ADVENTURE WHO? ADVENTURE U…

By Justin Herrin-Knapp & Julianna Rubin

Live Active. Laugh More. Inspire All. These words are the mantra and life goals of Tom Helbig, Founder and CEO of Tom Foolery Outdoors.

Speaking to approximately 100 attendees of the inaugural Adventure U speaker series, presented by the Cleveland Metropsark Outdoor Recreation Division in conjunction with the Baldwin Wallace University Recreation Management Program, Helbig provided attendees of the event with a large dose of his relentless enthusiasm and passion for getting all types and ages of people to live an active lifestyle. 

Tomfoolery Outdoors, Helbig said, is a playful company he started in 2014 after the realization that he wanted more out of life. The company’s mission is based on the premise that as humans we need to live an active outdoor lifestyle while making a difference in the world!

At the initial Adventure U speaker series, held at Brecksville Reservation own Sleephollow Golf Club, Helbig encouraged audience members to live a simple life and to find adventure through what he labeled as his “Four Types of Adventure” including solo adventures, local long distant adventures, destination adventures and adventure advocacy.

The first type, solo adventures, are simple individual-based outdoor adventures aimed at providing insight into one’s life. Fascinating stories about several close to home adventures on the Little and Greater Miami Rivers were provided as examples.

Second, Local Long Distant Adventures, such as an extended holiday weekend hiking the Appalachian Trail or biking the Ohio-Erie Canal Towpath in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Helbig regaled the audience with tales of his recent adventures while kayak camping the Everglades National Park and his 18 day island to island beach exploration using Fat Tire bikes to explore North Carolina’s outer banks.

Third are Destination Adventures, like his upcoming trip to the Bahamas, where Helbig and friends will attempt the first circumnavigation of the Exum Island on stand-up paddle boards were also discussed.

Finally, Helbig encourages others to conduct Adventure Advocacy, with the purpose of getting other to use adventure to advocate for their favorite cause or project.

After discussing his “Four Types of Adventure,” Helbig regaled the audience with anecdotes and stories of his recent cross-country bike tour. During his 105 day, 4,300 mile journey, he incorporated working with Special Olympics in each state he crossed. Through this adventure he was able to connect with local individuals and raise awareness of Special Olympics as he crossed all of the Southern US states from California to the tip of the Florida Keys.

To end his talk, Helbig encouraged participants to live simple! He also discussed that adventure is more than just an end goal, it’s a journey.

At this kickoff event the audience of approximately 100 was able to take in Helbig’s enthusiasm, experience and advice, as well as participate in an adventure sharing activity, bicycle touring 101, and a campfire complete with s’mores.

The next Adventure U event is scheduled for Thurs., Feb. 16^th at the Rocky River Nature Center where Mark Pecot, co-owner of 41 North Coastal Kayak Adventures, will discuss paddling the Erie Islands.

In addition to the upcoming Adventure U event, Baldwin Wallace University is having a “garage sale/gear swap” on Sat., Apr. 29^th at the Lou Higgins Recreation Center (136 E. Bagley Rd., Berea) where used gear will be available, local adventure exhibits will be hosted, and there will be a “Try It: Gear Repair” session.

You can also find more information about the Adventure U Speaker Series by visiting: http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/Main/EventsProgramsCalendar/Adventure-University-Winter-Series-10382.aspx

For more information on the Baldwin Wallace University Recreation program, please contact Asst. Professor Dr. Jesse Jones at jjones@bw.edu.

Baldwin Wallace University Recreation Management: Experiential Learning from Day One!

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For more information about Adventure U, please contact

Dr. Jesse Jones

Assistant Professor of Sport Management

440-826-2788

jjones@bw.edu

or

Andy Hudak

Recreation Specialist 1

Cleveland Metroparks

216-341-1704

afh@clevlendmetroparks.com

Super Bowl LI - Super Experiences Ahead

The College Football Playoff Experiential Learning Experience has past and, while the memories last, the students in Baldwin Wallace University’s Sport Management program are now gearing up for Super Bowl LI.

That’s right, your eyes don’t deceive you. Many of the students, faculty, staff, and alumni who worked the events around and including the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in Tampa will be heading to Houston to work Super Bowl LI.

This isn’t a new experience for many of the students, as the BW Sport Management program has been a part of Super Bowls XLVII in New Orleans, XLVIII in New Jersey, XLIX in Phoenix, and Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara.

This year, in addition to working the NFL Experience and with On-Location on Super Bowl Sunday, the students will have the opportunity to engage with plenty of Sport Industry personnel.

Upon arrival in Houston on Tuesday, Jan. 31^st, credential pick-up will be followed by a Q&A session with the Houston Rockets Front Office staff and the opportunity to enjoy the Rockets vs. Sacramento Kings game that evening.

Wed., Feb. 1^st will feature Super Bowl training, a tour off BBVA Compass Stadium, and a Q&A session with the Houston Dynamo Front Office staff followed by the NFL hosted Welcome Party for Event Staff & Volunteers.

The following morning, Thursday, Feb. 2^nd, will be an early morning as the group heads to Texas A&M to meet with BW Sport Management alum Thomas Dick, who is an Assistant Director, Media Relations, tour Kyle Field and Blue Bell Park, and have a Q&A with Athletic Department staff. After returning from College Station, everyone will head to the George R. Brown Convention Center to work the NFL Experience events.

Friday, Feb. 3^rd and Saturday, Feb., 4^th will both include shifts at the George R. Brown Convention Center to work the NFL Experience events and opportunities to experience and enjoy Super Bowl Village events.

Sunday, Feb. 5^th will be spent working the On-Location VIP Parties at the NRG Arena inside the secure perimeter at Super Bowl LI.

Finally, rounding out the trip, the students will tour Minute Maid Park and have a Q&A session with the Houston Astros Front Office staff on Monday, Feb. 6^th. After the visit to the Astros, the group will head to the airport to return to Baldwin Wallace University.

It should be a fun-filled week and one the students, faculty, staff, and alumni who work the events will always remember.

For more information on the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program, please contact Asst. Professor Dr. Charles Campisi at ccampisi@bw.edu or visit https://www.bw.edu/academics/undergraduate/sport-management/.

Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management: Experiential Learning from Day One!

College Football Playoff Championship Week Experiential Learning Recap

As we finally return to normal after an exhausting week in Tampa and an equally exhausting return to classes and the ritualized schedule of the academic semester, we look back on the trip that was for the Baldwin Wallace Sport Management students.

Although, I think all the students, faculty, and staff will take exhaustion in exchange for our location during the game-winning touchdown pass.

Mon., Jan. 2nd 

• Worked the Outback Bowl
• Florida beat Iowa, 30-3

Tues., Jan. 3rd

• Toured Tropicana Field and meeting with Tampa Bay Rays Front Office Staff
• Met with Manager, Stadium Operations Kelsey Smith and Coordinator, Stadium Operations Troy Dailey
• Toured the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame, which is housed in Tropicana Field
• Met with Executive Director Dave McCarthy and Director of Florida Operations Tony Penna
• Attended a Tampa Bay Lightning/Winnipeg Jets Game
• Winnipeg won 6-4

Wed., Jan. 4th

• Toured Amalie Arena and met with Tampa Bay Lightning Front Office Staff
• Met with Senior Director of Season Ticket Membership Travis Pelleymounter, Account Representative Paige Westlake, Corporate Sales Managers Nicky Gordon and Adam Lawson, and Membership Services Executives Shannon Dixie and Hannah Landes

Thurs., Jan. 5th

• Toured the University of South Florida Athletic Department facilities and met with Athletic Department Staff
• Met with Associate Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Enhancement Dr. Jodie Libadisos, Director of Selmon Mentoring Institute Kristen Harris, Student-Athlete Enhancement Graduate Assistant Jennica Mullins, Assistant Director of Development / Bulls Varsity Club Director Abby Ritter, Academic Coordinator Rosemary Piedmont, Assistant Director of Communications - Baseball, Volleyball, Sailing Mike Radomski, Assistant Director of Compliance Andrew Kappers, Director of Events Steve Guarino, and Director of Marketing Megan MacLeod

• Toured the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Facility and met with Front Office Staff
• Senior Writer Scott Smith; Director of Sales Deno Anagnost, Senior Public Relations Manager Michael Pehanich, Corporate Partnerships Development Manager Adam Smith, Club Member Relations Manager Jerrett Burke and Member Relations Associates Lindsey Banks, Kaitlyn Huntzinger, and Nathaniel Ligon

Fri., Jan. 6th 

• Toured McKechnie Stadium (Home of Pittsburgh Pirates minor league affiliate Bradenton Mauraders)
• Met with Coordinator of McKechnie Operations for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Bradenton Mauraders Nick Long
• Toured the IMG Academy
• Golf Program Coordinator Aaron Westlake, Student-Athlete Advisor, Golf Matt Kies, Group & Team Sales Manager Jason Puckett, Director of Golf Neil Coulson, and Baldwin Wallace alum and Sales & Outreach Manager, Private School Jason Elias
• Worked the ESPN College Football Playoff Championship Fan Central
• Worked the Eric Paslay Concert

Sat., Jan. 7th

• Worked the ESPN College Football Playoff Championship Fan Central
• Worked the Flo Rida Concert

Sun., Jan. 8th

• Worked the Florida Cup Soccer Tournament
• Worked the ESPN College Football Playoff Championship Celebrity Flag Football Beach

Mon., Jan. 9th

• Worked the College Football Playoff Championship Tailgate featuring the Dierks Bentley Concert
• Worked the College Football Playoff Championship Game

 We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all of those who helped make this week possible!

It was a full week for the students and one that included plenty of fun, plenty of contacts, and plenty of work, with some students logging 50 hours of work during the trip.

“The trip to Tampa was definitely an experience of a lifetime,” said freshman Sport Management major Rachael Montanari. “Being able to tour professional and collegiate facilities was incredible and meeting people who work within them was a great way to help us expand our network. Those 10 days have taught me so much and were so fun. I am very thankful I was able to be a part of it!”

Additionally, it allowed students who have participated in some of the other Baldwin Wallace Sport Management Experiential learning trips a chance to compare and contrast events.

Junior Sport Management major Nick Rizzo, who traveled to work Super Bowl XLIX & 50, “This trip was a great way to compare how the CFP Committee and NCAA run their biggest event compared to the NFL and the Super Bowl. It was also very beneficial to have the ability to visit the various facilities and meet with countless sport business professionals in the Tampa area. The trip was a great way to add to my network and boost my resume, and I had blast doing it.”
For more information on the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program, please contact Asst. Professor Dr. Charles Campisi at ccampisi@bw.edu or visit https://www.bw.edu/academics/undergraduate/sport-management/.

Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management: Experiential Learning from Day One!

Championship Monday

A week later and all of the students, faculty, and staff are finally recovered from Clemson’s 35-31 last second win over Alabama allowing us to detail the group’s last full day in the Tampa Bay area.

Monday, January 9th began with a 7:00 a.m. departure from the hotel to get to the staff parking lot for the game. Arriving at the staff parking, everyone boarded a shuttle that took them to the event check-in at Raymond James Stadium. By 9:30 a.m. everyone was checked in and assigned duties for the College Football Playoff National Championship Tailgate Party at the Raymond James Stadium parking lot.

Students were spread at the various venues, events, and stations across the Championship Tailgate event that featured enormous VIP tents, an ESPN Guest Center, interactive games, and a concert stage. As the day wore on, the students were shifted to different positions in an around the grounds and prepared for the various acts to take the stage.

First on the stage were the Shadowboxers, a pop band discovered by Justin Timberlake. The Shadowboxers were followed by the Clemson and Alabama bands and cheerleaders, with all of this leading up to a performance by Championship Tailgate headliner and country music star Dierks Bentley.

The performances ended about 6:00 p.m. as the 8:00 p.m. kickoff approached. With fans filling out, the students, faculty, and staff were brought back to Raymond James Stadium and assigned duties inside the stadium. Some were ushers, some were responsible for providing breaks to staff who were already in place, and others manned various different posts throughout the game.

However, as the third quarter was coming to a close, BW Sport Management alum and Sentry Event Services Event Manager Evan Helgesen ('10) put the call in to have all BW students, faculty, and staff report to the tunnels that led to the field. After getting all BW participants in place, Helgesen informed the students they would be responsible for the on-filed protection during the fourth quarter and the post-game presentations.

It was a perfect culmination to the week, as the students took to the field with approximately 10 minutes left in the 4^th quarter. Taking positions in either the Clemson or Alabama endzones, the BW group was on the field for the final three touchdowns of the game and several students were near the corner of the endzone where Clemson WR Hunter Renfrow caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson.

Following the game, the students helped secure the field and ensure that fans and others did not interrupt the Championship Trophy presentation and celebration.

It was a great day for all and one the student will not soon forget.

For more information on the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program, please contact Asst. Professor Dr. Charles Campisi at ccampisi@bw.edu or visit https://www.bw.edu/academics/undergraduate/sport-management/.

Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management: Experiential Learning from Day One!

Celebrity Beach Bash & Florida Cup

Sunday, January 8^th was a great day for the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program students on the College Football Playoff Experiential Learning opportunity.

The students were split into groups with some heading to work the Clearwater Beach Bash, a celebrity flag football game featuring performances by the Clemson University and University of Alabama marching bands. The other group headed out to work the Florida Cup, an international soccer competition in which Clubs represent their countries in a format similar to the Davis Cup in tennis.

While at the Florida Cup, students served as ushers, ticket takers, security personnel for the teams and VIP areas, guest greeters, and directional aides with many rotating through several positions. Additionally, Sport Management majors Joe Freeman & Ryan Swingle took over the SnapChat responsibilities for Front Office Sports (http://www.frontofficesports.org/).

“It was a great experience,” said Freeman. “I’d love to do social media management for a professional or collegiate sports organization and this provided me an opportunity to showcase my skills.”

At the Beach Bash, the students were there to escort the celebrities, assist the Alabama and Clemson bands, secure the court and VIP areas, and assist with any other event duties that were needed.

“We had a great time,” said BW Sport Management Assistant Professor James Mattern. “It’s nice to have the students experience events in non-traditional venues. This was a good opportunity for them to see how to set-up, plan, and execute a beach-based event.”

After a long day of working, the students headed back to the hotels to get some rest and prepare for the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. While it may seem like an easy event to work, the students are required to be at the stadium 10 hours before kickoff, making for one very long, albeit enjoyable, day.

For more information on the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program, please contact Asst. Professor Dr. Charles Campisi at ccampisi@bw.edu or visit https://www.bw.edu/academics/undergraduate/sport-management/.

Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management: Experiential Learning from Day One!

Flo Rida Concert & ESPN/College Football Playoff Fan Central

The weather turned a bit frigid in Tampa on Saturday, January 8^th, but the events of the day and the cool temperatures served as a great learning experience for the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program students on the College Football Playoff Experiential Learning opportunity.

Some students were assigned to the ESPN/College Football Playoff Fan Central, while others were assigned the Flo Rida Concert.

The Fan Central Group was responsible for securing the premises of the Tampa Convention Center, and while the work wasn’t taxing, it opened the eyes of many students to the various roles that need to be filled to ensure the smooth and secure flow of a sport mega-event.

“Every role isn’t going to be the greatest,” said senior Sport Management major Mackenzie Nelsen. “But we’re still responsible for doing our jobs. Additionally, it opened a lot of eyes for students who haven’t been on these types of trips before as to how organizations need to coordinate and manage staff.”

The Flo Rida Group was likewise responsible for security and crowd management at Curtis Hixon Park. The rain and cold weather had a greater impact on these students as all of them were working outside in the chilly conditions while the vast majority of the Fan Experience students were inside the climate-controlled confines of the Tampa Convention Center.

“It’s something we all know,” said senior Sport Management major and Sport Management Club President Cole Horan of working in poor weather conditions. “But it’s one thing to know bad weather can happen on the day of your event and another for all of us to experience working in it. Some of our freshmen students on the trip received a little bit of a shock today.”

Despite the poor weather early in the day, the Flo Rida concert went off without a hitch in the evening and the students managed to persevere through the chilly conditions.

The students will be split into groups again on Sunday, January 8^th with some heading to work the Clearwater Beach Bash, a celebrity flag football game featuring performances by the Clemson University and University of Alabama marching bands. The other group will head out to work the Florida Cup, an international soccer competition in which Clubs represent their countries in a format similar to the Davis Cup in tennis.

For more information on the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program, please contact Asst. Professor Dr. Charles Campisi at ccampisi@bw.edu or visit https://www.bw.edu/academics/undergraduate/sport-management/.

Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management: Experiential Learning from Day One! 

The Work Continues - Eric Paslay Concert a the ESPN/College Football Playoff Fan Central

As the tours wound to a close on Friday, January 7^th, the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program students continued the work experience portion of the College Football Playoff Experiential Learning opportunity. Having worked the Outback Bowl on Mon., Jan. 2^nd, the students haven’t been devoid of work since arriving, but it had been a few days. Friday night changed all of that with some students working the Eric Paslay Concert and others securing the ESPN/College Football Playoff Fan Central.

The work opportunities, provided by BW Sport Management alum and Sentry Event Services Manager Evan Helgesen ('10) and his co-worker Megan Stevens, allows the students to see some of the behind the scenes aspects of working and managing a sport mega-event and help secure the premises for the events surrounding the College Football Playoff Championship Game.

The Eric Paslay Concert Group headed to Curtis Hixon Park and battled some rainy conditions to ensure patrons had an enjoyable time regardless of the weather. The ESPN/College Football Playoff Fan Central Group was responsible for securing and providing directional information to fans enjoying the games and events inside the Tampa Convention Center.

The work night ended around 9:00 p.m. for the Fan Central Group, while the Paslay Posse battled the wet weather until the concert ended and the Park cleared at 10:45 p.m. After their shifts the students were ready to head back to the hotel and prepare for Saturday, January 7^th, which includes some students heading to Curtis Hixon Park for a 12+ hour shift at the Flo Rida Concert and others taking a 10 hour shift at the ESPN/College Football Playoff Fan Central.

“Last night was fun, despite the weather,” said senior Sport Management major Alex Jones. “But I’m looking forward to seeing how the ESPN/College Football Playoff Fan Central is operated and comparing that to the experiences I’ve had working the NFL Experience events at two Super Bowl XLIX and 50.”

For more information on the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program, please contact Asst. Professor Dr. Charles Campisi at ccampisi@bw.edu or visit https://www.bw.edu/academics/undergraduate/sport-management/.

Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management: Experiential Learning from Day One! 

Tour of the IMG Academy & McKechnie Stadium

Another day, another fantastic experience for the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program as their College Football Playoff Experiential Learning opportunity continues.

In a seemingly never-ending stream of events and activities, the BW Sport Management students visited McKechnie Stadium and the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL on Friday, January 6th.

McKechnie Stadium, which houses the Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training games and the Bradenton Mauraders, the Class A affiliate of the Pirates, was first of the list. The tour was led by Nick Long, the Coordinator of McKechnie Operations for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Bradenton Mauraders.

Long met the students ushered the students into the complex and showed them the Clubhouse for the Big League team, when they have games at McKechnie, and the Mauraders clubhouse. When asked why the difference in amenities Long explained that the Pirates want the minor league players to earn the amenities in the MLB Clubhouse and not simply be handed them.

As the tour progressed, Long showed the students the Performance Center, training room, stadium boardwalk, and the side practice fields. Long also told the students the team will be installing a 25 foot x 40 foot videoboard for the coming minor league season, which should be installed before Spring Training starts. Finally, Long took the students onto the field and answered any questions they had about the complex, his job, and his journey to Bradenton.

Following the tour of McKechnie, the group headed over to the IMG Academy where they were greeted by Golf Program Tournament Coordinator Aaron Westlake and Student-Athlete Advisor, Golf Matt Kies. Westlake and Kies divided the group and introduced the students to campus.

The IMG Academy tour included all of the newer facilities on campus, including: the Performance & Sports Science Center, the Academic Center, the IMG Academy Football Field, the IMG Baseball Stadium, the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, the Golf Academy Driving/Practice Range, the student dormitories, and the Campus Dining and Health Center.

  

Following the tour of what can only be regarded as the greatest sport facility for high school athletes in America, if not the world, the students engaged with Westlake, Kies, Group & Team Sales Manager Jason Puckett, Director of Golf Neil Coulson, and Baldwin Wallace alum and Sales & Outreach Manager, Private School Jason Elias (’03).

The group of five IMG staffers explained the ins and outs of the Academy, its growth process, how students are admitted, what life is like on campus, and various other aspects relating to the operation and administration of a wholly unique institution. As the Q&A concluded, the IMG employees engaged in one-on-one and small group conversations with the students.

With the College Football Playoff Championship Game and surrounding events beginning on the evening of Friday, January 6^th, the students finished their facility visits and began to prepare to work that nights events, which included the Eric Paslay Concert and the ESPN/College Football Playoff Fan Central.

For more information on the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program, please contact Asst. Professor Dr. Charles Campisi at ccampisi@bw.edu or visit https://www.bw.edu/academics/undergraduate/sport-management/.

Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management: Experiential Learning from Day One!

University of South Florida & Tampa Bay Buccaneers Visits (Part II - Buccaneers)

Coming off a quick lunch break following their tour of the University of South Florida Athletic Department, the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program continued their College Football Playoff Experiential Learning opportunity with a visit to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at One Buc Place.

Entering what many consider to be the "Taj Mahal of NFL training facilities, the students were amazed even before entering as they gazed upon the Buccaneers 4,000 square foot flag that flies over the complex. Atop a 147.5-foot pole, the 80 foot x 50 foot flag, like a modern day Jolly Roger, is an imposing piece of fabric that signals to all who owns the facility

Upon walking through the Buccaneers main entrance, the students were greeted with display cases full of Buccaneers memorabilia and statues of former Head Coach Jon Gruden and members of the Super Bowl XXXVII winning team. It’s an awesome spectacle and one that is unrivaled in the NFL.

Once they entered, the students were greeted by Buccaneers Senior Writer Scott Smith, who helped coordinate the day’s events. The groups were then split into two with one group taking a tour and the other group engaging in a Q&A with Buccaneers staffers. The tours were led by Club Member Relations Manager Jerrett Burke and Member Relations Associates Lindsey Banks, Kaitlyn Huntzinger, and Nathaniel Ligon. The Q&A session included Smith; Director of Sales Deno Anagnost, Senior Public Relations Manager Michael Pehanich, and Corporate Partnerships Development Manager Adam Smith.

As with the Rays, Lightning, and USF Athletic Department staff, the Q&A, moderated by Scott Smith, was informative. Questions touched on topics such as TV blackouts, working in sales, the culture in Tampa to the culture in other organizations, how to get ahead, and breaking through the clutter.

The Buccaneers staff stressed the importance of internships and getting experience.

“Find the internships that throw you into the fire a bit,” said Pehanich.

As the discussion moved to career goals and progressing in the NFL or any career in sport, Adam Smith told the students, “People focus on what they want to become and not who they want to become, I don’t think that’s the right way to go about it. Focus on the who, not the what.”

As the first Q&A and tour wrapped up, the groups switched places.

The tour began in the Media Wing of the Buccaneers facility and the main press room for announcements and post-practice press conferences. Following the media center, the students stepped out onto the three Buccaneers practice fields. The dining facility, fresh with Buccaneers logoed plates and chairs, was next, followed by the Players’ Lounge, and weight room. The position meeting rooms and locker room to rival all locker rooms were the final two places the students visited and provided a fitting capstone to an amazing day.

Dr. Charles Campisi, who worked with Scott Smith during the Super Bowl XXXVII winning season, even ran into and had a brief conversation with Buccaneers Director of Football Operations Shelton Quarles, who was a linebacker on that Super Bowl winning team.

“It was great to see Shelton and provide the students the opportunity to visit the facility,” Said Dr. Campisi. “Scott [Smith] was one of my mentors when I worked here and he’s always been willing to help; whether it’s skyping into my Sport Media class or coordinating this visit for us, I can’t thank him and the Buccaneers staff enough for providing us this opportunity.”

All in all, it was a great day and a great experience for the Baldwin Wallace Sport Management students.

For more information on the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program, please contact Asst. Professor Dr. Charles Campisi at ccampisi@bw.edu or visit https://www.bw.edu/academics/undergraduate/sport-management/.

Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management: Experiential Learning from Day One!

University of South Florida & Tampa Bay Buccaneers Visits (Part I - USF)

With the Tampa Bay Rays and the Tampa Bay Lightning checked off the list, the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program continued to knock off the major Tampa Bay area sports organizations off their list with visits to the University of South Florida Athletic Department and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, January 5^th.

When arriving at the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center, the students were greeted by Dr. Jodie Libadisos, Associate Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Enhancement, Kristen Harris, Director of Selmon Mentoring Institute, and Jennica Mullins, Student-Athlete Enhancement Graduate Assistant. The Selmon Athletics Center was the perfect starting place for the day, as he was the Athletic Director for USF and the first draft pick in team history and a Hall of Fame player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before his passing in 2011. Thus, he spanned both of the organizations the students would visit on the day.

After being greeted by Libadisos, Harris, and Mullins, the group split into three and toured the various buildings and facilities associated with USF Athletics. The tour began with a viewing of the new team meeting room for football and continued with stops at the Student-athlete Enrichment Center, the locker room, the equipment room, the training room, and the weight room. Following the tour of the internal components of the Selmon Athletics Center, the tour visited the Sun Dome, which houses USF men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball. In the Sun Dome, the students visited the Hardwood Club, the Student Club, the Media Center, the basketball practice courts, the team meeting rooms, and the team lounges. The tour concluded with a visit to Corbett Soccer Stadium and a viewing of the football and soccer practice fields.

While the tour had ended, the day at USF wasn’t over for the students, as a panel discussion with Libadisos; Abby Ritter, Assistant Director of Development / Bulls Varsity Club Director; Rosemary Piedmont, Academic Coordinator; Mike Radomski, Assistant Director of Communications - Baseball, Volleyball, Sailing; Andrew Kappers, Assistant Director of Compliance; Steve Guarino, Director of Events, and; Megan MacLeod, Director of Marketing.

During about a 60-minute Q&A, the students peppered the USF Athletic Department staff with questions and inquires about all facets of sport management, graduate school, the career paths each of the staff had taken, internships, and the intricate details of the speakers’ jobs and departments. It was an intense 60-minutes followed by each of the speakers remaining in the conference room to engage with students one-on-one for an additional 20-minutes.

“For the students who want to work in intercollegiate athletics, you can’t beat this experience,” said Asst. Professor of Sport Management James Mattern. “They saw the inner workings of a major NCAA Division I athletic department and we’re able to engage with elite level personnel in a group and one-on-one setting.”

Several of the students echoed Prof. Mattern’s statement, including senior Sport Management major Cade Mickley. “This was a great opportunity for us," said Mickley, "and I was excited to ask Steve [Guarino] about the events he helps run at USF and what it’s like managing all the various sports. Having worked with the Indians and BW Athletic Department I have a good grasp on what’s required, but it was interesting to hear how different organizations manage their events. Plus, it’s a great way for us to make new contacts.”

With the USF portion of the day complete, the students refocused their attention on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (See Part II)

For more information on the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program, please contact Asst. Professor Dr. Charles Campisi at ccampisi@bw.edu or visit https://www.bw.edu/academics/undergraduate/sport-management/.

Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management: Experiential Learning from Day One!

Tampa Bay Lightning Game & Tour

The days continue to shine bright for the Baldwin Wallace Sport Management program as their College Football Playoff Experiential Learning opportunity progresses.

We left off before the Tampa Bay Lightning game on Tuesday and the students loved their in-game experience at Amalie Arena.

“It was great,” said BW junior Sport Management major Jake Jackson. “I’d never been to an NHL game before and this was an awesome experience. I’m looking forward to touring the arena and meeting with some of the Front Office staff tomorrow.”

The game itself was a high-scoring affair with the Lightning falling to the Winnipeg Jets 6-4, but the result didn’t dampen the spirits of the Lightning staffers who gave a tour of the Arena to the students on Wednesday, Jan. 4^th. Led by Account Representative Paige Westlake and Membership Services Executive Hannah Landes, the students explored the Lexus Lounge VIP Club, Chase Club, and Voxology Loge along with an up-close experience with the stadium organ, the Press Box, and all levels and access areas of the arena. 

Following the tour, the group of students met with Senior Director of Season Ticket Membership Travis Pelleymounter, Membership Service Executive Shannon Dixie, Corporate Sales Managers Nicky Gordon and Adam Lawson, and Landes and Westlake.

The questions from the students were numerous and the responses from the Front Office Staff were detailed and informative and ranged from topics such as office culture to hiring processes. All of the staff were impressed with what the students were doing during the College Football Playoff Experiential Learning opportunity and stressed the importance of getting involved and the difference it can make as you look for an entry level job.

Waasan told the students, “You need to have a plan for how you’re going to achieve your goal and define the incremental steps you need to take to get there. And it better be more than the ‘fingers crossed, wish and hope method.’”

During the Q&A, the students also asked what separates the Lightning from other organizations and several of the staffers mentioned the World Class Plus philosophy that permeates the organization. The Lightning employees explained that the philosophy is aimed at providing fans with a World Class experience from the moment they purchase their tickets (and before if they purchase them through the Lightning) until they leave stadium.

It was something the BW students, faculty, and staff definitely noticed on our trip, as we the game was amazing and the tour and Q&A session was done with style and substance.

Overall, with Cleveland lacking an NHL franchise, the Lightning may have some new fans from up north.

For more information on the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program, please contact Asst. Professor Dr. Charles Campisi at ccampisi@bw.edu or visit https://www.bw.edu/academics/undergraduate/sport-management/.

Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management: Experiential Learning from Day One!

Baldwin Wallace Sport Management students Experiential Trip off to great start...

A Florida victory in the Outback Bowl and a visit to Tropicana Field and The Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame are complete and a Tampa Bay Lightning game is on the schedule for the evening as the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management students check off events on their 10-day experiential learning trip to Tampa, FL.

The day began with a tour of Tropicana Field led by Tampa Bay Rays Manager, Stadium Operations Kelsey Smith and Coordinator, Stadium Operations Troy Dailey that was organized by BW Sport Management alum Evan Helgesen ('10).

Smith & Dailey shared their stories of internships and entry into the sport management field with the students before escorting them onto the field of Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays. However, the baseball field looked starkly different from how it does when the Rays play, as it was lined for the recently completed St. Petersburg Bowl and upcoming East/West Shrine Game. The Rays Stadium Operations staffers explained that it took their team about a week to 10 days to convert the stadium from a baseball field to a football field.

“We could have done it quicker,” said Smith, “but we didn’t have any events on the schedule before the bowl game and this allowed us to take our time and make sure everything was perfect.”

Following the tour of the field and explanations of the conversion process and issues with playing baseball in a domed stadium, Smith & Dailey escorted the students to the Press Box for a robust session of Q&A. The students asked about the duo about the Rays in the aquarium on game days, the challenges of working in sport, their best and worst experiences, and countless other sport management-related questions.

The pair shared their experiences and knowledge with the students and provided useful advice in regards to managing staff, taking notes, volunteering, becoming the go-to person, and resumes and cover letters. They even shared some insider information about potential renovations to the stadium for the upcoming season, which we are not at liberty to share.

After the tour of the field and press box were complete, the students were taken back to the field to get a picture in the dugout and with the goalposts, something that is a rare occasion.

Helgesen then took the students on tour of the lower concourse area of the stadium and into The Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame, which is housed in Tropicana Field. At the Museum & Hall of Fame, the students explored the various exhibits and met with Executive Director Dave McCarthy and Director of Florida Operations Tony Penna, who shared the experiences with the museum and some great behind-the-scenes stories of their experiences in the sport management world. Additionally, McCarthy & Penna let the students get pictures with the Gold Glove won by Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier in 2016. An experience they won’t soon forget.

“It was a great experience for us,” said senior BW Sport Management student Mackenzie Nelsen. “It allowed us to gain a greater understanding of various elements of the sport business industry and helped us increase our networks outside of the Northeast Ohio corridor, which is always a goal on the experiential trips we’ve done.”

This evening the students will attend a Tampa Bay Lightning game and see what Fans rank as the #1 in-game experience in professional sports (http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/17816613/espn-magazine-2016-ultimate-standings). Tomorrow the students will visit with the staff of the Tampa Bay Lightning who make that experience possible.

For more information on the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program, please contact Asst. Professor Dr. Charles Campisi at ccampisi@bw.edu or visit https://www.bw.edu/academics/undergraduate/sport-management/.

Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management: Experiential Learning from Day One!

  

Baldwin Wallace Sport Management students headed to Tampa for College Football Playoff

With the College Football Playoff Championship matchup set, Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management students depart for Tampa, FL on the morning of Sunday, January 1, 2017.

I bet you’re wondering why a Division III school in preparing for the Division I College Football Championship.

The answer lies in the opportunities for Sport Management students to get experience behind the scenes and working major events in and around the Tampa-area leading up to and including the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday, January 9, 2017.

This opportunity was offered to the BW Sport Management program by BW Sport Management alum Evan Helgesen ('10). Helgesen was aware of BW’s previous work at the past four Super Bowls (five in February at Super Bowl LI) and knew the BW Sport Management students, faculty, and alumni would be prepared to help him tackle the task of managing a week of events.

“Knowing the experience the students have had and the emphasis the program places on experiential learning, I didn’t hesitate to contact BW when I had openings on my staff for all of our events this week,” said Helgesen, who is an Event Manager for Sentry Event Services, after previously working for the Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns. “Additionally, as an alum, I’m always excited to be able to help the program that has and continues to help me achieve my career goals.”

The Baldwin Wallace students will be busy throughout the week working events and attending meetings with professionals working in intercollegiate athletics, Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the National Hockey League.

The schedule for the week includes:

• Working the Outback Bowl
• Touring Tropicana Field and meeting with Tampa Bay Rays Front Office Staff 
• Attending a Tampa Bay Lightning Game
• Touring Amalie Arena and meeting with Tampa Bay Lightning Front Office Staff 
• Touring the University of South Florida Athletic Dept. and meeting with Athletic Dept. Staff
• Touring the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Facility and meeting with Front Office Staff
• Touring McKechnie Stadium (Home of Pittsburgh Pirates minor league affiliate)
• Touring the IMG Academy
• Working the ESPN College Football Playoff Championship Fan Central
• Working the Eric Paslay & Flo-Rida Concerts
• Working the Florida Cup Soccer Tournament
• Working the ESPN College Football Playoff Championship Beach Bash
• Working the Dierks Bentley College Football Playoff Championship Pre-Game Concert
• Working the College Football Playoff Championship Game

It’s a full slate for our students,” said Assistant Professor of Sport Management Tony Dick. “But we know they’ll be able to handle it. These are the experiential learning opportunities our students live for and we pride ourselves on offering.”

For more information on the Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management program, please contact Asst. Professor Dr. Charles Campisi at ccampisi@bw.edu or visit https://www.bw.edu/academics/undergraduate/sport-management/.

Baldwin Wallace University Sport Management: Experiential Learning from Day One!

Baldwin Wallace Sport Management students are gearing up for College Football Playoff Trip...

As the players and coaches at Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, and Washington prepare for the Peach & Fiesta Bowls in an attempt to reach the College Football Playoff Championship Game in Tampa, FL, students from the Division III Baldwin Wallace University already have their reservations confirmed.

While the students at BW won't be setting foot on the gridiron, they will be heading to Tampa to assist with the event management at the College Football Playoff Championship Game, Outback Bowl, and Florida Cup events from Jan. 1st - Jan. 10th. It's an opportunity that was offered by BW Sport Management alum Evan Helgesen ('10). Helgesen, who  is an Event Manager for Sentry Event Services after previously working for the Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns, contacted the BW Sport Management program in October pitching the opportunity to work a multitude of events with the College Football Playoff Championship Game as the culmination of a weeks worth of events.

"I knew about the Super Bowl experiences the program had done the past several years," said Helgesen. "So I pitched the idea to my boss first and he loved it. He liked the idea of having knowledgeable students with major event experience coming down to help us out."

After getting the go-ahead from his Supervisor, Helgesen worked with the BW Sport Management faculty to put the program into place. In all, 40 BW students, faculty, staff, and alumni will be supporting Helgesen and his efforts on the evening of Mon., Jan. 9th at the College Football Playoff.

"It's a great opportunity for our students," said Assistant Professor of Sport Management James Mattern. "We've have some students who within a 12 month span will be able to add Super Bowl 50, Game 7 of the World Series, the College Football Playoff Championship, and Super Bowl LI to their resumes. Those are some impressive and memorable events that will separate those students' resumes from the pack."

As the Fall semester has reached it's conclusion, the College Football Playoff Championship Game is an excellent way for BW Sport Management students to kick off their Spring Semester.