Story by Todd Moore '16
First year students took to the DMV metro area to connect with #OHIOFamily alumni and other area professionals in a memorable class trip
The academic year is winding down and the Class of 2016 is closing in on the completion of their MBA degrees. That didn’t stop them from taking a trip to network with alumni and seek out professional development opportunities in the Washington, D.C. area this past weekend.
The trip was made possible thanks to financial support from the Center for Sports Administration and the College of Business, as well as the dedicated planning work of Travis Misner (’16) and Mallory Glazier (’16).
The trip kicked off Thursday morning at the University of Maryland. Joe Foley (’04) hosted the class at the Xfinity Center for a panel discussion with the Terrapins’ athletic development staff. Joe, Preston Shytle (PMSA ’16), and the rest of the staff gave a behind the scenes look at how Maryland handles major gifts, donor stewardship, and premium ticket sales in order to remain a leader in college athletics.
For the afternoon the group split into two. One group headed to Annapolis, where they we treated to a tour of the historic Naval Academy campus. The rest of the class headed to Under Armour World Headquarters in Baltimore where Roman Vega, the Senior Category Director for Basketball, hosted a private Q & A. While Jordan Spieth closed in on a Masters championship and Steph Curry continued his MVP-caliber season, Roman shared insights on how Under Armour has risen in the sports apparel industry by embracing challenges. As Dan Williams (’16) noted,
"The visit to Under Armour exposed us to what happens when you raise the bar - you rise above it. Personally, I am excited to see how they drive competition amongst Nike and Adidas and truly alter the landscape in the apparel sector of sport business."
Friday brought new opportunities for the class to explore the Washington, D.C. sports scene. For six students passionate about a career in college athletics, Lee Reed took time out of his busy schedule as the Director of Athletics at Georgetown University to talk about the industry and the challenges they’ll face as the next generation of leaders. To say they came away impressed would be an understatement.
“I truly believe I learned things talking with Lee Reed that I will continue to turn to throughout the rest of this program and my career. It was incredible how willing and excited Mr. Reed was to share his experiences with us as well as learn about us and our goals - he set a great example of what we should aspire to be as future leaders in the sports industry,” says Rebecca Hemby (’16).
Meanwhile, the rest of the class connected with Britton Spark (’13), of Monumental Sports and Entertainment, at the Verizon Center in downtown D.C. While there, Britton & Greg Monares,Senior VP of Customer Solutions, treated the group to a tour that covered just about every inch of a facility that hosts three professional teams in two different sports, not to mention college basketball and countless special events. Gary Pasqualicchio (’16) was particularly impressed with the corporate partnership-tinged look at MSE.
“The staff at Monumental Sports and Entertainment literally opened every door for us, including the owner's suite and premium seating areas. It was an excellent behind-the-scenes view of how higher-spend clients are entertained at professional sporting events.”
The class reunited that afternoon at RFK Stadium in the offices of DC United. That’s where club COO, Tom Hunt (’92) shared his unique career path and offered tips on how students could leave their mark as they begin their careers. DC United is already one of the most recognizable brands in MLS, but it was exciting to hear firsthand from Tom how he and the rest of club leadership were charging headfirst into a new era.
Tom put the exclamation point on the weekend by offering tickets to everyone for Saturday night’s DC United match against the New York Red Bulls. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, but the Class of 2016 left the game feeling like winners for getting to be a part of the unique game day experience at RFK Stadium.
It was a weekend of memories that members of the class will not soon forget. Thanks to every member of #OHIOFamily, and beyond, who made it possible.
Why Choose Ohio University Sports Administration?
1. The Curriculum: The MBA/MSA combination
The two-year MBA/MSA program prepares students for leadership positions by combining the business teaching of the Ohio University MBA program with sport-specific knowledge during the MSA program. This degree combination recognizes the growing complexity of the sports, facility and entertainment industries, and reinforces Ohio University's commitment to preparing students for the leadership challenges of the future. SportBusiness International recently ranked the program the #1 American Postgraduate Sports Course.
The MBA phase of the program uses a problem-based learning style, immersing students in collaborative projects and working situations that are commonplace in the business world. Students learn basic business concepts in a real-life context, and develop skills in communication, collaboration and teamwork that are essential for success, while developing their ability to be creative, take initiative, and accept personal responsibility for their actions.
The MSA program combines classroom and practical experience to prepare individuals for leadership positions in the sport industry. An interdisciplinary approach gives students the freedom to choose courses of personal interest and build a foundation of knowledge in their desired career fields.
Click here to see more reasons to join our program!
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