Sport Management

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STORIES SPORT MANAGEMENT SPORT MANAGEMENT

Realize your dream of a career in the world of sports with the Sport Management program at York College of Pennsylvania.

Want to know why our Sport Management program stands out compared to area colleges offering the same major? Two words: Work Experience. With so much hands-on experience before you graduate, you'll be strongly positioned to land a sports industry job.

A career working in sports? We've helped make that happen year after year for our graduates who have gone on to work for professional sports teams and other sports-related organizations.

And it's no wonder, with a unique curriculum, a first-class learning environment in the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center, and faculty who are passionate about seeing you succeed.

You’ll gain real-world experience through practicums in your first four semesters. Our signature Sport Management Professional Day networking event, summer internships and the capstone work experience all put you squarely in front of potential employers.

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York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

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15 Grad lands dream job with Phillies

Jalen Green's internship during his professional semester led to the Philadelphia Phillies hiring him for its sales department.

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Meeting Billy Beane

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From YCP to the NHL

YCP students attended the 2017 MLB Winter Meetings in D.C. and rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names in management.

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Spartans link 800 miles away

Tim O’Leary interned with the River City Rascals, whose assistant GM is a YCP Sport Management alum.

Kim Capezza credits York College for scoring a job as a sales associate with the New Jersey Devils.

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Eight ways to work in sports

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Working at The Garden

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Making a splash after graduation

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Big-game effort pays off

If your dream is to work in sports, a degree in Sport Management can lead to an exciting career.

After swimming in the 2016 Olympic Trials, Kyle Walthall landed a job coaching in North Carolina.

Joe Monte manages accounts like Coca-Cola and Brand Jordan at Madison Square Garden.

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A career out of baseball

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Getting the inside track

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Showcasing his skills

Colbe Herr is the Baseball Program Manager at the IMG Academy, which specializes in high-level athletics.

Sport Management majors get real-world experience at Sport Marketing Association conference.

Kyle Andrews was nominated to join prestigious Sport Management honors society.

Michael Wolf has worked gigs with a White Sox affiliate, the Eagles and even worked Super Bowl XLVII.

York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

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Jalen Green, Class of 2017

GRAD LANDS HIS DREAM JOB OUT OF SCHOOL Jalen Green's phenomenal internship during his professional semester as a Sport Management major led to the Phillies hiring him for their sales department – and to have Citizen’s Bank Park be his office every day.

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York York College College of Pennsylvania of Pennsylvania | Hospitality | Sport Management Management

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eing a native of Dover, Del., Jalen Green is, for the most part, a Philadelphia sports fan. This especially includes the Phillies, the team he saw when attending his very first professional baseball game when he was young.

That being said, even Jalen, a 2017 York College of Pennsylvania graduate, never dreamed he would land his first full-time job with the organization.

But a phenomenal internship during the Sport Management major’s professional semester led to Philadelphia hiring him for its sales department – and to have Citizen’s Bank Park be his office every day. It’s almost surreal.

“That used to bring me and my (late) grandfather together. The Phillies have a special place in my heart,” Jalen says.

“It’s one of those things you look back and realize you went from sitting in the audience to working with the players and the people on the team.

“I landed the perfect job I wanted all because of who I was able to meet and who I was able to network with thanks to York College.”

— JALEN GREEN, CLASS OF 2017

“I think my grandfather would be very proud. He’d be proud anyway, but this could put me a little above the other grandkids.”

Completely prepared Jalen doesn’t hesitate to say how a student doing an internship can land a dream job. He was ready for it.

“I am surprised how well my college prepared me for this position,” he says.

“They did so well at York College to prepare you for being a professional.”

All the hours spent working the required Sport Management practicum, in and out of the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center, and at various campus events, had Jalen ready for the job.

“We all had to help with the practicum and all had to help with the sporting events. That was my favorite part,” he says. “If I had to pick one thing all colleges should do, it’d be practicum.”

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York College of Pennsylvania Departments York of Hospitality College of Pennsylvania Management, |Recreation Sport Management and Leisure Administration and Sport Management

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With so much hands-on experience before they graduate, York College Sport Management majors are strongly positioned to land a sports industry job.

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Upon his arrival with the Phillies, Jalen says the tasks he was asked to do were ones he had already done during his practicum at York College. Add to that, his personality and drive made him a viable candidate for his favorite team, not far from his hometown.

“It helped me narrow down what I wanted to do as a professional,” Jalen says of his alma mater. “Every professor I worked with was great. I tell my mom this every day: Picking York College over all the schools I could attend was the best choice I ever made.

“I landed the perfect job I wanted all because of who I was able to meet and who I was able to network with thanks to York College.”

Special treatment makes for a special employee While he is in sales and marketing, Jalen’s duties don’t stop there. Helping with events – such as the Phillies 5K, team-related youth clinics, and giving tours of the stadium – are also part of the job. He enjoys every aspect.

“During my internship, I was in ticket services, more individual game-stuff, a lot of customer service based work, spring training, and at the same time a lot of cross-department work,” he says. “I still do the same things, except now I work with the 6

more season and premium clients, and now we do the theme nights, too.”

It didn’t take him long to realize he wanted a fulltime job with the organization. The staff around him – including upper management, such as Phillies chairman David Montgomery and other high-level personnel – made Jalen feel at home immediately upon his arrival in the spring semester.

“I believe my second or third day there I wanted to stay,” Jalen says. “Over the years, the school has been perfect at sending us to great opportunities.

I did a couple internships over the years, but this one was different. I felt like I was part of things, not just an intern.”

Still, Jalen admits to being slightly surprised at the treatment he received as a young man new to working with a Major League team.

“That is what gave me that 'aha' moment, that I wanted to work really hard to be here,” he says. “It’s not every day you have the president of the organization call you by your first name. The VPs come down and talk to us. I felt like my work here won’t go unnoticed. A sport that focuses on family entertainment then treats you like family – you notice that.”

York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

LINKING UP YORK COLLEGE NETWORK

Tim O’Leary interned with the River City Rascals, whose assistant general manager is a YCP Sport Management alum.

As Tim O’Leary spends his senior work-experience semester more than 800 miles away from the York College of Pennsylvania campus, a YCP connection works right around the corner.

Tim, a Sport Management major at York College, landed an internship this spring in O'Fallon, Missouri, working with the River City Rascals baseball team of the independent Frontier League.

Lisa Ferreira’s the assistant general manager of the Rascals. And get this: She’s also a 2006 York College graduate out of the Sport Management program.

“Lisa came to our work experience day when professionals came in for mock interviews and gave career advice,” Tim says.

Tim met her on campus that day, but he didn’t actually interview with her when he applied for the job.

While Lisa wasn’t involved with the decision to hire Tim, she was happy to have someone from her alma mater join the team.

“I spoke with the director who hired him,” she says.

“Knowing the background of the York Sport Management program, it gives him the education and experience that some schools lack.”

Earning his own name Like many minor league baseball employees, Tim handles a little bit of everything.

York College Sport Management majors Lisa Ferreira ('06) and Tim O'Leary ('17)

From working with the sales staff and partnering businesses, to creating a marketing plan, to even donning the mascot costume, he handles many different duties for the Rascals. He writes at least two stories a week for the Rascals’ website, takes care of media releases, and helps with community events and public relations.

“I never heard of where I am, and learning what’s around here is a really cool experience,” he says. “I get to sit in on meetings and be creative. I get to do things that I wouldn’t if it wasn’t for a minor league.”

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York College of Pennsylvania Departments York of Hospitality College of Pennsylvania Management, |Recreation Sport Management and Leisure Administration and Sport Management

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One thing is certain: Tim has become an integral part of the team, and he’s enjoying every moment.

“He’s been excellent,” Lisa says.

“The ideas he has, especially on the promotional side, are outstanding.

He really gets what minor league baseball is all about. He has really blown us away and been a superior intern as far as his creativity and his willingness to speak about it.”

Crediting York College Tim says he credits York College for “preparing me for the majority of things.”

Like many Sport Management students at the school, Tim helped organize a campus 5K and was involved with other projects. He’s served a supervisory role in the pool, as well as working concessions at the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center.

“There’s obviously going to be things a school can’t prepare you for,” he says.

“It’s why we have work experience – because you can’t teach everything in the classroom. But 80 percent of what I do I have either touched based on or learned at school.”

He says he appreciates the amount of care the faculty has for its students, from their help with resumes to making connections.

Lisa knows York College is a lot of the reason its students are successful. A lot of that stems from the importance they put on work experience.

“Across the board, everyone I have talked to is impressed by the York College students,” she says. “The students have such an amazing experience. I hire from all over the country, and those kids are among best I have seen.”

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EIGHT 1. Voice of the Revs

Warm up that voice because you could become the play-by-play voice of a professional or college sports team.

The Atlantic League’s York Revolution has had only one play-by-play voice in its 10-year history. That same individual is also the general manager of the radio station owned by the team.

Darrell Henry has come a long way since graduating from York College.

2. Selling the seats

From ticket sales to posing with the Stanley Cup, York College grads have landed with some high-level sports teams, including the National Hockey League’s New Jersey Devils. Kim Capezza, a do-it-all ticket sales associate, is having a blast.

3. Meet and greet with athletes

AWESOME JOBS YOU CAN LAND WITH A DEGREE IN SPORT MANAGEMENT

5. The brains behind apparel

You could land a position with a sports apparel giant, such as Under Armour, like Sport Management grad Jessica Pezzolla, Class of 2009. She started as a receptionist there in November 2009 and was tasked with greeting all guests and interviewees, as well as creating a concierge program for new teammates. Now, she’s the hospitality coordinator for guests in Baltimore and around the world.

6. From stats to events

Prefer to be behind the scenes? You can learn plenty in the Sport Management program at York College. Learn proper stat-keeping from the secondto-none sports information staff, be involved with setting up for events small and large, on campus and off.

Marketing? In the Big Apple? Yep, York College grad Joe Monte, Class of 2011, has made it to Manhattan as an account manager for marketing partnerships at the famed Madison Square Garden, making his childhood dreams on the court come to life.

7. Teach the next generation

4. Take me out to the ballgame

8. Get in on the ground level

Get that calculator ready. Yes, keeping your numbers straight at York College can also lead to great things. Colbe Herr, Class of 2014 and a former Spartan baseball player, is the Baseball Program Manager at the elite IMG Academy. He spends a lot of time budgeting, but he also does much, much more.

York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

Want to stay in education? The Sport Management program can help there, too, as its classroom and practicum instruction can help pave the way for a future as an athletic director.

Start with a great internship or two.

Several Sport Management students land internships with professional teams and sports organizations at many levels. This includes recent non-traditional grad Nick Poehler, Class of 2016, who is heading to the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, a highend golf club and vacation spot.

Kyle Walthall, Class of 2016

MAKING A SPLASH AFTER GRADUATION After swimming in the 2016 Olympic Trials, Kyle Walthall (’16), landed a job coaching collegiately in North Carolina.

York York College College of Pennsylvania of Pennsylvania | Hospitality | Sport Management Management

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Kyle Walthall, Class of 2016, turned an internship with North Carolina’s Barton College athletic staff into a full-time job.

Kyle Walthall can still feel the ache of his muscles and the burn of adrenaline when he thinks about swimming in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Omaha, Nebraska.

The journey began his freshman year at York College of Pennsylvania, when he set two ambitious goals: Win a national championship and qualify for the Trials – two things no Spartan swimmer had done before him.

Four years later, he achieved both, winning an individual national championship in the 100yard breaststroke and an invitation to Omaha. Along the way, he was a six-time All-American and a two-time Capital Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Year.

“It was probably one of the best athletic experiences of my life,” he says.

After graduating in May 2016, the Sport Management major wanted a career that allowed him to stay close to the sport he loves. Thanks to a York College connection, he’s taken his passions and put them into practice by helping others pursue their athletic goals.

A lasting connection A native of Port Hueneme, Calif., Kyle wanted to spend some time on the East Coast after high school. York College was the right fit.

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“I narrowed my search down and loved it,” he says. “I loved the team atmosphere and how the school looked. The Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center was a big selling point.”

It was during his freshman year that Kyle met Tyler Ziegler, a senior Sport Management student who helped guide Kyle when he wasn’t sure where he wanted to go in his career. They swam for the Spartans and spent countless hours together the way athletes typically do.

Their friendship lasted long after Tyler graduated and would later give Kyle the jumpstart he needed to his career.

Putting passions into practice Kyle landed an internship after graduation with North Carolina’s Barton College athletic staff, helping its new swimming program, coached by his old friend and teammate, Tyler.

About two months later, Barton offered Kyle an assistant coaching position. He accepted.

“It worked out pretty nicely,” he said. “I was very happy when they came to me with the opportunity.

York York College College of Pennsylvania of Pennsylvania | Hospitality | Sport Management Management

It’s a perfect way for me to stay close to the sport and help other people find their passions.”

YCP education helps transition Along with coaching collegiately, Kyle also coaches a U.S.A. program with swimmers who range in age from 8 to 17.

“I’ve had to change my mindset from being a member of the team, to helping lead the team,” Kyle says. “I am really enjoying it.”

Studying in the Sport Management program at York College has helped in that transition.

Kyle’s focus on athletic administration, some of which crossed over into the coaching aspect, has proved to be a great tool for him as he goes from swimming in the lane to guiding those who are in it.

“The Sport Management program allowed me to specialize in what I wanted to do,” he says. “I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the people at York College who helped me along the way.”

York College Sport Management students attended the 2017 MLB Winter Meetings in Washington, D.C.

WHAT IT'S LIKE MEETING

JOE MADDON & BILLY BEANE

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AT THE MLB WINTER MEETINGS

The MLB Winter Meetings gave students a chance to find internships, apply for jobs and rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in baseball management.

York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

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ody Burd couldn’t believe it. The York College of Pennsylvania junior had just shaken hands with Joe Maddon, the first manager to lead the Chicago Cubs to a World Series title since 1908.

“I was actually kind of starstruck around him,” Cody said, “but I was able to say congratulations.”

His run-in with the Cubs skipper came while he and a group of York College students attended Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings outside of Washington, D.C., in early December.

Every year, baseball executives and staff, media, exhibitors and job seekers converge at the Winter Meetings to network with peers, fill job openings, attend workshops and discuss innovating trends in the industry.

YCP Sport Management students visit Nationals Park during their trip to the MLB Winter Meetings.

From attending the Professional Baseball Employment Opportunities job fair to seeing the commotion when a major trade went down, Cody said being at the Winter Meetings was an all-around great experience.

Highlight of the trip Another York College student, Peter Panassow, also brushed shoulders with a big name in baseball during the event.

While standing in the lobby of the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Peter exchanged pleasantries with Oakland A’s executive vice-president Billy Beane, whose philosophy revolutionized some of baseball’s thinking in terms of player procurement – something that led to the book “Moneyball.”

“(Billy Beane) was someone that I look up to in a way. He seemed like a really personable guy, which makes me like him even more. I would say that was the highlight of the trip."

“He was someone that I look up to in a way,” Peter said. “He seemed like a really personable Continued on Page 13

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York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

— PETER PANASSOW, CLASS OF 2017

Continued from Page 12

guy, which makes me like him even more. I would say that was the highlight of the trip.”

The business of pro baseball Many of the students in attendance at the MLB Winter Meetings seek employment in professional sports, something that baseball, with its many minor league affiliates, can possibly provide.

The PBEO Job Fair and networking offered chances to explore the possibilities of finding employment, as well as providing attendees with valuable insights into the business of professional baseball.

On average, about 500 jobs are posted at the Job Fair annually, many of which are entry-level positions or internships.

Some others are for those with baseball experience or a related background looking for the next challenge. The majority of clubs will hire for positions beginning in January of the following year.

Whirlwind experience “It was a pretty whirlwind experience,” Peter said.

“You have about 400 potential job seekers in one room. They would post job listings on one board; you’d have to go and submit your resume in the drop box.

It was kind of neat to connect with other job seekers there. They are in the same position you are.”

YCP Sport Management students watched the MLB Network crew set up during the MLB Winter Meetings.

An Accounting major set to graduate in 2018, Cody is hoping to land an internship for the summer, while Peter, a senior Sport Management major, received an offer from Sports Info Solutions, a sports analytics company.

Peter will intern at Sports Info Solutions as a part of his senior curriculum, where students gain work experience during their final semester.

“I was able to meet with them at the MLB Winter Meetings,” he said, “and that played a role with me getting it.”

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Your lifetime of success.

Your limitless future.

York College is the ideal location from which to launch your best possible future — starting from day one.

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York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

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FROM YCP TO THE NHL Kim Capezza credits York College for scoring a job with the New Jersey Devils.

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lthough she grew up a baseball fan, North Brunswick, N.J., native Kim Capezza has found a different outlet for her sports fandom, and in many ways York College of Pennsylvania is responsible.

Kim, who graduated in 2015 from York College’s Sport Management major, was hired this season as a sales associate for the National Hockey League’s New Jersey Devils.

“I give a lot of credit to York for my career and the things to come,” she says. “The professors care about everyone individually. They all believe in it. They had their own experiences to go off of. You didn’t just learn from a book. That pushed me in the end.”

Kim, a graduate from North Brunswick Township High School, attended another school for her first two years of college. When she transferred to York College, Kim says she could not have asked for a better experience.

“(York College) professors and the practicum experience we have is the most hands-on and realistic experience I could have had. It was an honest example of how the industry works and the time you have to put into it.”

— KIM CAPEZZA, CLASS OF 2015

She says York College had a lot to do with her landing a job so quickly, following her internship with the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in 2014 and more recently as a Ticket and Fan Services intern for the Philadelphia Eagles.

“Our professors and the practicum experience we have is the most hands-on and realistic experience I could have had,” she says.

“It was an honest example of how the industry works and the time you have to put into it.”

A chance to do more In many ways, Kim expected the craziness and acknowledged that no two days are alike. Despite the size and stature of big-time professional sports, there is much more to the job of “Ticket Sales Associate” than the title would suggest.

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“The New Jersey Devils are an all-hands-on-deck type of organization,” she says. “We have the chance to do a lot more stuff and have a lot more involvement in a lot of things.

“There’s a lot of different things that go into operating an arena or running a professional team. I am learning those steps. I knew from a lot of people ahead of me that sales is the way in. Sales is going to give you the necessary experience to take you to the next level.”

For Kim, working with an organization such as the New Jersey Devils is exactly what she wanted to do after earning a Sport Management degree from York College. She got a taste of it, albeit on a smaller scale, during her internship with the Riversharks.

Her duties with the Devils range from working with individuals and businesses, along with special events.

In February, she was part of the ceremony on the night the team retired former goalie Martin Brodeur’s jersey. Being around one of the greatest to ever play the game was a big thrill, Kim says.

“That night was incredible to be a part of, and it meant so much to so many people. To say I was a part of what went on that night will be a highlight of my career for years to come,” Kim says. “Prior to that game, we brought out the whole company. We thought we were having a normal prep meeting, and he came out and spoke to everyone. He was very down to earth.”

The tradition of York College graduates painting their names on “Old Spart” (the large green rock outside of the entrance to the bookstore) continues today.

Fun start to her career It’s easy to see why she is a hockey fan now. First introduced to the sport by a York College professor that had ties with the Hershey Bears, Kim is now hooked.

“I grew up loving baseball more, but now that I am into it … I dived into it and am still learning. The biggest challenge is there’s a lot of action going on,” she says.

“Baseball is slower, so you’ve got the chance to learn.

Hockey is so fast it’s harder to pick up what’s going on.

But it’s definitely a fun sport.”

And a fun start to her career, thanks in large part to York College.

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Joe Monte, a 2011 York College grad, is an account manager at The Garden and manages Coca-Cola, Lexus and Brand Jordan.

From York College to Madison Square Garden Joe Monte ('11) says he credits the YCP community for helping him reach his goals.

Joe Monte is living his boyhood dreams.

When he ran across the basketball court in high school, the cheers of family and friends on the sidelines couldn’t stand in comparison to the roar of the crowd that he hears now at Madison Square Garden.

Joe, a 2011 graduate of York College of Pennsylvania’s Sport 18

Management program, feels the pulse of that crowd each time he goes to work.

Working toward his dream Although he no longer plays the sport that made him want to pursue a career in Sport Management, his passion for the game, working in partnerships with many large companies, and the customer experience is just as exciting, he says.

Now an account manager in the marketing partnerships department at Madison Square Garden, Joe manages accounts such as Coca-Cola, Lexus, Northwell Health and Brand Jordan. His job is York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

to handle all contractual elements, which includes oversight of branding, marketing new platforms and initiatives, and hosting VIP experiences for MSG’s top partners.

But perhaps the most exciting aspect of his job is his chance to meet the pros. Joe has been introduced to former and current players of the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers and the New York Liberty and works with them on a weekly basis.

With more than 400 events on the MSG calendar each year, he’s had the chance to see even more celebrities mingle around him.

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The coolest person he’s met? Joe would have to say tennis superstar Serena Williams.

“How many people can say they met such a dominant athlete and the No. 1 tennis player in the world,” he says.

How he got there While touring college campuses in search of his collegiate home, Joe felt lost. Many of them seemed too big, and he felt small.

When he stepped onto the campus at York College, something felt right, he says. It was the perfect fit to keep him close enough to his home in New Jersey while giving him the opportunities to focus on his career in Sport Management.

The work he did in and outside of the classroom at York College has set him up to stand courtside at Madison Square Garden – and not feel small at all.

His first introduction to The Garden was in 2010 during a spring break job fair. That summer, he worked in a marketing partnership and the following year he completed his Capstone Experience there – this time in the sales and account management department.

When Joe graduated in 2011, The Garden took a pass at him but ultimately gave a job to someone else, he says.

“My heart was still set on working there,” Monte says. “I knew it was where I wanted to be, and I wasn’t ready to give up on that.”

It’s about the connections With his hopes still set on working at The Garden, Joe pursued his master’s degree while working with another agency. It was during that time that he tapped into a valuable skill he learned at York College: the power of networking.

He kept in regular contact with those he knew at Madison Square Garden until an opportunity finally opened up.

Joe Monte, Class of 2011, poses with legendary hoops coach Bob Knight.

“It was tough at first,” he says. “I had to work late nights finishing my master’s degree and working at The Garden at the same time. But the hard work was worth it.”

The York College community Joe credits the community at York College for helping him reach his goals.

“I still have a large group of friends I keep in touch with, many of them daily,” he says.

“Friendship and the close-knit community made the experience better for me than I could have hoped for.”

As for the major, the biggest lesson it passed on to Joe is “accountability.”

“The program holds students to it,” he says. “Employers want to see that you can think on your feet and you can stay ahead of the competition, no matter what industry you work in.”

When it comes down to it, Joe says, that’s what his clients are looking for – even over an Ivy League degree.

“You’re willing to learn. Willing to run through a wall for the client. That’s the job,” he says. “I am very fortunate and proud to work at this company, not only because I am a fan, but because there is a sense of hometown pride and loyalty to The Garden.”

Two years later, Joe says it paid off.

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Michael Wolf, Class of 2014

BIG-GAME EFFORT PAYS OFF

York College Sport Management Grad Michael Wolf has worked gigs with the Philadelphia Eagles and a White Sox affiliate. He even worked Super Bowl XLVII. He credits his early success toward a combination of three things.

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York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

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ichael Wolf’s impressive resume – especially for a twenty-something recent college grad – includes time with the Philadelphia Eagles, working Super Bowl XLVII, and coordinating sporting events and ticket sales for a handful of universities. Now, he’s employed with the Kannapolis Intimidators, a Single-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

But the 2014 York College of Pennsylvania graduate and Sport Management major doesn’t credit luck to his early success in such a competitive industry. Instead, he points toward a combination of hard work, learning how to network, and taking advantage of opportunities provided by York College.

The only real lucky part of Michael's career might have come at the beginning of his journey.

In the summer of 2010, the New Jersey native was feeling conflicted.

"I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to major in history or sports,” he says. “I looked at University of Pittsburgh, Boston College and basically any college within five hours of New Jersey so I could get home on the weekends.”

“At York College, you get to see the return on your hard work right away.

Because of all those experiences, I’ve never struggled to find a job.”

— MICHAEL WOLF, CLASS OF 2014

A friend of Michael's was attending York College and insisted he check it out.

“I had never been to York and didn’t really travel to Pennsylvania much, but I came to York College for a visit and loved the campus,” Michael says.

After learning about the robust Sport Management degree at York College, Michael's conflict was easily resolved.

“Nowhere else has such a great program and so much personal connection with your professors,” he says.

Gaining meaningful experience The first two years of the Sport Management major at York College are designed to help students narrow their choices and select an area of focus, Continued on Page 22

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and the school provides no shortage of sports career experiences.

Michael started school in the fall of 2010 and quickly jumped into the practicum portion of the major where students help run the sporting events of the college. In his first year, he worked more than 100 hours.

Hard work pays off After graduation, in July 2014, Michael landed a job with IMG, a ticketing agency affiliated with the University of Akron that contracts with universities nationwide to run ticketing sales, management, and game day ticketing.

“I loved it so much, and it was such a great experience,” he says. “I did tickets, concessions, scoreboard, ball boy, substitution table, among a few others.”

“My title was Account Executive, and I did ticketing sales for men’s and women’s basketball and soccer, football, and volleyball,” he says. “My event management experience from York College really helped me work events, get fans involved, and host Boy and Cub Scouts Overnighters.”

The following school year, Michael was the Men's Basketball Supervisor for the practicum program, in which he oversaw 10 or more students per game and was the supervisor on duty.

In February 2016, Michael left IMG and started a new job as Box Office Manager and Group Sales Executive with the Intimidators, the Chicago White Sox’s Single-A affiliate.

DID YOU KNOW ...

In summer of 2012, Michael was selected for an internship with the Philadelphia Eagles as a Ticket Office Intern.

Enhancing our program, the Sport Management Student Association (SMSA) gives our students even more opportunity to network with professionals, organize events, and discover more about the sports industry (plus, it's a lot of fun!).

“The professors at York College host an interview training in class, and through that training I landed the Eagles internship,” he says. “It’s not for everyone, but if you work hard, you can get great positions.”

The Eagles had him come back to work home games through the fall.

“Of the 12 or 13 interns, I was the only one with a knowledge of sales, so when they needed help at the ticket booth, I was the only intern there working with experienced ticketing professionals," he says.

During their senior year, York College Sport Management majors hold a work experience internship and write about it.

Michael was selected to work at Colonial Life Arena at the University of South Carolina doing events planning with the basketball teams.

“It’s a great opportunity to learn a whole new ticketing system. My dad was an IT manager for a university, and I have a passion for computers, too,” he says.

“York College has a whole course on public relations in Sport Management, which teaches about research, writing, and website creation, and I put all of that to use now.”

One of Michael's early career highlights came in 2013. He was one of a handful of students and teachers who got to work Super Bowl XLVII. He earned that experience, he says, because of his time working on the student-run golf tournament.

“If you work hard, you will set yourself up to work in bigger positions and move on elsewhere,” he says.

“At York College, you get to see the return on your hard work right away. Because of all those experiences, I’ve never struggled to find a job.”

"I also organized concerts, shows, galas, and baseball games," he says.

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York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

A HAT TIP TO HIS PROFESSORS

MAKING A CAREER OUT OF BASEBALL Colbe Herr is the Baseball Program Manager at the IMG Academy, which specializes in high-level athletics.

Colbe Herr admits that he didn’t see himself spending his days in Florida working at a prestigious sports academy.

However, after spending most of his life, including his time at York College of Pennsylvania, in baseball, his current job appears to be a perfect match.

In January, the 2014 York College graduate and Sport Management major became a Baseball Program Manager at the IMG Academy, a well-known institution that specializes in high-level athletics.

His days are filled with duties that range from setting up camps and tournaments, to meal and transportation planning for the 120 baseball student-athletes that live at the boarding-style school.

“It’s a pretty special place. We treat it like a college. We have two dorms, a lot of kids from 31 states and 12 countries,” he says.

“I don’t even know if a typical day exists.”

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Colbe Herr, Class of 2014

‘I am loving it’ A large part of his job is handling the budget for the entire baseball department, including overseeing any purchase of food, equipment, uniforms, summer camps, and tournaments the facility hosts.

Most recently, Colbe and an associate ran a national 24-team baseball tournament that took place at the Bradenton, Fla., campus. While his job comes with a lot of administrative duties, he is glad to be involved in the sport that has been a part of his life for 15 years – in the warm weather to boot.

York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

“It’s essentially an athletic director’s position for our baseball department,” is how Colbe describes his job. “To be honest, I didn’t see myself working in all of these facets. I am loving it. It fits my mold perfectly. As a 23-yearold, it’s not too shabby.”

IMG features all aspects of athletics and academics. Herr says that in addition to the baseball, and the other sports, the school is adamant that its student-athletes get proper mental and nutritional training.

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Rigorous classroom study. Practical experience. And a wealth of opportunities to work with some of the best industry professionals. At York College, the Sport Management program prepares you for careers in a wide range of fields that enrich the lives of others.

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The baseball facility has college coaches that came from large Division I programs, in addition to former Major League players. There is also staff that helps with the international students, and college placement.

Balancing baseball and the classroom In Colbe's case, his job is the perfect culmination of all of the education he received at York College. His was a Sport Management major, with minors in both Business Administration and Youth Development.

The fact that he was a standout for the Spartans’ baseball team during his time at York College helped.

While handling duties as a student and a collegiate athlete, Colbe learned time management and making sure to complete his studies around his baseball schedule. He laughs at the misconception some have about the Sport Management program.

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“People think you just watch SportsCenter (on ESPN) as a part of class. I watched less than most people because I was so busy,” he says. “Being in the classroom taught me how to handle the workload. Being a student-athlete, I think back, ‘Wow, I did handle a lot.’ I really have to thank all of my professors and coaches for everything.”

‘It came down to opportunity’ His education led him to some quality internships, his first one at IMG and a second at Baseball Factory Inc., in Columbia, Md. He stayed on part time while playing baseball in the Frontier League until IMG was able to take him on full time.

“It came down to opportunity and what was going to help me prepare for work,” Colbe says. “Now that I am here, it’s a blessing.”

York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

Inside track OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Sport Management majors get real-world experience at Sport Marketing Association conference.

The high-pitched buzz of an Indy 500 race car rounding the bend of the Dallara Indycar Factory still rings in the ears of Azia Evans and Peter Panassow.

“I never thought I’d have the chance to sit in one of those vehicles,” said Peter, a senior York College of Pennsylvania Sport Management major. “It was just one part of a really amazing experience.”

The two were a part of a five-student, two-faculty member trip to the Sport Marketing Association’s annual conference in Indianapolis – an opportunity that provided real-world experience with feedback from industry professionals, along with a little fun on the racetrack.

“The trip was amazing,” said Azia, also a senior Sport Management student. “It was two-fold: A way for me to see my growth in my major and all the things I learned in college. I enjoyed that I had the inside scoop in the sports industry.”

'It opened my eyes’

The break-out sessions at the conference allowed students to learn more about the aspects of sports they may want to pursue.

“I am interested in going into the analytic part of sports. It opened

YCP students visited Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Sport Marketing Association’s annual conference in Indiana. my eyes to new ways I can pursue that in my career,” Peter said.

“There’s so many more avenues.”

Azia, who has been drawn to the sales aspect of sports since her junior year at York College, agreed.

“Meeting different professors all over the country was great. Meeting the COO of a top marketing sales company was really special,” she said. “The conference felt like it was designed for me.”

The case study bowl

The York College students prepared for the conference with a research project that focused on social media use among male and female athletes, particularly when it comes to Twitter and Instagram.

They presented their research

DID YOU KNOW ...

The Sport Management program at York College of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).

Accreditation is beneficial to students because the process assures them that the academic program is meeting these high standards and providing them with the knowledge and skills required by the sport management industry.

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York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

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at the conference, which helped prepare them for one of the main aspects of the trip: a case study competition by The Aspire Group. Their task was to brainstorm and present ideas to sell out the 2017 NCAA Women’s Final Four. The competition was aptly named, “The Aspire Group Case Study Bowl.”

SHOWCASING HIS SKILLS

“It was us and eight other teams from colleges around the country,” Peter said. “We had one night to get ready and one chance to get it right.”

Student nominated to join prestigious Sport Management honors society

The sport marketing professionals they presented to included the editor of the Sports Business Journal as well as industry professionals and faculty from institutions around the country.

Being a member of Chi Sigma Mu, the honors society of the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation, comes with its perks, says Kyle Andrews, '17.

“We all worked on the project together, and it was an awesome experience,” Azia said. “It was a chance for us to put ourselves out there and see how we could be better.”

York College of Pennsylvania senior Kyle Andrews knows he must distinguish himself in the growing field of Sport Management.

Taking it back to the classroom

While York College has sent students and faculty to many conferences over the years, this was the first time students from the college attended the Sport Marketing Association’s annual event.

York College professors Dr. Molly Hayes Sauder and Dr. Mike Mudrick also benefited from the experience, picking up some valuable knowledge for future students.

“That’s why we go. I picked up things for the classroom. I picked up things for research projects,” Dr. Hayes Sauder said. “We are always trying to figure out what is valuable for our students.”

A complete experience

The trip wasn’t all work for the students. They toured Lucas Oil Stadium and Bankers Life Fieldhouse, respective homes to the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers. Peter said the sporting aspect was fun, but he also noted that Indianapolis was a clean and vibrant city.

“When you combine the professional aspect with the chance to tour a city we’d never been to before, it was all part of the complete experience,” Peter said. “I really appreciate the fact that I can get that at York College.”

“Sport management is such a competitive field because so many students and employees, not just sport management students, are drawn to the industry,” Kyle says.

Recently, Kyle received an honor that can help him stand out among those grasping for a job in the sports industry. Kyle was nominated to join Chi Sigma Mu, the honors society of the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).

York College professor Dr. Michael Mudrick says Kyle received the honor because he’s already doing things that showcase his exceptional skills. Kyle is a great student, leader and hard worker, Dr. Mudrick says.

“It’s really all of the above. I know that sounds cliché, but in my two years he really is the student that stands out,” he says.

To receive consideration, a student must by nominated by a faculty member and have at least 60 credits toward a Bachelor’s degree with a 3.4 GPA. “It’s just a great honor and something I’m very proud of. I think what makes this award even more special for me is the fact that you have to be nominated by your professors,” Kyle says.

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York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

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“Any time your superiors or managers and peers recognize that you’re working hard and see the pride you have in your academics, life or your job, that’s as good as it gets.”

Kyle Andrews, Class of 2017

A future doing what he loves Sports have always been a part of Kyle’s life. He has helped coach at the junior high and high school levels and would like to be an athletic director.

“This industry can impact people in so many ways, whether that be through fan experience or helping student athletes within high school or college athletics departments,” he says.

“It’s constantly changing, and no day is similar, so for me that’s a huge draw. The fact you’re always trying to find that new competitive edge or a new way of doing something to help your team be successful – that beats any day just sitting at a desk.”

While a career in sports sparked his interest, the importance of his academics is really what helps him achieve success.

“From a young age, my parents made sure to remind me how important academics were, and they made sure I applied myself in the classroom,” Kyle says. “So, it’s a testament to them and all my teachers along the way.”

An opportunity to network and grow One of the benefits to being in the COSMA honors society is free registration to the organization’s annual conference, something Kyle knows can open doors down the road.

“The old saying, ‘it’s not what you know but who you know,’ really stands out to me,” he says. “It truly is such a vital part of any industry today, and being a part of this honor society I am gaining access to people and sport employees who are at the highest level of what they do.”

already excels at, Dr. Mudrick says.

In November 2016, Dr. Mudrick, Dr. Molly Haynes Sauder and three students – including Kyle – attended the annual Sport Marketing Association conference in Indianapolis.

The students gave a presentation on a research study and participated in a “study bowl.”

“Kyle really stood out at that conference,” Dr. Mudrick says. “He can think on his feet in an academic setting. He’s got that captivating factor in front of an audience. I’m excited to see where he goes in life.”

That ability to showcase his skills is something Kyle

York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management

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York College of Pennsylvania | Sport Management