Embracing The Love Of The Game In The Classroom
Written by Amanda Mathis
Sports management is an evolving profession, and this past spring, Converse University students had the opportunity for hands-on learning with Greenville Drive Baseball and the Greenville Triumph Soccer Club during their BAD 328 Sports Management Principles class. This course was an introduction to sports management and examined the various functions, areas, and issues involved in managing sports-related businesses and activities.
The class equipped students with an arsenal of multidisciplinary skills, all through the lens of professional sports and recreation, applicable to various sports careers. Instructors included Cathy Gowan, Director of Internships and Career Services, Tanya Greenlee, Assistant Professor of Accounting, and Wynton Stephens, Assistant Professor of Business Administration.
“Our students received a first-hand look at how to manage personnel, events and facilities, marketing, sponsorship, and communications.”
Professor Wynton Stephens
“This course is an introduction to the field of sports management and examines the various functions, areas, and issues involved in managing sports-related businesses and activities,” Stephens shared of the course’s objectives. “Our students received a first-hand look at how to manage personnel, events and facilities, marketing, sponsorship, and communications. We are so thankful for the opportunity to work with the Greenville Drive and Greenville Triumph. This experience allowed our students to connect with professionals and inspired them to further their sports management career pursuits.”
A Class Like No Other
One of the course’s most valuable aspects was the unique networking opportunities it provided. The class was privileged to meet with several professional sports clubs, including the administrative staff of the Boston Red Sox’s Single ‘A’ Affiliate, the Greenville Drive. Students had the chance to interact with key figures such as VP of Partnerships and Fan Experience Katie Batista, Director of Entertainment and Production Zack Neubauer, VP of Sales Steven Sawyer, and General Manager Eric Jarinko.
The class was also introduced to the staff of the Greenville Triumph, and they spent time with President Chris Lewis, Chief Brand Officer Doug Erwin, and Senior Vice President Megan Kolak. This unique networking experience not only provided students with valuable industry contacts but also gave them insights into a professional sports organization’s operations, which was a highlight of the course. Sports management offers various positions and opportunities, including director of stadium operations, marketing manager, event coordinator, and sponsorship manager. These roles are crucial in the sports industry and provide diverse career paths for students interested in sports management.
Limitless Options
The curriculum exposed the class to the many virtual roles within the sports industry and provided insight into the possible diverse career paths for students interested in sports management. Student-athletes, making up 96 percent of the class, discovered how to channel their passion for the game into a career.
Students in the sports management programs gain practical knowledge and advice from guest speakers and lecturers representing some of the most recognized sports entities. The course also includes a practical component, a business lunch etiquette quiz that covers crucial aspects such as choosing a restaurant, seating arrangements, ordering, and when to discuss business. These practical skills & are essential for success in the sports management industry and are a significant part of the course, ensuring students are well-prepared for their future careers.
“My experience in BAD 328 was a great experience,” said Gavin McFadden, ’25, a senior on Converse’s Track and Field team. “Professor Stephens was a very insightful teacher who helped us as students understand the ins and outs of how sports were managed from the professional to the recreational level. He brought guests in those fields who gave us great information to help us in our future careers.”