ISSUE 1, SPRING 2010

Building Strong partnerships, pg. 5

Excellent Opportunities for MSU Students, pg. 9

MSU Alumni Have Great Things to Say, pg. 17

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

2 Program Insight

3 New Additions to MSU’s Sport Management Program

4 Sport Management Scholarships Provide Opportunities for Students

7 Scholarship BBQ Expands at MSU

8 Golf at its Finest

11 Females Working for Minnesota Professional Sport Teams

13 Finding a Sport Management Job In a Declining Economy

14 The Quest for a Sport Management Internship

16 MSU Alumnus Makes Big Strides for Sport Management Program

19 On The Record: MSU Faculty

20 Letter To The Alumni

ISSUE 1 • SPRING 2010

A Partnership & A Program:A Winning Relationship

Building strong partnerships with Glen Taylor, Chris Wright & the Minnesota Timberwolves

5

Excellent Opportunities for MSU Students

Minnesota Vikings provide MSU Sport Management Students with opportunities

9

MSU Alumni Have Great Things to Say

MSU Alumni Have Great Things to Say about Sport Management Program

17

DR. GAROLD RUSHING, Department Head & Professor

DR. JON LIM, Associate Professor & Program Coordinator

DR. SUzANNAH ARMENTROUT,Assistant Professor & Internship Coordinator

MR. BRyAN ROMSA, Assistant Professor

JILL BINSTOck, Administrative Assistant

ISSUE 1 • SPRING 2010

EDITOR ....................Samantha Schommer,Laura Shearer

DESIGNER .........................Megan Hejhal,Laura Shearer

PHOTOGRAPHERS ..............Megan Hejhal, Kendall Hughson,Laura Shearer

PRINTER ............University Printing Services

WRITERS ..............................Bryant Black,Elizabeth Costy, Megan Hejhal,

Kendall Hughson, Kristin Johnson,Nick Lundin, Nick Mehlhaff, Laura Shearer,

Travis Smith, Jordan Stolp, Greg Weis

Sport Management Insider is published one time a year by the Minnesota State University, Mankato Sport Management Program. SMI is distributed to the sport management alumni, students, faculty and partners.

SMI is copyrighted in its entirety. This volume and all articles, images and photographs within may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the editors.

Any comments, questions or concerns about SMI can be sent to Sport Management Program, Department of Human Performance, 1400 Highland Center, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato, MN 56001, by fax to 507-389-5618, or call 507389-6313.

This document is available in an alternative format to individuals with disabilities by contacting the magazine staff at the address or fax number.

AsIservemyfourthyearasCoordinatorofthesportmanagementprogramandmy12thyearasafacultymember,nowatmyseconduniversity,thisacademicyearhasbeenveryexciting.Ihaveseenalotofpositivechangesintheprogram,includingenrollment,quality,industrypartnerships,studentscholarships,andopportunitiesforstudents. Theprogramhas324studentsincluding283undergraduateand41graduatestudents,andhasgrownover200%since2005.ThesportmanagementprogramistheonlyprograminthestateandUpperMidwestwithanationallyapprovedprogrambytheNorthAmericanSocietyforSportManagement(NASSM).Itisoneof35nationallyapprovedprogramsbytheNASSMoutofthe280sportmanagementprogramsinthecountry. Studentsaregettingacutting-edgeexperienced-basedcurriculumtobestpreparethestudentsforthesportindustry.Thequalityofprogramhasincreased,astheaverageGPAofgraduateandundergraduatestudentsforfall2009wasa3.5and3.3,respectively.Ourstudentresearchhasbeenannuallyselectedforresearchpresentationsatnationalconferencesoverthepastfiveyearsandhasbeenpublishedinanumberofacademic-refereedjournalsincluding:InternationalConferenceofSportBusinessandEntertainment,AAPHERDNationalConvention,ResearchQuarterly,andEuropeanJournalofManagement. Asaresultofourreputation,numerousorganizationshaveapproachedustocreatepartnershipssuchastheTimberwolves,Vikings,LifetimeFitness,andFinalStretch.Furthermore,boththeTimberwolvesandVikingscurrentlysponsorthesportmanagementprogramfor$3000ayear.Asaresultofsupportfromvariousorganizationsanddonors,wewereabletoprovidemorethan10scholarshipsthisyear. Additionally,theSportManagementAdvisoryBoardconvenedforthefirsttimeattheMarquetteHotelonThursday,March18th2010.TheboardwasformedwiththeobjectivetoassisttheSportManagementprograminensuringprogrammaticqualityandaccomplishingitsstrategicgoals.Themembersoftheboardareindustryleadersrepresentingeverypossiblefacetofthesportbusiness.Furthermore,thesportmanagementprogramwillofferstudentsanuniqueinternationalstudyabroadprogramopportunitywheretheycanminorinSportTourisminHanUniversityintheNetherlands.EveryoneisveryexcitedaboutopportunitiesandpossibilitieswehaveintheSportManagementProgramatMinnesotaStateUniversity,Mankato.

Dr.JonLimAssociateProfessor

Program Insight

INSIDER 3

ThisyearthesportmanagementprogramatMinnesotaStateUniversity,Mankatohasmadekeychangestoimprovetheprogramandcreateopportunitiesforitsstudents.Thenewadditionstothesportmanagementprograminclude:thesportmanagementwall,anAdvisoryBoard,anAlumniAssociationandExecutiveBoard,aDistinguishedSpeakerSeries,andaSportMarketingTeam. TheMSUsportmanagementwall,locatedoutsideofMyersFieldhouse,wascreatedinthefallof2009andsponsoredbytheMinnesotaTimberwolves.Thiswallwascreatedtopromotethesportmanagementprogramandadvertisesponsorstocreatescholarshipfundsforstudents.Thesportmanagementtelevisionlocatedonthewallismanagedbysportmanagementstudentsandprovidesthemexperiencewithsponsorshipsales,andproductionofclosedcircuitadvertisements. TheSportManagementAdvisoryBoard,consistingofmorethan20sportbusinessleaders,wascreatedasaliaisonbetweenMSU’sSportManagementProgramandthesportbusinessworld.Theboardwillserveasawaytoprovideinternshipandjobopportunitiestosportmanagementstudentsbybringingsportbusinessleadersfromtheindustrytoadviseandhelpmovethesportmanagementprogramforward. ThesportmanagementprogramalsocreatedtheAlumniAssociationandtheAlumniExecutiveBoardtoimprovetheprogram.TheAlumniAssociationwascreatedsotheprogramcouldbuildstrongrelationshipsbetweenitsalumni,studentsandfacultyinordertofurtheradvancethesportmanagementprogramwhiletheAlumniExecutiveBoardwascreatedtooverseetheentireassociation.

TheDistinguishedSpeakerSeriesatMinnesotaStateUniversity,Mankatoisanothernewprogramcreatedtobenefitsportmanagementstudents.Themainpurposeofthespeakerseriesistointroducesportmanagementstudentstoabroadrangeofsubjects,viewpointsandprofessionalsinthesportbusinessworld. “Ourplanistobringtopsportbusinessleaderstocampussoourstudentscanlearnfromtoday’sleadersinordertobecometomorrow’sleaders,”Dr.Lim,AssociateProfessorforMinnesotaStateUniversity,MankatoSportManagementandcreatoroftheDistinguishedSpeakerSeries. ThelasteditionmadetoimproveMSU’sSportManagementProgramistheSportMarketingTeam.TheSportMarketingTeamconsistsofthetop12studentsinthesportmanagementprogramwhowerenominatedbyfacultymembersandtheteamdirectors. ThepurposeoftheSportMarketingTeamistohavestudentsworktogethertoincreasethevisibilityofthesportmanagementprogram.Theteamisinchargeofcreatingtheprogramnewsletter,website,magazine,operatingthesportmanagementtelevisionanddevelopingnewandimprovingexistingrelationshipswithsportbusinessleadersintheindustry. TheMSUSportManagementProgramiswellonitswaytocreatinggreatopportunitiesforthesportmanagementstudentsandwillcontinuetodosointhefuture.Thenewadditionscreatedfortheprogramthisyearhaveopenedmanydoorswhichwillcontinuetocreateastrongtraditionofacademicexcellence.Thestudentsandfacultyofthesportmanagementprogramareveryexcitedforwhatwillcomeinthefuture.

- Laura Shearer, Sport Management ’10 BS

New Additions to MSU’s Sport Management Program

Scholarship Winners

Timberwolves Sales competition- Travis Smith

Timberwolves SportManagement Leadership Award

- Kristin Johnson- Travis Smith

Glen Taylor Sport BusinessLeader Scholarship

- Greg Weis- Megan Hejhal

Rushing Sport ManagementScholarship

- Amanda Geiger- Elizabeth Costy

Dennis Erie Sport ManagementScholarship

- Adam Couillard- Laura Shearer

Maverick MomentumInternational Scholarship

- Philipp Nagel

Maverick Momentum StudyAbroad Scholarship- Nathanael Rhody

- Tracy Furan

Maverick Momentum Undergraduate Scholarship

- Rachel Busch

Maverick MomentumGraduate Scholarship

- Elizabeth Costy

Offering more scholarships has been a point of emphasis for the Minnesota

State University, Mankato Sport Management Program. Just three years ago, there

were no scholarships offered by the program. Now, there are nine offered to sport

management majors, and another five offered to the entire university. A combination

of generous donations from private parties and a substantial fundraising effort by the

program has made these scholarships possible.

The unique aspect about some of the scholarships that MSU offers is that they

are performance based. For example, when the Minnesota Timberwolves had a

preseason game on campus at MSU, the sport management program in association

with the Timberwolves organized a ticket sales competition. The grand prize was

a $1,000 Timberwolves Sales Competition Award generously funded by the

Timberwolves. It is real world experiences like these that set the program apart from

all the rest and the students are very grateful for these opportunities.

There are also a number of traditional scholarships offered by the MSU Sport

Management Program. These scholarships are funded by both private donations and

fundraising from the program. The Rushing Sport Management Scholarship, Glen

Taylor Sport Business Leader Scholarship and the Dennis Erie Sport Management

Scholarship each support two different students with sport management majors at

MSU with $500 annually. These scholarships are awarded to students who excel in

the classroom and partake in and excel at extracurricular activities.

The MSU Sport Management Program also offers five scholarships that are

open to anyone who attends Minnesota State University, Mankato with the Maverick

Momentum Scholarship series. This series offers a scholarship for undergraduate,

graduate, study abroad, and international students for $1,000 each. These

scholarships are completely funded by the MSU Scholarship BBQ and are awarded

to exceptional students in the required areas. The introduction and advancement of

these scholarships, along with the Scholarship BBQ, is a source of pride for the sport

management department that will continue expansion in the coming years.

The MSU Sport Management Program would like to take this opportunity to say

thank you for all of the private donations received. Without your help the program

could not offer nearly as many scholarship opportunities for the students. If you

would like to donate to the MSU Sport Management scholarship fund please contact

Dr. Jon Lim at: yean-sub.lim@mnsu.edu

- Greg Weis, Sport Management ‘10 BS

Sport Management Scholarships Provide

Opportunities for Students

INSIDER 5

T heSportManagementProgramatMinnesota

StateUniversityhasbeenpresentedwithamultitudeofopportunitiesinthepastyear,mostofwhichrevolvearoundtheMinnesotaTimberwolvesandtheTimberwolvesUniversity.

Lastspring,TimberwolvesPresidentChrisWrightwasselectedastheSportBusinessLeaderofYear.ThisawardisanannualawardgivenbytheprogramattheSportManagementDinnerofDistinction.TheTimberwolvesstaffincludingMr.Wright,TrishaExsted,andEricaNoahalsosawtheopportunitytoinvolvethesportmanagementprogramintheir2009trainingcampheldonMinnesotaStateUniversity’scampus,thealmamaterofGlenTaylor. OverthesummertheTimberwolvesheldameetinginMankatotodiscussthepotentialopportunityforstudentstoplayamajorroleinthecampbysellingticketsandworkingoperationsforthepre-seasongameheldinBresnanArena.Thesportmanagementfacultysawthisasagreatopportunityfortheirstudentstogainexperiencewithaprofessionalorganization BryanRomsa’sundergraduatesportmarketingclassandDr.SuzannahArmentrout’sgraduatesportmarketingclasswereinchargeoftheticketsales.Inadditiontothetwoclasses,studentsthroughouttheuniversitytookpartintheuniversity-wideTimberwolvesSalesContest.The50sportmanagementstudentsparticipatinginthesalescontestnearlysoldoutBresnanArena.Thewinnerofthesalescontest,TravisSmith,receiveda$1,000awardfromtheTimberwolvesandsoldroughly$4,000inticketsforthegame.GlenTaylorandChrisWrightpresentedthe

A Partnership & A Program:

A Winning Relationship

salescompetitionawardduringhalf-timealongwiththeMinnesotaTimberwolvesLeadershipAwardspresentedtoKristinJohnsonandTravisSmith. TheTimberwolveswerepleasedwiththeperformanceofthesportmanagementstudentsandbroughtthestudentsthatwereinvolvedwithtrainingcamptothehome-openerattheTargetCenter.UponarrivalstudentswereescortedtoasuitelevelconferenceroomwheretheyreceivedacateredmealandwereacknowledgedbyMinnesotaStateUniversityPresidentDr.RichardDavenport,VicePresidentBobHoffman,TimberwolvesPresidentChrisWright,TimberwolvesHumanResourcesDirectorTrishaExsted,GroupSalesExecutiveEricaNoah,Dr.Lim,Dr.ArmentroutandBryanRomsa.TheGlenTaylorSportBusinessLeaderScholarshipswerealsopresentedatthedinnertoGregWeis,aseniorinsportmanagementandMeganHejhal,ajuniorinsportmanagement.AfterthedinnerstudentswereabletotakeintheTimberwolveshome-openerfromlowerlevelreservedseats. TherelationshipbetweentheMinnesotaTimberwolvesandtheSportManagementProgramatMinnesotaStateisgroundbreaking.Foraprofessionalsportorganization

6 Spring 2010

volunteer opportunities and also receive exposure on the campus of Minnesota State University. As the sport management program’s graduate assistant and a Timberwolves intern, being able to play a role in this partnership has been more than I could have ever envisioned as an undergraduate student. Being able to see how far the sport management program has come over the past few years is truly remarkable. Thanks to the Minnesota Timberwolves and other partnering sport organizations, this program will continue to grow into one of the top sport management programs in the nation with guidance from true professionals in the field.

- Travis Smith, Sport Management ‘10 MS

to invest time and resources into the program is truly remarkable and speaks very highly of the quality of program and students. It is an excellent way for students to gain valuable experience within the field while getting their “foot into the door” of a professional sport organization. For the Timberwolves, the partnership is equally beneficial. They are able to recruit top students from the program for internships and

INSIDER 7

Scholarship BBQ Expandsat MSU

Twoyearsago,inthefallof2007,theMSUSportManagementProgramheldtheinauguralScholarshipBBQ.Byallaccounts,

itwasahugesuccess.Itdrewafewhundredpeopleandraised$2,500forscholarshipsforMSUstudents.However,that’snothingcomparedtothisyear’sScholarshipBBQ.Sinceitsinceptionin2007,theScholarshipBBQshavecombinedtoattractover3,500attendeesandhasraisedover$25,000forscholarshipsatMSUanditwillonlycontinuetogrow.Whatmakesitevenmoreastonishingisthat,sincedayone,theScholarshipBBQhasbeenplanned,organizedandcarriedoutbythestudentsoftheMSUSportManagementProgram,namely,theonestakingHP469EventManagementinSport.Theyhavedonethiswithtwogoalsinmind:toraisemoneyforscholarshipsatMSUandtogainrealworldexperienceineventmanagement. DuetotheoverwhelmingsuccessandgrowthoftheBBQ,somestructuralchangeshadtobemadetocontinuethesuccess.First,astudentexecutiveboardwasassembledtocontinuetobuildtheScholarshipBBQyearroundandalsotoassistwiththeHP469EventManagementinSportclass.Themembersoftheboardinclude:GregWeis,President,MichelleBigaouette,VicePresidentofMarketing,BryceWilkerson,VicePresidentofOperations,andNickLundin,VicePresidentofSponsorship. ThemaingoalofthestudentexecutiveboardistoprovidetheScholarshipBBQwiththeframeworkandcontinuityrequiredtocontinueitsgrowth. Onthesubjectofgrowth,thisyearmarksamajorchangeintheScholarshipBBQ.Forthefirsttimeinfivesemesterstherewasnotaneventheldinthefall.Duetomanydifferentreasons,theMSUfacultyinconjunctionwiththestudentexecutiveboard,decidedtotransitiontheScholarshipBBQintoanannualeventeveryspringinhopesthatanannualeventwillhaveagreateropportunitytogrowandthusfar,ithas. SincetherewasnofallScholarshipBBQ,theroleoftheEventManagementinSportclassneededtochange.However,thefocusoftheclasswasstillonexperientiallearning.Therefore,sponsorshipsalesbecamethemainfocusofthefallclassinanattempttodrasticallyimprovetheamountofsponsorsassociatedwiththeScholarshipBBQ.WiththisaspectoftheBBQ,DougFlitterwasbroughttoassisttheHP469classwiththeirsponsorshipsales.DougisagraduatestudentintheMSUSportManagementProgramwhodecidedtocomebacktoschooltogethismastersandfollowhistruepassion.HeistheformerVicePresidentofSalesatPrecisionPressandhasbeenanincrediblyvaluableassettothestudentsandstaffinvolvedwiththeScholarshipBBQ.

WithFlitternowonboardtohelpwiththenewfocusfortheEventManagementinSportclass,thehopesarehighfordramaticimprovementtotheScholarshipBBQparticularlywithsponsorship.“It’stoughtotellwherethey’llendup,butrightnowIthinkthatwecouldraisemoremoneyinsponsorshipthisyearthanwedidwiththeentirespringBBQ,”Flittersaid. Flitterandhisloftyexpectationshavebeenwelcomedwithopenarmsbythefacultyandthestudentexecutiveboard. “WithDoug’sexpertiseinthesalerealmhebringsalotofexperiencethatthestudentscanlearnfrom,”saidTravisSmithGraduateAssistantfortheHumanPerformanceDepartmentandExecutiveDirectoroftheScholarshipBBQ. AsfarastheactualeventinMay,theskyisthelimit.Everyoneinvolvedhashighhopesandtheyallexpectthebesteventsofar. “WithallthenewchangestotheBBQ,excitementisatanalltimehighandourgoalistocontinuethatexcitementwiththeeventinMay.Wehopetohavemoreexcitingsub-eventsthatwillleadtoanalltimehighinattendance,”saidBryceWilkerson,VicePresidentofOperations. MichelleBigaouetteVicePresidentofMarketing,added,“IexpecttheScholarship,BBQinMaytobebiggerandbetterthanthepast.WenowhavetimetodeveloprelationshipswithprospectivesponsorstocreateagoodbasefortheBBQ.” NomattertheoutcomeoftheScholarshipBBQ,it’sontherighttrackandwillonlycontinuetogrowwhichwillcreatemorescholarshipsandmoreopportunitiesforMSUstudentsalongtheway.

- Greg Weis, Sport Management ‘10 BS

8 Spring 2010

Golf at its Finest

T hethirdannualMSUSportManagementScholarshipScramblewasheldlastAprilontheplushfairwaysoftheMankatoGolf

Club,oneofthepremiercoursesinsouthernMinnesota.Theeventwascreatedtogivebacktothestudentsofthesportmanagementprogramintheformofscholarships.Scholarshipswerecreatedbymanygracioussponsorsincludingthetwotitlesponsors:MACValvesandTheHartfielCompany.Itwasbecauseofthesegenerousdonationsthattheprogramwasabletoholdsuchawonderfulevent,andthesportmanagementprogramcannotthankthemenough. Attheevent,therewere66golferswhoparticipated,sunnyskiesandseveralsmallereventsthatpulledeveryonetogethertomakethedayfunforall.Therewasaputtingcontestanda$10,000hole-in-onecontestwereheldontheputtinggreenbeforetheroundsstartedandduringthegame.Theputtingcontestconsistedofpeopledonatingtheircashto“TheClosesttoThePinContest”withMattWard,oneofthesportmanagementgraduatestudents.Theproceedsraisedthroughtheseeventsandcontestswereusedtohelpthestudentsinthesportmanagementprogram. ThegreatthingabouttheSportManagementScholarshipScrambleisallgolfersarewelcome,regardlessofabilities.Itisadaythattheworkingmen,womenandstudentscangetaway,findacommongroundandbuildrelationshipsforthefuture. “Itisgreatthatsomanypeoplecangettogetherforonecommonpurpose.Iamgratefulformyopportunitytoparticipate,andIcannotwaittoplayformanyyearstocome,”saidKyleBahe,aparticipantinthescramble.

Afterrelationshipswerebuiltduringtheday,itwastimetorecognizesomeoftheleadersinthesportsindustrywiththeSportManagementDinnerofDistinction.Therewere120individualsthatcametothebanquet.GreatfoodwasprovidedbytheMankatoGolfClubandmanyprominentsportsfiguresinMinnesotaweretheretosharethisgreatopportunityfortheprogram.Someoftheguestsincluded:LutherHippe,DirectorofOperationsfortheMinnesotaVikings,whoreceivedtheDistinguishedAlumniAward,J.T.Hoffman,HumanResourceSpecialistfortheMinnesotaTimberwolves,whoreceivedtheRisingStarAward,GlenTaylor,owneroftheMinnesotaTimberwolvesandLynx,andChrisWright,PresidentoftheMinnesotaTimberwolves,whoreceivedTheSportBusinessLeaderoftheYearAward.BeingsurroundedbyoutstandingsportleadersshowsalotofwhattheMSUSportsManagementProgramhastooffer.

- Bryant Black, Sport Management ’10 BS

INSIDER 9

The MSU Sport Management Program and the Minnesota Vikings have an exciting and beneficial partnership that has grown through the years. Along with having many student interns and alumni working within the Vikings organization, there are three events that MSU students take part in every year. The three events that MSU students partake in are the Taste of NFL, Vikings Draft Party and Vikings Training Camp. Other than being great resume boosters, they all offer great opportunities for the MSU students to gain valuable experience in professional sport and event management. The Taste of NFL is held in the beginning of November. The Vikings look for around 12 MSU students to volunteer with the event. This year the Taste of NFL was held at the International Market Square. This event helps raise funds for the Vikings Children’s Fund Summer Lunch Program which provides meals to Minnesota children during the summer months. The MSU Sport Management students who volunteer are assigned tasks to assist with running the event, along with set up and take down of the facility and assisting vendors.

The NFL Draft Party, which takes place shortly after the Vikings make their first round draft pick. With the annual Draft Party, MSU students again help at this event as volunteers. This event includes NFL Draft coverage, autograph sessions, Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders, fan contests and fun activities for the children. The student volunteers are assigned different tasks at the event which include: autograph sessions, an obstacle course for kids, football toss for kids and a corporate guest party. At the end of the summer, Mankato becomes the site for the Vikings Training Camp. The end of July and a few weeks into August, Blakeslee Stadium at MSU is packed with excited fans and student interns. Amongst the interns helping at camp there is a special group dedicated to running the Vikings Village, hospitality tent, VIP tent and autograph sessions. The Vikings Training Camp Sales and Marketing Interns consist of around 20 MSU Sport Management students. The steps to get an internship with the Vikings Training Camp are closely related with the College of Business at MSU. Shane Bowyer is the supervisor for this internship

Excellent Opportunities for MSU Students

10 Spring 2010

Minnesota Vikingsanddoesthehiring,althoughhedoesnotdotheinterviewing.ThosewhowanttoapplysubmitaresumeandcoverlettertoBowyerinAprilandtheinterviewsareconductedbyaclassofhumanresourcemanagementstudentsinordertogainrealworldexperience.Throughthisprocessthestudentinternsarechosenandnotified. Throughoutthetrainingcamp,theinternsgainvaluableknowledgeineventmanagement,fan/crowdmanagement,promotionsandmuchmore.TheVikingsofferguestspeakersfromtheirstafftospeaktothestudentinternsduringthelunchbreak.Allofthemofferedtheirstoriesabouthowtheygottowheretheywere,whattheydofortheVikingsandplentyofgreatadvice.ScottErdahl,theEventsandHospitalityCoordinatorfortheVikings,commentedonthepartnership. “TheMinnesotaVikingsappreciateourpartnershipwiththeMSUSportManagementProgram.Thestudentsandprofessorsarealwayseagertohelpinanyway.Inexchange,weprovidesomevaluablehands-onexperienceforthestudentswhichcontributetotheirgrowth

assportsbusinessprofessionals.Welookforwardtothecontinuedgrowthofourrelationship,”Erdahlsaid. Thoughthesethreeeventsseemsimilarinthenatureofwork,theyareverydifferentinotheraspects.TasteofNFLisputoneveryyeartoraisemoneyandawarenessabouthungerthroughoutMinnesota.Thesettingismoreformalandstudentsmustconductthemselvesaccordingly.Ontheotherhand,theVikingsDraftPartyandTrainingCampareallaboutthefans.Themoodisfullofexcitementandtheinternsandvolunteersareexpectedtocarrytheenthusiasmthroughouttheeventswhileconductingthemselvesprofessionally.Eachoffersagreatrealworldlearningexperienceforallstudentswhohelpout.

- Megan Hejhal, Sport Management ‘11 BS

INSIDER 11

Name:TrishaExsted

Position:HumanResourcesManager

Organization:MinnesotaTimberwolves

Education:BACommunicationsandPsychology-WesternStateCollege;ProfessionalofHumanResourcesCertification

Career path:Aftercollege,Exstedgotajobworkingasahumanresourcesgeneralistatanenvironmentalengineeringfirm.AfteracoupleofyearsshewasreadyforanewchallengeandlearnedofanopeningwiththeTimberwolvesbynetworkingthroughprofessionalHRgroups.Thenin2007sheappliedforthepositionwiththeteamandwashired.

Job description:Exstedhasmanyresponsibilities,including:overseeingrecruitingforfull-timepositionsandinternships,makingsuredepartmentsarestaffedappropriately,beingresponsibleforallbenefitandsalaryadministration,dealingwithemployeerelationsandriskmanagement,administeringtheperformancereviewprocess,andworkingonlegalissuesandcontracts.Exstedsummedupherpositioninonesentencestatinghermaingoalisto“balancetheneedsofemployeeswhilekeepingthebestinterestoftheorganizationinmind.”

Future plans:ExstedwouldlovetostaywiththeTimberwolvesandhopestohavecontinuedgrowthwithintheorganization.

Comments on MSU:ExstedthinksthesportmanagementprogramisexcellentatMSUandtheTimberwolvespreseasongameoncampusallowsstudentstoapplyacademicsinformationtoareal-worldexperience.Sheis“proudoftherecentgrowthbetweentheTimberwolvesandMSU.”

Name:CassieWieberdink

Position:GroupTicketSalesandServiceRepresentative

Organization:MinnesotaTwins

Education:BSSpeechCommunication(EmphasisonCorporate/CommunityRelationsandPublicRelations)/minorinSportManagement-WayneStateCollege

Job description:AsaGroupTicketSalesandServicesRepresentative,Wieberdink’smainresponsibilitiesareplanningandorganizingtraditionaloutingsforgroupsof25ormoreandsellingsuiteareasrangingfrom24personeventsuitestothe250personBudweiserRoofDeck.Inadditiontothisshealsosellsseasontickets.

Pros of current job:AccordingtoWieberdink,“theTwinsorganizationisaclassyorganizationthatmakessuretheiremployeesarelistenedtoandwelltakencareof”.ShealsosaysthatthereisalotofexcitementsurroundingtheopeningofTargetFieldthisspring.Alongwiththenewfacility,WieberdinkthinkstheTwinsproductisagreatonetosellandshethoroughlyenjoysbeingapartoftheteam.

Future plans:WieberdinkisveryhappyworkingfortheTwinsandishopingtostaywiththeorganizationforawhileandcontinueonasaGroupSalesandServiceRepresentative.Intheupcomingyearsshewouldlikethechancetoadvancetoamanagementposition.

Thoughts on females working in the sport industry:Overall,Wieberdinkthinksthatfemaleshavecomealongwayinthesportindustryandbelievestheyarenotgoingtostopanytimesoon.OnefemaleshefeelsshowsthiswellisLauraDaywhoistheTwin’sSeniorVicePresidentofBusinessDevelopment.AccordingtoWieberdink,Dayisaninspirationandshouldbearolemodeltootherfemalesbecauseofherdetermination,workethicandknowledgeoftheindustry.

cassie Wieberdink

Trisha ExstedCassie Wieberdink Trisha Exsted

Females Working for Minnesota

12 Spring 2010

Name:KimberlyFields

Position:DirectorofCivicandBusinessAffairs

Organization:MinnesotaVikings

Education:BS/MEEngineering-UniversityofVirginia;cur-rentlyinlawschool

Job description:Fieldsisinchargeofmanytasksinamulti-tudeofareaswhichincludes:marketing,communityrelations,legalissues/contracts,playerbranding,events,andsponsor-shipagreements.

Pros of current job:AccordingtoFields,herfavoritepartaboutworkinginsportsisthat“nodayisthesame”andherresponsibilitiesarealwayschangingwhichmakesitexciting.

Cons of current job:Sincesheworksinanon-traditionalfield,longhoursarearegularityandFieldssaidattimesitcanbedifficulttohaveabalancedlife.

Future plans:Fieldsstatedthatsheisalwaysreadyfornewopportunitiesandwouldeventuallyliketohaveajobthatal-lowshertobeclosertoherhometown.

Tips for current sport management students:“Takepositionsnotformoney,buttolearnandgrow.Also,beflexiblewithmovingandtrytolearnaboutallareasoftheindustryinordertofindaniche.”Fieldsalsosaidthathavingmentorsintheindustrycanbeabighelpwhenworkinginsports.

- Kristin Johnson, Sport Management MA ‘10

Corrie Niska Kimberly Fields

Name:CorrieNiska

Position:AssistantOperationsManager

Organization:MinnesotaWild

Education:BSPsychology-AugsburgCollege

Career path:In2005,NiskastartedhercareerinsportsasanoperationssupervisorattheNationalSportsCenterandtwoyearslater,shewaspromotedtoassistantoperationsmanageratthissameorganization.Afterholdingthatrolefortwoyears,NiskabeganworkinginhercurrentpositionwiththeWild.

Current job description:Niskamanagesacrewofpeoplethatrangesfromtwoto75,dependingonthenight.SheworksattheXcelEnergyCenter,RiverCentreandRoyWilkinsAuditorium.Typically,Niskaworkstheovernightshiftandherstaffisresponsibleforsettingup,tearingdown,cleaningandpreparingthebuildingsforthenextday’sevents.Forexample,onenightshemayhavetosupervise60peopleworkingtheXcelEnergyCentercleaningupafterahockeygame,10peopleintheRiverCentrechangingthetableandchairset-upfromonemeetingtothenext,andanother10peopleinRoyWilkinsAuditoriumtearingdownafteraconcert.

Thoughts on females working in the sport industry:ThefactthatfemalesgetanopportunitytoworkinthesportindustryissomethingNiskathinksisgreat.Accordingtoher,“itissuchafunindustrytoworkinandshouldbeopentoanyonewhocangetthejobdone”.

Tips for current sport management students:TheonetipNiskahastopassalongtocurrentsportmanagementstudentsistofindagoodinternshipbecauseitwillleadtomanynewconnectionsinthesportindustryandthiswillmostlikelybewhathelpssomeonefindajob.

Professional Sport Teams

INSIDER 13

Sport

Tips to help you get in the door: - Look for jobs early and often. Start looking for what and where appeals to you. - Use campus career centers for research and interview tips. - Many offer resume critiques and mock interviews. - Talk to professionals in the field who know what employers are looking for. - Find a mentor who can help you along the way. - Get work experience while in school. - This could set you apart from other college graduate. - Build a network for yourself. - Persevere ; you will not always get the first job you apply for. - Don’t get discouraged, there will be other opportunities.

Finding a Sport Management Job in a Declining Economy

marketingjobs.Sportmanagementmajorscouldveryeasilyfillthisvoidiftheyareunluckyinthesportindustry.Thisisbecausesportmanagementstudentsgainexperienceinmanyfacets,includingbothsalesandmarketingontopoftheknowledgeofmanagingsportorganizations.Withsomehardworkanddetermination,sportmanagementstudentscouldworkuptheranksanduseskillsattainedatMSUtogethigh-profilejobs. Manynewcollegegraduatesaregoingtobejobsearchinginalargeandtoughjobmarketinwhichmanyelitesportpersonnelmaybejobhunting.Thesepeoplemayhaveyearsofjobexperienceandproventhemselvesinthefield.ThisshouldnotscarestudentsfromtheMSUSportManagementProgramastherearemanyopportunitieswithhandsonlearningandsalesexperiencebeforeenteringthejobmarket. Internshipsareveryimportantforcollegestudentsandemployersintheupcomingspringandsummer.Someresearchshows85percentofcompaniesusetheirinternshipprogramsasarecruitingareaforfulltimepositions.Studentswhoaregraduatingshouldlookintothisoptionbecauseeventhoughmanyoftheseinternshipsareunpaid,itwillgivethesportmanagementstudenttheexperienceandopportunitiestoimpressemployers.Ifasportmanagementstudenttakestheinternshipseriouslyanddoestheextrathingstoriseabovetherest,itispossibletoobtainemployment.

- Kendall Hughson, Sport Management ’11 BS

Asmanystudentsknow,thejobmarketistightwhichcanleadtouncertaintyaftergraduation,butthereisstillhope. Aswetakeaglanceatthemarketahead,itlookslikeadauntingfeattotryandgethired,butuponacloserlook,thingsmightbeeasierthanexpected. “Theeconomydoesnotseemtobeaffectingwhetherpeoplearehiringinsports,”accordingtoBuffyFilippell,founderofteamworkonline.com. Thisisagoodsignformanystudentswhoaregraduatinginthenearfuture.Teamworkonline.comreportedin2008,theyhired573peoplemonthlytobeginworkinthesportsindustry,whichisup30percentfrom2007. Ontheotherhand,somerecruitingservicesarefeelingtheopposite.TurnkeySportsandEntertainmentbegantohirefewerpeoplelastsummer,accordingtotheirCEOLenPerna.Turnkeyplanstofillbetween55-60executivepositionswhichisapproximately30percentbelowthepreviousyear. Thecurrentjobmarketisonthedownslope,astherecordsforthepoorestmarketsincethegovernmentbegantrackingitin2000.InSeptemberof2009,theamountofjobsavailabletopeoplesearchingforjobswasataratioof1to6or2.4millionopenjobsto14.5millionpeopleofficiallyunemployed.Thosestaggeringnumbersdon’tseemtoberisinganytimesoonbecausecompaniesarestillafraidtoaddtothepayroll.Peopleinthebusinessfieldaregoingtobethebestcandidatestohirebecausemanycompaniesarelookingtofillsalesand

14 Spring 2010

Nick:Howdidyoufindoutaboutyourinternship?Laura:“Dr.Armentroutsentoutamasse-mailsayingtheRiverBanditswerelookingforinternsandIwentontheirWebsiteandreallylikedtheorganization.IthenattendedtheJobandInternshipFairheldbytheTwinsandmetwiththeRiverBandits.Afewweekslater,Ireceivedacallforaninterviewandgotofferedthejobonthespot.”Nick:Whatwastheinterviewprocesslike?Laura:“Well,IgotthereinthemiddleofanicestorminDecemberbuttheinterviewwentreallywell.Theyaskedmequestionsaboutmymajor,classesIwasin,whatIhadlearnedthatwouldpertaintotheinternshipIappliedfor,whyIwantedthisinternshipandtheyaskedreallygoofyquestionstofindoutwhatmypersonalitywaslike.”Nick:Whatwerethedailytasksyouhadtocomplete?Laura:“Nodaywasexactlythesame,thoughgamedayswererelativelysimilar.Ongamedayswehadtoseteverythingup.Wehadtogetpromotionsready,getthepromotionbookready,whichincludedreleaseforms,prizesandtheschedulesofthegame’son-fieldcontests,setuptheconcourseaccordingtothegame’sthemeandgotoapre-gamemeeting.ThenthegamewouldbeginandIwouldoverseepre-gameentertainment,allon-fieldcontestsandpostgameactivities.Onoff-days,wedidsalescalls,ranerrands,pickedupanddroppedoffnewplayers,maderemindercallsforguests,restockedandcleanedthestoreandwroteandsentoutletters.”Nick:Whatdidyoulikethebestaboutyourinternshipexperience?Laura:“Ilikedbeingbusyandhavinganexcitingjob.AndwhilebeingbusyIwashavingthetimeofmylifebecauseIenjoyedwhatIwasdoing.”

The Quest for a Sport Management Internship

AsstudentsatMinnesotaStateUniversity,Mankatobegintolookaheadtotheirfutureaftergraduation,theyarefindingtheirinternshipexperiencesareinvaluable.However,findinginternshipopportunitiescanbealongprocess,butMSU’sSportManagementPrograminformsstudentsaboutdifferentinternshipopportunities.

What the Internship Experience Entails Dr.SuzannahArmentrout,theInternshipCoordinator,superviseseachstudentonhisorherinternship.Thedifferentopportunitiesthattheprofessorsinformthestudentsaboutcomefromtheresearchandcontactstheseindividualshavemadethroughtheyears.Furthermore,Dr.Armentroutisdevelopingadatabaseforstudentsseekinginternships. Theinternshipprogramissetuptohelppreparestudentsfortheprofessionalfield,aswellastohelpstudentsgetusedandtheinterviewingprocess.Eachstudentmustcompleteaportfolioofworkthathasbeendonethroughoutcollegeandinternshipexperiencesaswellasweeklylogs.Theweeklylogsaredesignedtohelpstudentsreflectontheirworkexperiencesandtoseethevarietyoftasksthatmightbeperformedinaprofessionalsetting.Thentheseweeklylogscanbeusedtohelppreparestudentsforinterviewsbyrevisitingthemtobrushupontheexperience.AccordingtoDr.Armentrout,thelogsarenotdesignedtobeconsideredbusywork.Theyaredesignedtohelpwithpersonalandprofessionaldevelopment.

current Students with Internships IrecentlysatdownandtalkedtothreedifferentsportmanagementstudentsatMSU.ThefirststudentIspokewithisseniorLauraShearer,whohadaninternshipwiththeQuadCitiesRiverBandits,aMinorLeagueBaseballteam.

INSIDER 15

ThelastinterviewIconductedwaswithMickeyKirk.MickeycompletedaninternshipforGold’sGyminShakopee,MinnesotaandgraduatedinDecember2009.

Nick:Howdidyoufindoutaboutyourinternship?

Mickey:“CalledalltheGold’sGymsinMinnesotaandthisparticulargymwastheonlyonetorespond.”

Nick:Whatweredailytasksyouhadtocomplete?

Mickey:“Generateleadsthroughdoortodoorsalesandcoldcalling,sellmembershipsandtrainingprograms,workthefrontdesk,givetoursandanswerquestionsfromphoneinquiries,makemarketingandpromotionalmaterialsforexternal/internalpurposes,andcoordinateandplana5KrunatCanterburyPark.”

Nick:Whatwasthemostenjoyablepartofyourinternship?

Mickey:“Organizingandplanningthe5KturfrunatCanterburyPark.”

Nick:Whatdidyoulearnfromyourinternshipexperience?

Mickey:“Salesskillsandtechniques,ins-and-outsofahealthclub,eventmanagementskills,andsomepromotionaltechniques,specificallyforhealthclubs.”

ThesecondinterviewIconductedwaswithsecondyeargraduatestudent,AnnaSchultz.AnnaiscurrentlyagraduateassistantinthecommunicationsofficeatMinnesotaStateUniversity,Mankato.AnnasatdownwithmetodiscussherinternshipexperiencewiththeMinnesotaVikingsPublicRelationsDepartmentsheiscurrentlycompleting.

Nick:Howdidyoufindoutaboutyourinternship?

Anna:“IhadbeenworkingwiththeVikingsfortwoyearsinoperations,andsinceIwantedtoworkinPR,Idecidedtochange.”

Nick:Whatwastheinterviewprocess?

Anna:“TherewasnotoneforthispositionbutIhadpreviouslybeeninterviewedforoperations.”

Nick:Whataredailytasksyouhavetocomplete?

Anna:“Clips,newspaperarticles,anythingabouttheVikings,wecombineintoonearticleinthemorning,setupplayerinterviewswithmedia,setupthepressroomandmiscellaneoustasks”

Nick:Whatisthemostenjoyablepartofyourinternship?

Anna:“Seeinghowaprofessionalfootballgameisrunongamedayswithmediaandinterviewsandallthechaosthatoccurs.”

Nick:Whathaveyoulearnedfromyourinternshipexperience?

Anna:“It’sacrazyenvironmentandyouworkatonofhoursanditwillalwaysbelikethat,butintheend,itwillbeworthit.”

Aninternshipisverybeneficialbeforeenteringthesportbusinessfield.Onceastudentcompletesaninternshipandbuildsrelationshipswithmembersofanorganization,therelationshipscanbeusefulwhenapplyingforajob.Mylastpieceofadviceistotakeadvantageofyourinternshipopportunityandmakeacareeroutofit!

-Nick Lundin, Sport Management ‘10 BS

16 Spring 2010

alsosponsoredthefirstannualSportManagementScholarshipScramblegolftournamentandplayedinthetournamentwithfellowcampusrecreationemployee,RyanStevens. WorkingcloselywiththeSortManagementCoordinatorDr.JonLim,Pfingstenhasnoticedmanychangesintheprogramrecently.Hecanseestudentsgainingmuchmorehandsonexperiencethroughticketsales,sponsorshipsalesandmorein-houseinternships. “It’sgreatforthestudentstogooutandgainfirsthandexperience.Studentscanreadatextbookandlistentolectures,butIfeeltheylearnthemostbygoingoutanddoingit,”Pfingstensaid. PfingstenalsodiscussedanewbuzzandexcitementsurroundingtheMSUSportManagementProgram.Heseesa

newsenseofcreativityfromtheentirestaffaswellasthestudents.Pfingstenworksextremelywellwithpeopleandhasmanystrongrelationshipsthroughoutcampus,makinghimagreatfitfortheDirectoroftheSportManagementExecutiveAdvisoryBoard.

AlthoughthisisthefirstyearonthesportmanagementExecutiveAdvisoryBoard,asDirector,Pfingstenhasaclearcutgoalofwhathehopestoaccomplish.Hehopestoconnectstudentswithmoreeducationalopportunitiesinthesportbusinessworldandcreatealinkbetweenthesportmanagementalumniandthecurrentstudents.“WehaveagoodthinggoinghereatMSU.Asamemberoftheboard,Ihopetoputstudentsintherightplaceandconnectthemwiththerightpeople,internshipsandexperiencesthatwillhelpthemobtainameaningfuljob,”Pfingstensaid. Withhisleadership,passionforsportsandhiswillingnesstohelpothers,ToddPfingstenhastheSportManagementExecutiveAdvisoryBoardandtheSportManagementProgramheadingintherightdirection.

- Jordan Stolp, Sport Management ‘10 MS

ForToddPfingsten,twothingshavebeenconstantthroughouthislife:hispassionforsportsandhiswillingnesstohelpothers.It’snowonderPfingsten,theDirectorofCampusRecreation,hasbeenselectedtobetheDirectoroftheSportManagementExecutiveAdvisoryBoard.Pfingsten,whoisinhiseleventhyearworkingastheDirectorofCampusRecreationatMinnesotaStateUniversity,MankatoisextremelyexcitedtobeginhisserviceontheSportManagementExecutiveAdvisoryBoard. “IamextremelyexcitedforthisopportunityandIlookforwardtohelpingourstudentsbroadentheirinternshipopportunitiesaswellasconnectingthemwiththenecessarypeopletofurthertheircareer,”saidPfingsten. AMaverickatheart,Pfingstenreceivedhisbachelor’sdegreeinAccountingandBusinessFinanceandhismaster’sdegreeinPhysicalEducation/SportsAdministrationfromMankatoStateUniversity,Mankato.Whilegettinghismaster’s,heworkedastheInterimDirectorofCampusRecreationatMSU.Upongraduation,PfingstentraveledtotheUniversityofNebraska,LincolnwhereheworkedastheAssistantDirectorofIntramuralSports.PfingstenfeelshelearnedeverythingaboutcampusrecreationprogramsandfacilitiesattheUniversityofNebraska,Lincoln. “I’vebroughtalotofthethingsIlearnedatNebraskaheretoMSU.Itismygoaltogivestudentsaqualityexperiencewhenparticipatingincampusrecreationprogramsandservices.Campusrecreationcanbeacriticalpartoftheircollegeexperience,”saidPfingsten. Inhis11yearsworkingatMSU,PfingstenhassupportedthesportmanagementprogramthroughtheScholarshipBBQ,ScholarshipGolfScrambleandasacontributortotheDennisErieScholarship.CampusrecreationhasbeenalongtimesupporteroftheScholarshipBBQbydonatingbothtimeandmoney.Whenbadweatherstrikes,PfingstenmakessuretheBBQhasanalternatelocationinMyersFieldHouse.Asaformerstudentoflong-timeMSUprofessorDennisErie,PfingstenisastrongsupporteroftheDennisErieSportManagementScholarship.Erie’swidow,Barb,donatesannuallytotheCampusRecreationDepartmentandPfingstenusesaportionofthemoneytocreateascholarshipinErie’sname.Pfingsten

“I am extremely excited for this opportunity and I look forward to helping our students broaden their internship opportunities as

well as connecting them with the necessary people to further their career,” said Pfingsten.

MSU Alumnus Makes Big Stridesfor Sport Management Program

INSIDER 17

Chad WallerMaster’s Degree, 2002Director of Sports Information and Media ServicesNAIA National Office

ChadWalleriseasilykeptbusyattheNAIAnationaloffice.AstheDirectorofSportsInformationandMediaServices,Wallerisresponsibleforadministeringnationalpolls,releasingnationalplayeroftheweekannouncements,producingpressbooksandmediaguidesandgeneratingvariouspressreleases.HealsotravelstotheNAIANationalChampionshipeventswhereherepresentshisofficeintheroleofmediacoordinator. Afterhissecondyearathiscurrentposition,andhisseventhyearofaprofessionalcareerinsportsinformation,Wallersaidinthisbusinessyouhavetolearnhowtomanagepeopleandgetthebestoutoftheirskillstoseewhattheyhavetooffer.WhileagraduatestudentatMSU,Wallerwasgivenwhathereferstoas“thebestopportunitytolearnaboutsportsinformationandmediarelations”byMSUAssociateAthleticDirector,PaulAllan.AsagraduateassistantintheSportInformationDepartment,Wallergotthechancetocoversportingeventsandshowhisleadershipskillswhichlaunchedhimintothestrongcareerhehasnow.

Andy WilmertBachelor’s Degree, 2007Director of PromotionsHudson Valley Renegades

Priorto2005,AndyWilmerthadbeenconsideringacareerinlawenforcement.However,aftertakingafewcoursesinthesubjectatMSU,Wilmertdecidedlawenforcementjustwasn’tforhim.Fortunately,hediscoveredthesportmanagementprogramandembarkedonlearningthebusinesssideofsports.Aftergraduating,WilmertgottheopportunitytobeagamedayinternfortheSt.PaulSaints,apositionwhichledhimtothejobhehasnow. AfewmonthsaftercompletinghisinternshipwiththeSaints,WilmertwascontactedbysomeofhisformersupervisorsfromtheSaintswhoweretransferredtoanotherteam,theHudsonValleyRenegades,whichistheshortseasonsingle“A”affiliatefortheTampaBayRays.

MSU Alumni Have Great Things to EmployedwiththeRenegadessinceMarchof2008,Wilmertwearsmanyhatsastheteam’sDirectorofPromotions.Heisresponsibleforpurchasingallgiveawayitems,leadingbrainstormingsessionsrelatedtopromotions,andhiringallinterns. WilmertisalsoresponsibleforbringingnewtechnologyintoDutchessStadium.Duringtheseason,hesupervisesthetechnologyinterns,updatesimagesforthevideoboardandoperatesthevideoboardduringthegame.HesaidheenjoysworkingfortheRenegadesbecausehefeelsthatGoldklang-ownedteamsarethetrendsettersinbaseballpromotionsandheisgladtobeapartofanorganizationwiththatdistinction.

Nicole C. MeulemansMaster’s Degree, 2008Director of Student Lifeand Activities, Athletic

Academic AdvisorDakota County Technical College

In2008,NicoleMeulemansgraduatedfromMinnesotaStateUniversity,MankatoandnowhasacareeratDakotaCountyTechnicalCollege.MeulemansappreciatesthatMSU’sgraduateprogramiswellrespectedthroughouttheregionandsaidthatgraduateschoolhasopenedmanynewdoorsforherandshewillalwaysbethankfulfortheeducationprovidedbythesportmanagementprogramatMSU. MeulemansbeganworkingatDakotaCountyTechnicalCollegeastheWellnessCenterCoordinatordesigningafitnesscenterforthecollege.Sincethen,shehasbeenpromotedtotheDirectorofStudentLifeandActivities.Asthedirector,sheprovidesdirection,coordinationandsupervisionforallstudentlifeprogramsatthecollege.ShealsooverseestheStudentLifeCenterandWellnessCenterfacilitiesandisinchargeofallspecialeventsincludinggraduation,successweek,andmanyothereventsthatcontributetosuccessofthestudents. Meulemansbelievesagoodacademicresumewithaninternshipandseveralexperienceswithinthesportbusinessfieldwillimpressfutureemployerswhichwillleadtoacareerinthesportbusinessworld. “MybestadvicetofutureMSUgraduatesistonetworkwithfellowstudentsandfutureemployers.Itisbyfar,themosteffectivewaytomakeconnectionsthatwillassistyouwithyourfuturejobsearch,”Meulemanssaid. Meuleman’sfutureplanistoworkwithhighereducationandreceiveherdoctorateineducationadministrationorcounseling.

18 Spring 2010

Monika BrintlingerBachelor’s Degree, 2007Sport Sales Coordinator for the North Central U.S. Daktronics

MonikaBrintlingeralwayshadaninterestinsportsandbusiness,butwasn’tsurehowtostudyforacareerinboth,untilhersophomoreyearatMSU.Bypursuingadegreeinsportmanagement,MonikawasabletolearnaboutthebusinesssideofsportsandapplyittorealworldexperienceduringherundergraduateinternshipwithPickleInc.,atriathloneventmanagementcompany.Upongraduation,MonikatookanotherinternshipwithDaktronicsthathassinceledtoafull-timecareerwiththecompany. HerjobasSportSalesCoordinatorfortheNorthCentralU.S.forDaktronicshasdefinitelyaccomplishedBrintlinger’sgoalofworkinginbothsportsandbusiness.DaktronicsistheindustryleaderforprovidingLEDvideoboards,scoreboards,timingandsoundsystemstoorganizationsallovertheworld.Whileworkingwithclientsrangingfromschoolstotopprofessionalsportsteams,Brintlingerhashadtheopportunitytotravelandtherarechancetoseenewsportingvenuesbeforetheyareopentothepublic.Shesaidsheenjoysbeingcloselylinkedtotheteamsshefollows.BrintlingersaidthatoneofthebestaspectsofherjobisthatsheisabletoapplythedegreesheearnedatMSU,andnoteveryonehasthatopportunity.

Brandon PotterMaster’s Degree, 2008Head Baseball CoachSt. John Fisher College

Asalifelongathlete,BrandonPottercouldn’tseehimselfworkingoutsideofthesportindustry.Whileearninghismaster’sdegreeatMinnesotaStateUniversity,Mankato,Potterwasgiventheopportunitytobeapartofthebaseballcoachingstaffasagraduateassistant.CerroCosoCollegewashisnextstopafterMSU,servingasabaseballcoachandphysicaleducationinstructorattheCaliforniaschool.Now,Potterisbackathisundergraduatealmamater,St.JohnFisherCollegeinRochester,N.Y.,actingasbothheadbaseballcoachandinstructorofasportmarketingclass. CoachPotterisproudtobeataschoollikeFisher,aDivisionIIIschoolintheEmpire8Conference,withstateoftheartsportsfacilitiesandnotableathleticprograms.Asheadcoach,Potterfindshimselfinvolvedinalotmorethancoaching.Aheadcoachhastosupervisethebudget,managerecruiting,organizetravelandpurchasesuppliesfortheteam.

Say about Sport Management Program Inthesummer,CoachPotteralsoservesastheheadcoachoftheWatertownWizards,acollegiatesummerleagueteamandmemberoftheNewYorkCollegiateBaseballLeague. PotterfondlyremembershistimeatMSUwherehewasabletoconnectwithalargenumberofsportsbusinessprofessionalsandfellowstudentswhonowworkinthesportsindustry.Henotesthattheprofessorswereextremelyhelpful,aswashisinternshipattheVikingsTrainingCamp.InPotter’sopinion,earninghismaster’sdegreefromMSUwas,“agreatopportunityandagreatexperience.”

Jim Bathey Master’s Degree, 1991Senior Director of Ticket Sales Milwaukee Brewers

AsagraduatestudentatMSU,JimBatheyknewexactlywhathewantedtodoasacareer.Hewasgoingtoworkincollegeathletics,planningononedaybecomingtheathleticdirectorforauniversity.However,whenchoosingbetweentwojoboffersaftergraduation,BatheydecidedtotakeanentrylevelpositionasaSeasonTicketandGroupSalesRepresentativewiththeMilwaukeeBrewersovertheopportunitytocoachforacollegebaseballteam. JimBathey’scareerphilosophyhasbeen,“Whateveryoupursue,pursuewithgreatpassion,”andtrulyhehasputalotofpassionintohiswork.Overthelast18years,Batheymovedthroughtheranksmanytimesuntilhereachedthejobhehastoday.AfterstartingasaSeasonTicketandGroupSalesRepresentative,hewaspromotedtoTicketSalesManager,thentoDirectorofSeasonTicket&GroupSales,andeventuallytohiscurrentpositionofSeniorDirectorofTicketSaleswhichhehasheldsinceJanuaryof2003. Batheycreditshishardworkandperseveranceforgettinghimtothepositionhe’sinnow,butadmitsthatalltheworkheinvestedintohismaster’sdegreeiswhatkepthimfocusedthroughthehardtimesinhiscareer.Thatfocushasmadehimverysuccessfulinleadingastaffthathasincreasedticketsalesandrevenueeveryyearsince2004,andhassetvariousfranchiserecordsinselloutsperseason,seasonticketsalesandgroupticketsales.ThoughtheBrewershaven’thaditsbestyearsonthefieldduringBathey’stenure,hesaidthattheexemplarycustomerservicetheBrewer’sstaffprovidesiswhatconsistentlybringsthefansbacktoMillerPark.

- Elizabeth Costy Sport Management ‘11 MS

INSIDER 19

Name:Dr.GaroldRushingYears Teaching at MSU:22YearsJob Title and Focuses:ChairofHumanPerformanceDepartmentandProfessorofSportLaw.

Dr. Rushing on…

…How He Came to be the Department Chair:“Ineversetouttobeadepartmentchair.Idon’tthinkverymanypeopledobecauseit’stypicallyapositionthat’sselectedfromwithin.Asfarasacollegeprofessor,myoriginalgoalwastobeacollegewrestlingcoach.Throughtheyears,ItriedtoapplyforjobsanditwasverydifficultbecauseIdidn’thavetheproperdegree.IthengotadoctoratefromNorthernColorado,andIgotmyfirstcollegeteachingandcoachingjob.AfterthatIcametoMSUandtaughtfulltime.After10yearsorso,thedepartmentneededanewchairanddecidedtohireme.”

…the Future of the Sport Management Program:“Ithinkthereisalotofpotential.Dr.Limhasdoneanoutstandingjobleadingtheprogram.I’veseenitgrowfromtwoclassesatthegraduateleveltotwooutstandingundergraduateandgraduateprograms.Atsomepoint,Iwouldn’tbesurprisedifweaddedadoctoratetotheprogram.”

Name:Dr.JonLimYears Teaching at MSU:4YearsJob Title and Focuses:AssociateProfessor

Dr. Lim on…

…Where His Passion for Teaching Comes From:“Thereisalwayspassion,excitement,andenergyinsports.Iwantedtobeapartofthatexcitementandhelpotherstobeapartofthataswell.”

…the Greatest Reward of the Job:“ThegreatestrewardthatIgetfromeducatingstudentsisbeingabletoseethemachievetheirdreamjob.”

…the Biggest Challenges Facing the Program:“Wearemovingintoprovidingmoreinternationalopportunities.WeareoneofthetopuniversitiesintheUnitedStatesatprovidinghandsonlearningexperiences.Weneedtotakethisfurtherandprovideopportunitiesinothercountriesaswell.”

Name:Dr.SuzannahArmentroutYears Teaching at MSU:3YearsJob Title and Focuses:ProfessorofSportMarketing,DataAnalysisofSport,LegalAspectsofSport,GraduateSeminarinSportManagement,andinternshipcoordinator.

Dr. Armentrout on…

…Reasons for Choosing this Profession:Growingupplayingsports,Dr.Armentroutdevelopedanaturalinterestintheindustry.Itwasn’tuntilshewasamemberoftherowingteamatWisconsinwhensherealizedthatthiswasacareerpathworthpursuing.“WhatreallyhititoffwasthatIreallydidn’tlikethewaytheathleticdepartmentatmyundergradallocatedthefunds.Iwantedtogointocollegeathleticstotryandmakeadifference.WhenIgottoschoolattheUniversityofMinnesotawhatIreallyenjoyedwastheteachingcomponentbecauseIfeltlikeacouldmakeadifferencewithalargernumberofpeople.”

…Goals:“Mymaingoalistoseetheprogramcontinuetogrow.Notnecessarilyinnumbers,butintermsofexpandingourexperientiallearningopportunities.Ialsowanttoseemoreemphasisonconsumerresearchandmarketresearch.”

Name:ProfessorBryanRomsaYears Teaching at MSU:2YearsJob Title and Focuses:ProfessorofFoundationsofSportManagement,SportMarketing,andPlanningSportFacilities.

Professor Romsa on…

…Reasons for Choosing This Profession:“Istartedoffwantingtoteachandcoach.IwascoachinginNorthDakotaandreceivedacallfromDr.Lim.ItwasanopportunitythatIcouldn’tpassup,andI’vebeenveryhappywithmydecisiontothisday.”

…the Future of the Sport Management Program:“I’dliketoseeuscontinuetodevelopourpartnerships.IwantorganizationsacrossthecountrytocometoMSUbecauseourstudentsaresowellprepared.Iwantthemtosay‘MSUistheplacewewillstartoursearch(forjobcandidates)becausetheyknowwedoagoodjob.Aswecontinuetodevelopasaprogram,IwanteveryoneinthecountrytoassociateMSUwithsportmanagement.ItisourjobtomakesureourstudentsareaspreparedaspossiblewhentheyleaveMSU.”

The Sport Management Faculty

Dr. Garold Rushing

Dr. Suzannah Armentrout

Dr. Jon Lim

Bryan Romsa - Nick Mehlhaff, Sport Management ‘11 MS

20 Spring 2010

the program are engaged, dedicated learners who become leaders that receive hands-on experiences in real world settings which lead to careers in sport professions. All of this is made possible through the partnerships we have established with our network of alums, friends, and colleagues. We want this network to continue to grow as we are always looking to provide new and challenging opportunities for our sport management majors to chase their dreams. There are many ways for you to get involved and stay connected--through the Sport Management Scholarship BBQ, the Sport Management Golf Scramble and Dinner of Distinction, through the Sport Management Insider magazine and Maverick Minute newsletter, through our Web site, and by keeping us updated on job and internship opportunities you have available. We look forward to connecting with you and for your support of this fine program. You can find the MSU Sport Management home page at http://ahn.mnsu.edu/hp/sm. Until next time, go Mavericks!

- Todd PfingstenDirector of campus Recreation

Hello MSU Sport Management alums. This is the first edition of the MSU Sport Management Insider magazine and I’m privileged to not only write a brief letter but also serve as your Alumni Executive Board Director and be on the Sport Management Program Advisory Board. I’m a 1993 graduate of the program and have served as MSU’s Director of Campus Recreation from 1990-1993 and from 1999 to the present. I write this letter in hopes of reconnecting with faculty and colleagues I went to school with, and to connect with other grads, current undergrad and grad students, current faculty, and partners and friends of the MSU Sport Management Program. A strong network is the foundation to providing opportunities for our next generation of sport business leaders. Please let us know where you are currently located and what you are doing--go to http://ahn.mnsu.edu/hp/sm/contact/, fill out the online form, and send it back to us. We’d love to hear from you. What a wonderful sport management program we have at MSU Mankato with faculty who are passionate and care about students learning both inside and outside of the classroom. The students in

Letter to the Alumni

MSU Sport Management Alumni connect

INSIDER 21

22 Spring 2010

AmemberoftheMinnesotaStateCollegesandUniversitiesSystem.MinnesotaStateMankatoisanAffirmativeAction/EqualOpportunityUniversity.ThisdocumentisavailableinalternativeformattoindividualswithdisabilitiesbycallingtheSportManagementProgramat507-389-6313(V),800-627-3529or711(MRS/TTY).

Passion. Dedication. Leadership.

MINNESOTA STATE MANkATO

SportManagement

SPORT BUSINESS LEADERS START HERESport Management Program

Department of Human Performance1400 Highland center

Minnesota State University, MankatoMankato, MN 56001

Phone: 507-389-6313