Syracuse Sport Management | Sport Analytics 2018-2019 Newsletter

Syracuse University
David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

Success Breeds Success - Respecting the Past - Representing the Future

Director's Greeting

As we begin our 15th academic year, I reflect back on the emergence of this program by Respecting the Past, while Representing the Future through establishing an educational platform that prepares our students for the new and ever-emerging world of sports. As we begin a new decade, what changes and evolving enterprises will redefine sports? How will our daily consumption of sports change? How will the digital age impact business, marketing and branding strategies? How will analytics drive decision-making and managerial processes, and how will our program influence that? What new technologies will emerge to alter and enhance product lines or how we engage with particular sports? Legalized sports wagering, fan engagement, e-sports participation and monetization, pay equity and enhanced media coverage for female sports, and athlete activism that will amplify social change will all likely characterize the decade of the 2020s. We must thoroughly prepare our students to meet these — and a host of other challenges — with knowledge, critical thinking, thoughtful conviction and visionary foresight.

When I review the initial five years of Sport Management, we experienced unparalleled growth, change and development by building a strong foundation of hiring excellent faculty, expanding our curriculum, creating a multitude of experiential learning opportunities and establishing a world-class advisory council. Despite the economic downturn of the Great Recession, we persevered and were able to recruit extraordinary students and establish our academic identity to be among the best programs in the country.

The next five years were characterized by rapid transformation, including two college name changes that led to the emergence of Falk College. The department created the Sport Venue and Event Management graduate degree and expanded our domestic and global footprints, while attracting international students.

The current five-year era has witnessed the department building upon a decade of success to emerge as an irrefutable leader in the field. We have created the nation’s first undergraduate degree of its kind in Sport Analytics; had students competing and winning a variety of national academic competitions; and moved into our wonderful new complex on campus. We are grateful for the tremendous generosity of David and Rhonda Falk, among a host of other benefactors.

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.

The Class of 2019 will Represent the Future admirably! It established some noteworthy milestones, as we conferred the largest number of degrees in our department’s history with 115 students graduating from Sport Management, Sport Analytics and Sport Venue and Event Management.

More than 52 percent of our undergraduate students graduated with honors (3.4 G.P.A. or higher), the largest in our department’s history! Additionally, 16 students received the Director’s Academic Achievement Award for earning a G.P.A. of 3.4 or higher for each of their consecutive semesters at Syracuse University.

Students successfully completed their Senior Capstones in marketing; data analytics; business and finance; communications; public relations; sales; event management; player representation; facilities management and operations; corporate sponsorship and branding; non-profit organizations; and foundations across the nation.

As alumni, parents of graduates, benefactors and friends of the program I hope you take pride in helping us to establish these benchmarks. Your trust and belief in our mission has been instrumental in our success and I’m truly grateful.

Meanwhile, please help our faculty and terrific professional support staff Respect the Past and Represent the Future by visiting campus, attending our alumni functions, or guest lecturing in a class. Perhaps you can supervise a Capstone or internship, hire our graduates, support our scholarships or mentor a current student. However you can, continue to share in our mission of being the preeminent academic leader in Sport Management — now and well into the future.

As always, Be Loud, Be Proud,

Be Orange!!

Sincerely,

Michael Veley

From the Dean...

As the campus community reflects on the past and present with our year-long 150th anniversary celebration underway, the Department of Sport Management is a vital part of Syracuse University’s legacy and future thanks to the extraordinary efforts of many over the past 14 years.

Throughout this newsletter are countless examples of the innovative ways sport management and sport analytics faculty blend theory and practice to benefit our students. The pages ahead bring to life how Falk alumni are making a tremendous impact in the sport industry, not to mention the differences they are making by volunteering and giving back to the communities they call home. The commitment of our faculty and staff in the Department of Sport Management to teaching social responsibility is inspiring as students and alumni embrace this knowledge for good, engaging workplaces and communities as socially conscious global citizens.

Our students in sport management, sport analytics, and sport venue and event management continue to benefit from extensive industry connections, meeting executives face-to-face through guest lectures, alumni visits, and activities with industry leaders, many who sit on our Sport Management Advisory Council. Connecting students with industry executives continues to be a key element of the Department of Sport Management’s philosophy of preparing future leaders in sports. I share with you proudly that sport management students who themselves were meeting with sport leaders in the early years of our program now give of their time freely to meet with our current students.

And today, our sport management alums are the industry executives. To all who make our progress possible and our successes notable, thank you. We look forward to the continued work we will do together.

— Diane Lyden Murphy,

M.A. M.S.W., Ph.D., Dean, Falk College

Students

Congratulations to the Class of 2019

On May 11, 2019, the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics celebrated its Class of 2019 Convocation ceremony at Manley Field House. One-hundred Sport Management undergraduates, five Sport Analytics undergraduates, and 10 Sport Venue and Event Management master’s students took part in the ceremony.

S.P.M. senior Anthony de la Fuente served as a Falk College Marshal and delivered a speech during the Convocation. The 2019 Sport Management Marshals were Nicholas Carlson (undergraduate) and Baylee Douglas (graduate). Caitlin Burke, Daniel Hamilton and Justin Perline were named Falk College Scholars.

Twenty-four Sport Management students in the Class of 2019 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 nine 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 10 to celebrate the accomplishments of the Sport Management and Sport Analytics undergraduates and Sport Venue and Event Management master’s students.

The awards ceremony featured remarks by Sport Management director and chair Michael Veley, and College benefactor David B. Falk. Awards presented included:

Director’s Award – Anthony de la Fuente
Academic Excellence Award – Nicholas Carlson
Matt Brodsky Philanthropic Award – Caitlin Burke
Sport Management VIP Award – Sarah Lundmark
Professional Engagement Award – Brigid Daly
Jason Morales Perseverance in Sport Award – Courtney Anderson
Academic Promise Award – Da’Sha Prescott-Moore
Kate Veley Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility Award – Olivia Lavelle
Graduate Student Award – Baylee Douglass

Sixteen students received the Director’s Academic Achievement Award for earning a G.P.A. of 3.4 or higher for each of their consecutive semesters at Syracuse University. Those students were: Cody Barbuto, Jan

Breitenmoser, Caitlin Burke, Nicholas Carlson, Brigid Daly, Anthony de la Fuente, Charles Garrett IV, Daniel Hamilton, Joshua Katz, Xinyu Li, Sarah Lundmark, Shuk Ching Jocelyn Mong, Austin Natowitz, Justin Perline, Micah Rubin and Sara Stanley.

Five students were noted for being dual majors: Caitlin Burke (Sport Management and Spanish Language, Literature and Culture), Michael Cavalier (Sport Management and Economics), Charles Garrett IV (Sport Analytics and Broadcast & Digital Journalism), Matteo Lovece (Sport Management and Economics), and Justin Perline (Sport Analytics and Newspaper & Online Journalism.)

Four students were named Berlin Sport Analytics Scholars: Cody Barbuto, Charles Garrett IV, Justin Perline and Evan Weiss. These four students are the first graduates of S.U.’s Sport Analytics program.

Also, the M.S. in Sport Venue and Event Management program concluded its seventh year. (Read this article)

Visit Sport Management’s online resources

Be sure to check out the Falk College Sport Management website for department information, program news, club meeting dates and activities, and other special events.

Also, be sure to follow Sport Management on Twitter @SUSportMgmt, and “like” us on Facebook at S.U. Falk College Department of Sport Management.

Graduate Students: Sport Venue and Event Management Master’s program graduates its seventh class

The Department of Sport Management’s master’s program in Sport Venue and Event Management (S.V.E.M.) welcomed its seventh class of graduate students to campus in July 2018. The program comprises 36 credit hours of intensive classroom learning, skill development and experiential opportunities in settings like S.U.’s Carrier Dome.

The 2018-19 cohort included 10 students, with a diverse mix of educational backgrounds and from a variety of geographic locations. Students worked toward completing their practicum work in Summer 2019 and will continue in Fall 2019 with organizations such as Onondaga Community College, Syracuse University Recreation Services, the Carrier Dome, S.U. Athletics, and the Sacramento Kings.

In July 2018, 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 networking, cover letters, resumes, strategic interviewing, salary negotiation, career guidance and using LinkedIn.

In the Spring 2019 semester, students worked with S.P.M. associate professor Dr. Gina Pauline in the advanced event management course to plan a charity event benefiting Griffin’s Guardians. (Read this article).

Students in the first seven 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 at 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, Boise State University, and Tulsa Sports Commission, among others.

The eighth S.V.E.M. graduate class began in July 2019. For more information about the graduate program, visit our academic programs page online.

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

Fall 2018

Peng Chen, U.S.T.A. National Campus

Marisa Duval, Syracuse University Athletics

Paige Hammond, Comcast Spectacor at Wells Fargo Center

Anna Vegara, A.T.&T. Stadium – Legends

Janelle Williams, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Rams

Spring 2019

Marisa Duval, Syracuse University Athletics

Summer 2019

Jia Xuan Deng, Nike China

Baylee Douglass, Twenty 3 Group

Yaohui Wei, Syracuse University Recreation Services

Welcome Class of 2023 undergraduates

Sport Analytics

California, China, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Japan, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia

Sport Management

California, China, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, India, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Canada, Oregon, Panama, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Washington

Congratulations to the following students for achieving an overall cumulative G.P.A. of 3.4 or higher at the end of the 2018-2019 academic year:

Sport Management

Class of 2019

Zachary Alechammas, Nikolai Arnold, Jonathan Banner, Alec Bieber, Samuel Birdsall, Jake Bitsimis, Caitlin Burke, Nicholas Carlson, Brianna Cooper, Cameryn Cortese, Brigid Daly, Lucas D’Aversa, Anthony de la Fuente, Jonathan DeLaBruere, Drina Adriana Domic, Hannah Duerr, Marc Eckenrod, Nicholas Gold, Daniel Hamilton, Jack Kaczorowski, Joshua Katz, Erica Krumbine, Taitum Kurasz, Olivia Lavelle, Xinyu Li, Sarah Lundmark, Stefan Maish, Victoria Mattarell, Marielle McLoughlin, Andrew Meyer, Shuk Ching Jocelyn Mong, Jake Narracci, Austin Natowitz, Alexander Newman, Chukwudubem Onwualu, Micah Rubin, Javier Ruiz, Sara Stanley, Cameron Steele, Kristen Warner, Griffin Whitman

Class of 2020

Thomas Adams, Peter Appel, Carolin Bader, Hunter Bruckner, Matthew Bustillo, Joseph Carello, Youngchae Cho, Carlos Christian Rey, Nicholas Cohen, Nolan Cooney, Matthew Defusco, Andrew Derda, Luca Di Napoli, Noah Diorio, Nicholas Felicetti, Ryan Gargiulo, Sydney Gauzza, Daniel Geraci, Andrea Ghanian, Owen Herrington, Sarah Incerpi, Rhett Kahny, Connor Monzo, Aaron Morrow, Adam Newman, Jordan Novak, Alexandra Olnowich, Francis Petrillo, Matthew Pignatella, Brandon Pollack, Hunter Pomerantz, Xin Ren, Leah Riccolo, Kristen Rogers, Jacob Rogovin, Kai Ruskin, Justin Saxe, Emma Schambers, Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru, Kelsey Smith, Ricki Sperry, Austin Towns, Alexandra Trager, Kyle Walker, Bailey Ware, Declan Wright

Class of 2021

Jillian Barry, Jacob Berger, Andrew Bush, Pin An Chen, Joshua Davidoff, Matthew Diemand, Tasha Getten, Oliver Glavin, Margaret Haggerty, Ryan Harteveldt, Jacob Hauser, Patrick Hopkins, Jianghui Hu, Caroline Johnson, Emani Jones, Max Josef, Ruth Kaiser, Seth Kourpas, Griffin Laine, Nicolas Lemaire, Guozheng Li, Henry Little, Jordan Lucero, Kaitlynn Miller, Max Moss, Mia Obergefell, Jonathan Offit, Marc Orlin, Marco Pantusa, Jenna Parker, Lucas Prestamo, Jack Rothstein, Simone Nico Saputo, Dylan Schwartz, Jayson Staiger

Class of 2022

Luke Adelstein, Victor Allaham, Nikolas Armstrong, Ryan Beaury, Finnian Bendana, Nathan Besold, Ryan Charles, Joe Chen, Richard Clarke, Devan Dachisen, Matthew Davis, Ryan Dilts, Caitlin Donoghue, Caroline Dorfman, Brian Drew, Ava Eckhoff, Nina Edmiston, Katherine Eliou, Joseph Eovaldi, Jakob Fox, Luca Giacobbe, Connor Howard, Victoria Kelly, Josephine Kiesel, Hannah Kuo, Peri Lamkin, John Lichtenstein, Joao Murray, Danielle Parr, Jared Pastore, Kevin Perry, Shehreyar Piracha, Harrison Rayhill, Emily Rubinshteyn, Bryan Schwab, Kristen Siermachesky, Emery Swanson, Zijian Wang, Jonah Wheeler

Sport Analytics

Class of 2019

Cody Barbuto, William Dalton, Charles Garrett I.V., Justin Perline

Class of 2020

Ethan Alpern, Dylan Blechner, Daniel Goetz, Joshua Hentschel, Gareth Jobling, Kyle Liotta, Stephen McClain, Nicholas Riccardi, Joseph Sabel, Nicholas Schloop

Class of 2021

Zachary Anhalt, Jonathan Bosch, Jack Dolitsky, William Friedeman, Elaine Johnson, Cameron Johnson, Zachary Koeppel, Samuel Marteka, Alejandro Pesantez, Harrison Platt, Joseph Spoelstra, Alexander Tsemberis

Class of 2022

Samual Ayers, Evan Baum, Bailie Brown, Joshua Danzig, Joseph Deaton, Steven Dimaria, Drew Disanto, Dante Giugliano, Justin Harrington, James Hyman, Sean Kenney, Colin Krantz, Brendan McKeown, Cameron Mitchell, Joseph Pickering, Hughston Preston, Dominic Samangy, Kushal Shah, Cooper Shawver, Davis Showell, Christopher Thomas, Andrew Todd, Ward Walton, David Zukowski

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 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 2018- 2019. 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 Nicole Cost, Lisa Liparulo, Kevin McNeill and Francesco Riverso.

Fall 2018

Nikolai Arnold, S.U. Athletics - Strength/Conditioning; Jonathan Banner, N.F.L. Films, Evan Becker H.B.S.E. - Philadelphia 76ers; Alec Bieber, Lagardere Plus; Rebecca Bisson, Syracuse University Football; Jake Bitsimis, C.S.M. LeadDog; Michael Cavalier, Madison Square Garden; Jamal Custis, Syracuse University Recreation Services; Brigid Daly, Van Wagner; Lucas D’Aversa, New York Yankees; Matthew Dressler, Radegen Sports Management; Michael Feinberg, N.B.C. Sports; Seth Greenberg, Kansas City Chiefs; Matthew Gwiazdowski, Baltimore Orioles; Jack Kaczorowski, Houston Rockets; Joshua Katz, Dallas Cowboys; Stefan Maish, C.S.M. LeadDog; Kellan Massino, Philadelphia Eagles; Da’Sha Prescott-Moore, Starfinder Foundation; Kurtis Senif, S.U. Athletics - Marketing; Cameron Steele, Boston Celtics; Wei Wang, H.U.P.U. Sports Media Co.; Griffin Whitman, Intersport

Spring 2019

Zachary Alechammas, Madison Square Garden; William Austin, S.U. Athletics - Marketing; Nicholas Basile, Special Olympics of New York; Jonathan Bennett Jr., B.S.E. Global - Long Island Nets; Samuel Birdsall, Wasserman; Caitlin Burke, Boston Red Sox; Nicholas Carlson, Turner Sports; Cody Conway, Athletic Evolution; Brianna Cooper, Turner Sports; Aaron Cornelius, Point 3 Basketball; Cameryn Cortese, Bucknell University Athletics; Timothy Critchlow, Radegen Sports Management; Anthony De La Fuente, Van Wagner; Jonathan Delabruere, Hurricane Junior Golf Tour; Drina Domic, N.B.A.; Hannah Duerr, U.S. Olympic Committee; Marc Eckenrod, SuperFan Fundraising; Nicholas Gold, N.C.A.A.; James Goldberger, Mountain Goat Run Foundation; Daniel Hamilton, S.U. Athletics - Communications; James Hunt, Madison Square Garden; Adam Israel, Excel Sports Management; Michael Kuruc III, Syracuse University Hockey; Olivia Lavelle, Cleveland Indians; Matteo Lovece, Vayner Sports; Sarah Lundmark, Athletes First; John (Chance) Mannix, United Soccer League; Hugo Marsans, Relevent Sports; Marielle Mcloughlin, Mississippi State University Athletics; Andrew Meyer, Roc Nation; Jocelyn Mong, C.S.M. LeadDog; Jake Narracci, Madison Square Garden; Austin Natowitz, University of Tennessee Athletics; Alexander Newman, B.S.E. Global; Sean Onwualu, Athletes First; Samoya Ricketts ,Turner Sports - N.B.A. Product Marketing; Micah Rubin, S.U. Athletics - Compliance; Phillip Sawyer, Madison Square Garden; Sean Selig, Syracuse University Women’s Basketball; Fabian Stoeckling, Roc Nation; Aaron Tabak, Special Olympics of New York; Bradley Williamson, Van Wagner; Eric Winikoff, Select Sports Group; Ethan Yoo, Philadelphia Eagles; Nicholas Zacchilli, Mountain Goat Run Foundation

Summer 2019

Jennifer Bard, Velley Preferred Cycling Center; Shaun Belbey, Pure Sweat Basketball; Neil Cusat, Pegasus Sports; Andrew Godnick, National Basketball Players Association; Owen Herrington, Syracuse Crunch; Erel Israel, Social Movement Media; Samuel Jenanyan, The Players Tribune; Daniel Khalil, Cascade Maverik Lacrosse; Erica Krumbine, New York Yankees; Taitum Kurasz, Syracuse Crunch; Nicholas Lee, New York Islanders; Xinyu Li, Future Arena; Victoria Mattarell, Boilermaker Road Race; Alex Miller, Fanatics; Alexandra Olnowich, M.S.G. Networks; Ayal Pessar, Radegen Sports Management; Madeline Placey, E.S.P.N.; Andrew Quigley, Talent Resources; Quinton Redett, New York Lizards; Javier Ruiz, Authentic Brands Group; Jack Schwartz, Madison Square Garden; Sara Stanley, New York State Golf Association; Alicia Torres, C.S.M.; Sterling Vaughn, Georgia State University Athletics; Kristen Warner, U.N. Women; Daniel Zimmermann,Thuzio

Capstone

Senior tweaks N.B.A. League reporting

By Drina Domic, S.P.M. ’19

During the Spring 2019 semester, I completed my Senior Capstone in New York City at the National Basketball Association (N.B.A.) League Office in the Team Marketing and Business Operations Department (T.M.B.O.).

T.M.B.O. works as an in-house consulting group for the N.B.A., G-League, W.N.B.A., and N.B.A.2K. Within T.M.B.O., I worked with the Strategy and Analytics group as a business intelligence analyst. My group focused on assisting all facets of the industry, from marketing to ticket sales through data-driven decision making.

My specific role was to bring league reporting into the 21st Century, to transition away from static P.D.F. reports to more dynamic, real-time dashboards. Having data in real-time with filtering capabilities will enable teams and other groups within T.M.B.O. to easily identify trends and best practices in a more convenient manner. Through this process, I learned how to streamline data and create automated processes. The beauty of T.M.B.O. is affecting different aspects of the business in a variety of settings.

It was a unique learning opportunity to see how markets operate, whether big or small, winning or losing, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the teams. I consulted with each organization’s strategy and analytics team about their needs.

The most rewarding part of working with the N.B.A.’s T.M.B.O. Department was learning from experts in all areas of sport who come from diverse backgrounds.

I am proud to say I have been offered a full-time job with T.M.B.O.’s Strategy and Analytics group, effective Summer 2019.

Intern gets up-close look at sport agency

By Sean Onwualu, S.P.M. ’19

During the 2018 Spring semester, I was honored to intern at Athletes First, a full-service sport agency in Laguna Hills, California.

Athletes First primarily focuses on football, representing more than 150 N.F.L. players and coaches. Interns help the organization throughout the N.F.L. season and off-season, assisting with the rookie program, Super Bowl, N.F.L. Combine, N.F.L. Free Agency and N.F.L. Draft. I helped secure items and worked at Athletes First’s yearly Charity Auction to raise money for the Orangewood Foundation, which aims to provide foster children with a better life.

Highlights from my senior Capstone include working on the Charity Auction, Free Agency and the N.F.L. Draft. I felt I truly made an impact on these events. For the auction, each intern was tasked with finding a high-profile item worth auctioning. My contribution was four tickets to a Monster Jam rally. During N.F.L. Free Agency, I compiled statistics and information for New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard’s agent, who helped land Shepard a four-year $41 million extension this past off-season. The N.F.L. Draft was exciting as I saw athletes I helped and worked for during the semester have their lifelong dreams fulfilled.

I learned a lot about the agency side of football and how important agents are to players. They work hard behind the scenes to be successful.

I will take all of the real-world lessons I learned at Athletes First and apply them as I begin my career in the sport industry as an assistant account executive at Deutsch.

Turner Capstone brings senior to Final Four

By Brianna Cooper, S.P.M. ’19

During the Spring 2019 semester, I completed my senior Capstone at Turner Sports with the Advertising Sales and Marketing Department in New York City. This team is responsible for selling and executing all digital, on-air, and on-site sponsorships for its sports properties.

As an ad sales intern, I was fortunate to start my Capstone during the peak of March Madness planning. I assisted the N.C.A.A. team in completing competitive tracking reports, prospecting new clients, and creating sales materials. I attended weekly meetings with C.B.S. teams as well as the annual N.C.A.A., Turner and C.B.S. meeting, where we developed sponsorship ideas and introduced new clients.

The title March Madness stood true to its name because during the tournament, as I spent long nights at the C.B.S. Broadcast Center tracking in-game sponsorships, capturing digital ad content, and drafting social content for the N.C.A.A.’s Final Four Music Series and Fan Fest. In April, I achieved a bucket-list goal by joining Turner’s Final Four team in Minneapolis for six days, running the N.C.A.A. social media accounts, and witnessing Virginia’s first-ever championship.

This internship at Turner gave me a greater appreciation for the business of sports and provided an amazing experience that helped me identify corporate partnerships as my career path. It taught me that the importance of sports is in the experiences you provide because even if fans forget the outcome of a game, they’ll never forget how you made them feel.

Since graduating from Syracuse University in May 2019, I have been interviewing for positions with teams and media companies with the hope to join a corporate partnerships team.

Cowboys Capstone leads to Ravens job

By Josh Katz, S.P.M. ’19

In the Fall 2018 semester, I completed my senior Capstone with the Dallas Cowboys as a Business Analytics and Insights intern at the team’s headquarters, The Star, in Frisco, Texas.

The primary responsibility of the Cowboys’ Business Analytics team is to provide analytical business insights for the sales, marketing, sponsorship, merchandise, and media departments. I focused on building dashboards for the sales team to monitor campaigns, collected market research for the sponsorship team in preparation for pitch meetings, and monitored the team’s C.R.M. data warehouse.

Learning from such a prolific franchise was an incredible experience. I honed and improved my technical skills in Tableau, R, S.Q.L., and C.R.M. practices, and took the lead on key projects throughout the semester. I was lucky to have three great supervisors who taught me best practices in the sport analytics industry and taught me the importance of creative problem-solving.

It was such an honor to learn from industry professionals at an N.F.L. franchise during the season. I loved being in the fast-paced and highly competitive environment of the N.F.L. Also, working at A.T.&T. Stadium on gamedays was an added perk.

Overall, my senior Capstone was an incredible experience. I met so many top-notch people throughout the organization, and the skills and lessons I learned with the Cowboys helped me land a full-time position as a Business Analyst with the N.F.L.’s Baltimore Ravens.

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 2018-19 academic year, four students were honored with this award: Brigid Daly, who interned with Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment in Fall 2018; Nicholas Gold, who interned with the Atlantic Coast Conference and the N.C.A.A.’s Women’s Basketball Advancement Program in Spring 2019; Andrew Meyer, who interned with Roc Nation in Spring 2019; and Kristen Warner, who interned with U.N. Women in Summer 2019. 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 in Falk College.

Student Learning Fund

Twenty-three Sport Management seniors were awarded scholarships from the Sport Management Student Learning Fund during the 2018- 19 academic year. Each received $500 to $1000.

In Summer 2019, eight students earned the scholarships: Erica Krumbine (New York Yankees), Taitum Kurasz (Syracuse Crunch), Victoria Mattarell (Boilermaker Road Race), Ayal Pessar (Radegen Sports Management), Javier Ruiz (Authentic Brands Group), Sara Stanley (New York State Golf Association), Alicia Torres (C.S.M. Lead- Dog), and Daniel Zimmermann (Thuzio).

In Spring 2019, 12 students earned the scholarships: Nicholas Carlson (Turner Sports), Anthony de la Fuente (Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment), Jonathan DeLaBruere (Hurricane Junior Golf Tour), Drina Domic (N.B.A.), Marc Eckenrod (Super Fan Fundraising), Adam Israel (Excel Sports Management), Sarah Lundmark (Athletes First), Chance Mannix (United Soccer League), Hugo Marsans (Relevent Sports), Marielle McLoughlin (Mississippi State Athletics), Sean Onwualu (Athletes First), and Eric Winikoff (Select Sports Group).

In Fall 2018, three students earned the scholarships: Seth Greenberg (Kansas City Chiefs), Kellan Massino (Philadelphia Eagles), and Griffin Whitman (Intersport).

Undergraduate Summer Internship Fund

The Sport Management Summer Internship Fund is used each year to provide support to undergraduate students pursuing unpaid summer internships, enabling them to gain industry experience.

Seven students were each awarded $2,000 for 2019 summer internships: Andrew Bush (Philadelphia Soul), Margaret Haggerty (Pan-American Games), Samuel Marteka (Orleans Firebirds), Frank Petrillo (Premier Partnerships), Shehreyar Piracha (United Soccer League), Lucas Prestamo (Syracuse University Athletics), and Erica Sosman (Hospital for Special Surgery).

For more information about the funds, contact Sport Management internship coordinator Nicole Cost at 315.443.7481 or nfimbrog@syr.edu.

Sport Professionals of Color Club seeks new members

The Sport Management Sport Professionals of Color Club wrapped up its fifth year in 2018-19, 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 industry. The club strives to improve members’ professional skills, host speakers, foster networking growth, and take part in experiential learning opportunities.

During the 2018-19 academic year, the club began a new membership drive, held an N.F.L. Draft watch party, and welcomed social media entrepreneur Eamonn Donlyn as a guest speaker.

Meetings are on Mondays at 6:45 p.m. in Falk 401, and are open to all Syracuse University students. Contact Nate Gansworth at nrganswo@syr.edu for more information or call 315.443.9881.

S.P.M. Club raises $55,195 at 14th Charity Auction

The Sport Management Club at Syracuse University raised $55,195 for the Syracuse Rescue Mission as a result of its 14th Annual Charity Sports Auction.

During the S.U. men’s basketball game on Dec. 1, 2018, supporters placed bids on hundreds of items, including sports memorabilia, electronics and tickets to major sporting events.

The 2018 total was the third-highest in the 14-year history of the event, which has now raised more than $467,000 for local charities, including 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, McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center and Meals on Wheels.

“The Rescue Mission was grateful to have been chosen as the nonprofit partner for the 2018 Management Club Charity Sports Auction. The proceeds from this event will remain local right here in Syracuse and Upstate New York, and will directly serve those in need through safe beds and warm meals,” said Rescue Mission Chief Executive Officer Dan Sieburg.

Since 1887, the Rescue Mission Alliance has been fighting to end homelessness and hunger across Upstate New York, with operations in Syracuse, Auburn, Ithaca and Binghamton. Their mission is to share hope, end hunger and homelessness, change lives, and strengthen communities. In 2017, the Rescue Mission served more than 282,000 meals and helped over 10,000 men, women and children in need in the community.

“We are extremely proud of the students who put hundreds of hours into making our 14th annual auction so successful to enhance the great services provided by the Rescue Mission,” said S.P.M. director Michael Veley, who also serves as advisor for the Club. “This event teaches our students social responsibility and civic engagement and provides them invaluable learning by implementing a first-class event to benefit the less fortunate in our community.”

The 15th annual auction will be held in December 2019 at the Carrier Dome to benefit Make-a-Wish of Central New York. For more information about the event, visit the Charity Sports Auction website.

In addition to the auction, the Club hosts guest speakers, takes group trips, and volunteers in the community.

The Sport Management Club meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays during the academic year in Falk 200. Students from all majors are welcome. For more information, contact S.P.M. Club president Sam Marteka (svmartek@syr. edu), executive vice president Connor Monzo (cdmonzo@syr.edu), vice president of community service Steven Soriano (sjsorian@syr.edu), vice president of programming Jonah Wheeler (twheel01@syr.edu), vice president of membership Kaitlynn Miller (kmille16@syr.edu), or vice president of administration Andrew Bush (anbush@syr.edu).

Picture with caption in this article: S.P.M. Club vice president Connor Monzo (left) and former S.P.M. Club co-advisor Kate Veley (second from left) present a check for $55,195 to representatives from the Syracuse Rescue Mission on Jan. 18, 2019 at the Carrier Dome.

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

By Sarah Lundmark, S.P.M. ’19

S.P.M. Club President, 2018 My experience with the Sport Management Club began before I was even accepted to Syracuse University. On the first trip I took across the country from my California home to visit my future four-year home, I was impressed. During a prospective student day, Falk College compiled a panel of student leaders to speak about their time at S.U. and the Sport Management program. During that panel, I learned of all the amazing opportunities that were offered for students to get involved, including the S.P.M. Club. The thought of a club that would help me develop professionally, while still placing a large emphasis on philanthropy, was enticing and exciting. Little did I know the impact it would have on my educational and social experience.

I was elected Club President in January 2018, after returning from a semester abroad. I knew that after missing the auction in the Fall of 2017, I wanted to come back and get involved in a large way. Although I was honored the club chose me as its leader, by no means did I do it alone. The incredible officers were essential in the success and growth of the club.

In the spring semester, we focused largely on professional development and networking, hosting numerous industry executives from a variety of departments such as finance, sales and management. We also held educational workshops with campus professionals to work on resumes, interview techniques, and research resources.

The Fall of 2018 brought with it the 14th Annual Charity Sports Auction, which benefitted Rescue Mission of Syracuse. Our fantastic auction chairs, Caitlin Burke ’19 and Anthony de la Fuente ’19, worked tirelessly to make this an unforgettable event.

The S.P.M. Club has accomplished so much with its dedicated and incredible members. These are the people I spent some of the biggest moments of college with and I know I will carry those memories with me forever. I’m truly grateful to have had the opportunity to be involved in such an influential campus organization.

Sales Club assists S.U. Athletics, Crunch selling tickets

During the 2018-19 academic year, the Sport Sales Club’s focus was to increase membership, strengthen its partnership with Syracuse University Athletics, increase sales for its project with the Syracuse Crunch, hold a community service event, and welcome guest speakers from the sport industry.

In conjunction with S.U. Athletics, the students helped break the program’s Night Sales record, selling more than $24,000 in tickets for S.U. men’s basketball, women’s basketball and football games. Club members cold-called prospects and worked sales events such as the annual Spring Game Select-A-Seat Event. At that event, S.P.M. freshman Connor Howard set the record for most season ticket sales in a single event.

The club worked with the Crunch on its annual “S.U. Night” for the Crunch’s game against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in March of 2019. To achieve their sales goals, members prospected student organizations, athletic teams, and local businesses to pack the War Memorial that evening. The club partnered with the Rescue Mission to donate a portion of the proceeds to help feed those in need in Syracuse.

The club welcomed numerous guest speakers, including Mario Oliveri of the New York Yankees, Kevin Rochlitz of the Baltimore Ravens, Andrew Sidney of the Houston Rockets, Steve McMahon of the Philadelphia 76ers, Jentry Mullins and Blake Pallansch of the Phoenix Suns, David Campbell of the Miami Marlins, Nate Medrano of the Miami Dolphins, Alexandria Anneheim of the Charolette Hornets, Howard Cole of the New York Mets, Mark Hayes of the Syracuse Crunch, Foster Baker of Paycom, and David Hammond of Catapult.

The Sales Club was established in 2015 and serves as a medium for members to gain hands-on experience in the sport sales industry, as well as provide networking opportunities for students to earn jobs and internships. In Summer 2019, several members of the Sales Club interned with the New York Yankees, while other members interned with the University of Illinois, Philadelphia Soul, Syracuse Crunch, and Hartford Yard Goats, among others.

Club officers for 2019-20 are Seth Kourpas, president; Drew Bush, executive vice president; Niko Armstrong, vice president of programming; Cooper Self, vice president of events; Devan Dachisen, vice president of membership; and Ian Benepe, vice president of administration.

The Sales Club meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays during the academic year in Falk 400. For more information, contact Kourpas at sbkourpa@syr.edu or club advisor David Meluni at dmmeluni@syr.edu. All Syracuse University students are welcome to attend.

Picture with caption in this article: The New York Yankees received assistance in Summer 2019 from numerous Sport Management interns, including Caitlin Alessi (second from left), Connor Monzo, Nico Basile, Andrea Ghanian, Seth Kourpas, Erica Krumbine, Peter Appel and Tom Adams. They are shown with John Madden (far left), manager of inside sales.

Support Sport Management

We continually strive to offer a variety of opportunities to support our Sport Management students. From scholarships and financial assistance to immersion programs and experiential field trips, along with inviting distinguished guest lectures to campus and hosting relevant symposiums, Falk College’s sport management education goes beyond the textbooks and the walls of our classrooms. David Salanger, Falk College assistant dean for advancement and external affairs, would welcome the opportunity to talk and/or meet with you to discuss program support and student learning opportunities. Please contact David at 315.443.8989 or dasalang@syr.edu.

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, adjunct professor Al Weinberger and assistant teaching professor David Meluni explain essential sales skills and develop students’ understanding of the importance of sales to sport organizations. The S.P.M. 350/650 Sports Ticket Sales class and S.P.M. 215 Principles of Sales in Sports class involve collaboration with the Yankees and their sales executives.

The organization hosted the students at Yankee Stadium in April 2019 for a panel discussion with five Yankees staff members, including several S.U. alumni. The students also enjoyed a facility tour and watched that night’s game from a private suite.

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 interns and permanent positions.

“The New York Yankees have one of the best sales programs in all of sports, and for them to give our students this kind of exposure is invaluable and unique,” Meluni said. “We are thankful for this partnership and confident that our best students will continue to earn internships and jobs with the Yankees for years to come.”

S.P.M.-N.Y.Y. pipeline

Seven S.U. Sport Management alumni are currently working for the New York Yankees:

Nico Basile ’19, junior sales associate, inside sales

Lucas D’Aversa ’19, sales associate, inside sales

P.J. Davidson ’13, assistant manager of group sales and service

Richard Granato ’11, ticket operations representative

Jordan Harris S.V.E.M. ’19, sales associate, inside sales

Erica Krumbine ’19, junior sales associate, inside sales

AmandaRae McLean ’13, community relations coordinator

Connect with S.U. Sport Management

Department of Sport Management
Syracuse University
402 MacNaughton Hall
Syracuse, NY 13244
315.443.9881 or 315.443.2630, (fax) 315.443.9716

Michael Veley, Director and Chair
mdveley@syr.edu

Kathryn Tunkel, Administrative Assistant to Michael Veley
kmtunkel@syr.edu

Margie Chetney, Administrative Assistant
mchetney@syr.edu

Gina Pauline, Undergraduate Program Director
gapaulin@syr.edu

Jeff Pauline, Graduate Program Director
jspaulin@syr.edu

Rodney Paul, Analytics Program Director
rpaul01@syr.edu

David Salanger, Assistant Dean, Advancement, Falk College
dasalang@syr.edu

Falk College, Department of Sport Management Website

Falk College, Department of Sport Management on Facebook

Falk College, Department of Sport Management on Twitter: @SUSportMgmt

Falk College on LinkedIn

Active WISE members busy networking, volunteering

Women in Sports and Events (WISE) is a nationally recognized group whose goal is to be a leading voice and resource for women who currently work in, or aspire to be a part of, the professional field of sports and events. In 2009, Syracuse University was voted in as the first collegiate chapter of WISE’s national organization, and since its inception on campus, has offered multiple professional development opportunities for membership.

With the help of S.P.M. graduates Ian McFate ’08, Sam Spector ’16, and Jake Silverman ’08, the club organized a two-day trip to Philadelphia in October 2018 to network and learn from industry professionals at the Philadelphia Phillies, Sixers, Flyers and the University of Pennsylvania. The women toured Citizens Bank Park, Wells Fargo Center, and University of Pennsylvania athletic facilities, speaking with women who work throughout different sectors of the sport organizations. Students also attended the UPenn vs. Columbia volleyball game and Flyers vs. Golden Knights N.H.L. game.

“We are so lucky to have alumni who are more than happy to take time out of their days to host our group, giving us tours of their facilities and setting up panels of amazing women willing to share their experiences and insight” said WISE president Kristen Rogers ’20.

In Spring 2019, WISE members volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Syracuse to cook and serve meals to families staying at the facility.

“We believe that it is extremely important to give back to the community that has given us our home away from home,” Rogers said.

The group co-hosted workshops focusing on campus resources and resumes; partnered with Witty Wicks, a homemade candle company, and Chipotle, to fundraise for future networking trips and events; and welcomed numerous guest speakers to campus or via Skype.

“WISE provides a fantastic way for young women to hold leadership positions and create opportunities for members, such as hosting events or collaborating with other on-campus groups,” Cost said. “These are great talking points when networking as well as on interviews, not to mention a solid way to learn skills for when they leave campus.”

Keep up with S.U.’s WISE Club on Social Media: Twitter: @WISE_SU; Instagram: WISE_Cuse; and Facebook: Women in Sports and Events at Syracuse University. The club officers for 2019-20 are Kaitlynn Miller, president; Elaine Johnson, vice president of recruitment; Caroline Johnson, vice president of internal programming; Danielle Parr, vice president of external programming; Hanna Kou, treasurer; and Devan Dachisen, director of social media.

WISE, which meets at 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays in Falk 175, includes women from all majors on campus interested in pursuing careers in sports and events. For more information, email WISE co-advisors Nicole Cost (nfimbrog@syr.edu) or Lisa Liparulo (lmliparu@syr.edu).

Classes pitch ideas to sport industry think tank

During the Spring 2019 semester, Dr. Patrick Walsh’s S.P.M. 444 Sports Marketing Management class and David Meluni’s S.P.M. 215 Principles of Sales in Sport class collaborated with brand consultant Jeremy Darlow on a variety of projects.

Darlow, former director of football and baseball marketing for Adidas, has worked with and developed marketing strategies for top university brands such as Notre Dame, Michigan, and U.C.L.A.; athletes such as Aaron Rodgers and Lionel Messi; and celebrity influencers such as Kanye West and Snoop Dog. Following his time at Adidas, Darlow created the Brand Food Think Tank, which provides weekly brand marketing strategies and tactics for industry professionals. He currently acts as a brand consultant and is also the author of two books, “Brands Win Championships” and “Athletes are Brands, Too.”

In each of the classes, Darlow provided a monthly challenge on a current topic facing the sport industry. In S.P.M. 444, students developed ideas for how professional sport teams and facilities can utilize legalized sport gambling to best engage with fans in-stadium on game days while enhancing the overall fan and brand experience.

In a separate challenge, S.P.M. 444 students developed ideas for how a college football player can use the N.F.L. Draft as a platform to build brand awareness and develop a unique brand image.

S.P.M. 215 students developed ideas around March Madness and a piece of merchandise that could go viral surrounding an upstart team making a run through the bracket. Also, S.P.M. 215 students looked to maximize attendance throughout Major League Baseball along with generating a sponsorship idea to be showcased during the P.G.A. Tour’s U.S. Open, the Kentucky Derby, Indianapolis 500, or French Open. Student ideas from both classes were then reviewed by S.P.M. faculty and Darlow, and the best ones were featured on Brand Food Podcasts throughout the semester, as well as on Darlow’s Twitter account (with 90,000 followers) and the Brand Food Think Tank website.

“The feedback I received from students was fantastic,” Meluni said. “They really enjoyed the real-world exercise as if they were professionals trying to solve challenges that industry leaders face daily.”

Analytics

Inaugural Berlin Sport Analytics Symposium highlights rising importance of data in sport

“Calculating the Future of Sports Through Analytics” was the featured theme of the inaugural Andrew T. Berlin Sport Analytics Symposium, presented by Syracuse University’s David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics on April 3, 2019, at the Westin Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

Now more than ever, information and data are driving the sports industry, the fifth largest economic sector in the U.S. economy that generated slightly less than $500 billion in 2016-17. Scouts and agents rely on sport analytics to identify unusual talent and athletic capabilities. Performance data helps professional athletes monitor fitness and predict likelihood of injury. Sport marketing executives value data analytics to improve the fan experience.

The Berlin Sport Analytics Symposium brought together leading industry innovators and Syracuse University faculty members to take a closer look at the critical issues in sport analytics. Chicago Cubs senior vice president of player development and amateur scouting, Jason McLeod, gave the keynote address. McLeod began his front-office career with the San Diego Padres and served as scouting director for the Boston Red Sox.

A panel discussion was moderated by Michael D. Veley, founding director and chair of Falk College’s Department of Sport Management, and the Rhonda S. Falk Endowed Professor of Sport Management, with remarks from Dr. Rodney Paul, S.U.’s sport analytics program designer, director, professor. The panelists included:

Dafna Aaronson, founder, Be Sports Minded
Sean Ahmed, analyst, research and development, baseball operations, Chicago Cubs
Kevin Brilliant, business strategy and analytics senior manager, Chicago Bulls
Dr. Shane Sanders, sport analytics associate professor, Syracuse University
Dr. Robby Sikka, professor, associate director, data analytics for sports medicine, Mayo Clinic
Hart Zwingelberg, manager, business intelligence, Chicago Fire Soccer Club

Berlin Scholars participated in a senior thesis poster presentation during the pre-event reception. The featured student presenters included Syracuse University sport analytics seniors Cody Barbuto, Charles “C.B.” Garrett IV, Justin Perline, and Evan Weiss. Falk College’s Department of Sport Management also presented the inaugural “Pioneer in Sport Analytics Award” honoring Theo Epstein, president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs.

The Berlin Sport Analytics Symposium event was made possible by the generosity of Syracuse University Trustee and alumnus, Andrew T. Berlin ’83. Berlin is a partner investor of the Chicago Cubs, chairman and owner of its minor league Cubs affiliate, the South Bend Cubs, and chairman and C.E.O. of Berlin Packaging.

The second annual Berlin Sport Analytics Symposium is planned for Spring 2020.

Picture with caption in this article: Andrew Berlin (center) is shown with the four Syracuse University sport analytics majors and Berlin Scholars who presented their senior thesis research posters at the event. From left are Charles “C.B.” Garrett IV, Cody Barbuto, Justin Perline and Evan Weiss.

Football Analytics Club focuses on research

The Football Analytics Club was established during the 2017-18 academic year and grew from four to 40 students this past year. The Club was recently accepted as an official Syracuse University Registered Student Organization beginning in Fall 2019. Weekly meetings are a combination of football discussion and research projects or activities.

In Fall 2018, the club partnered with the X.F.L., the spring football league started by Vince McMahon, to help the league research potential changes to the game. Members worked with S.P.M. alumnus Bryan Kilmeade ’18 to analyze N.F.L., A.A.F., and C.F.L. games. Data was collected and analyzed to develop conclusions the X.F.L. utilized to formulate its rules.

Members also worked on a research project showing how winning/ losing streaks impacted future winning chances and betting lines., finding that for each additional win on a team’s winning streak, the point spread swung about one point in their favor and that the home team’s likelihood to win the next game improved by 6.6 percent. For the away team, it improved by 3.9 percent. In addition to these projects, the Club also researched ideal cities for X.F.L. teams and predicted free agent contracts. The club traveled to New Era Field in Buffalo to watch the Bills beat the Tennessee Titans on a last-second field goal in October 2018. During that trip, students met with S.U. Sport Analytics senior Evan Weiss ’19, who was interning for the Bills’ Analytics Department. The club also held an N.F.L. Draft Party.

Club officers for the 2019-20 academic year are Zak Koeppel (president), Sean Kenney (vice president), Dylan Blechner (director of research), Joe Pickering (director of operations) and Will Friedeman (treasurer).

The Football Analytics Club meets at 6 p.m. Mondays during the academic year in Falk 400. All Syracuse University students are welcome to attend.

For more information, email Koeppel at zkoeppel@syr.edu.

On a Winning Streak: Sport Analytics students prove they’re ready to storm the industry

Assembling a championship-caliber team and a profitable business organization is a challenge that sports owners, executives and managers face every day in the ultra-competitive world of sports. Increasingly, they are turning to data analytics for an advantage. Whether it is predicting player performance, athlete injury recovery or enhancing an organization’s bottom line, analytics is changing the methodology of how teams, leagues and sport managers are competing to make better, quantifiable decisions.

Sport analytics is a growing segment of the industry, where many young, aspiring sport professionals are choosing to make a career. They’re data-driven—and they’re catching the eye of sports teams all over the world.

In fall 2016, the program welcomed its first official class as the first undergraduate degree of its kind in the nation. The intensive program with coursework in economics, mathematics and computer programming has attracted competitive students from around the world.

Since its launch, sport analytics at Syracuse has celebrated many successes. The program has established student-industry collaborations with EDGE10, X.F.L., Spotted, and Syracuse University Athletics. Students have secured professional job placements prior to graduation with teams in Major League Baseball and the National Football League. Students and faculty have published and presented research internationally. In addition, they have competed and placed in prestigious industry and academic competitions, including S.A.B.R. Diamond Dollars Case Competition, M.I.T. Sloan Sports Analytics, A.C.C. Meeting of the Minds, and the N.F.L.’s inaugural Big Data Bowl earlier this year.

Here are some program highlights:

The first four Berlin Scholars were named: class of 2019 seniors Cody Barbuto, Charles “C.B.” Garrett IV, Justin Perline and Evan Weiss.
Barbuto accepted a full-time analytics position from Kraft Analytics Group in Foxborough, Mass., after graduating in May 2019.
Garrett, whose research on “Impact of Birthplace on Player Performance in Different Weather Conditions” won top honors at the 2019 Falk College Student Research Celebration, spent the summer interning with the N.B.A.’s Indiana Pacers in their performance analytics department.
Perline accepted a full-time analytics position with the Pittsburgh Pirates after interning with the team in summer 2018. He spent part of his 2018-19 winter break in the Dominican Republic scouting for the Pirates.
During his junior year at S.U., Weiss was hired as an intern to work with the Buffalo Bills during the Fall 2018 semester. He returned to campus in January 2019 to complete his degree and was retained by the team full-time after graduation in May 2019.
In August 2018, Perline and Garrett presented their research at the European Sports Economics Association (E.S.E.A.) conference in London, titled “Minor League Team Success and Its Impact on M.L.B. Player Performance.”
Barbuto and Nick Riccardi ’20 presented their research at the 2019 Academy of Economics and Finance conference in Tampa, Florida. Riccardi won the student paper competition with his study, “Canadian Hockey League Game-To-Game Performance.” He also presented the paper at the A.C.C. Meeting of the Minds conference at the University of Louisville in March. Barbuto’s paper was titled “G.I.N.I. Coefficients in the N.B.A.” Riccardi also presented his research the past two years at the Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T.) Hockey Analytics Conference and co-authored research that was published in the International Journal of Financial Studies titled “Attendance in the Canadian Hockey League: The Impact of Winning, Fighting, Uncertainty of Outcome, and Weather on Junior Hockey Attendance.”
Perline co-authored a paper with Sport Analytics associate professor Dr. Shane Sanders titled “Informed Voters, Uninformed Voters, and Electoral Outcomes: A Natural Experiment from Major League Baseball MVP Voting,” which Sanders presented at the 2019 Public Choice Society Annual Meetings in Louisville, Kentucky. Sanders was then invited to present the same paper at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
Sport Analytics students Dylan Blechner, Zak Koeppel, Will Friedeman and Cameron Johnson entered their research to the N.F.L.’s inaugural Big Data Bowl competition. The competition provided participants with access to N.F.L. playertracking data to create proposals on one of three topics: player speed, game rules and receiver routes. Their entry, “Route Clustering,” placed in the top nine from more than 100 submissions and was one of five entries to receive an honorable mention.
Jonathan Bosch ’21 and Alex Pesantez ’21 spent part of their 2019 summer in Pittsburgh at Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Statistics. The program provided participants with hands-on experience working with real data, on real problems, in a stimulating, collaborative, and supportive environment. The students have worked with Syracuse University Sport Analytics professors Dr. Rodney Paul and Dr. Shane Sanders on research projects while attending classes and being active members of student-run analytics clubs on campus. “Jon and Alex’s hard work and commitment to research led to the well-deserved opportunity at Carnegie Mellon,” Paul said.
Perline, Weiss, Kyle Liotta ’20 and Josh Hentschel ’19, along with Paul, Sanders and Sport Analytics Program Manager Francesco Riverso attended the M.I.T. Sloan Sport Analytics Conference in Boston in March 2019, where they heard presentations about current topics impacting the industry and interacted with executives. The students also benefitted from networking sessions and a career fair.
Barbuto, Garrett, and Liotta co-authored a paper with Dr. Paul titled “Celebrity Attraction in the Minors: the Case of Tim Tebow” that was published in the Journal of Economics and Finance.
Sport Analytics students were asked by SU’s office of alumni relations to give a presentation to alumni before two S.U. football games in Fall 2018 and two S.U. men’s basketball games during the 2018-19 season.
Well-known New York Post sports columnist Ken Davidoff wrote about the sport analytics program’s success in September 2018 in a column titled “Next Generation of Sports Fans Ready to Take Over Baseball.”
Here’s a sampling of where Syracuse University Sport Analytics students interned in Summer 2019: Dylan Blechner, Spotted, Inc.; Bailie Brown, Florence Red Wolves; Zachary Crowe, Falmouth Commodores; Jacob Cummis, Indiana Pacers; Jack Dolitsky, B.S.E. Global; Whitaker Ellis, Clover Sonoma; Cameron Johnson, Reign F.C.; Sean Kenney, Parametric Technology Corporation (P.T.C.); Kyle Liotta, Milwaukee Brewers; Samuel Marteka, Orleans Firebirds; Stephen McClain, University of Pittsburgh Football; Colby Olson, E.B.S.C.O. Industries; Justin Philbin, New York Lizards; Joseph Pickering, Rookie Road; Hughston Preston, Cape Cod Baseball League; Nicholas Riccardi, Bankers Healthcare Group; Joseph Sabel, Costa Del Mar; Nicholas Schloop, Wasserman Media Group.
As of May 2019, 50 students at Syracuse University are minoring in sport analytics.
Falk College will welcome 59 sport analytics freshmen to campus in Fall 2019, as well as two new sport analytics faculty members in Dr. Justin Ehrlich and Dr. Jeremy Losak.

Pictures with captions in this article: Cody Barbuto, Evan Weiss, Charles “C.B.” Garrett IV and Justin Perline (from left) are the first four graduates of the Sport Analytics program at Syracuse University. They completed their degrees in May 2019, while also serving as Berlin Scholars. Jonathan Bosch ’21 (left) and Alex Pesantez ’21 spent part of their 2019 summer in Pittsburgh at Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Statistics. Nick Riccardi ’20 presented his research at the 2019 Academy of Economics and Finance conference in Tampa, Florida. He won the student paper competition with his study titled “Canadian Hockey League Game-To-Game Performance.” Kyle Liotta ’20 spent his 2019 summer interning for the Milwaukee Brewers in their strategy and business analytics department.

Club members share same zest for basketball

The Syracuse University Basketball Analytics Club concluded its third year in 2018-2019, expanding its membership to more than 40 members who strive to uncover statistical trends in basketball through research, as well as maintaining a fun environment to discuss and debate all things basketball related.

The organization was assembled to conduct analysis on the N.B.A., N.C.A.A., and high school basketball. Over the past year, members have researched topics such as “Which N.C.A.A. Conferences Produce the Best N.B.A. Players,” “The Consequences of Over-Playing Starters in the N.B.A.,” and “Does College Shooting Translate to the N.B.A.”

The club aims to gather students who share the same zest for basketball, in addition to their drive for research. Members practice their analytical skills in Excel as well as utilize their research skills on basketball databases to find appropriate data for analysis.

In February 2019, club members Jonathan Bosch, Nick Riccardi, Zach Anhalt, Alejandro Pesantez, Fletcher Wilson, Isaiah Freedman, and John Litchenstein attended the McCormack Sport Analytics Trade Deadline conference at UMass Amherst. They acted as general managers in a simulation of the N.B.A. trade deadline. Attendees were broken into groups and assigned an N.B.A. franchise. The groups then began trading and transforming their rosters for the duration of the day. The event gave students the opportunity to practice first-hand what takes place during N.B.A. trade negotiations in regard to trade rules, salary cap management, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, among others.

Other projects included taking part in the Falk College Research Celebration and hosting guest speakers in person or via Skype, including basketball analytics professionals from the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and Milwaukee Bucks.

Officers for the 2019-20 academic year are president Jonathan Bosch, executive vice president John Lichtenstein, vice president marketing Brendan McKeown, director of social media Sean Kenney, and project coordinators Alejandro Pesantez and Danny Emerman.

The club meets at 7 p.m. Mondays in Falk 175 and 1 p.m. Fridays in Falk 104 during the academic year. All Syracuse University students are welcome to join. Contact Bosch at jbosch@syr.edu for more information.

Picture with caption in this article: Club members John Litchenstein, Fletcher Wilson, Jonathan Bosch, Isaiah Freedman, Zach Anhalt, Alejandro Pesantez and Nick Riccardi (from left) attended the McCormack Sport Analytics Trade Deadline Conference at UMass Amherst in February 2019.

High schoolers test drive analytics at summer academy

Twenty-four high school students spent two weeks on campus in Summer 2019 enrolled in the inaugural Berlin Sport Analytics Academy. The program, which was held July 29 to August 9, provided students the opportunity to explore data’s role in understanding and prioritizing information to maintain a competitive advantage in the sports industry.

The group consisted of 23 students from the United States and one from China. They were shown how analytics are being used in a variety of sports, and learned skills in various applications that are currently being used in Sport Analytics courses at Syracuse University and in the sport industry, including R, Tableau, S.Q.L. and more.

Guest speakers were brought in to discuss industry trends, research topics and sample careers. Students were taught by S.U. sport analytics professors Dr. Rodney Paul, Dr. Shane Sanders, Dr. Justin Ehrlich, and Dr. Jeremy Losak. Sport Analytics program manager Francesco Riverso planned experiential learning trips for the students to the Syracuse Crunch, Buffalo Bills, Syracuse Mets, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Full speed ahead for active Sabermetrics Club

Sabermetrics is the study of advanced baseball statistics. And who better to study that than Syracuse University Sport Analytics students?

The student-led club conducts in-depth discussions about current topics in the industry, takes part in research projects, attends national competitions, hosts guest speakers, and runs a fantasy baseball league.

Club members Charles “C.B.” Garrett IV ’19, Cody Barbuto ’19 and Kyle Liotta ’20 published a research paper in conjunction with club advisor and Sport Analytics professor Dr. Rodney Paul on how minor league baseball player Tim Tebow affected attendance for teams during the 2017 season. The paper, titled “Celebrity Attraction in the Minors: The Case of Tim Tebow,” was published in the Journal of Economics and Finance.

Club competes in Phoenix

For the fifth straight year, Club members participated in the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) Analytics’ Diamond Dollars Case Competition in Phoenix, Arizona, over Spring Break in March 2019. The competition is for undergraduate and graduate students from universities across the country to compete against each other by researching and presenting on a current baseball analytics topic. Presentations were made to a panel of judges consisting of Major League Baseball executives. Five S.U. teams competed in Arizona in 2019, with two teams winning their respective divisions.

The topic was “Developing a Strategy for Pitching Usage,” and teams were tasked with defining a strategy (or multiple strategies) that M.L.B. teams can follow to assess the optimal way to deploy their pitching assets over the course of a 162-game schedule. Teams had to show how their strategy would impact team run prevention and ultimately team performance. Teams made their presentations by using programs such as R, Excel, and Tableau.

With the help of gifts from Falk College donors Jeff Lomasky and Andrew Berlin, 25 students competed at this prestigious event. The competition is part of the annual S.A.B.R. Analytics Conference in Phoenix, which featured industry speakers, as well as a networking event and job fair for the students to engage with executives who work in the baseball analytics field. Students also attended spring training games and an Arizona Coyotes game, along with meeting members of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ business analytics team, including Syracuse S.P.M. graduate Greg Ackerman ’15.

The students were accompanied by Dr. Paul, Sport Analytics program manager Francesco Riverso, and Sport Management assistant teaching professor David Meluni.

N.Y.U. Case Competition

Two teams representing the Sabermetrics Club competed at the S.A.B.R. Diamond Dollars Case Competition at N.Y.U. on November 16, 2018. Sport Analytics majors Kyle Liotta (’20), Warren Schatten (’22), Drake Mills (’22), Daniel Preciado (’22), Joseph Sabel (’20), Zachary Crowe (’22), Steven Dimaria (’22), Colby Olson (’21), Gareth Jobling (’21) and Zak Koeppel (’21) competed against other universities such as Tufts University and Fordham University.

The teams were tasked with predicting the contracts of M.L.B. free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. Students were given five days to collect data, create a model, and prepare a 30-minute presentation on the topic that was given in New York City. Judges for the competition included Cameron Barwick of M.L.B. and Chris Pang of the New York Yankees.

“We are very proud of the way our students compete at these events,” said Dr. Paul. “It’s a terrific way for them to showcase their research in front of industry professionals as well as gain experience outside of the classroom.”

Officers for the 2019-2020 academic year are president Kyle Liotta, vice president Brendan McKeown, director of research Steven DiMaria and director of outreach Hughston Preston.

The Club meets at 6:45 p.m. Wednesdays in Falk 200. Email Dr. Paul at rpaul01@syr.edu or Liotta at kaliotta@syr.edu for more information.

Picture with caption in this article: Sport Analytics majors and minors represented S.U. at the 2019 Society of American Baseball Research Diamond Dollars Case Competition in Phoenix, Arizona.

Faculty and Staff

S.P.M. news and notes

The 2018-19 academic year was productive for S.P.M. faculty and staff on campus, domestically, and internationally. From presenting research at conferences worldwide to mentoring students on campus and in the community, S.P.M. faculty and staff continue to bring new and important perspectives impacting today’s most critical issues in sport. Listed below is a small sampling of select accomplishments. We invite you to visit the Falk College and Department of Sport Management web site regularly to stay current with S.P.M. students, faculty and staff news.

Rick Burton

David B. Falk endowed professor

Burton presented his research at the 2018 Sport Marketing Association Conference in Dallas, and attended the N.C.A.A. National Convention in Orlando. He co-authored “Forever Orange: The Story of Syracuse University” in honor of S.U.’s 150th anniversary. Burton also serves as S.U.’s Faculty Athletic Representative to the N.C.A.A. and A.C.C.

Dennis Deninger

Professor of practice

The former E.S.P.N. production executive and three-time Emmy Award winner teaches Sport Communications, Super Bowl and Society, and Sports, Media and Society courses. Deninger, who was the founding director of the Sports Communications graduate program at the Newhouse School, lead a group of three S.U. student journalists to Atlanta to cover Super Bowl LIII.

Dr. Justin Ehrlich

Assistant professor

Dr. Ehrlich comes to Syracuse University in Fall 2019 after teaching in the School of Computer Science at Western Illinois University since 2010. Ehrlich will teach sport analytics classes as part of a Syracuse University-wide cluster hire. Ehrlich, whose research is focused on sport epidemiology, sport analytics, and data visualization, received his Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Kansas.

Dr. Mary Graham

Professor

Dr. Graham presented her research at the 2019 American Sociological Association Conference in New York City and continues as an editorial board member for the journal Human Resource Management. She also serves as a Provost’s Faculty Fellow, where she works closely with the Syracuse University Senate to implement campus-wide shared competencies for undergraduate students.

Dr. Jeeyoon Kim

Assistant professor

Dr. Kim received notification from the Falk College Promotion and Tenure Committee that her third-year review was positive and she has been given another three-year contract at Syracuse University. She presented her research at the 2018 Sport Marketing Association Conference in Dallas and the M.E.M.O.S. Olympic Sport Management Convention in Portugal. Dr. Kim will be on research leave for the Fall 2019 semester in South Korea.

Dr. Jeremy Losak

Assistant professor

Dr. Losak is a 2016 Syracuse University Sport Management graduate, who completed his Ph.D. in economics at Clemson in Summer 2019. His research focuses on sport economics, baseball arbitration and betting markets and has been published in Managerial Finance and Academy of Economics and Finance Journal. Losak will teach sport analytics courses beginning in Fall 2019. His research has been accepted for presentation at the 2019 European Sports Economics Association Conference in Spain.

David Meluni

Assistant teaching professor

Meluni spent four years as an adjunct professor in Sport Management before joining the faculty full time in Fall 2018. He has 20 years of experience in the sport industry, including at Florida State Athletics, I.M.G. College, SIDEARM Sports, Infinity Sports and Entertainment, and Skoresheet. Meluni teaches sales, marketing, sponsorship and promotion courses at S.U., and has created class projects with the Syracuse Mets, Syracuse Crunch and Brand Food.

Dr. Rodney Paul

Professor, Analytics program director

Dr. Paul presented his research at the 2019 Academy of Economics and Finance Conference in Tampa and at the 2018 European Association of Sport Economics in England. Dr. Paul, a sports economist, serves as advisor of the S.P.M. Baseball Statistics and Sabermetrics Club, teaches Sport Analytics courses at S.U. and oversees senior thesis projects.

Dr. Gina Pauline

Associate professor, undergraduate program director

Dr. Pauline, who has taught at S.U. since 2006, is conducting research focusing on gender differences in organizational leadership as well as event management practices. She works on curriculum, assessment planning, and evaluation for the department, and is also involved with S.U. Project Advance in the offering of sport management classes to high school students.

Dr. Jeff Pauline

Associate professor, graduate program director

Dr. Pauline presented his research at the 2018 Association of Applied Sport Psychologists (A.A.S.P.) national conference in Toronto. He serves on the A.A.S.P. Continuing Education Committee and is also a member of A.A.S.P., the S.U. Appeals Board, and Falk College’s Grievance Committee. Pauline took students in S.P.M. 101 to the Syracuse Rescue Mission to serve meals and log volunteer hours.

Patrick Ryan

Associate teaching professor

Ryan mentors the S.P.M. Learning Community. He works closely with Falk College information technology staff to best outfit the college with the necessary equipment for the Milton Conrad Technology Center. He also accompanied S.P.M. 356 students on an experiential learning trip to Lake Placid.

Dr. Shane Sanders

Associate professor

Dr. Sanders presented his research at the 2019 Public Choice Meeting in Louisville, the 2018 Midwest Sports Analytics Meeting in Iowa, and at Indiana University. Dr. Sanders is the advisor for the S.P.M. Basketball Analytics Club and teaches Sport Analytics courses at S.U.

Michael Veley

Director and chair, Rhonda S. Falk endowed professor

Veley is the founding director of the Sport Management program at S.U. He serves as vice president of the Syracuse Sports Corporation, is the public address announcer for S.U. football and basketball games, and the advisor of the Sport Management Club. Veley, who spent nearly two decades working as a Division I athletic administrator, serves on the advisory board of the Center of Sports Business and Research at Penn State University.

Dr. Patrick Walsh

Associate professor

Dr. Walsh presented his research at the 2019 Global Sport Business Association Conference, had articles published in Journal of Applied Sport Management and Journal of Contemporary Athletics, and signed a contract to be a co-author on a leading sport marketing textbook. He currently serves on the editorial boards of Sport Marketing Quarterly, the International Journal of Sport Management, and the Journal of Global Sport Management.

Dr. John Wolohan

Professor

Dr. Wolohan spoke at the Clinton School of Public Service in Arkansas as a William J. Clinton Distinguished Lecturer, as well as attended the Australia/New Zealand Sports Law Association Conference and the 2018 United States Sports Congress Conference in Daytona Beach, Florida. Dr. Wolohan also teaches in S.U.’s College of Law.

Sport Management staff updates

Margie Chetney finished her sixth year in Sport Management as an administrative assistant. She works closely with students and faculty, manages department calendars, organizes S.P.M. events, serves as editor of the S.P.M. newsletter and handles social media and news for the department.

Nicole Cost (S.P.M. class of 2008) finished her third year as an internship placement coordinator in Sport Management. She works with S.P.M. seniors on Capstone guidance, undergraduates on internships and advising, as well as being a liaison for department alumni. She is the co-advisor of the S.P.M. Women in Sports and Events (WISE) Club and also teaches S.P.M. 201 and S.P.M. 455.

Lisa Liparulo finished her first year as an internship placement coordinator in Sport Management. She works with S.P.M. seniors on Capstone guidance, as well as undergraduates on internships and advising. She is the co-advisor of WISE, teaches S.P.M. 201 and S.P.M. 455 and acts as a career advisor for S.V.E.M. graduate students.

Kevin McNeill joined the department as an internship placement coordinator in February 2019 after spending 12 years at Le Moyne College as associate athletics director for marketing. He works with S.P.M. seniors on Capstone guidance, as well as undergraduates on internships and advising. He will teach S.P.M. 201 and S.P.M. 455.

Francesco Riverso finished his fourth year in the department, and as the program manager for Sport Analytics has shifted focus to advising Sport Analytics majors, connecting them to internships and working to develop partnerships to benefit the program. He assists in the coordination of the Berlin Sport Analytics Symposium and the Berlin Sport Analytics Summer Academy at S.U., as well as teaching H.S.H. 101 and S.P.M. 201.

Kathryn Tunkel, who celebrated her 26th year at Syracuse University in 2019, is the administrative assistant to S.P.M. director Michael Veley. She works closely with students and faculty, handles all S.P.M. course scheduling, classroom assignments, Intra-University Transfer and S.P.M. minor applications, and student enrollment.

News and Updates

A major win for Sport Management students in Orlando

S.P.M. seniors cherish hands-on football experience

By Mary Beth Horsington, Syracuse University News

When Austin Natowitz was weighing his college options, the Scarsdale, New York, native says he decided on Syracuse University for two reasons. The first was reputation. “I wanted to be where people were proud to say they went to school,” he remembers, “and I wanted a career in a field where consumers are passionate about the product. The sport management major at Falk College was what put S.U. over the top.”

As his final semester at Syracuse approached, Natowitz, who served as a video intern for the S.U. football team, couldn’t have imagined a better finale than the one he witnessed on December 28, 2018. He accompanied the Orange football team to the Camping World Bowl in Orlando, where they took on West Virginia in their first Bowl game since 2013 and came away with a 34-18 win. And Natowitz got to film the whole thing.

“The Bowl opportunity meant everything to me,” Natowitz says. “I worked for the team for three years, and seeing it all pay off with an amazing season—capped off with the Bowl experience—was a dream come true.”

Students like Natowitz gained something beyond the thrill of victory in Orlando. Experiential learning is a cornerstone of the sport management program, and for the students enrolled in the major, the Bowl game presented a live-action laboratory of hands-on experience. It encompassed nearly every aspect of the sport management curriculum—administration, business, sales, facility management, marketing and promotion, analytics, athletic compliance, law, and more.

Drew Meyer, a sport management senior from Baltimore, had been working with Brad Wittke, S.U.’s director of football operations, since his first year at Syracuse. “We focused on travel plans and team itinerary so Coach Babers could focus on the team and the game without distractions,” Meyer says. “If we did our jobs well, we went unnoticed because everything ran smoothly.”

Sport management is a popular program at Syracuse. It’s also demanding and exciting – a lot like playing on a team. “Falk is all about working on group projects that will ultimately prepare us for a career in the industry,” Meyer says. Natowitz concurs. “It’s really selective, so when I was accepted, I knew I had to be the best student I could be.” That resolve led Natowitz to take on minors in marketing through Whitman and public communication through Newhouse. His hard work paid off in May, when he graduated magna cum laude.

Sean Onwualu, a sport management major from Los Angeles, played defensive back for the Orange team. He didn’t plan on a sport management major when he came to Syracuse. “I was a psychology major until my sophomore year, but my roommate was in sport management and I was much more interested in his homework than I was in my own. So I transferred into one of the best programs in the country.”

The Camping World Bowl energized the senior sport management majors as their academic program neared the finish line. Natowitz hopes to parlay his impressive academic record—as well as hands-on experience at Syracuse, a summer internship with sport-tech company Grabyo, and a final semester capstone project at the University of Tennessee— into a career as an athletics director at a prominent university.

“Falk and Syracuse have set me up for success in reaching that goal,” Natowitz says. “I don’t want to scare him, but my dream job is currently occupied by John Wildhack,” Syracuse’s director of athletics.

Meyer’s professional goals lean toward athletic marketing and branding. “Last summer I had a great experience working with the Baltimore Ravens in marketing. I’m confident that with the support of Brad Wittke, sport management intern coordinator Nicole Cost, and countless professors who helped me over the years, I am well prepared to pursue a career in this competitive industry.”

S.U. football counts on S.P.M. students

These students assisted the Syracuse University football team in the 2018-19 academic year as interns or managers: Luke Adelstein, Ethan Barnowitz, Nick Cohen, Aaron Cornelius, Cameryn Cortese, Will Dalton, Dan Geraci, Nate Glazer, Jordan Heller, Adam Israel, Jake Kleban, Marielle McLoughlin, Drew Meyer, Austin Natowitz, Mike Powell and Ethan Yoo.

Picture with caption in this article: Sport Management majors Austin Natowitz, Sean Onwualu and Drew Meyer (from left) are shown at the Camping World Bowl in Orlando, Florida, in December 2018. Natowitz served as a video intern for the team, Onwualu played defensive back and Meyer worked in football operations.

Students immerse themselves in New England sports culture

Eighteen students enrolled in S.P.M. 300 spent eight days during Maymester 2019 in the Boston area touring sport-related facilities, and meeting with industry executives from nearly 20 venues and organizations. The New England Sports Immersion course compares and contrasts business practices, marketing strategies, branding initiatives, social media outreach and the organizational culture of competing sports franchises and entities in the greater New England market.

Students conducted professional networking and met and interacted with more than 70 industry executives and practitioners in the sporting industry, including 13 Syracuse University graduates. The course was taught by Sport Management Director Michael Veley and Sport Management assistant teaching professor David Meluni.

“Building the Syracuse Sport Management footprint throughout New England is important for our students and our program,” Veley said. “We met with a multitude of executives, alumni and practitioners in nearly every facet of sports, which was a transformative experience for the students.”

This year’s trip included meetings with professionals from the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, T.D. Garden, Kraft Analytics and Sports Entertainment Group, Basketball Hall of Fame, New England Sports Center, Tennis Hall of Fame, UMass Lowell Athletics, American Athletic Conference, UMass Amherst Athletics, Major League Lacrosse, ISlide, Baseballism, and Boston Athletic Association.

“The engagement, support and welcome from all of the organizations was incredible,”

Meluni said. “Our students made important connections with numerous executives as they begin to pave their path for the future.”

Students attended a professional soccer match between the New England Revolution and Chelsea; a minor league baseball game at historic McCoy Stadium, home of the Pawtucket Red Sox; a Boston Red Sox game; a collegiate baseball game between Boston College and Notre Dame; and visited Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

“Seeing so many facets of the industry truly opened my eyes to what I could do with my career, from managing sports complexes to sales,” said sport management major Tasha Getten ’21. “I made connections that will help me in my future for sure.”

S.P.M. professors awarded ’CUSE Grants

Sport Management professor Dr. Mary Graham and Sport Management assistant professor Dr. Jeeyoon Kim have been awarded ’CUSE (Collaboration for Unprecedented Success and Excellence) Grants from the Syracuse University office of the Vice President for Research.

Graham teamed with Falk College Public Health assistant professor Bhavneet Walia and Distinguished Professor of Economics William Horrace of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, on a proposal titled “Management Team Diversity and Misconduct by Male Professional Athletes.” The research team seeks to build upon a study by Graham, Walia, and S.P.M. graduate Chris Robinson that found that teams with greater numbers of women executives experienced fewer instances of misconduct by National Football League players. The grant is for $20,000.

Kim teamed with Falk College Sport Management associate professor Dr. Shane Sanders, Public Health assistant professor Dr. Bhavneet Walia, School of Education assistant professor Bong Gee Jang, as well as assistant professor Eui Jun Jeong from Konkuk University in Korea. The project is titled “E-sport, psychological well-being, and sport participation: Data collection and natural field experimental analysis.” Their grant is for $30,000.

The purpose of the ’CUSE Grant is to enhance interdisciplinary collaborations, to grow the research enterprise and enhance scholarship at Syracuse University in order to increase extramural funding and high-quality scholarly output. The program is designed to support faculty in becoming competitive in securing external funding and sponsorship.

Students learn how L.A. sports mecca operates

Los Angeles is quickly becoming the sports capital of the world. Home to 11 major professional sports teams, and having recently won bids for the 2020 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, 2022 Super Bowl LVI, 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship Game and 2028 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles offers a mecca of opportunities for students eager to learn about the sport industry.

Twenty Syracuse University Sport Management students did just that over their March 2019 spring break, spending eight days immersing themselves in L.A.’s sport industry.

The intensive trip to Southern California is part of a course (S.P.M. 358) that allows students to interact with industry executives and practitioners from nearly every sector of the industry. The course compares and contrasts business practices, marketing strategies, branding initiatives, social media outreach and the organizational culture of competing sports franchises and entities in the greater Los Angeles market.

“It was an amazing opportunity to meet with so many well-respected professionals in a large sporting industry such as L.A.,” said Sport Management major Victoria Kelly ’22. “The culture of the sports world in L.A. is unmatched to any other city and has opened my eyes to the professional techniques needed to be successful in the industry.”

A highlight of this year’s trip was a dinner meeting at professional Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton’s house. The group also visited Hollywood, Hoag Classic, NASCAR, U.C.L.A., L.A. Clippers, Dodger Stadium, L.A. Marathon, FOX Sports, L.A. Rams, L.A.F.C., Staples Center, A.E.G., Santa Monica Pier, Rose Bowl, U.S.C., L.A. Kings, L.A. Coliseum, N.F.L. Network, and Legends.

“We strive to introduce students to non-traditional sectors of the industry and opportunities they won’t see in Syracuse,” said Michael Veley, Sport Management director and Rhonda S. Falk Endowed Professor, who teaches S.P.M. 358. “We have more and more of our S.P.M. alumni working in L.A., with many securing their jobs from connections made on this trip.”

Students also attended a Clippers vs. Celtics N.B.A. game and Kings vs. Nashville N.H.L. game.

“I knew this would be a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Sport Management major Marc Orlin ’21. “Eating dinner and spending three hours at Bill Walton’s house was truly amazing. He provided me with helpful information on how I should live my life. As a hockey fan, it was an incredible experience to step onto the L.A. Kings’ ice.”

The students were accompanied on the trip by Veley. Portions of the experience are made possible by a gift from Jeff and Andrea Lomasky.

Graduate students host Orange Guardians charity benefit

Syracuse University’s Sport Venue and Event Management (S.V.E.M.) graduate program raised $15,000 during its Orange Guardians Kickoff fundraiser to benefit Griffins Guardians on April 8, 2019, at Embassy Suites at Destiny U.S.A. in Syracuse. The event included more than 150 attendees, a dinner and reception, entertainment, silent auction, and guest speakers.

Monies raised will support Griffins Guardians, which provides financial assistance to families in Central New York that have a child battling cancer.

“It’s through organizations like Griffin’s Guardians that patients and their families receive the resources they need to fight this disease,” said Syracuse University head football coach Dino Babers. “I commend the Sport Venue and Event Management program for organizing this event.”

This event connected event management courses, including experiential learning opportunities and social responsibility, which are hallmarks of all academic programs across Syracuse University’s Falk College. The execution of this event is part of the S.V.E.M. curriculum that requires students to organize an event to gain hands-on learning experience in the sports industry.

“Being involved in all steps of the event planning and management process was a great way to learn and develop as industry professionals,” said Sport Venue and Event Management graduate student Baylee Douglas ’19. “Griffin’s Guardians is such a deserving partner and we really cherished furthering their efforts in bringing awareness to pediatric cancer.”

The students worked on the event as part of their S.P.M. 665 Advanced Event Management class and S.P.M. 635 Marketing Sport Venues and Events class. Students were responsible for all aspects of the event, including selecting the community partner, operations, marketing, hospitality, fundraising, and sponsorships.

“The students decided to plan a different event than what was done in previous years,” said Dr. Gina Pauline, Sport Management associate professor and undergraduate director. “The result was the creation of a top-notch experience for attendees that included guest speakers, cancer survivors and athletes such as Rex Culpepper and Rob Long, specialty food, music, and an incredible keynote speaker. Falk College is proud of our graduate students for bringing awareness to pediatric cancer while helping to raise funds for this very worthy cause.”

Picture with caption in this article: Syracuse University football coach Dino Babers (left) served as keynote speaker for the Orange Guardians Kickoff fundraiser on April 8. The event benefited Griffin’s Guardians, which is named for Griffin Engle, who passed away from brain cancer in 2014. Babers is shown with Griffin’s sister Grace, mother Erin, brother Everett, and father Adam.

Advocating for inclusive facilities access

To prepare students in the Venue Management course to advocate for inclusive facilities access as future sport venue and events professionals, assistant professor of sport management Dr. Jamie Kim incorporated “Inclusive U” training into her S.P.M. 437 syllabus in Fall 2018.

Twelve students took the 10-hour online training program offered by the Inclusive Recreation Resource Center, supported by the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (N.Y.S. D.D.P.C.). As part of the training, students used measurement tapes, door pressure gauge, and inclinometers to examine spaces, access, and equipment. After completion of the training to learn about accessibility and inclusive buildings, students were Certified Inclusivity Assessors and able to conduct inclusivity assessments.

“Inclusive access to public buildings is a civil right for people with disabilities, which should be better promoted and has a lot of room to improve,” Kim said. “It is critical for students, as future venue managers, to acknowledge the importance of and understand the standards for inclusive access.”

Students in the class found the certification process helpful.

“Through this class, I was met with a new sense of profound awareness about making public recreation areas and buildings accessible for all people of all ages no matter what circumstances they might have,” said Sport Analytics major Sam Marteka ’21.

Picture with caption in this article: During the training, students used measuring tapes, door pressure gauges, and inclinometers to examine spaces around S.U.’s campus.

European Olympic Odyssey highlights four countries in 19 days

Fourteen students from across the University and the Department of Sport Management, led by S.P.M. assistant professor Dr. Jeeyoon Kim, traveled to Europe in May as part of S.P.M. 357, a 19-day, four-country Olympic Odyssey trip.

The program began in London, where students experienced the impact of the 2012 Summer Games. From there, they traveled to Paris, birthplace of the modern Olympic movement and host of the 2024 Summer Games. The students visited the French Paralympics Committee and I.N.S.E.P. (the National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance) as well as attended a P.S.G. Ligue 1 match. Next, the group traveled to Lausanne, Switzerland, to inspect the present-day “Olympic Capital” and headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.) since 1915. Students met with I.O.C. representatives from Television and Marketing Services, The Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the Olympic Studies Center. They also visited the Olympic Museum and tried archery at the World Archery Excellence Centre. The group then headed to Greece and toured the ancient facilities at Olympia, Delphi, and Marathon. The trip concluded in Athens, site of the 2004 Summer Games.

“This was the trip of a lifetime,” said sport management major Andrew Perodeau ’22. “Learning about the Olympics while touring four amazing countries is a rare opportunity that most people won’t experience. My eyes have been opened to a whole new world of job opportunities, with the I.O.C. or even partner organizations and Olympic committees.”

The group also visited Wembley Stadium, the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Alps, Parthenon, and the New Acropolis Museum, among other sites.

Students spent the Spring 2019 semester learning about the Olympic Games as part of S.P.M. 356 Olympic Sport Management. They kept a blog of the trip. Find it online.

A.C.C. honors SPM student-athletes

Ten Syracuse University Sport Management student-athletes were named on the Atlantic Coast Conference Honor Roll for the 2018-19 academic year. The Honor Roll is comprised of student-athletes who participated in a varsity-level sport and registered a grade point average of 3.0 or better for the full academic year.

The S.P.M. honorees are:

Cody Conway, football

Drina Domic, soccer

Lindsay Eastwood, ice hockey

Joey Eovaldi, track and cross country

Josie Kiesel, rowing

Alexandra Olnowich, ice hockey

Sean Onwualu, football

Tara Ryan, rowing

Kristen Siermachesky, ice hockey

Ryan Smith, crew

Syracuse Sport Business Conference set for Spring 2020

Syracuse University’s Department of Sport Management is planning the inaugural Syracuse Sports Business Conference for April 17, 2020. The conference, originally devised by Syracuse University students Evan Weinberg (Sport Management ’20), Benjamin Alon (Marketing Management and Finance ’21) and Ryan First (Economics ’20), looks to feature the latest trends and issues facing the sports industry. The conference will focus on the role of legalized sports betting and its evolving impact across the sporting landscape.

Planning for the conference began in the spring of 2019 with the goal of hosting a premier undergraduate-run sports business conference, featuring speaker panels, industry leaders and top professionals highlighting the latest trends and forecasting the future of sport. The one-day event will look to attract industry professionals, academics and students across New York State with an interest and passion for the sport industry and the latest developments regarding sports wagering.

With the planning and organization of the event, S.U. students are earning real-world experience assuming leadership roles in planning the conference, securing speakers and presenters, developing marketing and communication plans, selling ticket and sponsorship packages, managing finances and organizing event logistics. Visit the Falk College Department of Sport Management website for more information as it becomes available, including the event date and location. Email questions to Kevin McNeill at kjmcneil@syr.edu or call 315.443.1546.

Experiencing Olympic history in Lake Placid

In February, undergraduate Sport Management students (as part of their S.P.M. 356 Olympic Sport Management class) traveled to Lake Placid, accompanied by S.P.M. assistant professor Dr. Jamie Kim and S.P.M. associate teaching professor Pat Ryan. It was the 10th annual Winter Olympic Odyssey trip to Lake Placid for Sport Management.

The group stayed overnight at the United States Olympic Training Center where Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls were staying. Students also had a chance to play basketball and volleyball at the Center, and learn about the management of Olympic venues from United States Olympic Committee operations manager Jared Steenberg.

“Being able to see first-hand where the Miracle on Ice happened was spectacular. Lake Placid is such a historic place in Olympic history, and I’m so glad I was able to go on the trip and learn so much about its history,” said sport management major Michael Feinberg ’19.

Led by Lake Placid historian and tour guide Jim Rogers, the group visited the Olympic Center hockey arena, where the 1980 “miracle on ice” took place, and visited the 1932/1980 Winter Olympic Museum. They visited the Olympic Jumping Complex, where they took an elevator to the top of the 120-meter ski-jumping tower. Also, the students toured the Olympic Sports Complex, home to the bobsled, skeleton and luge tracks, and the biathlon range.

“Witnessing the Olympic legacy in person and learning from Olympic experts is truly a valuable experience for the students,” Kim said. “This year’s trip was particularly special, as we visited Lake Placid on the anniversary of the ‘Miracle on Ice.’ It was a great chance to see how the Olympics can bring pride and social cohesion to the host country.”

Former minor leaguers talk Business of Baseball

In November 2018, the Department of Sport Management hosted a panel discussion titled “The Business of Baseball” featuring former Minor League Baseball players Steve Bean and Nick Sinay as well as Marc DelPiano, a scout for the New York Yankees who also played two seasons of minor league baseball.

The panelists discussed opportunities in professional baseball operations, scouting, front office administration, and analytics. They also provided insight on how players progress through the minor league system, from signing a contract to agent relations, nutrition, and endorsement opportunities.

Sport Management assistant teaching professor Dave Meluni organized the event and moderated the discussion.

“It was a tremendous opportunity for our students to hear from these professionals who are knowledgeable in all aspects of the game, from a player perspective and from the business side,” said Meluni, who teaches sales, sponsorship and promotion, and managing the sport organization.

Bean was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2012 M.L.B. June Amateur Draft and played more than 300 games for five teams in the minor leagues. DelPiano, a scout for the New York Yankees, has also worked for the Pittsburgh and Miami Marlins. Sinay was drafted by Toronto in 2015 and played more than 175 games with three teams in the minor leagues.

DelPiano told the students, “You don’t have to be a former player to make a career in the baseball world, as determination and drive will keep you in the game as long as you want.”

Senior honored by Michigan Sports Business Conference

Sport Management senior Brigid Daly ’19 was named a 2018 BIG Initiative Award Winner by the Michigan Sports Business Conference, an honor presented to 10 high-achieving sport management students in the Unites States and Canada. BIG stands for “Build, Inspire, Grow.”

Daly attended the prestigious conference on Oct. 19 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She heard from featured guest speakers and industry professionals such as Jeff Wilpon, chief operating officer for the New York Mets; DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the N.F.L. Players Association; and Estee Portnoy, senior vice president of marketing for Live Nation.

“The panelists provided insight into where the sport industry is headed, and I am definitely more interested in eSports and analytics after hearing from them,” said Daly, who is from Ellicott City, Maryland.

Launched in 2013, the BIG Initiative annually recognizes outstanding student leaders in sport business who have achieved an exceptional level of success. Each year, the M.S.B.C. attracts top applicants from across the nation. Those receiving the honor are selected on the basis of demonstrated entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation and leadership. Nominees must be students with a passion for the sport industry that demonstrate a truly remarkable curriculum vitae.

“I was able to network with a lot of the speakers, Michigan sport management students and other BIG Initiative award winners,” Daly said. “I was incredibly impressed by the other students at the conference and the connections I made with fellow students were most valuable.”

Daly completed her senior capstone in Fall 2018 at Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment in New York City. She previously interned with the N.F.L., Inside Lacrosse and participated in a job-shadowing program with the Washington Wizards. Daly graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2019 and has accepted a marketing coordinator position with Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis.

Vibrant Orange spirit brought transfer student to Syracuse

“Whether grabbing pizza at Varsity on Marshall Street, studying in Bird Library or sitting in class, everywhere you look you see others wearing orange, the color of their beloved University. This is why I love ’Cuse,” said Sport Management major Alec Bieber ’19.

Bieber is from Scarsdale, just north of New York City. Following his mother’s lead, a Syracuse alumna of the Class of 1988, he grew up visiting campus to cheer on the Orange in the Carrier Dome every winter.

But Bieber didn’t start his college career at Syracuse. After spending his freshman year at another university, undecided about his major, the undeniable school spirit at Syracuse University captured his attention. “Not being at S.U. my freshman year simply felt wrong,” he says. “I visited campus and knew right away that Syracuse was the place I needed to spend my next three years. Just walking around, with every other student wearing orange, made me realize how proud people are of the University.”

It was at Syracuse that Bieber, an avid sports fan, discovered the Sport Management major in Falk College. “I could find no better major for me to combine my passion of sports and my ultimate career goals and aspirations.” He was accepted into the program and transferred to Syracuse University in 2016.

In the Fall of 2018, Bieber completed his senior capstone with Lagardere Sports and Entertainment in New York City, as a strategic consulting intern for Lagardere Plus. He previously interned at Morgan Stanley and M.L.B. Advanced Media in the E-Commerce department.

Even when he’s far from campus, Bieber feels supported by Sport Management faculty and staff, including internship placement coordinator Francesco Riverso. “The advisors are all easy to contact, talk to and are always looking out for their students. From day one, Francesco helped me find internships and get involved,” Bieber said.

In Falk College, every major has dedicated internship coordinators to connect students to opportunities regionally and internationally. “Whether it is emailing about postings, checking over cover letters or resumes, or just giving advice for phone or video interviews, the advising staff has been phenomenal,” Bieber said.

Bieber, who graduated from Syracuse in May 2019, also earned a minor in public communications studies, and hopes to head his own sport talent agency or sport media company in the future.

Picture with caption in this article: Sport Management major Alec Bieber ’19 (left), who transferred to Syracuse University in 2016, is shown with former New York Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez at Citi Field in Fall 2018.

Guest Speakers

S.P.M. guest speakers 2018-19

Marc Albert, assistant manager of theater operation, OnCenter

Lindsay Amstutz, senior vice president/general manager, Fox Sports West

Steve Bean, former Minor League Baseball player

Jill Bodensteiner, athletic director, Saint Joseph’s University

Brent Braden, Nike College Sports Marketing

Tiffany Brec, campus project coordinator, Vera House

Leo Cardenas, senior manager of inside sales, Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment

Jay Canell, managing director and portfolio manager, J.P. Morgan Securities

Neil Canell, managing director and portfolio manager, J.P. Morgan Securities

Andrew Cohn, director of marketing solutions, Advantage.

David Coletti, vice president of media intelligence, E.S.P.N.

Marc Delpiano, scout, New York Yankees.

Howard Deneroff, executive vice president, Westwood One

Kristen Denick, director of ticket sales and retention, Syracuse Crunch

Elizabeth Dulillo-Brown, senior vice president, of marketing and communications, Little League

Emily Dumas, membership experience account executive, Phoenix Suns

Erin Engle, president and founder, Griffins Guardians

David B. Falk, college benefactor and founder, FAME

Luis Guilamo, director of analytics, Buffalo Bills

Mike Gursha, chairman and C.E.O., Rookie Road

Brett Hammond, executive vice president of sales for the Americas, Catapult Sports

Brad Horn, professor of practice public relations, Newhouse, Syracuse University

Aaron Hugo, owner, Pinckney Hugo Group

Lawrence Hryb, director of programming, Xbox Live

Peri Karslioglu, senior marketing coordinator, NASCAR Foundation

Alex Kline, operations assistant, New Orleans Pelicans Basketball

Jordan Leatherman, senior account executive, Multicultural Development at NASCAR

Kevin Leveille, brand & event director, Summit Lacrosse Ventures, L.L.C.

Andrea Marino, senior manager of corporate activation and marketing, Syracuse Crunch

Bill McConnell, president/manager, Cortland Crush Baseball

Ian McFate, division manager of premium services, Aramark

Rosemarie Nelson, president, Mountain Goat Run

Mario Oliveri, manager of inside sales, New York Yankees

Michael Patent, founder, Culture Group

Andy Pregler, operations producer, Topps, Inc.

Jason Riddell, senior sports scientist, EDGE 10

Kevin Rochlitz, senior vice president of corporate sales and business development, Baltimore Ravens

Joe Rosen, lawyer, founder and managing member, Brown & Rosen; attorney, principal agent, Icon Sports Boston

Dominick Sabatino, Northeast Region senior sales manager, PepsiCo. Foodservice

Jim Sarosy, chief operating officer, Syracuse Crunch

Paul Schoeneck, designer and fabricator, Kick’s Clothing

Jon Shepherd, co-founder/director, Australian Sports Commission

Mikko Simon, chief operating officer, POINT 3 Basketball

Nick Sinay, former Minor League Baseball player, real estate agent, Hunt Realty

Jason Smorol, general manager, Syracuse Mets

Lynn Steenberg, president, Sports Physical Therapy of New York

Eric Stensland, manager of integrated marketing, Dunkin’

Scott Sugar, director of physical education and athletics, Fayetteville-Manlius School District

Brittney Sykes, W.N.B.A.’s Atlanta Dream

Micah Tannenbaum, associate digital manager, N.B.A.

Jason Thomas, associate general manager, I.M.G.

Mark Trumbo, student-athlete engagement coordinator, Syracuse University Athletics

Adam Vogel, senior director training and development, Sports Business Solutions

Troy Waffner, director, New York State Fair

Cheryl Wells, Empower

Jill Weston, volunteer coordinator, Rescue Mission

Mary Wilson, Empower F.C.U.

Adam Winslow, general manager, Auburn Doubledays

Via Skype:

Alexandria Anneheim, manager of inside sales, Charlotte Hornets

Brian Carroll, senior vice president, L.P.G.A. Tour

Jeremy Darlow, brand consult and author

Drew Esocoff, executive producer, N.B.C. Sunday Night Football

Buffy Filippell, president, TeamWork Online

Dr. Karen Freberg, associate professor of strategic communication, University of Louisville

Fred Gaudelli, executive producer, N.B.C. Sunday Night Football

Erin Lewis, senior group sales, Boston Celtics

Michael Mariano, senior director of research and analysis, Wasserman

Monte McNair, assistant general manager, Houston Rockets

Jiyoon Oh, chief marketing officer, Korean Olympic Committee

Laurie Orlando, senior vice president for talent development, C.B.S.

Seth Partnow, director of basketball research, Milwaukee Bucks

Matt Perez, group director, Octagon

Mariana Quintanilla, organization committee, Peru PanAmerican Games 2019

D.J. Shea, senior client solutions manager, LinkedIn

Andrew Sidney, manager of group tickets and inside sales, Houston Rockets

Jonathan Stahler, associate attorney, Kenner & Imparato P.L.L.C.

David Tyree, director of player engagement, New York Giants

Sam Walker, author

Pete Ward, chief operating officer, Indianapolis Colts

Alex Wood, product manager, Teamwork Online

Advisory Council

Chair Brandon Steiner served as founder and chairman of Steiner Sports Marketing and Memorabilia for more than 30 years. Considered a sports marketing guru, Steiner served as Falk College’s Convocation speaker in May 2019. He’s the author of three books, and received Syracuse University’s highest alumni honor, The Arents Award, in October 2015.

Chair Emeritus David Falk is the founder and C.E.O. of FAME. Considered to be the most influential player agent the N.B.A. has ever seen, Falk was listed among the “100 Most Powerful People in Sport” for 12 straight years. A gift from Rhonda S. Falk ’74 and David B. Falk ’72 in 2011 established the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

Ronald Bernard has over 35 years experience in the entertainment, sports, and media industries in both senior operating and financial capacities. He is president of L.W.B. Consulting, a media/ sports consulting advisory to private equity firms looking to make investments in the sports/ entertainment industry.

Russ Brandon is a sports executive, best known for his tenure in the front office and as president of the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres.

Nicholas Carparelli Jr. has worked as senior director of sports marketing at Under Armour, as the senior associate commissioner at the Big East Conference as well as with the New England Patriots and at the University of Notre Dame. He received his Master’s degree from S.U.

Howard Deneroff, an S.U. graduate, is the executive vice president of Westwood One’s sports programming, responsible for the coordination of all on-air elements for national radio play-by-play broadcasts of the N.F.L.; N.H.L.; College Football and N.C.A.A. Championship properties; the Olympics; the Masters; the P.G.A. Championship; and the Triple Crown of Horse Racing.

Kelly Downing is a marketing veteran with more than 20 years experience working with sports teams, international sporting events, athletes, agencies, and consumer brands. She currently consults on business and marketing strategies for a wide range of clients.

Michael Duda is the cofounder and managing partner of Bullish Inc., a marketing and consumer investment-driven company whose portfolio has included Under Armour, Nike, Pelton, Casper, Harry’s, and Warby Parker. Duda has spent 25 years in the world of Madison Avenue, overseeing multiple Super Bowl campaigns, sport company launches and partnerships.

Patti Fallick is the managing director of broadcast operations at the United States Tennis Association (U.S.T.A.), where she oversees the broadcast department for both the U.S. Open and U.S.T.A. properties. Prior to the U.S.T.A., she was a member of the original team for M.L.B. Network’s record-setting launch in 2009. The S.U. graduate has won seven Emmy Awards.

Shawn Garrity is the founder and chief executive officer for Circle T.P.R., a guest experience production agency founded in 2013. Garrity has worked with many global brands including M.G.M., Warner Brothers, the N.B.A., M.L.B., E.S.P.N., Orange Bowl Committee, Adobe and N.B.C. Garrity was a scholarship athlete at S.U., playing football from 1982-86.

Mark Geddis is president and C.E.O. of Geddis Holdings and managing partner of Super Fan Sports Fundraising. Prior to that, he was the founder and C.E.O. of Collegiate Images and was also director of marketing communications for the Florida Marlins.

Charma Harris, a 2013 graduate of S.U.’s Sport Management program, is a Talent Acquisition Coordinator at C.N.A., a non-profit research and analysis organization based in Arlington, Virginia. Prior to C.N.A., Harris worked for five years at the P.G.A. Tour as a Tournament Services Coordinator and Manager at the W.G.C.-Cadillac Championship in Miami, Florida.

Pam Hollander is vice president of consumer marketing at Allstate, where she leads the corporation’s Sponsorship Marketing and Promotions group as well as Multicultural Marketing and Local/Agent Marketing. She joined Allstate in 2000 and has been in the marketing, communications and public relations industry for more than 25 years.

Cliff Kaplan is chairman of Equity Sports Partners (E.S.P.), a boutique sports marketing and media company based in New York City. Previous to founding E.S.P., Kaplan, an S.U. graduate, served as president and C.E.O. of Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment. He has been an industry leader for more than 25 years.

David Kleinhandler, an S.U. graduate, is president and founder of New Venture Financial Wellness and has been an entrepreneur for over 30 years. His other projects include Dynasty Financial Partners and Foundations, including a partnership with Carmelo Anthony’s “Courts for Kids.”

Rob Konrad, an S.U. graduate, is the chairman of Alterna Financial, a Floridabased private investment management firm. Konrad began his career in the financial services industry during his career in the N.F.L. and served as a long-time team representative for the National Football League Players Association.

Chris Lencheski is the chief executive officer at Winning Streak Sports. Prior to this role, he worked with M.P. & Silva, Phoenicia Sport and Entertainment, and served as chairman of the board of managers and chief executive officer for I.R.G. Sports + Entertainment (I.R.G.S.E.). He has worked in the global sports and entertainment landscape for more than 20 years.

David Levy, an S.U. graduate, spent the last 30 years working in television. He served as president of Turner for the past six years before leaving in early 2019. He led the company’s advertising sales, affiliate sales, and sports units.

Deidra Maddock is vice president of sports marketing at E.S.P.N. She oversees fan and brand marketing efforts across a variety of professional league content, E.S.P.N.-owned events and fantasy sports efforts. Previously, she worked for Comcast, Discovery Channel and Ogilvy & Mather.

Sandy Montag is chief executive officer of The Montag Group, a talent management, consulting, content development and media strategy company focused in the world of sports, entertainment and lifestyle. Prior to that, Montag spent 30 years at I.M.G. He also developed and is chief operating officer of Ari Fleischer Communications.

Laurie Orlando is senior vice president for talent strategy at C.B.S. News. The S.U. graduate oversees recruiting, development, and planning for on-air talent. Prior to joining C.B.S. News, Orlando served as senior vice president for talent development and planning at E.S.P.N.

Michael J. Patent is the co-founder and managing director of Culture Group, a pan-Asian entertainment marketing agency founded in 2016. The entertainment and brand marketing executive has a 15-year history of developing creative brand partnerships and innovative brand strategies in the U.S. and Asia. Prior to founding Culture Group, Patent served as senior vice president with A.E.G. Global Partnerships in Shanghai.

Kevin Rochlitz is the senior vice president of corporate sales and business development for the N.F.L.’s Baltimore Ravens. He previously worked for Mandalay Sports and Entertainment, and as an assistant athletic director at the University of Miami.

Jeffrey Rubin is the founder and C.E.O. of Sidearm Sports (a Learfield I.M.G. College company), which provides digital engagement platforms to the largest brands in college athletics. Rubin also serves as an associate professor of practice at Syracuse University’s iSchool.

Ben C. Sutton Jr. (emeriti) is chairman of Teall Capital, a private equity company. Sutton was previously chairman and C.E.O. of I.M.G. College, which he founded as I.S.P. Sports in 1992 and built into a nearly billion dollar enterprise.

Kathrine Switzer (emeriti) is one of running’s most iconic figures: her genderbarrier breaking run in the 1967 Boston Marathon launched the women’s running revolution. The S.U. graduate is an Emmy-award winning T.V. commentator, author, speaker and founder of “261 Fearless,” a global non-profit to empower women through running.

Mike Tirico, a broadcaster for N.B.C. Sports, has handled a variety of assignments for E.S.P.N., E.S.P.N. Radio and A.B.C. Sports since 1991, establishing himself as one of the most recognizable faces in the industry. In 1987, he was the first recipient of the Bob Costas Scholarship, given to a broadcast journalism student at Syracuse University.

Tiffer Valente, a 2012 graduate of S.U.’s Sport Management program, is chief operating officer at Beat The Bomb in Brooklyn. Previously, he spent five years working for I.M.G. College (now Learfield I.M.G. College), with roles in sales strategy and operations, as well as partnership marketing.

John Wildhack has served as Syracuse University’s Director of Athletics since August 2016. Previously he worked as executive vice president of programming and production for E.S.P.N. The S.U. graduate oversaw all of E.S.P.N.’s production efforts, as well as programming acquisitions, rights holder relationship management, and scheduling.

Roland Williams, an S.U. graduate, is president and chief executive officer of All Pro Catalyst, a consulting firm providing program and staff development services to school districts, municipalities and non-profits. Williams, a Super Bowl champion, is also a motivational speaker, author and social entrepreneur.

Michael Wohl (emeriti) is a partner in Coral Rock Development Group. Previously, he served as president of Pinnacle Housing Group, which focuses on the development of quality, affordable housing in South Florida. Wohl is an S.U. graduate.

Alumni

To our S.P.M. alumni,

Thank you for filling out our recent survey, allowing us to include you in the pages that follow. If you didn’t receive the survey via email, or if the information included here is inaccurate, please send your information to records@syr.edu to be sure Syracuse University has your current information.

There’s never been a more exciting time for students and alumni in the Sport Management Department. Between on-campus events like S.P.M. Alumni in #SportsBiz to hosting students in the workplace during S.P.M. Week, opportunities to engage with our Orange alums continue to evolve.

Here are some dates to save so you can join us in 2019-2020:

October 18, 2019: S.P.M. Alumni in #SportsBiz [Now We’re the Pros]
December 2019: 15th Annual Charity Sports Auction
January 6-10, 2020: S.P.M. Week (Students and Professionals Meet)

We are so appreciative of your willingness to give back through donations for the annual charity sports auction, your time on the phone or in person during informational interviews, guest lecturing in our classes, hosting students at your office, or becoming a Capstone site supervisor. We wouldn’t be as special as we have grown to be without all of you.

To keep up to date on all S.P.M. news and events, visit the Falk College Department of Sport Management website.

Be sure to follow Sport Management on Twitter @SUSportMgmt, and “like” us on Facebook at S.U. Falk College Department of Sport Management.

For job postings, visit our LinkedIn group.

Want to get involved? Contact me at 315.443.7418 or nfimbrog@syr.edu. We love to hear from our alumni!

—Nicole (Imbrogno) Cost, S.P.M. ’08, internship placement coordinator

Sport Management Alumni

Listing of alumni showing name, employer and title.

Class of 2008

Blanchette, Jason - Boston College, Senior Associate Director of Marketing

Cost, Nicole (Imbrogno) - Syracuse University Sport Management, Internship Coordinator

Fernandez, Emmanuel - A.C.E. Programs, Senior Job Developer

Fischer, Lauren - The Willows Community School, Classroom Teacher

Friedman, Julie (Nemeroff) - National Basketball Association, Senior Manager

Harrington, Kelly - Droga5, Business Development Director

Hayes, Mark - Syracuse Crunch, Vice President of Revenue Development

McFate, Ian - Aramark Sports and Entertainment at Citizens Bank Park, Division Manager, Premium Services

Miller, Casey - Grabyo, Director, Partnerships and Channel Sales

Peetoom, Brad - Lhoist North America Ltd., Sales and Logistics Manager

Petrino, Jeff - WarnerMedia Sports, Director

Ross, Michael - Atlanta Falcons, Eastern Regional Scout

Shur, Steven - Giordano, Halleran and Ciesla, P.C., Attorney

Silverman, Jake - University of Pennsylvania, Associate Athletic Director

Smith, Lauren - Wayfair Manager, Learning and Development

Stanmyre, Jackie (Friedman) - Rutgers University School of Social Work, Teaching Instructor/Program Coordinator

Suskind, Alex - Entertainment Weekly, Senior Editor, Music

Taubin, Ian - LoyalT Strategies, Principal Consultant

Class of 2009

Campbell, Lindsey - The DeBerry Group, Public Relations and CrisisLead

Freiberg, Jina Song - Public Welfare Foundation, Grants Manager

Galvin, John - D.W. Clark, Inc., Operations and Production Control

Gay, Matt - Cleveland Indians, Senior Account Executive, Corporate Partnerships

Guha, Saurab - Lazard Investment, Banker

Harrington, Kelly - Droga5, Business Development Director

Intrater, Evan - Lyft, Senior Tech Recruiter

Juhas, Michael - Digital Remedy, Executive Vice President of Client Services

Levenson, Samantha (Berschler) - FanDuel, Talent Acquisition

Maljovec, Jorden - Rosen Law Office of Jorden Rosen Maljovec, Attorney at Law, Co-Owner at Trough Juice Bar

Martin, Nick - McLaren Racing Group Partnership, Development Director

Mountford, Thornton - SeatGeek, Manager, Revenue Operations

Perry, Matthew - ServiceNow, Manager, Global Sales Development

Szklany, Greg - American Dairy Association North East, Public Relations Specialist

Van Hoff, Ashley - McDermott Will and Emery, Attorney

Class of 2010

Abramson, Andrew - Riviera Partners, Director

Alken, Mark - C.B.S. Sports, Digital Archivist

Bassewitz, Michael - Paragon Marketing Group, Account Executive

Brantman, Ashley (Neiman) - Intersport Group, Account Director

Brewster, Tom - Boston Bruins/Delaware North, Communications Manager

Bubier, Rachel - Houston Astros, Coordinator, Community Relations, Astros Foundation

Cohn, Andrew - Deloitte, Manager, Sponsorship Activation

Elken, Erik - A.B.C.-7 El Paso, Primetime Anchor

Gorsky, Jason - MongoD.B., Senior Technical Recruiter

Kravec, Mike - Feld Entertainment, Tour Manager

Langlais, Nicole (Merrit) - Big Noise, Live Director, Brand Partnerships

Leach, Chrissy (Cronin) - Boston Celtics, Senior Manager, Group Sales

Levy, Joshua - W.M.E., Agent

Lewis, Josh - Storelli, Marketing Storelli

Mahaffy, Brandon - Genius Sports, Senior Project Manager

Masri, Lena (Dubensky) - The Right Step, Development Director

May-West, Eileen (Finn) - Wasatch Adaptive Sports, Program Director

Miksitz, Alyson - Zurich, Underwriter

Persoff, Joey Baker and Hostetler L.L.P. Associate Attorney

Piken, Jonathan - Prudential Financial, Process Management Specialist

Posser, Erick - Stash, Senior Legal Counsel

Prinsell, Jon - Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Forge F.C., director of business intelligence and data analytics

Reynolds, Matt - Boston Celtics, Video Coordinator

Saxena, Aneesh - Wayfair, Senior Manager

Shreve, Michael - M.D.S. and Associates, Manufacturer’s Representative

Siegal-Eisman, Zach - Artist Network Management, Junior Manager

Sotiropulos, Chris - Oakland Raiders, Senior Director, Stadium Development and Operations

Spicer-Lloyd, Ashley - U.S. Money Reserve, Operations Project Manager

Staton, Sam - Northern California Golf Association, Director, Events and Travel

Stone, Kevin - Boston Bruins and T.D. Garden, Ticket Sales Manager

Taylor, Gordie - Implus, Category Manager

Watson, Matt - Glover, Young, Hammack, Walton and Simmons, P.L.L.C., Partner

Wood, Sam - PuckAgency, Client Representative

Young, Tyler - Braze, Director, People Enablement

Class of 2011

Aponte, Adriel - Robert Half, Assistant Vice President of Software and Application Development

Baldassarre, Adam - S.M.E. Live Nation Vice President, Entertainment and Speakers

Bleaken, Alyssa (Burkgren) - Cornell University, Financial Services Representative

Bourque, Basil - Visa Inc., Director, A.M.L./C.T.F. Compliance

Carroll, Sarah (Tepper) - Small Shindigs, Owner

Cooper, Jordan - Andela, Account Manager

DePoint, Devin - Datto, Inc., Product Manager

Fair, Shantel - City of Jersey, City Youth Engagement Coordinator

Heinen, Devon - New Statesman, Freelance Journalist

Hucal, Julian - E.Y., Engagement Manager, Data and Analytics

Letterii, Marie - SUNY Orange County Community College, Associate Director of Admission

Meyer, Brian - Endeavor, Senior Account Manager

Reagan, Katie Lyn (Ciurzynski) - G.&G. Outfitters, Director of Accounts

Robbins, Ashley - UMass Lowell, Director of Athletic Communications

Salvan, Morgan - N.Y.U. Leonard N. Stern School of Business, M.B.A. Candidate

Sharkey, Brian - Indeed.com, Account Manager

Shimrat, Alexander - PromoShop, Account Manager

Woltz, Brett - ROAR, Digital Partnerships Manager

Yeremian, Zack - Integrated Digital Strategies, Chief Operations Officer

Class of 2012

Bongrazio, Caitlin (Kalinowski) - Walt Disney World, Recreation Guest Experience Manager

Cohen, Matthew - Riddle and Bloom, Account Supervisor

Czysz, Danielle - DraftKings, Inc., Events Specialist

Davidson, Bryan - Authentic Brands Group, Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs

Edwards, Jennifer - Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, Senior Account Manager, Partnership Activation

Hochberg, Sam - Oracle, Technology Sales Executive, National Accounts

Holden, Sarah - Fleet Feet, Inc., Human Resources Business Partner

Irvin, Zuri - Blue Duck, Media Producer

Lazare, Zach - The Madison Square Garden Co., Director, Account Management

Nightingale, Josh - Kraft Analytics Group, Analyst

Norowski, Ben - New York Red Bulls, Youth Soccer Sales Supervisor

Prisco, Anthony - SIDEARM Sports, Support Specialist/Account Manager

Proctor, Brian - Special Care Systems, Sales Executive

Resavy, Nick - Northeast Elite Basketball, Co-Founder/Head of Basketball

Tischler, Michael - Comcast, Facilities Amenities Manager

Valente, Tiffer - Beat The Bomb, Chief Operating Officer

Class of 2013

Abrams, Jesse - Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, Senior Manager

Alexander, George - Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Certified Diamontologist/Jewelry Specialist

Altavilla, Drew - University of Texas at San Antonio, Director of Facilities and Event Operations

Berkowitz, Jake - Monumental Sports and Entertainment, Event Manager

Berman, Danielle - D.B. Consulting Firm, L.L.C., Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Boepple, Ryan - University of Colorado, Law Student

Bruno, Nicole (Salzman) - C.S.M. Sports and Entertainment, Senior Account Manager, Consulting

Costello, Sarah - Tampa Bay Lightning, Lightning Foundation and Community Events Manager

Davidson, P.J. - New York Yankees, Assistant Manager, Group Sales and Service

Firestone, Evan - Boston Private Wealth, Operations Specialist

Geant, Jim - New York Road Runners, Senior Manager, Business Development and Strategic Partnerships

Harris, Charma - C.N.A. Corporation, Talent Acquisition Associate

Jacobino, Jonathan - Dow Jones, Senior Associate

Linowes, Rayna - Spartan Race, Inc., Procurement and Planning Manager

McWhirter, Ian - M.K.T.G., Client Director

Noel, Taylor - Bain and Company, Executive Assistant

Pannucci, Lizzy - Princeton University, Manager of Intercollegiate Programming

Reuben, Jeffrey - Access Sports, Media Accounts Director

Rudy, Aaron - Tulane University, Athletics Department, Associate Director of Marketing and Promotions

Ruiz, Carlos - Major League Baseball, Senior Digital Producer

Samost, Matthew - Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment, Vice President of New Ventures

Voelker, Alvaro - Octagon, Account Manager

Wallace, Logan - Head-Royce School, Teacher

Class of 2014

Ackah, Rich - Disney/A.B.C. Television Group, Sales Planner

Andre, Matthew - Universal Tennis, Account Executive

Ashe, Matthew - Octagon, Account Manager

Ayres, Allie - U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties, Coordinator, Partnership Marketing

Corasaniti, Peter - Syracuse University, Athletics Department, Director of Men’s Basketball Operations

DiDonato, Andrew - SportsEngine, Support Team Lead

Dragona, Anthony - National Basketball Association, Global Events

Gilroy, Molly - Mi.Q., Trader

Greenfield, Brett - Feiner Wolfson L.L.C., Attorney

Haggerty, Kylee - Bike New York, Associate Director of Events

Jacobson, Max - Home Team Sports, a Division of Fox Sports, Account Executive

Johnson, Mina - Seneca Park Zoo Society, Communications Coordinator

Kim, Sunghwan - E.S.L. Gaming, Junior Account Executive, Brand Partnerships

Kozar, Steven - C.S.M., Senior Account Manager

Lee, Mari - Octagon, Account Manager, Events and Experiences

Lerner, Charles J. - Tao Group, Engagement Coordinator

Lewis, Marcel - I.B.M., Server Sales Specialist

Lyons, Courtney - New York Road Runners, Coordinator, N.Y.R.R. Run for the Future

Mankowski, Meg - Scout Sports and Entertainment, Event Manager

Matschiner, Thomas - J.P. Morgan Chase and Co., Sports and Entertainment Marketing Associate

Morel, Javier - SmartAsset, Account Manager

Murray, Robert - PepsiCo, Associate Manager, Global Procurement

Pagano, Matthew - Net Natives, Account Manager

Peterson, Eric - A.D.P., Senior Recruiter

Philipson, Jeremy - FanDuel, Software Engineer

Ross, Andrew - Florida Tropics Soccer Club, General Manager

Schotz, Zach - Bodyarmor, Social Media Associate Manager

Shapiro, Ben - Washington Speakers Bureau, Account Executive

Solomon, Ian - Octagon, Account Manager

Sperino, David - P.G.A. Tour, Tournament Operations Manager

Steverson, Jennifer - N.B.C. Universal, Manager, Agency Partnerships

Stranskey, Jan - Accenture, Senior Client Sales and Support Analyst

Wasserman, Tyler - National Basketball Association, Salary Cap Analyst

Wentzell, Jack - Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, Manager, Conversion Operations

Wilson, John - Vincent Churchill School, Teaching Assistant, Mathematics

Class of 2015

Ackerman, Gregory - Arizona Diamondbacks, Analyst

Agresto, Kevin - FanDuel, Customer Relationship Manager/Retention Marketing Specialist

Albright, Zachary - J.P. Morgan, Associate

Allam, Joseph - Z.S., Recruiter

Amantia, Nico - Scout Sports and Entertainment, Account Executive

Baren, Shaan - LourdMurray, Associate Wealth Manager

Barrie, Fergus - Nike, Brand Specialist

Beck, Michael - Advantage, Senior Account Executive

Burke, Regina - Eastern Foundry, Chief of Staff

Bynum, Keara - The Madison Square Garden Company, Operations Coordinator, Suite Sales and Services

Caporizzo, Carly (Raimo) - Phoenix Marketing International, Director, Sample Operations

Carr, Kelly - Sidley Austin, Attorney

Del Guercio, Brooke - Major League Baseball, Senior Coordinator of Sponsorship

DiDonato, James - C.S.M., Account Manager

Eklund, Haley - M.K.T.G., Manager, Sponsorship Strategy and Activation

Filippi, Matt - Ballengee Group, Analyst

Frederick, Conor - Bitly, Account Executive

Gorman, Dan - United Solutions L.L.C., Business Analyst

Harmer, Jenna - United States Golf Association, Championship Coordinaor

Hill, Kevin - The Aspire Group at University of Maryland Athletics, Manager, Service and Retention

Kevy, Scott - Momentum Worldwide, Senior Account Executive

Kopitz, Sandor - Boston Red Sox, Sales Academy Manager

Laifer, Harrison - B.S.E. Global, Manager, Global Merchandising and Branding

Liemer, Colby - Scout Sports and Entertainment, Account Executive

Low, Matthew - B.B.D.O. Worldwide, Senior Copywriter

McAlmont, Sydney - Policygenius, Case Management Associate

Rechler, Benjamin - Sports Professional Management, Partner and Intermediary

Robinson, Chris - Brooklyn Nets, Basketball Operations Assistant

Rose, Matthew - C.S.M. LeadDog, Manager, Creative Strategy

Ruben, Kate - The Montag Group, Chief of Staff and Director of Brand Development

Schaeffer, Jay - U.C.L.A., M.B.A. Student

Skwiersky, David - Marks Paneth, Audit Intern

Stevenson, Austin - Global Eagle, Campaign Manager

Tavernier, Alex - Genius Sports, Business Development Manager

Thweatt, Kyle - The NASCAR Foundation, Senior Programs Coordinator

Williams, Delana - D.&D. Lawgical Solutions, L.L.C., Co-Founder; Consultant

Wohlfarth, Derek - Y.H.W. Management Services, Accounting Supervisor

Wood, Alyssa - M.K.T.G., Manager, Sponsorship Strategy and Activation

Class of 2016

Bengis, Julie - Smile Train, Associate, Team Empower

Biggins, Elijah - Bleacher Report, Integrated Marketing Strategist

Billitier, Hailey - fuboT.V., Content Coordinator

Bocianski, Jakob - Ogilvy, Account Executive

Brenner, Jayson - Tough Mudder, Account Executive

Cantwell-Papale, Gabriella - Philadelphia 76ers ,Manager, Game Presentation

Carlon, Tim - Diligent, Sales Development Representative

Regan, Sky - Los Angeles Clippers, Account Executive, Group Sales

Cohn, Caitlin - E.S.P.N., Corporate Citizenship Coordinator

Cummings, Martin - Active International, Media Assistant

Daniels, Jessica - Make-A-Wish New Jersey, Program Services Assistant

Doskow, Sydney - Overtime, Account Manager

Feinman, Danny - Oracle, Business Development Consultant

Freedman, Ben - Beyond Sport, Project Coordinator

Garofalo, Jeffrey - United States Basketball Academy, Head Coach

Gomolka, Jacob - Bucknell University Athletics, Coordinator of Game Operations

Hamill, Robbie - Learfield-I.M.G. College, Partner Services Coordinator

Hirschberg, Dean - Multipet International, Sales and Marketing Manager

Howe-Lubowich, Hannah - UNICEF U.S.A., Integrated and Sports Partnerships Associate

Johnson, Blake - Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club, Senior Coordinator, Community Basketball Programs

Karslioglu, Peri - National Geographic, Marketing Specialist

Koeppel, Max - Koeppel Rosen L.L.C., Director of Leasing

Larosche, Jacob - Los Angeles Rams, Seasonal Operations Intern

Losak, Jeremy - Syracuse University, Assistant Professor, Sport Analytics

Lynn, Cameron - Army Historical Foundation, Digital Communications and Product Manager

Moriarty, Jack - Steiner Sports, Account Executive, Corporate Marketing

Rafferty, Hannah (Visnosky) - Event Strategy Group, Event Coordinator

Rosen, Jacob - Game Seven Marketing, Account Manager

Rosenwald, Ben - B.S.E. Global, Senior Research Analyst

Sadat-Tehrani, Tara - Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (C.B.R.E.), Client Services Coordinator

Sanford, Hanna - Austen Everett Foundation, Program Director

Schneider, Jonathan - Leverage Agency, Account Supervisor

Sherfey, Sam - Baltimore T-Shirt Company, Operations Coordinator

Sparks, Jacquelyn - C.S.M. LeadDog, Account Coordinator

Spector, Sam - Prudential Center, Premium Partnerships

Tillotson, Jordan - The Hoop Group, Vice President of Operations

White, Marcus - N.B.C. Sports Bay Area, Writer/Web Producer

Class of 2017

Avigdor, Harrison - National Basketball Association, Coordinator, U.S.A. Basketball

Brennan, Christina - Premier Management Group / CelebExperts, Vice President of New Business Development

Diaz, Mateo - Seton Hall School of Law, J.D. Candidate

Ellman, Matt - N.B.C. Universal, Sales Planner

Feola, Joseph - A.E.G., Data Analyst

Friedman, Samuel - Uber, Account Representative

Grassadonia, Meghan - Excel Sports Management, Marketing Coordinator

Greenstein, Emily - Reprise Digital, Associate

Grotenstein, Joshua - Namely, Sales Development Representative

Hoyle, Madeline - Watertown Rapids, Assistant General Manager

Kassoff, Jared - KeyBanc Capital Markets, Institutional Equity Sales

Larsen, Erika - Ironman, Senior Coordinator, Athlete Services

Linabury, Samuel - Prolific 1, Business Development Associate

Luna, Marcos - Legends Hospitality/Dallas Cowboys, Special Event Coordinator

Maizes, Jeffrey - Syracuse University College of Law, Law Student

McDonald, Zach - Indianapolis Indians, Community Relations Coordinator

McGrory, Reid - TracyLocke, Account Executive

McHale, Casey - Merry Go Round Playhouse, Ticket Sales Representative

Miller, Mallory - Fencers Club, Programs Director

Milliken, Pierce - Legends, Premium Sales Consultant

Mizruchi, Mikayla - American Lung Association, Administrative Assistant

Montferret, Nick - Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation, Assistant Director of Marketing

O’Brien, Dan - UMass, Director of Football Operations

Pongetti, Rebecca - Under Armour, Coordinator, Brand Marketing

Ranieri, Francesca - N.H.L., Executive Assistant

Reese, Kevin - Momentum Worldwide, Account Executive

Rice, Jordan - National Sports Forum, Marketing and Communications Manager

Romansky, Matt - Optimum Sports, Assistant Negotiator

Rosenhaus, Talia - B.S.E. Global, Coordinator, Global Partnership Strategy

Rotondo, Michael - A.E.G. Nassau Coliseum, Box Office Manager

Rousso, Eli - The Madison Square Garden Co., Tickets, Suites and Hospitality

Schwartzman, Joshua - M.K.T.G., Consulting Trainee

Serra, Paige - MacWilliams Law P.C., Summer Associate

Sewerin, Oskar - Generation Pep, Communication and Event Manager

Shea, Alex - Radegen Sports Management, Manager, Client Marketing

Shelmidine, Marcus - Syracuse University Athletics, Women’s Basketball Video Coordinator

Trust, Bradley - Paint Applicators Corporation of America, Assistant Operations Analyst

Tumminia, Sara - Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment, Production Coordinator

Twomey, Nick - Chime Sports Marketing, Senior Account Coordinator

Vest, Jason - New York Islanders, Account Manager, Member Services

Weinberg, Joey - Havas Media, Junior Data Analyst (Universal Music Group)

Weisman, Samantha - Momentum Worldwide, Account Executive

Class of 2018

Beach, Cobie - Mach 2 Management, Event Marketing Specialist

Bongiorno, Joseph - New York Yankees, Associate, Ticket Services and Strategy

Castro, Destiny Amberlyn - New York City Football Club, Ticket Sales Coordinator

Essaghof, Joy - Legends, Business Development Analyst

Harlow, Justin - Syracuse University Athletics, Account Executive

Henderson, Chris - National Basketball Association, Coordinator, Marketing Partnerships, 2K League

Jordan, Lorenzo - Looker, Business Development and Analytics

Kent, Jeff - Vermont Lake Monsters, Director of Marketing and In-Game Entertainment

Kilmeade, Bryan - X.F.L., Football Operations Coordinator

Kropp, Benjamin - The Aspire Group, New Business Consultant

Lagerweij, Elise - Fenway Sports Management, Special Events Associate

Leiher, Sydney - United States Peace Corps, Volunteer

Lynch, Billy - Toast, Business Development Representative

Marciello, Stephen - Sports Info Solutions, Baseball Video Scout

Morano, Caroline - Thuzio, Account Manager

Moskowitz, Ari - The Drone Racing League, Partnerships and Business Development

Newsome, Elijah - Florida State University, Graduate Student

O’Connor, Danny - Premier Partnerships, Analyst, Consulting and Valuation

Peters, Christopher - The Madison Square Garden Co., Account Executive

Potolski, Matt - N.B.C. Sports Group, Communications Coordinator

Prescott-Moore, Da’sha - Georgia State University, Graduate Student

Prisco, Matt - Namogoo, E-commerce Specialist

Ross, Gabriel - 360Learning, Learning Advisor

Rossetti, Ben - N.B.C. Universal, Account Services Representative

Rubenstein, Benjamin - Lime, Brand Community Team

Rubin, Paulina - C.S.M. Sports and Entertainment, Account Coordinator

Ryback, Austin - B.S.E. Global, Account Coordinator Sponsorship Sales (Long Island Nets)

Shaiman, Ben - The Strategic Agency, Junior Account Executive

Van Loon, Matthew - Digital Remedy, Media Buyer

Weiss, Eric - DraftKings, Customer Experience Associate

Wood, Alex - TeamWork Online, Product Manager

Wysoczanski, Sydney - Major League Lacrosse, Operations Coordinator

Class of 2019

Alechammas, Zach - Ogilvy, Client Financial Analyst

Banner, Jonathan - N.F.L. Films, Production Assistant

Basile, Nico - New York Yankees, Junior Sales Associate

Becker, Evan - A.E.G., Inside Sales Representative

Belby, Shaun - Syracuse University, Sport Venue and Event Management Graduate Student

Bisson, Rebecca - New York Mets, Inside Sales Representative

Bitsimis, Jake - Professional Sports Publications, Ad Sales Representative

Breitenmoser, Jan - Football Club Wil 1900, Sporting Coordinator

Burke, Caitlin - M.K.T.G., Hospitality Trainee

Conway, Cody - Tennessee Titans, Undrafted Free Agent Contract

Cornelius, Aaron - POINT 3 Basketball, Operations Assistant

Custis, Jamal - Kansas City Chiefs, Undrafted Free Agent

D’Aversa, Lucas - New York Yankees, Junior Sales Associate

Daly, Brigid - Anheuser-Busch, Influencer Marketing Coordinator

de la Fuente, Anthony - C.S.M. Sports and Entertainment, Account Coordinator

Delabruere, Jonathan - Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, Inside Sales Representative

Domic, Drina - National Basketball Association, Business Intelligence Analyst

Duerr, Hannah - U. S. Soccer Federation, Referee Operations Coordinator

Eckenrod, Marc - Super Fan Sports Fundraising, Business Strategist

Feinberg, Michael - E.S.P.N., Programming Coordinator

Gold, Nicholas - Syracuse University, Executive Assistant, Greenberg House (D.C.)

Goldberger, James - New York Law School, Law Student

Hamilton, Daniel - University of South Florida, Graduate Student

Herrington, Owen - Syracuse Crunch, Account Executive

Israel, Adam - New York Mets, Ticket Services Representative

Katz, Joshua - Baltimore Ravens, Business Analyst

Lavelle, Olivia - Cleveland Indians, Communications and Digital Products Intern

Mannix, Chance - U.S. Soccer Federation, Development Academy Associate

Massino, Kellan - Super Fan Sports, Fundraising Account Executive

Mattarell, Victoria - Syracuse University, Sport Venue and Event Management Graduate Student

McLoughlin, Marielle - Mississippi State University, Football Operations Assistant

Meyer, Andrew - Baltimore Ravens, Community Relations Intern

Mong, Jocelyn - C.S.M. LeadDog, Account Coordinator - Independent Contractor

Natowitz, Austin - Major League Baseball, New Media and Content Marketing Team

Newman, Alex - B.S.E. Global, Inside Sales Representative (New York Islanders)

Onwualu, Sean - Deutsch, Assistant Account Executive

Pessar, Ayal - Radegen Sports, Client Marketing

Ricketts, Samoya - Turner Sports, Social Media Analyst

Selig, Sean - Chicago Sky, Operations Assistant

Spyropoulos, Eric - Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, Staff Writer

Stanley, Sara - Tarleton State University, Athletic Communications Assistant

Steele, Cameron - Monumental Sports and Entertainment, Inside Sales Associate

Tabak, Aaron - New York Law School, J.D. Candidate

Wang, Wei - H.U.P.U. Anchor Sports, Business Manager

Whitman, Griffin - L.F.G. Sports, Co-Founder

Williamson, Bradley - Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment, Account Executive

Sport Analytics

Class of 2019

Barbuto, Cody - Kraft Analytics Group, Consulting Analyst

Garrett, C.B. - Indiana Pacers, Performance Analytics Intern

Perline, Justin - Pittsburgh Pirates, Quantitative Analyst

Weiss, Evan - Buffalo Bills, Analytics Associate

Sport Venue and Event Management

Class of 2013

Byron, Monica - Kenny Leigh and Associates, Paralegal

Carlson, Melissa - Atlanta Braves, Senior Sales Coordinator, Special Events

Firestone, Evan - Boston Private Wealth, Operations Specialist

Hills, Katherine - Syracuse University, Office Coordinator

Kim, Min Jung - University of New Mexico, Ph.D. Candidate

Manecio, Matthew - New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Program Inspector

Porth, Laura - Tulsa Sports Commission, Manager of Sports and Events

Ricco, Richard - N.B.C. Sports, Technical Logistics

Rudy, Katie - University of Virginia Athletics Department, Director of Event Presentation and Fan Engagement

Upmalis, Jordan - K.P.I.target, Director of Social Media

Class of 2014

Bayanker, Chari - Topps, Live Ops Producer

D’Arcy, Danielle - The Madison Square Garden Co., Supervisor, Guest Relations and Disabled Services

Fiorini, Emily - Spartan Race, Inc., Festival Manager

Jackson, Taylor - Dynata, Senior Account Manager, Consulting and Investment

Perlo, Elissa (Roberts) - Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Dermatology Medical Assistant

Rising, Julie - Boise State Athletics, Game Operations Manager

Sun, Wendong - Spark Sports and Entertainment, Account Manager

Class of 2015

Bracken, Emily - Lincoln Healthcare Leadership, Conference Manager

Brown, Justin - Boston Celtics, Account Executive

Bryant, Jordan - Canvas Worldwide, Senior Analyst

Davidson, Hannah - WorldClaim, Administrative Assistant

Davis, Lauren - Syracuse University, Carrier Dome Events Production Manager

Denick, Kristen - Syracuse Crunch, Director of Ticket Sales and Service

Dumas, Emily - Fiesta Bowl, Senior Manager, Business Development

Gao, Fei China - University of Political Science and Law, Associate Professor

Johnson, Kelly - Syracuse University, Associate Director of Recreation

Lublin, Jason - University of South Florida Alumni Center, Facility Manager

Peters, Jordan - Boilermaker Road Race, Sponsor and Marketing Director

Sloan, Vicki - Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Visitor Information Coordinator

Zhang, Hao - S.E.C.A. Worldwide, Account Manager/Agent

Class of 2016

Hines, Keith - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Marketing Project Manager

Johnson, Riley - Le Moyne College Athletics, Head Softball Coach

Kolinski, Daniel - Empire State Development, Deputy Director

Liu, Mingtao - Hangzhou Dragon Sport Center, Assistant Facilities Manager

McCaslin, Carolyn - N.C.M. Associates, Client Services and Meeting Coordinator

Nakata, Kensuke - Dome Corporation (Under Armour Japan), Office of C.E.O. Team

Peters, Jordan - Boilermaker Road Race, Sponsorship and Marketing Director

Phillips, Brian - Rich Entertainment Group / Be Our Guest, Director of Operations, Buffalo Waterfront

Tartaro, Daniela - Le Moyne College, Adjunct Professor

Zhang, Kaili - S.E.C.A. Worldwide, Project Manager

Class of 2017

Banno, Sean - Brown University Athletics Department, Coordinator, Facilities and Operations

Barrie, Fergus - Nike London, Brand Specialist

Chulock, Rachel - Special Olympics Massachusetts, Events and Schools Coordinator

Hewitt, Dan - Comcast Spectacor, Senior Operations Manager

Liu, Yang - Lander Sports Development Co., Facility Operations Manager

Olson, Arek - Lehigh University Athletics, Assistant Director, Facilities and Events

Sena, Candace - Pegula Sports and Entertainment, Coordinator of Premium Seating

Zuo, Chengji - Chinese Badminton Association, Foreign Affairs Assistant

Class of 2018

Burke, Brett - Burlington Royals, Director of Operations

DuVal, Marisa - Syracuse University Athletics, Operations and Game Management Assistant

Hammond, Paige - Milwaukee Bucks, Event Coordinator

Jifu, Yao - Aurora Motors, Supply Chain Analyst

LaRoussa, Jessica - MetLife Stadium, Special Event Coordinator, Operations and Service

Marks, Brendan - M.K.T.G., Sponsorship Strategies and Activation Trainee

Martuscello, Kevin - S.M.G., Operations Supervisor

Meisenzahl, Kelsey - Chicago Bears, Marketing

Vergara, Anna - Legends, Concessions Supervisor, A.T.&T. Stadium

Williams, Janelle - A.V.P. Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, Community Relations Intern

Zorn, Anna - S.M.G., Facility Manager

Class of 2019

Harris, Jordan - New York Yankees, Sales Associate

Pictures with captions in this article: Ashley Robbins, 2011. Tom Brewster, 2010, Kevin Stone, 2010, Allison Langeven, 2012, Justin Brown, S.V.E.M. 2015, Matt Reynolds, 2010, and Chrissy Leach, 2010. Matt Gay, 2009, and Olivia Lavelle, 2019, at the 2019 M.L.B. All-Star Game. Julie Rising, S.V.E.M. 2014. Chris Robinson, 2015. Jenna Harmer, 2015. Tyler Wasserman, 2013, Michael Veley, and Chris Henderson, 2018. Paige Feldman, 2014, Tommy Matschiner, 2014, Steve Kozar, 2014, and Zach Lazare, 2012. Francesca Ranieri, 2017. Dan Gorman, 2015. Emily Dumas, S.V.E.M. 2015. Sky Regan, 2016. Julie Bengis, 2016, and Erika Larsen, 2017. Jordan Rice, 2017. Jack Wentzell, 2014. Sam Linabury, 2017. Kevin Reese, 2017. Ben Rubenstein, 2018. Jocelyn Mong, 2019, and Paulina Rubin, 2018. Keith Bremer, 2018, and Evan Weiss, 2019.

Come back to ‘Cuse!

Sport Management is hosting its third annual “S.P.M. 205: 2.0 – S.P.M. Alumni in #SportsBiz [Now We’re the Pros]” on campus on Friday, October 18, 2019. The day kicks off with a noon luncheon for alumni hosted by S.P.M. director Michael Veley, followed by keynote speaker Kelly Downing, alumni panel sessions, and networking with current students. The S.U. football team then takes on Pittsburgh at 7 p.m. at the Carrier Dome. Please join us for a day of professional development and cheering on the Orange. For more information or to participate in the event, contact S.P.M. Internship Placement Coordinator Nicole Cost at nfimbrog@syr.edu or 315.443.7418.

S.P.M. alumni step up to mentor students

The inaugural Sport Management Students and Professionals Meet Week, or S.P.M. Week, was held January 7-11, 2019, giving current students the opportunity to learn more about careers in sport with the help of alumni who hosted them at their workplaces. Ten students participated in the job-shadowing experience.

Cherie Hong ’19, a graduate student in the Sport Venue and Event Management graduate program, visited Sport Management alumna Blake Johnson ’16 at the Atlanta Hawks. “I learned about all the moving parts involved with working in sports, and am very grateful to the department for organizing this incredible opportunity for us,” Hong said.

Alumni hosts introduced the students to their industry and organization, providing an opportunity for the students to observe their daily responsibilities and ask questions. S.P.M. Week is intentionally designed to be flexible, so each shadowing experience fits the interests of the student and their alumni host.

“It is great to see all the new initiatives the S.P.M. department is taking to help students succeed,” said Sydney Wysoczanski ’18, an operations coordinator for Major League Lacrosse. “It was not a burden at all to have someone in the office for a portion of my day. It is always exciting to connect with younger students to talk about my experiences at Syracuse, where I am now, and how I got here.”

Event organizer Lisa Liparulo, a Sport Management internship placement coordinator, said students and alumni agreed the inaugural S.P.M. Week was a success. Alumni were given the liberty to create the day’s agenda, and students were able to gain first-hand industry insight, as well as network with professionals throughout the day.

“My hope is that this program gains more traction for next year, and we can match twice as many students with our amazing alumni,” Liparulo said. “It was certainly beneficial for our students to experience a typical day in the office, and we are grateful to our alumni who welcomed them.”

Here are the students and alumni who participated in the 2019 event:

Student	Host site	Alumni

Student	Host site	Alumni
Andrew Blutig	Octagon	Ian Solomon ’14
Andrew Bush	Philadelphia 76ers	Sam Spector ’16
Justin Butterman	FanDuel	Jeremy Philipson ’14
Nicholas Felicetti	M.K.T.G.	Iain McWhirter ’13
Jinyi (Cherie) Hong	Atlanta Hawks	Blake Johnson ’16
Zach Leichtman	Major League Lacrosse	Sydney Wysoczanski ’18
Jenna Parker	Octagon	Matthew Ashe ’14`
Matthew Pignatella	Advantage	Andrew Cohn ’10
Kristen Rogers	Event Strategy Group	Hannah Visnosky ’16
Dylan Schwartz	VaynerSports	David Jaffin ’18

Pictures with captions in this article: Sport Management alumna Blake Johnson ’16 (left), senior coordinator of community basketball programs for the Atlanta Hawks, hosted Cherie Hong ’19, a graduate student in S.U.’s Sport Venue and Event Management graduate program. Andrew Bush (left) learned from S.P.M. alumnus Sam Spector ’16 at the Philadelphia 76ers. Matthew Pignatella (left) shadowed S.P.M. alumnus Andrew Cohn ’10 at Advantage.

Calling all alumni!

If you’d like to participate in our next job-shadowing program, held during Winter Break, January 6-10, 2020, email Lisa Liparulo at lmliparu@syr.edu with your contact information, location, and employer.

Meet Kelly Harrington

S.P.M. ’08, business development director, Droga5

I graduated a semester early from Syracuse University in December 2008. I was eager to jumpstart my career... but then, of course, that thing called the recession happened. After several interviews, handshakes, and thank-you notes, I found myself working in media, buying T.V. space for MillerCoors. I loved my job and the people I worked with. Not much could be better for a 22-year-old than buying T.V. space for a beer brand across sport properties like E.S.P.N. and C.B.S. Sports, right?

Though I loved my first job, I knew I wanted to be making ads not just buying media space for them. After a few strategic career moves, one that included a brief stint in Los Angeles, I found myself on Madison Avenue working at Roberts + Langer making ads for Neutrogena.

Since that first creative advertising job, I have worked on accounts and in categories that ranged from beauty to retail to telecommunications to financial services, managing $4 million accounts and $20 million accounts. I’ve worked with several Fortune 500 companies, helped produce two Super Bowl commercials, created an App, and filmed with one of the shark extras from “Jaws,” as well as with Kevin Durant and J.J. Watt.

It is because of these experiences I was able to pivot from account management to business development. I work closely with Droga5’s chief marketing officer to help brands meet their business objectives through creative advertising. Some call it marketing, some call it advertising, I call it fun! Every day is truly different and exciting.

My advice to students: enjoy the ride and take control of your own narrative. You have the power to be and do whatever you want. Resources are all around you. Be confident. Be bold. And laugh when it doesn’t go exactly to plan, because it all works out. And one day, you’ll be writing a feature like this thinking, “Wow, where did the time go!”

Meet Jon Prinsell

S.P.M. ’10, director of business intelligence and data analytics, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Forge F.C.

After graduating from Syracuse University in 2010, I landed an internship in Boston with Octagon, creating awareness for a mobile 4G WiFi hotspot product. After three months, our entire team was let go, as the brand significantly cut their marketing budget. Fortunately, I found another internship opportunity, a project to help author a business plan for a start-up hockey venture in Europe. A colleague had a connection with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. I reached out to his connection and was offered a full-time job.

My experience with the Tiger-Cats organization has been phenomenal. I have been promoted into different roles over the past eight years, including operations/logistics, sponsorship service, new stadium business development, ticket operations, and business intelligence. I helped organize two Vanier Cups (the Canadian university football championship), where we broke records for ticket sales and T.V. viewership. I was privileged to work on a new stadium for the Tiger-Cats, as part of the team that sold the sponsorship naming rights to Tim Hortons, Canada’s largest fast food chain. We just launched a soccer team, Forge F.C., in a new Canadian professional soccer league. Hamilton also just won the rights to host the 2021 Grey Cup (the C.F.L. championship game).

Along the way, the organization sponsored me as I earned my M.B.A. in 2017, after which I was promoted to director of business intelligence and data analytics.

My primary piece of advice to students is that your career may have some “bumps in the road” but not to get discouraged. If our Octagon group had not been downsized, I probably would not be with the Tiger-Cats organization today. Also, continue to network and gain as much experience as you can in different fields. You never know who or what might be the catalyst for your next career move. And if you have the opportunity, further your education.

Meet Justin Brown

S.V.E.M. ’15, account executive, Boston Celtics

My time at Syracuse University was invaluable as it helped me decide on a career path as well as provided me with real-world experience. After meeting with my advisor and discussing career interests, it became clear that sales was the right place to start my career.

I got right to work, interning with S.U. Athletics and the Rochester Rhinos. These experiences prepared me for the future, particularly when I traveled to the Mount Union Sports Sales Workshop and Job Fair in Cleveland, Ohio. I interviewed with several professional sports organizations at the event, including the Boston Celtics, who offered me an entry-level role on their sales team.

After graduation, I moved to Boston to begin my career with the Celtics. I felt very fortunate to be part of such a well-respected and successful organization, and I worked hard to make the most of the opportunity. After leading the Inside Sales Team in revenue generation during my first season, I was promoted to a full-time role. In early 2017, I began my current role as an account executive. I work with individuals and businesses in the Greater New England Area to develop client entertainment options, corporate outings, and memorable experiences through the Celtics.

Boston is a fantastic sports city, the N.B.A. is an incredible league and I have really enjoyed my work here. I plan to grow my career with the Celtics as we strive for another N.B.A. title, while continuing to develop skillsets in sales, business analytics, and related fields as I look toward future career opportunities.

My advice to students: Put yourselves out there and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way. Even after you are hired for an internship or job, the work does not stop there. Treat every day like an interview and make an impression on every single person you meet. This industry is all about developing relationships.

Meet Rebecca Pongetti

S.P.M. ’17, coordinator of brand marketing, Under Armour

In 2017, after completing my senior Capstone at Under Armour in Toronto and graduating from Syracuse University, I was offered a full-time job with U.A. as coordinator of brand marketing.

While on Capstone, I experienced many areas of marketing such as retail/wholesale, sports, events/activations, and brand marketing. It was through this exposure that I discovered my passion for brand marketing.

It is my job to support the execution of marketing activations within sport-specific categories such as train, run, team sports, basketball, golf, global football, hockey and more. Projects and tasks involve public relations, traditional media, digital and social media, influencer marketing, sports marketing, retail and wholesale marketing, activations, events, e-commerce and direct-to-consumer touchpoints.

I also cross into merchandising, planning, operations, and sales to help drive strategic alignment and gain full knowledge of the Canadian business. Understanding the business from a cross-functional perspective has given me the opportunity to identify efficiencies we can leverage in our go-to-market strategies and activation plans of Under Armour in the Canadian marketplace.

One of the major components of my job is the management of the Canadian Influencer Marketing Program, where I build the marketing strategy and objectives, plan our product and storytelling per season, and grow our ambassador roster portfolio.

S.U.’s Sport Management program prepares its graduates to work in sport by offering very relevant courses that highlight key areas of the industry. S.P.M.’s dedicated professors ensured we were ready to handle the fast-paced environment and challenges through their interactive classes and projects. The immense support I received, and continue to receive, from S.P.M. truly has made a difference in my career.

My advice to current students: Be determined, dedicated, and resilient to the challenges and effort required to grow your career. Be present and patient in your journey as it will never be exactly what you expect nor easy; but, if you are willing to persevere, work hard and go the extra mile, you will put yourself in a position to succeed.

Meet Joy Essaghof

S.P.M. ’18, business development analyst, Legends

During my sophomore year in Sport Management, I was fortunate to go on the department’s Los Angeles Immersion trip over spring break. During the trip, I met my current mentor and had the opportunity to connect with key executives in the sport and entertainment industry. Little did I know that four years later, I would be working in Los Angeles.

Here’s how I got there: After the L.A. Immersion trip, I kept in touch with the executives I met, and by using my newly developed network, I was able to secure my senior Capstone at the Los Angeles Football Club (L.A.F.C.). Through that internship, I discovered my passion for working in corporate partnerships and sponsorships.

Soon after graduating from S.U. in 2018, I began working at M.K.T.G. in sponsorship strategies and activation with brands such as Mars Wrigley Confectionary and the N.F.L., while also providing account support for Jack in the Box and the 50th Woodstock Festival.

Throughout my college and post-graduate career, I maintained strong relationships with the network of professionals I had the privilege of meeting during the L.A. Immersion trip, previous internships and on my senior Capstone. Which led me to this decision …

After four months at M.K.T.G., I was offered an opportunity I could not pass up and moved across the country in November 2018 to Los Angeles to pursue a career with Legends as a business development analyst in their Global Partnerships Division. I work closely with properties such as L.A. Stadium and Entertainment District (future home of the Rams and Chargers), Las Vegas Stadium (future home of the Raiders), Carolina Panthers, Notre Dame Athletics, and L.A. 2028 Olympics.

My experience at Legends has been incredible. Every day, I collaborate with amazing people from all over the country. I am excited to be part of this company’s exciting journey in the ever-changing sport and entertainment industry.

My advice to current students: network, network, network. Building and maintaining relationships is extremely important to future opportunities. Don’t be afraid of failure. If you fail, make sure you learn from it.

Event becoming a tradition for alumni and students

As part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing students’ professional growth and networking opportunities, Sport Management hosted the second annual “S.P.M. 205: 2.0 S.P.M. Alumni in #SportsBiz” on November 9, 2018 with over 100 students in attendance in Grant Auditorium.

“Students now look forward to welcoming back alumni every Fall on campus for this event which, as an alumna myself, is so exciting to see their enthusiasm and the importance of connecting with S.U. alumni,” said S.P.M. internship placement coordinator and event organizer Nicole Cost.

The event kicked off with a luncheon for alumni with Sport Management Director Michael Veley and department faculty and staff before S.P.M. Advisory Council Member and Managing Partner of Bullish, Inc., Michael Duda, opened the afternoon program as the keynote speaker. Duda’s presentation focused on his career, the sport industry from his perspective, and navigating the career journey.

A panel of S.P.M. alumni discussed their experience as Syracuse students and offered advice. Alumni and students then moved into classrooms in Falk College to take part in panel sessions covering topics such as transitioning from Capstone to career and utilizing analytics for business development and more.

“The value of a degree from Falk is not limited to the four years on campus and the classroom experiences,” Duda said. “It is the connective tissue to the network at Syracuse University for ongoing collaboration, benchmarking, and advice.”

Calling All S.P.M. Alumni

To be sure Syracuse University has your most up-to-date information, please email your current mailing address, phone number, e-mail, employer, title, business e-mail, and business address to records@syr.edu. This ensures that you will receive important communication from the University as well as Falk College and Sport Management. And don't forget to send us photos from your work, family or alumni gatherings. Shown above are Syracuse University alumni working at C.S.M. in New York City.

Picture with caption in this article: Back row, from left: James DiDonato ’15, Paulina Rubin ’18, Matt Rose ’15, Noah Diorio ’20, Steve Kozar ’14, Chris McCarthy ’16, and Nick Twomey ’17. Front row, from left: Alicia Torres ’19, Hanna Bird ’14, Morgan Begy ’14, and Amanda Ben-Menachem ’14.

Syracuse University
David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
Department of Sport Management
402 MacNaughton Hall
Syracuse, NY 13244

Syracuse Sport Management | Sport Analytics 2018-2019 Newsletter

Director's Greeting

From the Dean...

Contents

Students

Analytics

Faculty and Staff

News and Events

Guest Speakers

Advisory Council

Alumni

Students

Congratulations to the Class of 2019

Visit Sport Management’s online resources

Graduate Students: Sport Venue and Event Management Master’s program graduates its seventh class

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

Fall 2018

Spring 2019

Summer 2019

Welcome Class of 2023 undergraduates

Sport Analytics

Sport Management

Congratulations to the following students for achieving an overall cumulative G.P.A. of 3.4 or higher at the end of the 2018-2019 academic year:

Sport Management

Class of 2019

Class of 2020

Class of 2021

Class of 2022

Sport Analytics

Class of 2019

Class of 2020

Class of 2021

Class of 2022

Senior Capstone Experience

Fall 2018

Spring 2019

Summer 2019

Capstone

Senior tweaks N.B.A. League reporting

Intern gets up-close look at sport agency

Turner Capstone brings senior to Final Four

Cowboys Capstone leads to Ravens job

Students receive assistance from scholarship funds

Jennifer Corn Carter Fund

Student Learning Fund

Undergraduate Summer Internship Fund

Sport Professionals of Color Club seeks new members

S.P.M. Club raises $55,195 at 14th Charity Auction

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

Sales Club assists S.U. Athletics, Crunch selling tickets

Support Sport Management

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

S.P.M.-N.Y.Y. pipeline

Connect with S.U. Sport Management

Active WISE members busy networking, volunteering

Classes pitch ideas to sport industry think tank

Analytics

Inaugural Berlin Sport Analytics Symposium highlights rising importance of data in sport

Football Analytics Club focuses on research

On a Winning Streak: Sport Analytics students prove they’re ready to storm the industry

Here are some program highlights:

Club members share same zest for basketball

High schoolers test drive analytics at summer academy

Full speed ahead for active Sabermetrics Club

Club competes in Phoenix

N.Y.U. Case Competition

Faculty and Staff

S.P.M. news and notes

Rick Burton

Dennis Deninger

Dr. Justin Ehrlich

Dr. Mary Graham

Dr. Jeeyoon Kim

Dr. Jeremy Losak

David Meluni

Dr. Rodney Paul

Dr. Gina Pauline

Dr. Jeff Pauline

Patrick Ryan

Dr. Shane Sanders