing, in the present-day we are confronted with disturbing and controversial ethical, moral and societal issues that our current students must address. C.T.E. and athlete safety, performance enhancing drugs and doping, domestic violence and sexual abuse among athletes, N.C.A.A. corruption, student-athlete, Olympic and F.I.F.A. scandals, racism, diversity and gender equality in sports, among others. The laundry list is long and complicated, but we have an obligation to prepare our students for the challenges confronting the sports industry and society as a whole. As a future generation of managers, executives and decision-makers, they will undoubtedly face ethical and legal matters that are pervasive throughout the sports world and overall society.

As educators, we must provide direction, leadership and critical thinking to inspire new and open-minded ways of thinking about important and often controversial issues. A deeper understanding is needed on many topics to ensure a more diverse, inclusive, welcoming and safe sporting environment for all ages of participants and spectators.

Sports can be an ideal platform to affect social change and it has been a hallmark of this program and the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. Today, more than ever, sport is woven into the social, cultural and economic fabric of society. It’s an integral part of the world and we have a responsibility to prepare students for the challenges and unethical circumstances that exist. Outside of the classrooms, and through our experiential efforts of engagement, our students are encouraged to support social causes, provide financial support through philanthropic fundraising events and host thought-provoking educational symposiums on topics that address societal problems.

We will continue to use sports as a platform to teach social responsibility and aid our community. This past academic year, our Sport Management Club Charity Sports Auction raised $56,800 for Meals on Wheels of Syracuse and our Sport Venue and Event Management graduate students’ charity golf tournament, dinner and auction raised $20,000 for Vera House, which provides services for domestic and sexual abuse victims in Central New York. What other Sport Management program in the country can make such claims? My sincerest congratulations to the many student leaders that volunteered their time and talents to support these wonderful causes.

Later this year we will create a Sport Management Alumni Advisory Council, and details will be forthcoming. I invite you to become engaged by visiting campus, attending our alumni functions, guest lecturing in a class, supervising a Capstone or internship, hiring our graduates or assisting however you can— to share in our mission of being the prominent academic leader in Sport Management.

As always, Be Loud, Be Proud, Be Orange!!

Sincerely,

Michael Veley
Director and Chair
Rhonda S. Falk Endowed Professor of Sport Management 

A message from our Dean

Since the Department of Sport Management welcomed its first class more than a decade ago, its academic offerings have evolved into world-class programs modeled for best practices inside and outside of the classroom. Sport management at Syracuse is well known for its deep industry connections, which we encourage students to embrace from the moment they arrive. These life-changing networking opportunities begin during a student’s first semester through guest lectures, alumni visits, and activities with industry leaders, many who sit on our Sport Management Advisory Board.

Internships and our required senior Capstones put students in touch with the industry where they make essential contacts that continue well after graduation. For students majoring in sport analytics, a senior thesis connects their interests with a faculty mentor as well as the sport industry through opportunities to present and publish their research. We are very grateful for the generosity of Syracuse University alumnus and member of the University’s Board of Trustees, Andrew T. Berlin, partner owner of the Chicago Cubs and its minor league affiliate, the South Bend Cubs. His visionary support will help us build our analytics program through scholarships and other critical student-centered opportunities.

As we embrace a new academic year, a growing list of sport management-focused special interest organizations complement our students’ fields of study that you can learn more about on the Sport Management website. We take great pride in the Department of Sport Management’s commitment to teaching social responsibility in sports, providing our students the know-how to engage workplaces and communities as socially conscious global citizens. We invite you to stay informed and involved with sport management at Syracuse! Together, we will continue doing great things.

Diane Lyden Murphy, M.A., M.S.W., Ph.D.
Dean, Falk College 

Students

Congratulations to the Class of 2018

On May 12, 2018, the David B. Falk College celebrated its Class of 2018 Convocation ceremony at Manley Field House. Eighty-one Sport Management undergraduates and 14 Sport Venue and Event Management master’s students took part in the ceremony.

The 2018 Sport Management Marshals were Alex Wood (undergraduate) and Paige Hammond (graduate). Destiny Castro, Chris Henderson and Alex Wood were named Falk College Scholars.

Thirty-five Sport Management students in the Class of 2018 graduated with honors with a G.P.A. of 3.4 or higher. Eighteen students graduated Magna Cum Laude (G.P.A. of 3.6 or higher) and seven graduated Summa Cum Laude (G.P.A. of 3.8 or higher).

The Department of Sport Management’s traditional celebration of its graduates on Commencement weekend continued this year, with more than 200 parents, family members, friends, faculty and staff gathering in Falk College on May 11 to celebrate the accomplishments of the Sport Management undergraduates and Sport Venue and Event Management master’s students.

This year’s awards ceremony featured remarks by Sport Management director and chair Michael D. Veley, College benefactor David B. Falk, and Syracuse University Trustee and Chicago Cubs minority owner Andrew Berlin. S.P.M. undergraduate director Dr. Gina Pauline led the awards ceremony to honor the Class of 2018.

Awards presented included: 

• Director’s Award—Alex Wood  

• Academic Excellence Award— William Kniesner  

• Matt Brodsky Philanthropic Award — Christina Myers  

• Sport Management VIP Award— Destiny Castro  

• Professional Engagement Award— Christopher Henderson  

• Jason Morales Perseverance in Sport Award—Elise Lagerweij  

• Academic Promise Award— Elijah Newsome  

• Graduate student award— Kelsey Meisenzahl 

Nine students received the Director’s Academic Achievement Award for earning a G.P.A. of 3.4 or higher for each of their seven consecutive semesters at Syracuse University.

Those students were: Keith Bremer, Destiny Castro, Christopher Henderson, Jeffrey Kent, William Kniesner, Kyle O’Connor, Matthew Potolski, Erik Weiss and Alex Wood.

Elijah Newsome was noted as a McNair Scholar and Angela Marsh-Coan as a David Bing Scholar. Peter Nagle (Sport Management and History) and William Kniesner (Sport Management and Economics) were noted as dual majors.

Also, the M.S. in Sport Venue and Event Management program concluded its sixth year. 

Sport Venue and Event Management Master’s program graduates its sixth class 

The Department of Sport Management’s master’s program in Sport Venue and Event Management (S.V.E.M.) welcomed its sixth class of graduate students to campus in July 2017. The program comprises 36 credit hours of intensive classroom learning, skill development and experiential opportunities in settings like S.U.’s Carrier Dome.

The 2017-18 cohort included 13 students, with a diverse mix of educational backgrounds and from a variety of geographic locations. Students will complete their practicum work in the Summer and Fall 2018 semesters with organizations such as Live Nation, Special Olympics, the Indianapolis Colts, MetLife Stadium and Los Angeles Rams.

In July 2017, the students began in an immersive nature, working three days at the Musselman Triathlon in the Finger Lakes region during the first week of the program, followed by an immersion experience at the Buffalo Bills preseason training camp.

The graduate students also took part in professional development seminars conducted by Sport Management internship placement coordinators on the topics of networking, cover letters and resumes, strategic interviewing, salary negotiation, career guidance and using LinkedIn.

In the Fall 2017 semester, S.V.E.M. graduate students helped to plan and execute the annual Coming Back Together Celebrity Classic, which brings former student-athletes and fans together for a fun evening of remembering and reminiscing.

In the Spring 2018 semester, students worked with S.P.M. associate professor Dr. Gina Pauline in the advanced event management course to plan a charity golf classic benefiting Vera House. (See Page 22). 

Students in the first six cohorts have immersed themselves in the program’s academic and experiential opportunities, and leveraged relationships to launch their careers in the industry. Graduates have secured positions within McFetridge Sports Center in Chicago, Dover Speedway, Brown University, Spectra Venue Management, Legends Hospitality, Spartan Race Inc., Country Music Hall of Fame, Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome, Boston Celtics, University of Virginia Athletics, Boise State University, and Tulsa Sports Commission, among others.

The seventh S.V.E.M. graduate class began in July 2018. 

Practicum list for Sport Venue and Event Management master’s program

Fall 2017

Rachel Chulock, Madison Square Garden
Daniel Hewitt, Spectra Venue Management, C.F.E/ Arena
Yang Liu, China Cup International
Arek Olson, Syracuse University Athletics
Candace Sena, Buffalo Bills
Chengji Zuo, Syracuse University Recreation Services

Spring 2018

Fergus Barrie, Syracuse University Orange Club
Ziming Jiang, Syracuse Silver Knights
Yang Liu, HUPU Sport
Arek Olson, Syracuse University Athletics
Chengji Zuo, Syracuse University Recreation Services

Summer 2018

Brett Burke, Burlington Royals
Peng Chen, Western and Southern Tennis Open
Marisa Duval, Syracuse University Athletics
Jessica LaRoussa, MetLife Stadium
Brendan Marks, Live Nation
Kevin Martscello, Special Olympics
Kelsey Meisenzahl, Indianapolis Colts
Anna Vergara, Dallas Cowboys
Janelle Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Anna Zorn, S.M.G., McFetridge Sports Center

Welcome Class of 2022 undergraduates 

Sport Analytics:

California
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Illinois
India
Massachusetts
Missouri
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Virginia
Pennsylvania

Sport Management:

Brazil
California
Canada
China
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Hong Kong
Illinois
Indiana
Korea
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Taiwan
Virginia
Washington

Congratulations to the following students for achieving an overall G.P.A. of 3.4 or higher at the end of the 2017-2018 academic year: 

Sport Management:

Class of 2018

Leah Beyer
Keith Bremer
Christopher Broderick
Destiny Castro
Alexandra Cook
Joy Essaghof
Daniel Fishbein
Matthew Friedman
Sarah Gardner
Christopher Henderson
Lawrence Jordan
Jeffrey Kent
Bryan Kilmeade
William Kniesner
William Lynch Jr.
Stephen Marciello
Angela Marsh-Coan
Caroline Morano
Ari Moskowitz
Christina Myers
Kyle O’Connor
James Pappalardo
Richard Pasternak
Tyler Penta
Matthew Potolski
Benjamin Rossetti
Benjamin Rubenstein
Paulina Rubin
Austin Ryback
Jason Smith
Eric Spyropoulos
Robert VanRaamsdonk
Erik Weiss
Alex Wood
Sydney Wysoczanski
Peter Zecca

Class of 2019

Zachary Alechammas
Nikolai Arnold
Jonathan Banner
Samuel Birdsall
Jake Bitsimis
Jan Breitenmoser
Caitlin Burke
Nicholas Carlson
Brianna Cooper
Cameryn Cortese
Brigid Daly
Lucas D’Aversa
Anthony De La Fuente
Jonathan Delabruerez
Drina Adriana Domic
Marc Eckenrod
Nicholas Gold
Daniel Hamilton
Jack Kaczorowski
Joshua Katz
Sarah Lundmark
Stefan Maish
Kellan Massino
Victoria Mattarell
Marielle Mcloughlin
Andrew Meyer
Shuk Ching Jocelyn Mong
Jake Narracci
Austin Natowitz
Alexander Newman
Chukwudubem Onwualu
Ayal Pessar
Da’Sha Prescott-Moore
Micah Rubin
Javier Ruiz
Kristen Warner
Griffin Whitman
Declan Wright

Class of 2020 

Thomas Adams
Peter Appel
Carolin Bader
Hunter Bruckner
Matthew Bustillo
Joseph Carello
Youngchae Cho
Carlos Christian Rey
Nicholas Cohen
Nolan Cooney
Caroline Davis
Matthew Defusco
Luca Di Napoli
Ryan Gargiulo
Sydney Gauzza
Andrea Ghanian
Owen Herrington
Sarah Incerpi
Erica Krumbine
Taitum Kurasz
Yong Hoon Lee
Adam Lehrman
Xinyu Li
Connor Monzo
Aaron Morrow
Adam Newman
Jordan Novak
Alexandra Olnowich
Francis Petrillo
Matthew Pignatella
Brandon Pollack
Hunter Pomerantz
Andrew Quigley
Leah Riccolo
Kristen Rogers
Jacob Rogovin
Kai Ruskin
Justin Saxe
Emma Schambers
Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru
Kelsey Smith
Ricki Sperry
Sara Stanley
Austin Towns
Alexandra Trager
Kyle Walker
Bailey Ware

Class of 2021

Jillian Barry
Jacob Berger
Andrew Bush
Pin An Chen
Joshua Davidoff
Matthew Diemand
Oliver Glavin
Ryan Harteveldt
Jacob Hauser
Patrick Hopkins
Jianghui Hu
Emani Jones
Max Josef
Josephine Kiesel
Seth Kourpas
Griffin Laine
Nicolas Lemaire
Guozheng Li
Henry Little
Jordan Lucero
Kaitlynn Miller
Max Moss
Marc Orlin
Jenna Parker
Jesse Rimland
Lukas Rubio
Simone Nico Saputo
Dylan Schwartz
Kristen Siermachesky
Jayson Staiger

Sport Analytics:

Class of 2019

Cody Barbuto
Charles Garrett
Justin Perline
Evan Weiss

Class of 2020

Ethan Alpern
William Dalton
Joshua Hentschel
Kyle Liotta

Class of 2021

Zachary Anhalt
Dylan Blechner
Jonathan Bosch
Jack Dolitsky
Sydney Foster
William Friedeman
Daniel Goetz
Gareth Jobling
Elaine Johnson
Cameron Johnson
Nathan Kellar
Samuel Marteka
Alejandro Pesantez
Nicholas Riccardi
Joseph Sabel
Luke Scheetz
Nicholas Schloop
Joseph Spoelstra
Alexander Tsemberis

Senior Capstone Experience

Among the most valuable attributes of the Department of Sport Management is its connection with the sport industry, which impacts students in numerous ways, including the Senior Capstone Experience. As a part of their degree requirements, Sport Management students must complete a 12-credit Capstone providing an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in the sports industry before graduation.

Since the Capstone is the culmination of one’s academic experience, the planning process begins during a student’s freshman year. The process concludes with the full-semester experience with a specific sport entity or organization as local as Central New York to across the United States and around the world.

The Capstone Experience requires the student to work with a sport-related organization for a minimum of 540 hours over the course of one semester, gaining experience in areas such as sales, marketing, finance, analytics, event management, administration, communication, law, etc.

Listed below are Sport Management students and the organizations where they completed their senior Capstone in 2017- 2018. We are grateful to our growing list of Capstone partners, who continue to provide tremendous learning opportunities for our students. This all happens under the leadership of Sport Management internship placement coordinators Francesco Riverso and Nicole Imbrogno. 

Fall 2017

David Allen, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment
Cobie Beach, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment
Christopher Broderick, S.U. Athletics - Ticket Operations
Kelsey Carlon, I.M.G.-Learfield: Rutgers University
Matthew Friedman, LeadDog Marketing
Jeffrey Kent, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment
Jaeseung Kim, S.U. Athletics - Carrier Dome Box Office
Sydney Leiher, Right To Play
John Machulski, S.U. Athletics - Marketing
Reid McGrory, Intersport
John Monihan, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment
Richard Pasternak, S.U. Athletics - Ticket Sales/Marketing
Matthew Prisco, S.U. Athletics - Marketing
Jonathan Rich, Sports Info Solutions
Gabriel Ross, Madison Square Garden
Benjamin Rubenstein, Under Armour
Austin Ryback, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment
Matthew Van Loon, Christian Lifestyle Co.
Robert Vanraamsdonk, S.U. Athletics - Marketing 

Spring 2018

Jessica Banks, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment
Leah Beyer, Mountain Goat Race/Fleet Feet
Keith Bremer, F.C. Dallas
Destiny Castro, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment
Seung Chun, Syracuse University Athletics
Christian De Guzman, Syracuse Silver Knights
Sarah Gardner, Turner Sports
William Gorman, Dick’s Sporting Goods Open
Justin Harlow, S.U. Athletics - Sales/Marketing
Christopher Henderson, Madison Square Garden/New York Knicks
Harrison Hope, Point 3 Basketball
Lawrence Jordan, LeadDog Marketing
Bryan Kilmeade, National Football League
Brian Kim, Madison Square Garden
William Kniesner, Roadside Entertainment/Jigsaw Productions
Alexandria Lamontagne, OpenSPORTS
Jacob Larosche, Syracuse University Football
William Lynch Jr., S.U. Athletics - Sales/Marketing
Stephen Marciello, Wasserman
Oliver Minor, Onondaga Community College Athletics
Caroline Morano, Thuzio 
Christina Myers, N.C.A.A. 
Peter Nagle, Burns Sports and Entertainment
Emily Neal, Washington Nationals Youth Academy
Matthew Neumann, Grabyo
Daniel O’Connor, E.S.P. 
Kyle O’Connor, LeadDog Marketing
James Pappalardo, Roc Nation
Christopher Peters, Syracuse Chiefs
Deanna Polanco, Roc Nation
Matthew Potolski, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment
Matthew Robinson, Roc Nation
Benjamin Rossetti, Madison Square Garden
Paulina Rubin, LeadDog Marketing
Benjamin Shaiman, Madison Square Garden
Erik Weiss, LeadDog Marketing
Alex Wood, Turner Sports
Corey Yablonski, Cleveland Cavaliers
Peter Zecca, Wasserman 

Summer 2018

Jeremy Birns, T.R. Sports
Joseph Bongiorno, Roc Nation
Timothy Borza Jr., Syracuse University Athletics
Jan Breitenmoser, Tenerife Top Training
Benjamin Cion, Camp Mah-Kee-Nac
Nicklaus Dipaola, St. Cloud Rox
Daniel Fishbein, Roc Nation
Carly Fleischer, New York Lizards
David Jaffin, Vayner Sports
Benjamin Kropp, NASCAR Foundation
Elise Lagerweij, University of Oregon
Angela Marsh-Coan, Washington Nationals
Alexandra Mayer, The Montag Group
Ari Moskowitz, C.S.M. 
Elijah Newsome, United Soccer League
Tyler Penta, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment
Julian Ritholz, Roc Nation
Jake Schuster, The Hotaling Group
Perez Shaw, Tempo Storm
Jason Smith, Coach Wooten Basketball Camps
Eric Spyropoulos, Washington Redskins
Sydney Wysoczanski, Major League Lacrosse 

Capstone

Senior immersed in sponsorship with Chicago Marketing Agency Intersport

By Reid McGrory S.P.M. ’18

In Fall 2017, I completed my senior Capstone as a sponsorship intern for Intersport, a sport marketing and production agency headquartered in Chicago. Since Intersport’s birth 32 years ago, they have grown from a production company to an agency with seven practices: production, sponsorship, experiential, properties, content marketing, hospitality, and customer engagement.

As a sponsorship intern, I worked on accounts for Heineken U.S.A. and Quicken Loans. Heineken U.S.A., which includes Dos Equis, sponsors M.L.S., the Champions League, College Football Playoff and more. Quicken Loans has the naming rights for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ arena, sponsors P.G.A. pro Rickie Fowler and promotes and activates college sponsorships with Rocket Mortgage Madness.

Throughout my Capstone, I was responsible for managing Heineken’s M.L.S. ticket allocation, creating an unforgettable hospitality experience for Dos Equis’ guests at the College Football Playoff, and assisting in an on-site activation tour during college football season for Rocket Mortgage Madness. I also worked on accounts for Enterprise and Nathans, where I helped coordinate their nationwide tour; and the Marines, where I worked on-site at the Semper Fidelis Battles Won Academy. I am shown above with Gunnery Sargent Verice Bennett (left) at the event.

S.U.’s Sport Management program provided me with knowledge and my Capstone provided me with experience on sponsorship fulfillment, client relationships, and agency life, which both allowed me to secure a job as an account coordinator for The Marketing Arm working on A.T.&T.’s sport sponsorship portfolio. 

Capstone sparks senior’s interest in community relations

By Destiny Castro S.P.M. ’18

Completing my senior Capstone in the community relations department with the Brooklyn Nets during the spring 2018 semester allowed me to combine my passion for sports, children, and education, as well as give back to my hometown of Brooklyn. This community has played a vital role in shaping me into the woman I am today. The internship has been a blessing, and working in the community was one of the most fulfilling aspects of the experience.

During the Capstone, I participated in countless events, including Brooklyn Nets games, community events, and basketball academy clinics. These events included current players such as D’Angelo Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie, and Nets’ legend Albert King. My favorite events were the basketball clinics we hosted at local community centers and schools.

My experience with the Brooklyn Nets taught me that I must take on a career path that will allow me to positively make an impact on other’s lives. It showed me there are countless ways to do this, and no impact is too small. I was fortunate to sit in on planning sessions, take the lead on projects, and was even asked to assist post-Capstone with summer events/initiatives.

I am proud to say that I have accepted a full-time position with the New York Mets’ Inside Sales Department. I will still assist the Brooklyn Nets when time allows, and have submitted a proposal of an event the Nets’ organization is working toward activating next season. 

Capstone at LeadDog Marketing leads to full-time job opportunity

By Paulina Rubin S.P.M. ’18

I interned at LeadDog Marketing Group in New York City for my senior Capstone in Spring 2018.

I worked in the Account Management Department, where I gained valuable hands-on experience in the world of sport marketing. I worked on two main accounts: World Wrestling Entertainment (W.W.E.) and National Basketball Players Association (N.B.P.A.). I helped with the planning and ideation of the N.B.P.A.’s player/fan event that took place in early February during N.B.A. All-Star weekend. For W.W.E., I assisted with the planning, ideation, organization and execution of a fan event that took place during WrestleMania in New Orleans. I joined the team in New Orleans for eight days to work in the production office as well as run talent stages with W.W.E. superstars such as the Bella twins and Randy Orton.

The fun, yet professional, environment at LeadDog allowed me to thrive. I formed strong professional and personal relationships with coordinators and senior vice presidents. I ventured out of my department to help other departments and accounts, allowing me to experience all facets of the sport industry.

Upon graduating from Syracuse University in May 2018, I returned to LeadDog as a full-time account coordinator. LeadDog’s fast-paced environment will allow me to pursue my passion in sports and provide me with knowledge and experience to take with me throughout my professional career. 

Student gains in-depth knowledge of N.F.L. policies via senior internship

By Bryan Kilmeade S.P.M. ’18

During the Spring 2018 semester, I completed my senior Capstone at the National Football League with the Management Council in New York City. The Management Council deals directly with the Collective Bargaining Agreement on the league’s behalf. It handles everything from managing the league’s salary cap to regulating the amount of time players are allowed at the team facility in the offseason. I was lucky to complete my Capstone in the Spring, when I was able to see the department operate in different phases: playoffs, Super Bowl, the start of free agency, and the draft.

My area of focus was in labor operations and salary cap management, where I learned a tremendous amount about the salary cap and the C.B.A. My main responsibilities were to edit the daily waiver wire and create contract grids from the previous day and send them to the player’s union, approve contracts submitted by teams, assist with the daily reconciliation of the salary cap, and be available to complete tasks and projects as needed.

Working with the Management Council gave me an incredible opportunity to learn about the salary cap and Collective Bargaining Agreement from some of the most knowledgeable people on the subject and have access to information I could not have gotten anywhere else. I was lucky to see the department function and evolve from in-season to off-season.

Upon graduating from Syracuse University, I have been interviewing for positions with teams with the potential to rejoin the N.F.L. in a similar capacity. I look forward to pursuing a career in football on the team or league side. 

Students receive assistance from scholarship funds

Sport Management students are eligible to apply for annual scholarships to assist with the financial aspects of completing summer internships or senior Capstones.

Jennifer Corn Carter Fund

The Jennifer Corn Carter Senior Capstone Award for Sport Management supports students in the department during their senior Capstone experiences. For the 2017-18 academic year, three students were honored with this award: Kelsey Carlon, who interned with I.M.G. Learfield Ticket Solutions at Rutgers University in Fall 2017; Jonathan Rich, who interned with Sports Info Solutions in Fall 2017; and Alexandria Lamontagne, who interned with Open Sports (Canada) in Spring 2018. Each received $500 to $1000.

Jennifer Corn Carter is a graduate of Syracuse University, with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work. She was honored with the Falk College’s 2010 Alumna of the Year Award for her on-going support of our students and Syracuse University. Her vision and support created the Jennifer Corn Carter Resource and Career Center that is housed in Falk College. 

Student Learning Fund

Twenty-eight students were awarded scholarships from the Sport Management Student Learning Fund in the 2017-18 academic year. Each received $500 to $1000. In Spring 2018, 18 students earned the scholarships: Jessica Banks (Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment), Keith Bremer (F.C. Dallas), Destiny Castro (Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment), Seung Han Chun (Syracuse University Athletics), Lawrence Jordan (LeadDog Marketing Group), Bryan Kilmeade (N.F.L. Management Council), William Kniesner (Jigsaw Productions/Roadside Entertainment), Oliver Minor (Onondaga Community College Athletics), Caroline Morano (Thuzio), Emily Neal (Washington Nationals Youth Academy), Daniel O’Connor, (E.S.P. Properties), Kyle O’Connor (LeadDog Marketing Group), James Pappalardo (Roc Nation), Deanna Polanco (Roc Nation), Matthew Potolski (Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment), Erik Weiss (LeadDog Marketing Group), Alex Wood (Turner Sports), and Corey Yablonski (Cleveland Cavaliers).

In Summer 2018, ten students earned the scholarships: Timothy Borza Jr. (Syracuse University Athletics), Nicklaus DiPaola (St. Cloud Rox), Daniel Fishbein (Roc Nation), Benjamin Kropp (NASCAR Foundation), Elise Lagerweij (University of Oregon Athletics), Angela Marsh-Coan (Washington Nationals), Elijah Newsome (United Soccer League), Tyler Penta (Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment), Perez Shaw (Tempo Storm), and Sydney Wysoczanski (Major League Lacrosse). 

Undergraduate Summer Internship Fund

The Sport Management Summer Internship Fund is used each summer to provide support to undergraduate students pursuing unpaid summer internship opportunities, enabling them to gain industry experience in the sport management field for a period of up to eight weeks. Five students were each awarded $2,000 for 2018 summer internships: William Amon (LeadDog Marketing Group), Hannah Duerr (New York Red Bulls), Daniel Hamilton (Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League), Jack Kaczorowski (Select Sports Group), and Marielle McLoughlin (Mississippi State Athletics). For more information about the funds, contact Sport Management internship coordinator Francesco Riverso, 315-443-5670. 

Sport Professionals of Color Club seeks new members

The Sport Management Sport Professionals of Color Club wrapped up its fourth year in 2017-18, as an organization to connect students who identify as people of color with sport professionals from across the industry. The organization was formed during the 2014-15 academic year with the purpose of helping to guide young professionals in their pursuit of success and career establishment in the sport industry. The club strives to sharpen members’ professional skills, host speakers, foster networking growth, and expose experiential opportunities to its members. During the 2017-18 academic year, the club began a new membership drive under the leadership of president Ian Williams and held an N.F.L. Draft watch party in Falk College. The club is planning to invite sport industry guest speakers in the upcoming academic year as well as plan outings. Meetings are on Mondays at 7 p.m. in Falk College Room 407, and are open to all Syracuse University students. Contact Williams for more information or call 315-443-9881. 

Do we have a deal? ‘Shark Tank’ participant ISlide partners with S.P.M. 444

In the Fall of 2017, students in associate professor Patrick Walsh’s S.P.M. 444 Sports Marketing Management course had the unique opportunity to work with a company that appeared on the hit A.B.C. television show “Shark Tank.”

ISlide develops premium, customized athletic slides (i.e., sandals) and has a number of partnerships in sports and entertainment, including deals with the N.B.A., Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, and international music superstar D.J. Khaled, among others. In 2017 ISlide was expanding into the collegiate space by signing licensing deals with a number of top universities across the country.

“When we were approached by ISlide they had recently signed their first collegiate licensing deal with Syracuse University and were seeking ideas of how to introduce their S.U.-branded products,” Walsh said. “I knew the students would embrace this since their product is targeted toward the college demographic, and ISlide was open to unique and creative ideas.”

Throughout the semester, students worked in groups to develop strategic marketing plans designed to generate awareness and sales for the S.U.-branded ISlides. ISlide Founder and C.E.O. Justin Kittredge and Director Sales Paul Gibson visited campus early in the semester to introduce the students to the company, the product, and the athletic footwear industry (and graciously provided each student in class with their own customized S.U. slides). Kittredge and Gibson were available throughout the semester to the students for feedback and guidance, and the students were able to present their marketing plans directly to Kittredge at the end of the semester. 

“This project was a huge success as it exposed the students to a brand with a strong entrepreneurial focus and to an area of the industry they likely would not have considered otherwise,” Walsh said.

“The S.P.M. 444 project required me to think critically about how I would apply the marketing principals I learned in the classroom to real-life business situations,” said S.P.M. senior Christopher Henderson. “The freedom of the project allowed each group to have complete ownership of their work. Being able to present our work to, and receive feedback from, founder Justin Kittredge was extremely beneficial. It was a rare opportunity to learn from a successful entrepreneur in the industry.”

Students assist Pegula Sports and Entertainment’s marketing for millennials

In the Spring of 2018, S.P.M. 444 students worked with Pegula Sports and Entertainment (P.S.E.), which manages key business functions across all of the Pegula-family owned sport and entertainment properties such as the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bandits, Rochester Americans, Hareborcenter, and Black River Entertainment, among others.

“P.S.E. and I discussed the challenges they, and all sport organizations, face when trying to market to the millennial fan base,” Walsh said. “Data shows that millennials will soon represent the largest adult population in the United States, and this generation of sport fans is changing the way sport marketers think about the strategies they must use to build relationships with their fans. As this is a major issue facing the industry we felt this would provide the foundation of a great project for the students to work on.”

Brent Rossi, executive vice president of marketing and brand strategy at P.S.E., and Erica Muhleman, executive vice president of business development at P.S.E., met with students to provide information about the project and discuss how they have marketed toward millennial fans in the past.

The student groups then conducted detailed market research on the millennial consumer and fans, including an in-depth look at secondary data, personal interviews, and a comprehensive survey which the class developed. The groups then developed marketing strategies that they presented to Rossi at the end of the semester.

“This project was beneficial in that it allowed the students to address a major issue impacting the industry and to develop ideas which incorporated a variety of different marketing strategies,” Walsh said. “Ideas ranged from new social gathering spots in team facilities, ticket packages and sales strategies, exclusive events, sponsor integration, social media content creation, and in-game enhancements all designed to meet the unique needs and wants of the millennial sport fan.”

“As a millennial and an S.P.M. student with an interest in marketing, working on this project was my first attempt at creating marketing strategies and a thorough implementation plan, and having the chance to present to a P.S.E. representative helped to boost my confidence,” said Brianna Cooper ’19. 

S.P.M. Club raises $56,800 at 13th Charity Auction

The Sport Management Club at Syracuse University raised $56,800 for Meals on Wheels Syracuse as a result of its 13th Annual Charity Sports Auction.

During the S.U. men’s basketball game on Dec. 9, 2017, supporters placed bids on hundreds of items, including sports memorabilia, electronics and tickets to major sporting events. In conjunction with the live event, Steiner Sports also hosted an online auction, which showcased a number of premium items up for bid.

“As a result of months of hard work on behalf of nearly 100 Syracuse University students, we’ve attained our second highest total in the 13-year history of this event,” said Kate Veley, S.P.M. club co-advisor. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the many products and services generously donated by the Syracuse community and later bid on by thousands of S.U. fans. Our thanks to everyone who, through their gifts, have allowed us to perpetuate this event in support of the community our students call home.”

The S.P.M. Club is a student-run organization in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics’ Sport Management Department. Since its founding in 2005, the club has now raised over $412,000 for local charities. Previous beneficiaries of the club’s annual charity auction have included the Boys & Girls Clubs, Golisano Children’s Hospital at Upstate, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of C.N.Y., the Central New York S.P.C.A., the Upstate Cancer Center, Special Olympics New York, Food Bank of C.N.Y., Make-A-Wish of C.N.Y., the Salvation Army and McMahon/ Ryan Child Advocacy Center.

“Meals on Wheels of Syracuse was impressed by the outstanding job the Sport Management Club students and Falk College faculty did with the charity auction,” said Meals on Wheels of Syracuse executive director Mason Kaufman. “The money they raised will begin an assistance fund for homebound seniors and disabled adults who would have fallen between the funding gaps for meals.”

The 14th annual auction will be held Dec. 1 at the Carrier Dome to benefit the Syracuse Rescue Mission. For more information on this event, visit their website.

The Sport Management Club meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays during the academic year in Falk 200. For more information, contact S.P.M. Club president Sarah Lundmark. Officers are executive vice president Anthony de la Fuente; vice president of programming Austin Towns; vice president of community service Max Josef; vice president of membership Olivia Lavelle; and vice president of administration Joshua Davidoff. Falk College events manager Kate Veley serves as the Club’s co-advisor.

S.P.M. partners with Yankees to teach ticket sales tactics

Industry experts confirm that sales, and specifically ticket sales, is the most common career path into professional sports. To this end, the Department of Sport Management established a partnership in 2012 with the New York Yankees toward the training and employment of S.P.M. students in ticket sales.

During the academic year, S.P.M. instructors Al Weinberger and Dave Meluni teach students essential sales skills and develop their understanding of the importance of sales to sport organizations. The S.P.M. 350/650 Sports Ticket Sales class involves collaboration with the Yankees and their sales executives, making it unique in sport management programs across the country.

The organization hosted the students at Yankee Stadium in April for a panel discussion on the importance of ticket sales. The panel consisted of five Yankees staff members with varying levels of seniority from six months to 14 years, including several S.U. Alumni. The students also enjoyed a facility tour and watched that night’s game from a private suite.

“Exposure to real-world scenarios and personal contact with multiple people employed in the field is experience that cannot be dupli cated in a classroom,” Weinberger said.

In addition to sales training, employment possibilities are a key aspect to the partnership between S.P.M. and the Yankees. During each year of the partnership, the Yankees have interviewed S.P.M. students for full-time positions on their inside sales staff, resulting in several hires, both as summer help and permanent positions.

“Aligning our program with the Yankees, and its iconic brand, provides a superb opportunity for our sport management students,” said S.P.M. director Michael Veley. “This partnership provides students with the chance to learn valuable skills and potentially lead to jobs with the Yankees.” 

A letter from the S.P.M. Club president

By Elijah Newsome, S.P.M. ’18

S.P.M. Club President, 2017 When I began my journey at Syracuse University, one of the first things I did, beside go to Funk ’n Waffles, was join the Sport Management Club. I thought I was “supposed” to join because I am a Sport Management major and it would look good on my resume. Fast forward three years: joining the club has been one of the most rewarding things I did at Syracuse. The club combines philanthropy with knowledge and networking to create a unique dynamic that has resulted in it being one of the largest and most influential clubs on campus.

In December 2016, when I was elected the club’s first African-American president, or first president of any minority, I feared that I was not going to be able to improve or be as great an ambassador for the club as my predecessor Kevin Reese. Luckily I had the assistance of outstanding club officers.

In 2017-18, the club focused on three pillars that served as our foundation: philanthropy, education, and networking.

The club’s main focus was the 13th annual Charity Sports Auction, which benefited Meals on Wheels of Syracuse. It was a huge success and we owe gratitude to auction chairs Stephen Marciello and Connor Monzo.

Our pillar of education involved learning from professionals in the industry as well as each other. We gained knowledge from recent S.P.M. alumni, who educated us about the senior Capstone project, workplace culture, networking and searching for jobs and internships.

We welcomed guest speakers from all aspects of the sport industry and made a conscious effort to build a community within the club so members got to know each other better. We volunteered in the Syracuse community and began every meeting with a discussion on a current issue in the industry.

This could not have been achieved without an incredible group of dedicated members and outstanding officers. Every member of this club has left a lasting impact on my life.

In Fall 2018, the club will be led by Sarah Lundmark. For more information, contact co-advisor Kate Veley. The Sport Management Club meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays during the academic year in the Falk 200. 

Senior named valedictorian of Michigan Sport Business Conference

Sport Management senior Chris Henderson ’18 was named Valedictorian of the “Big Initiative” for the 2017 Michigan Sport Business Conference (M.S.B.C.) at the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business.

The event was held Oct. 6, 2017, and featured guest speakers and industry professionals David Levy (president, Turner), Arn Tellem (vice chairman, Palace Sports & Entertainment), Abraham Madkour (executive editor, Sports Business Journal), and Laura Froelich (global head of sports partnerships, Twitter). A select group of students each year are selected for the “Big Initiative” and to receive extra networking time with the guest speakers.