{"id":211673,"date":"2024-03-27T07:00:27","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T11:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=211673"},"modified":"2024-03-27T07:12:15","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T11:12:15","slug":"neag-schools-sport-management-program-hosts-annual-sport-business-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2024\/03\/neag-schools-sport-management-program-hosts-annual-sport-business-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Neag School\u2019s Sport Management Program Hosts Annual Sport Business Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last month, the UConn Neag School of Education\u2019s sport management program<\/a> hosted the eighth-annual Sport Business Conference (SBC)<\/a> in Laurel Hall at UConn Storrs. The student-run event focuses on providing a professional opportunity to engage with experts in the sports industry across diverse career paths through a daylong event that includes speakers, panels, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities.<\/p>\n

The morning of Feb. 25 started with keynote speaker Faith Celeste McCarthy \u201917 (ED), \u201918 MS, an associate manager of business operations with ESPN. McCarthy was interviewed in a Q&A session by Neag School faculty member Danielle DeRosa, who also advises the SBC.<\/p>\n

DeRosa began by describing McCarthy\u2019s accolades, including the Donald Kinsman Award, a high honor within UConn Athletics given annually to one female and one male student who demonstrate universal success during their time at UConn.<\/p>\n

\"Two
Danielle DeRosa, left, interviews Faith Celeste McCarthy as part of the opening keynote of the 2024 Sport Business Conference at UConn Storrs. (Shawn Kornegay\/Neag School)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

McCarthy also shared with the audience her experience as a former student-athlete at UConn and how she first connected with the sport management program. \u201cI met with Dr. Laura Burton; she just sold me on being in sport management, and it was an absolute blessing,\u201d McCarthy recalled.<\/p>\n

After finishing her undergraduate degree in sport management, McCarthy discussed continuing with the master\u2019s program, squeezing two years of classes into nine months. Now, six years later, she has built a successful career at ESPN, where she manages business operations, strategy, and experiential for sports business development and innovation.<\/p>\n

McCarthy described attending an espnW event, \u201cCampus Conversation,\u201d when she was a student at UConn, unknowingly laying the groundwork for her future.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was in that lecture hall, right across the way,\u201d she recalled. She would graduate and land a job with espnW, working with the division, traveling the country, and empowering female athletes. \u201cIt\u2019s cool to give back and be on the other side of that event.\u201d<\/p>\n

As she immersed herself in her role at ESPN, she recognized the value of inclusivity: \u201cIt wasn\u2019t about checking boxes; it was about creating a culture where every voice mattered, and diversity was celebrated,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The significance of inclusivity and diversity in driving organizational success was a key theme of McCarthy\u2019s keynote speech. She emphasized creating spaces where diverse perspectives are valued and heard.<\/p>\n

As the discussion drew to a close, McCarthy imparted valuable advice to the students: \u201cSometimes the right question is better than the right answer.\u201d Drawing from her own experiences, McCarthy encouraged them to embrace uncertainty and approach challenges with an open mind.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cThis is a fantastic opportunity for our sport management program alumni to engage with current students,\u201d DeRosa said later on. \u201cThey have the opportunity to give back in a way that\u2019s impactful and tangible.\u201d<\/p>\n

The History of SBC<\/h2>\n

The SBC was established in 2016 to connect students with opportunities in the sports industry. Originating from a group of passionate sport management students, the conference aimed to bridge academia with industry, offering practical experiences and connections.<\/p>\n

Each year, the conference has expanded its offerings, attracting professionals from diverse sports industry sectors. Notable speakers from organizations like the Celtics, Patriots, ESPN, and NBC Sports have shared insights and experiences over the years. The SBC emphasizes hands-on experiences, introducing new additions like broadcasting panels and professional organization recruiting tables. Low student-to-speaker ratio ensures meaningful interactions and networking opportunities.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor students, the conference provided a platform to explore various career paths within sports through workshops and mentorship sessions,\u201d said SBC Chief Operating Officer Chloe Boule \u201924 (ED). \u201cIt equipped them with professional development and networking skills for their future careers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

For students, the conference provided a platform to explore various career paths within sports through workshops and mentorship sessions. It equipped them with professional development and networking skills for their future careers. — Chloe Boule '24 (ED)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cBehind the scenes, student planners gained valuable event management experience, shaping the conference\u2019s direction and impact,\u201d Boule said. \u201cThe conference\u2019s inclusive nature, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, fostered a welcoming environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI decided to get involved with SBC because it seemed like a great opportunity to build friendships, connections, and professional experience when I started three years ago,\u201d said SBC Chief Executive Officer Dale Erickson \u201924 (ED). \u201cIt was an opportunity to funnel my passion for sports in a way that can be showcased to students, professors, and professionals. The experience and knowledge that I have gained through this position have helped elevate my understanding of the business of sport, which is also what I want to pursue for jobs in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the conference has grown over the years, it has become a crucial event for students, often leading to internships and job opportunities. Its impact extends across the University, attracting attendees from various disciplines.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe event is important because it helps the students to expand their understanding of the sport industry,\u201d DeRosa says. \u201cSport management is a highly practical field, so offering the opportunity to speak to alumni and professionals within the sport industry allows our students to see a path for themselves, which I believe is very powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conference Founder Comes Full Circle<\/h2>\n
\"Paul
Paul Wetterman \u201918 (ED) \u201920 MS, UConn men’s basketball director of operations, was one of the original founders of SBC when he was a student. (Evan Elmore\/Neag School)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

UConn’s director of men’s basketball operations, Paul Wettemann \u201918 (ED) \u201920 MS, was part of the initial group of ambitious students who hatched a plan that would forever change the landscape of their academic community.<\/p>\n

\u201cBack in my freshman year of college at UConn, a group of friends and I were all involved with the Sport Business Association, and we had been hearing about premier sport business conferences around the northeast,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

UConn needed such an event. Armed with passion and a desire to enhance their peers\u2019 professional development, they set out to organize the inaugural UConn Sport Business Conference. From keynote speakers to workshops and networking sessions, the students meticulously planned every detail to provide attendees with a transformative experience.<\/p>\n

They welcomed 130 students that inaugural year. Years have passed, but the spirit of the SBC has endured. As an alumnus, Wettemann returns as a speaker and student mentor. For him, it is a full-circle moment \u2014 a chance to give back to the program that shaped his career and fostered lifelong friendships.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cIt wasn\u2019t just an event; it was a testament to the program\u2019s unrivaled resources and the boundless potential of its students,\u201d he said. \u201cSome of the best young professionals in the industry are starting at this event. No other schools in the Northeast are putting on an annual event like this with the level of success they are having here at UConn.\u201d<\/p>\n

To learn more about the Neag School of Education’s sport management program, visit sport.education.uconn.edu<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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