Sport Management Industry Insight Series

Our High Point University Sport Management alumni are doing great and important work in the field. Today, we are joined by Parker Murphy, HPU Sport Management graduate, who is now Operations Manager for the Wyndham Championship, a top PGA Tour Event. Learn how Parker manages hundreds of staff- and find out how YOU can get involved, as well, on this edition of the Sport Management Insights Podcast, a production of the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication Sport Management Department. 

What if you had 45 minutes to spend with a top NBA executive? You'll get that chance today, as we interview Charlie Freeman, High Point University Sports Executive in Residence and President of Business Operations for the NBA's Orlando Magic. 

Megan Hovey, Associate Manager Brands at Wasserman talks about her role, elevating her clients to ever greater success in branding with sport organizations. Learn how agencies capitalize on sport marketing and management with someone who does it successfully every day. 

Here at High Point University, we provide opportunities for our students to actually experience their career aspirations at the very highest levels. Recently, several of our Sport Management students experienced such an opportunity when they visited the offices of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks. On this edition of the Sport Management Insights podcast, we'll learn what they learned- right there in the "inner sanctum" of a top NBA franchise. 

In these days of NIL and House Settlement, amateur collegiate sports is under pressure- but not at High Point University, where Club Sports are becoming what purely amateur collegiate sports used to be! Learn all the exciting and innovative ways HPU's new Athletic Director for Intercollegiate Sports, Dr. Stephen Denny, is blazing a path forward for Club Sports, providing virtually limitless new opportunities for athletes and those looking to gain experience in sports. 

In this episode, Professor Jim Scott from the High Point University Sport Management Department is joined by student Reagan Smith to discuss his favorite subject: HIMSELF! Ha. And, yes, this description was written by Prof. Scott, himself. Join us as Reagan does a great job guiding Prof. Scott through his career as a broadcaster, sports executive, and teacher. 

Dream of working at the top level of pro sports, but wonder how to get there? We check in with recent High Point University graduate, Seth Hatherly, to learn how to get it done!

Joe Ricciutti, President and General Manager of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws joins us to share his insights on how to succeed as a sport manager and marketer. Joe offers keen insight on how to get started and progress in a career in sports. 

Let's suppose that you are in charge of NIL deals for a major university. All these Name, Image, Likeness deals we are hearing so much about flow through you. How would you handle it? How would you get the gig in the first place? In this version of the Sport Management Insights Podcast, we find out... from Alana Sullivan, Associate for Business Development at North Carolina State University and a recent graduate of the Sport Management Department, here at High Point University. 

On this episode, High Point University Sport Management Professor and Podcast host Jim Scott is joined by Ken Medlin, whose 25-year career as a sports broadcaster and anchor has provided him with great insight into how to manage a career in sports broadcasting, from getting a job to working your way up the ladder. Prof. Medlin's insights are "MUST HEAR" for any aspiring sports broadcaster. 

Legendary TV Director and High Point University Broadcaster in Residence Joe Michaels, former Director of NBC's Today Show, discusses his career in sports for NBC, at the highest level, including The Olympic Games. Hosted by High Point University Professor Jim Scott of the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication. 

In this premier episode of The Sport Management Podcast, host Prof. Jim Scott welcomes the High Point University Sport Marketing team of Jake Baskinger (Director of Sport Marketing) and Matty Thompson (Asst. Director of Sports Marketing), discussing how they manage SEVENTEEN D1 sports, plus important skills every aspiring sport management and marketing student/future pro needs to know.

In today's episode of the SMG Industry Insights Podcast, Dr. Lukow, Alana, and Wendell chat with HPU alumna Allie Laskaris! Allie graduated from HPU in 2017 with a major in English literature and a minor in sport management. She currently works for Allegiant stadium as their private events sales coordinator. In this episode, we talk to Allie about her experiences in the industry and some advice she has on how to stay focused and healthy while working in sports. 

We are back with a new episode of the SMG Industry Insights Podcast as Dr. Lukow, Alana, and Wendell chat with HPU alumnus, Leonty McCarthy! Leonty graduated from HPU in 2010 and has spent his career working various customer relations and event management roles in places like UBS arena and with professional sports teams like the Charlotte Hornets. In this episode, Leonty discusses his experiences in his career and the immense impact social media is starting to have on the sport and event management industry.

In today's episode of the SMG Industry Insights Podcast, Dr. Lukow, Alana, and Wendell chat with HPU alumna Casey Schoenholtz! Casey graduated from HPU in 2015 where she got her professional start at internships such as The Wyndham Championship, Greensboro Sport Commission, and the University of Greensboro Athletics Department. Casey currently works at Lowe's Companies on their corporate events team and previously oversaw the events and hospitality team at Genesoco Sports Enterprises. In this episode, we talk to Casey about her early experiences working in sports, her interest in sports, and advice that she has for college students aspiring to work in sports full-time.

In today's episode of the SMG Industry Insights Podcast, Dr. Lukow, Alana, and Wendell chat with HPU alumna Stephanie Morris! Stephanie graduated from HPU in 2015 where she majored in Business Administration and minored in Sport Management, Entrepreneurship, and Communication. She currently works at Hendrick Motor Sports and has worked there since 2015. In 2021, Stephanie was promoted to the role she holds now which is Account Executive. In this episode, we ask Stephanie about her early experiences working in sports, what she has learned from her internships during college as well as some advice that she has for college students aspiring to work in sports full-time.

In today's special episode of the SMG Industry Insights Podcast, Wendell and Dr. Lukow sit down and chat with High Point University Senior Alana Sullivan about her four years at HPU and what she is going to miss most about being a college student as well as share some valuable advice she has for current and future college students. Thank you Alana for everything you've done! We are going to miss you so much!Connect with us on LinkedIn!Dr. Jenny Lukow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-lukow-hpusmg/Alana Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-sullivan/Wendell Epps: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendell-epps-aspiringsportsbroadcaster/

In today's special episode of the SMG Industry Insights Podcast, we sit down with five HPU sport management students that recently went to Dallas, Texas to shadow HPU's Sports Executive in Residence, Cynt Marshall and her team over at the Dallas Mavericks! They discuss their experiences from this amazing trip and provide some valuable advice to current and future sport management students on how to succeed in the sports industry! Episode begins at 2:28!

In today's episode of the SMG Industry Insights Podcast, Dr. Lukow, Alana, and Wendell chat with HPU alumnus, DJ Cummings! DJ graduated from HPU in 2017 and is now the Senior Coordinator of Digital Platform over at NASCAAR where he has been working since 2018 . In this episode, we ask DJ about his early experiences working in sports, how he adapted to working in a virtual environment as well as some advice that he has for college students on how to build up their resume.

In today's episode of the SMG Industry Insights Podcast, Dr. Lukow, Alana, and Wendell chat with HPU alumna Jess Morgan! Jess graduated from HPU in 2019 and since 2021 has been enrolled in the Sport Business master's program at Temple University. In this episode, we ask Jess about her early experiences working in sports, what she has learned from her internships as well as some advice that she has for college students aspiring to work in sports full-time.

It's our first episode of 2022 as Dr. Lukow,  Alana, and Wendell chat with HPU Alumni Adam Hatem! Adam graduated from HPU's sport management program in 2011 and is now an Associate Director of Athletic Academic Services at Clemson University. In this episode, we ask Adam about his experiences working in the sports industry, how he has applied the skills he learned at HPU into the professional world as well as any advice he has for college students aspiring to work in sports full-time.

The HPU SMG Industry Insights Podcast is back for another year! To kick things off, Dr. Jenny Lukow, Alana Sullivan, and Wendell Epps will be introducing themselves and playing a game of rapid fire in this special teaser episode! Episode Timestamp:00 Intro1:18 Meet Alana Sullivan!1:57 Meet Wendell Epps!2:52 Meet Dr. Lukow!3:55 Rapid Fire!!!13:50 ClosingFollow the High Point University Sport Management Instagram page!https://www.instagram.com/hpusportmanagement/Connect with the hosts on LinkedIn!https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-lukow-hpusmg/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-sullivan/https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendell-epps-aspiringsportsbroadcaster/

Alana and Dr. Hemme sat down with Chris Ryder, Associate Athletic Director / Athletic Facilities & Event Management at Florida Atlantic University, and discussed the challenges of putting on events during COVID-19 and the importance of creating strong organizational cultures that provide a blueprint for employee excellence. 

We're kicking off 2021 with Megan Robinson, yet another tremendously successful former HPU student and currently Senior Coordinator of Partnership Marketing at Major League Soccer. She's held a variety of positions in sports and offers great insight on how to make connections and remain laser-focused in an ever-changing industry.

Just in time for the holidays, Alana and Dr. Hemme sat down with Haley McKeown, Manager at Wasserman, a global sport marketing and talent management agency. In this 45-minute conversation, Haley shares amazing insight on the importance of mentors, how to prep for difficult job interviews, and the need to get involved early in your career.

In another alumni-spotlight episode, Sport Management Association President Alana Sullivan and Dr. Florian Hemme interviewed Kelsey Gomes, Manager of Corporate Partnerships Services and Activations at the Tampa Bay Rays. A former sport management minor, Kelsey reflects on her career, the impact of COVID-19 on the sport industry, and lessons learned during her time at HPU and beyond. Another great conversation with one of our many successful former students!

To kick off the new semester, Sport Management Association President Alana Sullivan and Dr. Florian Hemme caught up with former HPU student Mikaela Campbell. Mikaela is currently working as an Associate with the National Basketball Association (NBA), a coveted position open to only a select few applicants each year. In this episode, Mikaela reflects on her time so far with the NBA, the power of strategic choices in selecting work assignments and fostering connections, and how High Point University's Sport Management program prepared her for her career.

Alex Majd, former GM of Ticket Sales for the Premier Lacrosse League, visited campus on November 18 and spoke about his lacrosse career and industry experience. Reflecting on his own journey in professional sports, the European and 4x national champion shared valuable career advice, including his “2 out of 3” rule for picking the right job and the three qualities that make successful salespeople.

C.J. Johnson has 17 years of experience in Minor League Baseball. He began his career with the Hagerstown Suns in Hagerstown, MD. During his time in Hagerstown the team experienced a 27% increase in attendance. Johnson also spent three seasons as the Vice President of Business Development with the Trenton Thunder in Trenton, NJ. Johnson served as the Vice President of Ticket Sales for the Winston-Salem Dash for seven years prior to being promoted to Team President in October of 2017. In his first year at the helm, the Dash were recognized by Baseball America as the top Class A organization out of 60 clubs. Johnson has been recognized by the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce with an Under 40 Leadership Award and by the Triad Business Journal as a 40 Under 40 recipient.

One of the earliest graduates from UMass Amherst's prestigious sport management program, Greg Bouris boasts decades of experience inside and outside of the sport industry. Most notably, the Rhode Island native created, and for 19 years oversaw, the Major League Baseball Players Association's (MLBPA) communications department. There, he served as chief spokesperson and media liaison, crafted strategic communication efforts, and guided digital content creation, to name but a few of his numerous responsibilities. Today, he is the president of Power X Communications, an innovative PR, communications, and marketing firm. In this episode, Greg reflects on the lessons learned throughout his career and offers insight for aspiring sport management leaders how to succeed in pursuing their dream careers.

Despite his young age, Christian Heimall is a veteran in the sport industry, with over ten years of experience in sports communication, broadcasting, and promotions and public relations. Currently, he is the Assistant General Manager of the High Point Rockers in High Point, NC, where he oversees all aspects of the city's new minor league baseball team's operations. In this episode, we take a deep dive into fan engagement, the challenges of working in minor league baseball, and how to break into the sports industry.

Kyle Kallander is in his 23rd year as commissioner of the Big South Conference. During his tenure, the conference has experienced unparalleled growth and has emerged as the premier non-FBS conference in the Southeast.

As fashion and sports become increasingly entangled, apparel and uniform manufacturers are constantly on the lookout for the latest styles. Industry expert Mark Graff, most recently with Under Armour, sheds light on how to spot trends, interact with professional athletes, and build meaningful relationships.

Senior Vice President of Global Sports and Entertainment Consulting at GMR Marketing, Matt Hill is an industry veteran with experience working with both brands and sport properties. Previously with the NFL and MLS, the Columbia MBA since 2014 focuses his efforts on providing GMR's clients with the perfect exposure opportunities through innovative experiential marketing and sponsorship activation.

A veteran sport agency professional, Lisa Murray has been with industry powerhouse Octagon for almost 30 years. As Global Chief Marketing Officer, Murray matches Octagon’s clients with major global sports properties such as the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. She has previously been named to the Sporting News annual “Power 100” list, SportsBusiness Journal’s top 20 most influential women in the industry, and Adweek’s “Most Powerful Women in Sports” list.

CBS producer Lance Barrow, a 12-time Emmy Award winner, joined the network in the late 1970s as a spotter for the legendary broadcaster Pat Summerall. Since then, he has been involved in wide variety of sports, most notably the Masters and PGA Championship, NCAA Men's Final Four, Daytona 500, U.S. Open Tennis Championships, The NFL Today and six Super Bowls. Super Bowl 50, where he served as coordinating producer and lead game producer, was the most-watched single broadcast in television history on an all-or-part basis.

Ashley Fox is one of the trailblazers in female sports broadcasting and reporting. Her career stops include industry juggernauts like Sports Illustrated and ESPN - where until 2017 she served as a lead NFL reporter and analyst. A world-class communicator, Ashley now shares her expertise with audiences around the world.