Sports and entertainment as an industry often feels illusive. Coveted entry-level positions or internships tend to be reserved for the fortunate few who have connections. Coming from a small liberal arts college, Carroll College in Helena, MT (Go Saints!), I realized in the big city of Seattle that I didn't have those ties. What I did bring with me is a passion for the business of sport and just as much passion for learning.
Seattle University represented my path through its Masters of Sports Administration and Leadership program, which I credit as my initiation into a sports career. My courses and professors provided a solid foundation of the sports business and the program offered real-world opportunities to network and provided a proving ground that rewarded students who delivered professional-grade work. That access was a game-changer for me.
The Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University announced its partnership Thursday with the Kraken, Mariners, Storm, Sounders FC, Seahawks, Oak View Group and Climate Pledge Arena to provide fellowships for students, scholarships for BIPOC students and job opportunities with the local sports franchises, Climate Pledge Arena and other OVG projects. The dream? Expand the access, multiply the game-changers, be a leader in helping the sports and entertainment industry to be more inclusive, diverse and equitable.
The Seattle U curriculum will build on its already strong sports management courses with input from the local teams, plus add classes and field work covering venue management and operations, venue sustainability for sports organizations and music/entertainment tours, DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) initiative and standing for anti-racism in sports, entertainment and arena and stadium management.
My first professional foray into the world of sport was with the Seattle Sports Commission, for which I was able to put to use my research from my final SU thesis (host-city economic benefits of large sporting events). Next, I dove into arena and event marketing, working under the same iconic roof at Seattle Center where the newly named Climate Pledge Arena will open this fall.
Those early steps might appear to be what people looking to enter the industry consider "working in sports." But my near decade of experience has ranged farther and wider through events such as the world's biggest E-Sport Championships (DOTA The International) to being part of opening arenas in Las Vegas and Montevideo, Uruguay. OK, sure, the decade included working on NCAA March Madness, too, but it turned into much more than sports.