Sport Management News
Batter Up! Sport Analytics seniors’ research published by Baseball America
Sport Analytics students Justin Perline ’19 and Charles “CB” Garrett ’19 have been invited to attend the European Sports Economics Association (ESEA) conference in Liverpool, England, in August 2018. The seniors were notified in Spring 2018 that their research was accepted for presentation at the international conference.
Their paper, “Minor League Team Success and Its Impact on MLB Player Performance,” with Syracuse University Sport Analytics professor Dr. Rodney Paul as a co-author, is an academic treatment of the research by Perline and Garrett featured in Baseball America, which is a top website in the world of baseball.
The paper investigates positive externalities from minor league team success as it relates to marginal revenue product of a baseball player, measured by WAR (Wins Above Replacement). The results illustrate that winning has a positive impact on individual performance later in a player’s career and has economic implications for baseball teams and for the workplace in general.
In addition to this paper, Paul also had his paper titled “The Role of Uncertainty of Outcome and Team Success on Attendance Outside the NHL: Comparing the top Leagues in Europe to the Minor Leagues in North America” accepted for the ESEA conference.
Perline is a dual major in Sport Analytics and in Newspaper and Online Journalism. Garrett is a dual major in Sport Analytics and Broadcast and Digital Journalism.
The European Sports Economics Association Conference is the premier sports economics conference held annually in Europe. Sports economists present on a variety of theoretical and empirical models related to the economics of sports.
“As undergraduate students, the acceptance of the paper for the ESEA conference is especially impressive,” Dr. Paul said. “Justin and CB will gain valuable experience being able to present to a premier audience of researchers in sports economics and will gain valuable suggestions and ideas for both their current and future research from the conference participants. I think they will find the topics discussed at the conference to be thought-provoking and will benefit them in their future careers.
Do we have a deal? ‘Shark Tank’ participant ISlide partners with SPM 444
In the Fall of 2017, students in Sport Management Associate Professor Patrick Walsh’s SPM 444 Sports Marketing Management course had the unique opportunity to work with a company that appeared on the hit ABC television show “Shark Tank.”
ISlide develops premium, customized athletic slides (i.e., sandals) and has number of partnerships in sports and entertainment, including deals with the NBA, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, and international music superstar DJ Khaled, among others. In 2017 ISlide was expanding into the collegiate space by signing licensing deals with a number of top universities across the country.
“When we were approached by ISlide they had just recently signed their first collegiate licensing deal with Syracuse University and were seeking ideas of how to introduce their SU-branded products,” Walsh said. “I knew the students would embrace this since their product is targeted toward the college demographic, and ISlide was open to unique and creative ideas.”
Throughout the semester, students worked in groups to develop strategic marketing plans designed to generate awareness and sales for the SU-branded ISlides. ISlide Founder and CEO Justin Kittredge and Director Sales Paul Gibson visited campus early in the semester to introduce the students to the company, the product, and the athletic footwear industry (and graciously provided each student in class with their own customized SU slides). Kittredge and Gibson were available throughout the semester to the students for feedback and guidance, and the students were able to present their marketing plans directly to Kittredge at the end of the semester.
“This project was a huge success as it exposed the students to a brand with a strong entrepreneurial focus and to an area of the industry they likely would not have considered otherwise,” Walsh said.
“The SPM 444 project required me to think critically about how I would apply the marketing principals I had learned in the classroom to real-life business situations,” said SPM senior Christopher Henderson. “The freedom of the project allowed each group to have complete ownership of their work. Being able to present our work to, and receive feedback from, founder Justin Kittredge was extremely beneficial. It was a rare opportunity to learn from a successful entrepreneur in the industry.”
Falk 2018 Convocation Speech
by Fanta Drame, 18′
Good Afternoon Everyone,
It is such an honor to be here today.
During my first encounter with public health, sitting in Dr. Byrne’s class, I learned about the social determinants of health, the different aspects of one’s life and surroundings that determine his or her health status. Or more generally speaking, the factors that determine one’s outcomes.
Social determinants tell us that first generation students will struggle. Low income families will be set for failure and lack access to opportunities. Minorities will be placed at the bottom of the social ladder and be at a constant disadvantage. Tall people will play basketball and all SU students’ favorite color will be orange.
However, if I have allowed my background to determine my outcomes, I wouldn’t have travelled to India, South Africa and Brazil all in one semester to conduct preliminary global research on the healthcare systems, I wouldn’t have done a risk communication project with the CDC on Ebola messaging, I wouldn’t have been able to maintain one of the highest GPA’s in the Public Health Department and be a University Scholar and I wouldn’t be able to say that my favorite color is actually lavender.
Syracuse University, but more specifically the Falk department and faculty, my roommate and great friend Aryonna, Dr. Lane and Professor Thompson and my close colleagues Shamayan and Bre taught me how to turn my disadvantages into my biggest assets. Falk allowed me to use my background in my public health career to relate to the communities I hope to serve, and use that to my advantage to create and implement innovative solutions to decrease the health disparities.
I would like to say thank you for pushing me beyond my limits and giving me the necessary tools to think critically and actively engage, and thank you for answering my countless emails and most importantly thank you for allowing me to recognize that our social determinants don’t determine our futures, they make us more determined.
Determined to be great;
Determined to be agents of change;
and Determined to be limitless.
Thank you and congratulations to us all!
~ Fanta Drame, Falk College Department of Public Health, Food Studies & Nutrition 2018 graduate
Sport management alumnus hosts current senior for capstone
With over 550 alumni in the work force, many sport management alumni provide valuable knowledge, internships, and senior Capstone opportunities for students by serving as senior Capstone supervisors, including Andrew Ross ’14, Hali Stark ’10, Adam Baldassarre ’11, Zach Schotz ’13, Ashley Robbins ’10, Ashley Brantman ’10, Harrison Laifer ’15, and most recently, Casey Miller ’08.
“Having a sport management alumnus as my supervisor has been amazing so far,” said Matt Neumann ’18, currently on his senior Capstone with Miller in New York City. “He has been through the exact same experience, so he knows what it takes to make the most of it. I can tell that he wants to see me succeed.”
Miller, director of client services at Grabyo, says, “It has been a wonderful experience being a supervisor for a senior Capstone! The quality of students coming out of the program is incredible. Matt has been an amazing addition to the team and has done a great job contributing to our work. I’m looking forward to recruiting future students to work with the Grabyo team to prepare them for the industry.”
Alumni mentorship is an excellent way for alumni to give back. The inaugural “S.P.M. Week” in January 2019 is an opportunity where “Students and Professionals Meet” before the Spring semester begins. The Department of Sport Management is seeking interested alumni to host a student or students to job shadow for a day or two, or the entire week between January 7 and 11, 2019. Hosting a student may provide an organization with benefits such as gaining experience in training and mentoring, improving productivity, meeting and molding a potential future employee, and fostering team spirit.
An application link will be distributed in November. Contact Sport Management internship placement coordinator Nicole Imbrogno ’08 at nfimbrog@syr.edu for more information.
Important Dates for S.P.M. Week
November 5: application opens
November 20: application closes
November 27 – December 4: students apply for opportunities
December 6: alumni and students notified of matches
December 7: students complete orientation
January 7 – 11: program runs
Sport Management Club Raises over $56,000
The Sport Management (SPM) Club at Syracuse University raised $56,800 for Meals on Wheels Syracuse as a result of its 13th Annual Charity Sports Auction. During the SU men’s basketball game on Dec. 9, supporters placed bids on hundreds of items, including sports memorabilia, electronics and tickets to major sporting events. In conjunction with the live event, Steiner Sports also hosted an online auction, which showcased a number of premium items up for bid.
SPM alums team up for Prudential Center event
Kevin Reese, SPM Class of 2017, works as an assistant account executive for Momentum in New York City. He began the job in September 2017, and manages American Express’ partnerships with the Boston Celtics, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, and Los Angeles Galaxy.
Reese traveled to Newark on Jan. 14 for American Express’ Exclusive Devils Open Practice event, where he worked with Prudential Center and New Jersey Devils Manager for Marketing Partnerships Jesse Abrams, SPM Class of 2013. The event was for Devils’ season ticket-members who purchased tickets using their American Express card, to attend an open practice, a question-and-answer session with the head coach, and an autograph session. Reese and Abrams collaborated on the planning and execution of the details for the event.
“The Syracuse Sport Management program provided me all the necessary tools to flourish in the industry,” Reese said. “From the time I first stepped foot on campus, to where I am now, everything and everyone along the way put me in the best position to succeed. I truly believe I would not be where I am today if I had not attended Syracuse University. Overall, the Devils event went great. I’m incredibly proud of my Syracuse SPM roots and the opportunities it has provided, and will continue to provide, in my career.”
Fellow Sport Management alum Scott Kevy ’15, an account executive for American Express at Momentum, also assisted at the event.
“The camaraderie that is built through the SU Sport Management program has enabled me to be an ambassador in both my personal and professional networks,” Abrams said. “The relevant industry experience SPM students receive help us to succeed, not only as individuals, but together in the workforce. It gives me great pride to represent such an amazing alumni group. I look forward to being part of the program’s continued growth.”
Falk sport analytics majors place first at NYU’s SABR Diamond Dollars Case Competition
A team representing the Syracuse University Sport Management Baseball Statistics and Sabermetrics Club won the SABR Diamond Dollars Case Competition at NYU earlier this month. Sport analytics majors Justin Perline ’19, CB Garrett ’19, Luke Scheetz ’21, Trevor Olofson ’21, and Zak Koeppel ’21 won the competition against other universities such as Villanova, NYU and Fordham.
The teams were tasked with creating a model to determine a player’s BABIP (Batting Average on Balls In Play), both for hitters, as well as the BABIP that pitchers allow. They were then asked to use this to determine the players who are going to see the biggest increases and decreases in their BABIP next season.
The teams were given five days to collect data, create a model, and prepare a 30-minute presentation on the topic to be given in New York City on Nov. 17. Judges for the competition included Ben Jedlovec (Baseball Info Solutions), Chris Pang (New York Mets), Tom Tippett (consultant, formerly of the Boston Red Sox), and Cameron Barwick (MLB).
“I’m very proud of the students who competed in the Diamond Dollars Case Competition,” said sport analytics professor, Dr. Rodney Paul. “The new Analytics program has accumulated very talented students and I look forward to their continued interaction with each other, their progress through the curriculum, and their present and future successes in the field. Our students are a genuine pleasure to teach and I look forward to future classes following in their footsteps.”
This is the fourth year that SU has competed in this event. Also competing for SU this year were sport analytics majors Evan Weiss ’19, Kyle Liotta, ’20, and Colby Olson ’21, as well as sport management major Mike Cavalier ’19 and sport analytics minor Chris Karasinski ’19.
SPM senior honored as Valedictorian of Michigan Sport Business Conference
Sport Management senior Chris Henderson ’18 was named Valedictorian of the “Big Initiative” for the 2017 Michigan Sport Business Conference (MSBC) at the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business.
The event was held Oct. 6 and featured guest speakers and industry professionals such as David Levy (president, Turner), Arn Tellem (vice chairman, Palace Sports & Entertainment), Abraham Madkour (executive editor, Sports Business Journal), and Laura Froelich (global head of sports partnerships, Twitter). A select group of students each year are selected for the “Big Initiative” and to receive extra networking time with the guest speakers.
The Big Initiative Award, presented by the MSBC, is described as “the nation’s premier award that recognizes outstanding undergraduate student leaders who have achieved an exceptional level of success in the sport business industry. Those receiving the honor are selected on the basis of demonstrated entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation and leadership.”
At the conference, Henderson gave a speech detailing his experiences and how having the opportunity to meet leaders in sport, as well as dedicated sport management students from all around the country, will help continue to grow his career.
“Being a part of the Big Initiative class was very special,” Henderson said. “Having the chance to meet the other award winners gave me insight to what others are doing to succeed in the industry. Getting to know past winners and learn what their experience has been like since graduating college, was extremely valuable. Hearing what they like most about their jobs and what they wish they did differently will allow me to make more informed decisions as I go forward.”
As Valedictorian, Henderson attended a lecture by Michigan head basketball coach John Beilein, and met past Big Initiative winners.
“Hearing from leaders such as David Levy and Arn Tellem allowed me to learn where the leaders of the industry think the biggest changes will occur over the next few years and allowed me to think about how I will make an impact,” he said.
Inaugural sport management event encourages professional growth, networking October 13
As part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing students’ professional growth and networking opportunities, the Department of Sport Management presents SPM 205: 2.0 on October 13 starting at 1:00 p.m. in Grant Auditorium. To date, 40 alumni and more than 120 students are registered to attend the event. The program will include a welcome from director and chair, Michael Veley, the Rhonda S. Falk Endowed Professor of Sport Management, panel discussions focusing on the sport industry, business analytics, and the importance of practical experience, and a networking session. The day is also an opportunity for connecting/reconnecting with classmates, faculty, and staff. As part of the event, the Department will promote and highlight the companies alumni are working for, and is inviting all alumni to bring current internship, capstone, or other opportunities to market to current students. The event will conclude with an alumni tailgate in the Falk College Courtyard before the Orange host Clemson in the Dome.
“Sport management in Falk College prides itself on being a family, and it’s evident through the faculty and staff, especially those that have been involved with the program since the beginning, who stay in touch with so many of the 550+ SPM alumni now infiltrating the sport industry. It’s even more evident when our alumni are so excited to give back and help current students jump start their own careers!” For more information or to RSVP, contact Nicole Imbrogno, nfimbrog@syr.edu.
Q&A with Sport Management alumnus Jeff Petrino ’08
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Twitter Handle: @Trino5903
Number of years in current position: Almost 4 years with Turner
First job in sports business: Event Coordinator, working on Allstate’s soccer sponsorship business at Octagon
Most memorable moment on the job: Being courtside in Houston to cheer on Trevor Cooney, Malachi, and Gbinije during the Orange’s improbable run to the 2016 Final Four!
Favorite Book: No Easy Day by Mark Owen – can’t get enough stories of our men and women in the special forces!
Favorite Movie: Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy
Best lesson learned in the industry: Sports might be big business, but the industry itself is SMALL, and people move around a lot. So, take care to always prioritize your relationships, other people’s experience of working with you, and your overall reputation – you never know when an old colleague, client or business partner will suddenly become the new key (or obstacle) to you or your organization’s success!
What would your walk out song be? BTO – Let it ride
Words to live by: “It’s all good” – might be overly simplistic, but it’s important to always keep things in perspective and approach everything with a positive attitude.
What is something you have not done yet, however plan to do in the next few years? Buy a house, get a dog, have kids…you know, the whole “adult” thing. I just got married, so now we’re gonna do some more traveling first!
Best advice you have ever been given in the industry: This has been said several different ways to me (Ex: “we’re not saving lives here,” “This isn’t rocket science,” etc.) – this is first and foremost a relationship business, and the most effective and pleasant people to work with in sports, media and/or marketing are those who find the balance of not taking our industry too seriously, while still understanding the value that needs to be delivered to partners.
Share one funny moment or story on the job: I was with Octagon during my Capstone internship, and was in Los Angeles setting up for a celebrity soccer tournament. My boss and I were driving around in a rental car setting up directional spectator signage in the neighborhoods surrounding Griffith park, when she got a frantic call from our brand client, freaked out and promptly drove away to attend to an urgent issue – leaving me in on a random block in LA with no GPS! (Not to date myself too much, but I did not yet have a smartphone at the time…). Fortunately, I was able to find my way back to the event site using old fashioned means (asking for directions!).
Advice to current SPM students: Maintain a sense of urgency to the impression that you need to make on an employer in your first gig, and be ready to work harder than the person waiting in line behind you. And always be ready to capitalize on moments of opportunity!
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