In addition, Atlanta has hosted the biggest events in sports, including the Summer Olympics in 1996, four Super Bowls, and the NCAA Final Four women’s and men’s basketball championships, and it will be one of 11 U.S. host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Over the course of three jam-packed days in March, 11 female students from Syracuse University’s Falk College visited Atlanta to meet with numerous sports organizations and female executives from several sectors of the sport industry. The group also attended a Braves game at Truist Park.
Jake and Suzanne Doft have sponsored the trip for the past four years in honor of their daughter, Class of 2022 Sport Management graduate Dara Doft.
The students on the trip included Jordan Boron ’25, Kate Bradley ’26, Emily Gilbert ’27, Maggie Grejda ’27, Aryssa Hopps ’25, Janet Ji ’26, Lexi Katz ’27, Anna McDonald ’26, Claire Patin ’26, Brooke Siket ’25, and Tess Wright ’27. The students, all members of the Women in Sports and Events (WISE) Club from the Department of Sport Management, were accompanied by Falk College Director of Development Skylar Sabbag, Sport Analytics Program Manager Jackie Dorchester and former Internship Placement Coordinator Beth Perez, who’s now working for Syracuse University as an Assistant Director of Development, Leadership Annual Giving and Discovery.
We asked Siket and Bradley ’26 to share their favorite experiences from the Atlanta immersion trip, and here’s what they wrote:
Brooke Siket
(sport management major, marketing minor)
“As someone passionate about working in live sports and event management, this trip was everything I hoped for and more.
“Over three packed days, we met with representatives from the Atlanta Dream, Hawks, Falcons, United, Braves, Overtime Elite, United Talent Agency (UTA) and KLUTCH Sports Group, FanDuel, and the Atlanta Sports Council. Each organization gave us a behind-the-scenes look into their operations, shared advice about breaking into the industry, and emphasized the importance of relationship-building. Hearing from so many strong women in leadership roles made the experience even more empowering.
“One moment that stood out to me was our visits to UTA and KLUTCH Sports. While few of us initially had a strong interest in the agency side of sports, the insight they offered into athlete representation, contract negotiation, and brand building was an incredible and eye-opening experience.
“The WISE community created an environment where I felt encouraged to ask questions, connect with professionals, and see firsthand what a career in this industry could look like. This trip reminded me why I chose Syracuse and Falk; it’s the real-world opportunities and constant support that have helped me grow and feel prepared for a career in sports. This trip solidified my goals and expanded my network, and I’m so thankful to WISE, Syracuse University, the Doft family, and everyone we met in Atlanta for making it possible.”
During her time at Syracuse, Brooke Siket was a Syracuse University Athletics Facilities and Game Management intern, a Falk College Peer Advisor and Ambassador, a Sport Management Club member who worked on the annual Charity Sports Auction, and a WISE Club member. She’s currently working as a stadium operations intern for the Savannah Bananas baseball team.
Kate Bradley
(sport management major, emerging sport enterprises minor)
“I joined WISE during my first week on campus, and it immediately became a meaningful community for me. Surrounded by driven, like-minded women who share a passion for working in sports, I’ve found lasting friendships, valuable networking opportunities, and unforgettable professional experiences through this organization.
“One of the most impactful aspects of being in WISE has been participating in immersion trips across the country. These trips provide unique opportunities to engage directly with industry professionals and Syracuse alumni. Our recent trip to Atlanta was particularly special, as it allowed us to explore a sports market outside the Northeast.
“While in Atlanta, exposure to a wide range of organizations gave us a well-rounded understanding of Atlanta’s sports industry from team operations to agency representation and beyond. Additionally, visiting Atlanta was an amazing opportunity because the FIFA 2026 World cup is coming to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and we heard from multiple organizations about their unique perspective on the event and what role they will play in planning and executing it.
“These immersion trips are more than just site visits; they’re hands-on learning experiences that give us a real sense of what working in different sectors of the sports industry is like. In an increasingly virtual world, having the chance to build face-to-face connections is invaluable. I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of WISE and for the opportunities it has provided to grow both personally and professionally. Thank you to everyone who met with us on this trip, and to everyone who made this adventure possible.”
Kate Bradley’s extracurricular activities in Falk College include WISE Club communications chair, Sport Management Club community outreach chair, Sport Management Club Charity Sports Auction public relations chair for the 2023 and 2024 auctions, research assistant for Assistant Professor Lindsey Darvin’s NIL project, publishing assistant for David B. Falk Endowed Professor Rick Burton, and vice president of partnerships for the Syracuse Sport Group. She’s currently interning for the Wasserman sports marketing and talent management agency in the Brand and Properties department.
Visit the Falk College website to learn more about experiential learning, academic programs, and career opportunities in the Department of Sport Management and the Sport Analytics program at Syracuse University.