Syracuse Sport Management | Sport Analytics 2019-2020 Newsletter

Persevering Through 2020’s Challenges: How our students, faculty and alumni embraced virtual learning, remote employment.

We welcomed a new decade with innovative ideas and graduated our largest class of students in May 2020, but even with the excitement surrounding major milestones, this new chapter did not unfold as we – or anyone - had planned. We persevered through a pandemic and we could not have done it without the unwavering commitment from our Sport Management faculty and staff, the understanding and flexibility of our students, the guidance from Falk College and Syracuse University leadership, and the loyal support of our alumni and advisory council members. So many of our events, trips, conferences, presentations, lectures and internships were canceled or cut short, including senior Capstones, graduate practicums, Los Angeles Immersion, Syracuse Sport Business Conference, Berlin Sport Analytics  Symposium, New England Immersion, and the Sport Venue and Event Management Charity Golf Tournament, not to mention all Summer 2020 Syracuse Abroad trips, including S.P.M.’s Australia: Sport, History and Culture three-week course. Our students came home early from their study abroad programs in London, Madrid, and Florence, among many other foreign countries. COVID-19’s impact on higher education worldwide was unprecedented. As we embark on a new semester and the unknown of what lies ahead, we are confident that all Syracuse University students, faculty and staff will work together for the best possible outcomes and to achieve success both in and out of the classroom. During this time, we have all learned a lot about ourselves, both personally and professionally, and can use this new knowledge to build on. The spirit of Falk College has never shone brighter, and we are honored to share these stories of virtual learning, remote employment and perseverance on the following pages.

The Spring 2020 semester brought an unexpected challenge that no one saw coming. Think about it, 20 years from now, we will look back on this year and say, “Remember when you were quarantined at home for months and everything was shut down due to a global pandemic?” Everyone will look back and reflect in different ways. While there were a lot of struggles, a lot of positives occurred both personally and professionally. The graduate students I taught worked for the entire academic year to plan a charity golf tournament and dinner to be held in May 2020. I was so proud of their hard work, and then heartbroken when the event could not be held. I realized it was time to look ahead and figure out a strategy for the students to continue to develop their skills while also leaving a legacy by putting the event materials together so the next cohort of Sport Venue and Event Management students could carry out their efforts and host the event when the time is right. Despite the challenges and frustrations, the students overcame obstacles and set up the next group for success. I learned a lot about teaching online as well as ways to improve engagement of the students both online and in person. I also experienced the challenges of being a full-time working mother with three kids at home who were also learning remotely. It was a juggling act for sure! We all came out stronger in the end and I’m proud of my family, our students and everyone in the department who worked together in these difficult times.

As we approached Spring Break in March 2020, there was a feeling we may not return to campus. Turns out the feeling was right. Pre- COVID-19, in an effort to keep my students engaged, I began to use a free online program called Poll Everywhere in February 2020, which allows the professor to ask a question and students can text responses in a word cloud format. Once online, this resource worked perfect, as we would analyze sponsorship initiatives of brands by watching television commercials, then use Poll Everywhere to discuss, allowing students to engage no matter where they were. Teaching synchronously at the regular time of class worked well, even though we had a few students in  different time zones, but they embraced the change. I asked for student feedback each week as we adapted to teaching 100 percent online via Zoom or Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Class projects were exceptional! Students learned how to meet via Zoom on their own to prepare and then present to the class online using screen sharing. It also prepared them for future online job interviews. Also, to keep our students engaged outside of the classroom, I began a weekly Zoomcast series called “In the Grove,” which featured sport industry professionals who spoke on different segments, including sponsorship, branding, youth sports, broadcasting, player development, ticketing, and facility operations, among others. COVID-19 forced people worldwide to adapt to change, whether it was in the office or classroom, in professional leagues or right here in Central New York youth sports.

It has been incredibly uplifting for me as an advisor of the Women in Sports and Event (WISE) Club to see the women continue to meet weekly via Zoom since their semester on campus was cut short. Though they were unable to create and carry-out their fundraising and event plans in the spring, they met at the same time they would have met on campus every week while at home, organizing various alumnae and industry speakers to join via Zoom. This organization means so much to members and it is evident through their dedication and commitment. They are our future industry leaders and surely have bright futures ahead.

When we found out the spring 2020 semester would be transitioning online, there were many unknowns which certainly caused anxiety for both students and professors. During this time, I found it was particularly important to listen to the students, empathize with their current situation and environment, be flexible, and to seek out best practices in online education. This forced faculty to be creative to adjust course content, delivery, and assignments to more effectively meet course objectives in an online environment. Despite the challenges, our students rose to the occasion. I was very happy with how the students responded, and found they were very engaged online, and in some cases even more engaged and comfortable than normal. Ultimately, I think teaching online allowed faculty to see some alternative capabilities with technology and teaching methods that can be incorporated into in-person classes going forward.

In sport analytics’ computer programming classes, there is a need for group discussion and group activities, as well as one-on-one sessions to teach the students in an iterative manner. Each student learns at a different pace, and has questions at different times, so a lab setting is certainly the most productive learning environment. However, the shift to an online experience went smoothly since it was midway through the semester and by that time, the students were well beyond the fundamentals. While students certainly learn better in a lab setting, Zoom was a helpful replacement, as it allows screen sharing between both the student and professor. Students found the asynchronous format of lectures helpful as it gave them control over the pace of learning. Moving forward, I plan to incorporate asynchronous lectures in my courses, which will free up class time for group discussion and interaction.

Photos with captions in this section include:  Sport Management faculty and staff (shown here in 2019) adapted to teaching online and working remotely during part of the Spring 2020 semester and in Summer 2020.  Student organizations, such as the Women in Sports and Event (WISE) Club, met via Zoom or other virtual platforms when COVID-19 forced the closure of campus and classes to be taught online.  A weekly Zoomcast series called “In the Grove,” which features sport industry professionals speaking on different topics impacting the industry, was created to keep students engaged with the department after they left campus.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions on campus, Sport Management seniors took part in virtual Capstone presentations in May 2020.

At the beginning of this decade our faculty and staff embarked on a strategic planning initiative we called “2020 Vision,” aimed at positioning our program for the year 2020 and beyond. No one could have imagined a global pandemic that would force the closing of classroom instruction and all courses being shifted to online teaching in the middle of a semester. We had to be resourceful, and our faculty, professional staff and students met the challenges by exhibiting creativity, innovation, and open mindedness.

We will undoubtedly be challenged in the foreseeable future until a vaccine is created and globally distributed. Until then, we pledge to deliver the best educational experience possible that prepares our students for the new and ever-emerging world of sports that will undoubtedly be re-shaped by this public health crisis. We must thoroughly prepare our students to meet these -- and a host of other challenges -- with knowledge, critical thinking, thoughtful conviction, and visionary foresight.

Our senior class never envisioned their final semester of college would end so abruptly, both academically and socially. None of us did. Nearly all students on Senior Capstones were forced to complete their academic requirements online or work remotely. There was no convocation. No graduation. No sports. Sports remain a great metaphor for life’s difficult lessons. It was through athletics that many of us first came to understand that the ability to achieve something special, surprisingly, lies within. San Antonio Spurs head coach Greg Popovich said, “The measure of who we are is how we react to something that doesn’t go our way.”

COVID-19 has not been the only major disruption this year. In recent months we have also experienced a sweeping social justice movement directed toward eradicating racial injustice and enacting positive social change for all people of color. This embodies the Falk College mantra of teaching social responsibility and social justice and our department mission of using sports as a platform for social change. Now, more than any time since the inception of our department, I ask all of you, past, present and prospective students, faculty and staff, Advisory Council members, Emerging Leadership Council and supporters of the program to unite behind this movement.

From Jackie Robinson to Mohammed Ali to Colin Kaepernick to Michael Jordan, the sport industry has helped raise social consciousness, created opportunities for Blacks and under-represented ethnicities and gradually helped change the sports culture in a positive direction. While progress is being made, further education can be an effective change agent. I hope you will join our department in making a vigilant commitment to enhance race relations in our department, College, community, and country.

The Department of Sport Management stands in solidarity with our students and fellow faculty and staff who have been affected by acts of violence and hatred. We unequivocally condemn these and all acts targeting any minority group, whether on our campus or in our society.

We are committed to working toward the systematic change required to create a university community – and society – that embodies social justice, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to working toward creating a campus community where we all feel a sense of welcome and respect.

Since our inception, Sport Management students have been affecting positive social change in our community with civic engagement, fundraising and volunteerism, a hallmark of the program and Falk College. Our alumni continue to “pay it forward” by supporting our students and the program they helped to establish and build. Together we are affecting change and making a difference, but more is needed.

There is a depressed job market and the sports industry -– like nearly all sectors of the economy -- is going to take several months to recover from its economic hardships and financial losses.

To our Class of 2020 graduates and alumni who have been furloughed or had their jobs eliminated, persevere! Getting a job parallels sport. It is about skill, timing, and positioning. Accept that denial and failure are part of that short-term process. But remember, if you are not hired for a specific job or internship, “No” is only a temporary pause in your life. No really means Next Opportunity.

You cannot script your life and ALL of us are experiencing that presently. It is you vs. you. Everyday. Always has been. Always will be. Battle through this temporary challenge. Your career is about offense. You will not reach your potential by being passive and playing defense. Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That is often where the fruit is.

To our alumni: When public health conditions allow visiting campus, attending our alumni functions, or guest lecturing in a class, we welcome you with open arms. Our students are anxious to hear about your journey to success and we welcome your involvement.

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

Sincerely,

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

A global health crisis has caused us to reflect and focus on our health, our relationships and serving our communities. Our attention is also focused on racial justice and positive social action for change. The collective Falk College community is united in its guiding values of social responsibility and social justice. The faculty and staff in the Department of Sport Management, under the visionary leadership of Professor Michael Veley, embrace sports as a platform to instill these values in our students.

Throughout these pages you will read about social responsibility in action. I am exceedingly proud of how Falk College’s Department of Sport Management is preparing a socially responsible workforce, which is evident by our alumni leading the way in the communities where they live and work.

In recent months we have witnessed the importance of social responsibility in the sport industry, from professional athletes who have donated millions of dollars to assist with pandemic relief to leagues and team members who have utilized their platforms to lead efforts for racial and social justice. While much work remains, educating for change is seen and engaged here at Syracuse University. It gives us hope that sports will continue to be a platform for forward progress.

Falk College is built on the values of social justice, and I have every confidence that in our Falk family—students, alumni, faculty, staff, board members, and friends—we will be active and using our voices for good in the days to come.

If not us, then who? If not now, then when? We all have a role to play. Now is the time.

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

Greetings from Singapore, where the government has allowed us to return to work in the office, eat at restaurants, and gather with others in a socially distant way. For most of the past five months, I have been working from home and managing my business remotely.

Our company, Culture Group, is a leading boutique marketing agency with interests in China, Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia, so I am on a plane more often than not. As the reality of COVID-19 became apparent in February, I shifted my focus from expanding the business, to securing it and ensuring the safety of our most valued asset, our team of passionate young marketers across the region.

COVID-19 has been the world’s largest experiment in new habit formation, and consumers have sought out comfort and a sense of joy through the things they love most. As a result, our business has grown and we have added new employees, all of whom have had to begin their onboarding and work on Zoom!

Personally, this period has afforded me the chance to slow down, reconnect with family, friends and gain a greater appreciation for the little things. I have cooked, cleaned and enjoyed all aspects of a domestic life that I missed while crisscrossing Asia in support of our clients these past few years. While COVID-19 has been a tragic and terrible experience for many, Culture Group will emerge from it stronger.

I have just returned from a day at the office and I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss working from home…

As a corporate recruiter and human resources professional, COVID-19 has had a huge impact on our recruiting process. We had to completely transition our new hire process to be conducted remotely, and also help new employees feel connected with their teams and managers in a virtual environment. To the Class of 2020, you are joining the workforce during unprecedented times. I encourage you to remain optimistic and open to your career opportunities. Lean into the uncertainties of the sports industry and do not be afraid to take on smaller opportunities as they often lead to bigger ones. And remember, your career is a journey, so embrace all of the twists and turns along the way.

The Coronavirus was a major setback for Super Fan Fundraising. We lost nearly our entire spring sales that represent 35 percent to 40 percent of the annual revenue. With schools, bands and Little League coming to a complete halt – so did our cashflow. We were determined to push forward. Rather than feel sorry, I informed all staff we would stay together (no layoffs or furloughs) and focus on the future. We are full speed ahead and excited for the return of students to school and youth sports back on the field. We have a lot of hard days ahead but if we stay positive, we just might come out of this pandemic in better shape than ever.

The global disappearance of sports that has come with COVID-19 has resulted not only in a rapid economic downfall, but unprecedented unemployment rates across the sports industry. Our company has been fortunate in being able to adapt quickly and effectively to continue operating remotely. I continue to stress the importance of face-to-face interaction, and thankfully, Zoom has been able to fill the majority of that void. Class of 2020 college graduates need to find ways to differentiate themselves by communicating effectively, getting creative and being proactive. Identify the trends and categories that will emerge as a result of the pandemic and start to get ahead of where those opportunities may live within the industry’s “new normal.” Stay positive, eager and busy!

We have definitely felt an impact from COVID-19. Sports sponsorships are completely disrupted with no games being played/events taking place. This is impacting our sponsorships of soccer, basketball, football, running, and even our naming rights on the Allstate Arena. Students looking to enter the sports industry should remain optimistic. Sports is not going away and when it does return to normal, it will be rightly celebrated. Sports is a common denominator and unifier for so many. People want and need something to cheer for right now. The current situation is forcing everyone to think differently and get creative with how we can use sports to connect with fans in unique ways.

Adversity challenges us to come together like never before, and for our alumni it was in the form of feeding health-care workers in New York City, rounding up supplies and P.P.E. equipment during a global pandemic, creating a virtual professional development series for young professionals, or coordinating a social media campaign for New York’s N.C.A.A. Division I basketball programs.

Arrospide began his career in the sport industry in 2013 with A.E.G. Los Angeles. After three years, he moved to the New York City area to work as an account executive with Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment.

In 2018, he shifted careers to work in the restaurant/hospitality industry and co-founded Alfalfa, a cafe in Hoboken, New Jersey. Alfalfa is a wellness brand dedicated to sprouting and building communities that embrace a culture of healthy and sustainable living.

“I decided to take my shot in the entrepreneurial world by starting a restaurant with my best friend,” Arrospide said. “We opened our first brick and mortar in 2019, after learning from the ground up, starting as a local vendor at a farmers market in 2018. The past year has been incredibly successful for us, and our concept has been well received in the community. Then COVID-19 forced us to close, but we were still able to raise money to feed first responders in our community.”

Haggerty is a programming manager with Casper, a New York City-based sleep startup working to awaken the power of a well-rested world. Haggerty, who is based in Brooklyn, led efforts for people to donate Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.) to healthcare workers.

Horwitz, who served as a graduate manager for the Syracuse University men’s basketball team during the 2019-20 academic year, combined with Andy Borman, the executive director of the New York Rens A.A.U. program, to coordinate a socialdistancing social media campaign featuring the men’s and women’s basketball coaches at each of the 22 schools with N.C.A.A. Division I basketball programs in New York State.

After graduating in 2017, Horwitz spent one year as an assistant basketball coach at Post (Connecticut) University before returning to campus to work on a master’s degree in S.U.’s School of Education.

There are 44 coaches participating in the campaign, each using their own social media platforms to share public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The coaches are using the #TeamNewYork hashtag on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.