JOHN E. SIMON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Maryville University | St. Louis, MO | 2020

PARTNERING TO CREATE A NEW CLASS OF THE FINEST IN THE FIELD™ IN THE BIG GOALS: DEVELOPING ESPORTS COMPETITIONS LEAGUES: FOR THE ST. LOUIS BLUES

Providing opportunities for students and individuals, ultimately exceeding work goes into creating something from PROVIDING to work directly with business participation goals. nothing and trying to get people to adopt professionals is a vital feature of the “In cooperation with the St. Louis Blues, a new and innovative idea.” Maryville University Sport Maryville students were responsible Haley Akihiro, sophomore, served as Business Management program. for complete execution of the athletic a tournament manager and worked with The innovative Blues Gaming NHL20 competitions,” says Larry Albus, instructor. high school team representatives. She Showdown, held last spring, is no “Our sport business management hopes to leverage her experience in the INDUSTRY- exception. Students were highly involved classes have always involved content areas of corporate sponsorship or finance with Blues executives throughout the supported by group work outside after graduation. esports competitions, from initial viability projects. This is a clear example of the “We worked closely with the Blues research to final implementation. valuable, intensive learning our approach staff, and I learned a lot about how their “The Blues Esports Project was a great provides for students.” organization works and what their goals VALUED hands-on learning experience for me With development tasks wrapped up, are,” Akihiro says. “I learned about all of and my classmates,” says Blake Anselm, students moved into roles as tournament the things you have to consider when you junior. “We were part of every stage of managers and team representatives. They are a professional sport team and running STUDENTS SHOW LEADERSHIP, the process, spending eighteen months also created brackets and posted results an event that may not seem typical.” COLLABORATION, AND DETERMINATION IN collecting data, doing research, and to the website. REAL-WORLD RESEARCH ROLES creating something unique to the Blues.” “It was incredibly exciting and RESEARCH In 2019, when the St. Louis Blues rewarding to see the project come to decided to follow the NHL’s lead and fruition,” says Anselm. “We learned RSBM students spent the year working alongside top executives explore ways to engage an exploding firsthand about how much time and hard of professional sport organizations to complete research base of young esports fans, the franchise projects with real-world significance. The payoff for students turned to Maryville students for help. is extraordinary experiential learning — and repeat clients who As a Sport Promotions class project, highly value their work. students researched types of events, “Every semester, our students collaborate on industry-valued potential partnerships, event venues, research projects for organizations eager for their results,” and promotional activities. Successive says Jason Williams, EdD, director of the Rawlings Sport Business classes in promotions and Corporate Management program. “As the work becomes more complex in Sponsorship followed through on that this rapidly changing marketplace, students consistently step up research, culminating in Spring to the plate and hit home runs.” 2020 competitions. And as each new project wraps up, Williams says, organizations During the spring semester, as the are waiting on deck with new research challenges to engage Covid-19 pandemic closed classrooms Maryville students. across the country, Maryville University During the 2019-2020 school year, students worked primarily courses were completed online. The new with the St. Louis Blues, the St. Louis Cardinals and Rawlings format complemented the work RSBM Sporting Goods. Among other projects, students were tasked students were doing with the St. Louis with research involving esports competitions, customer service Blues. In twice weekly virtual meetings, assessments, and major sponsorship valuations. students connected with Blues corporate This year, second-phase opportunities have opened up with teams to finalize the Blues Gaming those same organizations as well as a new project with World NHL20 Showdown. There was a lot to Wide Technology Raceway. In addition, Rawlings has challenged map out, because the event involved students to research the added value of becoming an official two simultaneous esports competitions sponsor of Major League . held over a three-week period — one for high school teams and one for individual play. Meanwhile, students reached out to regional high schools to recruit teams

2 | | 3 RESEARCH CLASSES EXCEL IN CHANGING ENVIRONMENT

STUDENTS ENGAGE IN FOCUS GROUPS, VIRTUAL MEETINGS, ONLINE SURVEYS

Students in the 2019-2020 Rawlings “Following each research effort, we Those same players participated in those, which are most in demand? — and Market Research and Development presented our findings to Rawlings focus groups that addressed a wide range created an online research process to classes explored new survey methods executives in a Zoom meeting,” Schmidt of topics. meet the task. and faced unique challenges related to says. “There were up to 20 people on “It was the first time we’d done focus “Rawlings is largely focused on baseball the pandemic environment. In the final the call, and they asked questions of groups, and it was challenging,” says and is the best custom builder on analysis, they exceeded expectations — by students as if they were the experts, Schmidt. “Ultimately, the information the market, but what other custom gear a long shot. asking for their ideas and reactions. It students obtained was highly valuable to might they consider promoting? That In a typical year, students attend was distance learning at its best.” the Rawlings product development team.” was our challenge,” Schmidt says. “We and baseball tournaments to survey Players in each group were asked considered a lot of options — gloves, players and coaches about a featured Product Testing and Focus Groups questions designed to help Rawlings apparel, bags, catcher’s equipment, product, analyze the data collected, For on-site product testing, students took better understand their customers, , shoes, phone cases, and more.” then present their findings to a Rawlings the Rawlings Mantra bat to a showcase such as: Do you bat right or left? What Because local high school baseball executive team. tournament held in St. Louis that involves sport products do you use? What are teams were sidelined, students adjusted Last fall, however, along with traditional over 100 elite softball teams from around your favorite, and least favorite, colors? to the new reality by designing an field work, students successfully engaged the country. Maryville students reached What type of music do you listen to? email survey sent to an organization for WITH LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN in a new research method — focus groups. out to coaches and identified more than The data collected from such questions elite players. In the spring, restricted by the COVID-19 150 players willing to participate in a helps Rawlings make important design Morgan McKinnies, sophomore, who interruption mid-semester, students blind bat test at the nearby Rawlings decisions as well as create appealing ads. wants to be of operations for a RESEARCH GOING INTO THESE adapted and continued their research via Tech Center. Students analyzed the focus group sports organization someday, researched email surveys and virtual meetings. data and presented their findings to a customization and helped Rawlings executive panel that included develop new product ideas. PROJECTS, OUR STUDENTS the chief operating officer and marketing “This experience helped me see how and product development directors. data can be used to build your brand Rainy weather over the tournament awareness and compete in the market,” CONSISTENTLY STEP UP TO THE weekend meant some teams who had she says. “Throughout this process, we agreed to participate in the surveys and sifted through thousands of responses testing left St. Louis early, recalls Taylor regarding customization, and we applied PLATE AND PROVIDE RAWLINGS Shingler, junior. Luckily, she says, back- that data to our recommended products up teams had been identified early and features.” WITH MEANINGFUL RESULTS. on, and the researchers adjusted to This is one of the first courses accommodate as many teams and players students take in the program, says as possible. Schmidt, and every class is dedicated to “In sports, there are always changing project planning. scenarios so being flexible is crucial,” “With limited experience in research she says. “The project as a whole would going into these projects, our students not have been possible without the class consistently step up to the plate and working together through every step.” provide Rawlings with meaningful results,” Schmidt says. “We say this all the time, Customized Product Research because it’s true — we have a graduate The spring semester unfolded much program at the undergraduate level.” differently than in previous years because of Covid-19 restrictions. Students were asked to explore custom sports gear — what products can be customized, and of

4 | | 5 TICKET SELLERS FOR THE WIN: ASSESSING CUSTOMER SERVICE

For the St. Louis Cardinals, the first was the seller on a cell phone? Were you “Their response was very positive,” toward customer satisfaction comes from offered multiple seating options? Were Aldridge says. “Overall, we found the ticket window at Busch Stadium. For you thanked for your purchase? some improvements resulting from last the past seven years, students in the Adam Aldridge, senior, and Jacob year’s research and presented several Rawlings Sport Business Management Anderson, junior, worked with Williams recommendations for next year.” program have assessed the performance on the project. Their roles involved The data Aldridge and Anderson of those ticket sellers to ensure building and administering the gathered will be applied to customer- transactions are positive fan experiences. survey, communicating with Cardinals focused training sessions with the “From our research, we know that if staff to ensure a smooth process, ticketing staff during the off season. customers have a good experience at analyzing response data, developing While working on this research, the ticket window, they’ll have a good recommendations, and finally, presenting Anderson discovered a new passion in experience at the ballpark — whether the their results to Cardinals executives. the sport business industry. Cardinals win or lose by the scoreboard,” “Customer satisfaction or experience- “A few months after the presentation says Jason Williams, EdD, RSBM program based surveys are always unique; every to the Cardinals, I chose to start focusing director and research project facilitator. experience at the ballpark was different. on the business intelligence and strategy As part of the research, “secret That’s what made it so challenging,” side of what the industry could offer,” WELCOME! PARTNERSHIP WITH shoppers” visit Cardinals ticket windows says Anderson. “But when dealing with he says. “The data visualization aspect just before a home game to pick up will large amounts of data like we did in this of this project really blazed the path for PEAK SPORTS ANNOUNCED call tickets. These “customers” are asked project, it’s interesting to find patterns my future career. Standing in front of to purchase tickets for future games at or similarities in the customers the Cardinals staff and presenting the STUDENTS GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES the same time, and later they respond overall experiences.” research that Adam and I had collected IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS to survey prompts about the Students presented their research to was an unforgettable feeling.” transaction, such as: When you Cardinals executives at Busch Stadium. approached the window, The Rawlings Sport Business Management professionals, so they’re building a career Burton and her fellow Maryville program welcomed an important partner network while learning first-hand about students stand out against other to the team in 2019 — Peak Sports MGMT the industry. collegiate volunteers because of their — opening up new opportunities for Already, Peak Sports has hired four passion and drive, says Cara Holloway, students to obtain real-world experience graduates of the Rawlings Sport Business senior vice president for Peak Sports. in collegiate athletics. Management program. “Students come to the events “We’re pleased to have the support of “We really value our relationship understanding they are there to work, Peak Sports and excited about the many with Maryville and are grateful to have not just be a fan,” she says. “They benefits this partnership provides for such experienced and hard-working have a different mentality and know it our students,” says Jason Williams, EdD, individuals on our staff,” says Ryan requires all-hands-on-deck to ensure the director of the Rawlings Sport Business Holloway, president of Peak Sports. tournament runs smoothly.” Management program. “Maryville lays the groundwork so when As an added benefit, Peak Sports has Peak Sports works with universities students arrive to our team, they are named Rawlings as the “official baseball” to build corporate sponsorship for ready to hit the ground running.” for the two collegiate tournaments, athletic programs, and manages and Kaylee Burton, senior, volunteered which helps to increase brand awareness markets collegiate games, contests, and at the Frisco Classic last year. That for the Rawlings Sport Business tournaments. RSBM students participate as experiential learning opportunity, Management program. volunteers in various roles with the Frisco along with others provided through the Classic and Round Rock Classic baseball Rawlings Sport Business Management tournaments, both annual events. program helped her develop key skills “Our students now have greater access and insights, she says. to real-world experiences in many aspects “I’m able to get out into the real world of the sports industry, including digital to learn what aspects of sport business I media, promotions, and ticketing,” says find most interesting,” she says. “I learn a Williams. Through the partnership, he lot more by doing, than by just being in says, students work side-by-side with the classroom.”

6 | | 7 PANDEMIC CREATES ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS NEW VIRTUAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ALUMNI SHARE INDUSTRY SUCCESS STORIES

During a global pandemic that mandates roles for athletic teams and other key “Following the rider, students created college courses be taught online, how organizations. a run of show, a timeline for things like THOMAS WOELFEL, ’14 does an educational program widely Over the past year, students in the tailgates, game timeouts, and half-time known for hands-on learning stay viable? Sport Promotions and Corporate activities,” Schmidt says. “The entire DIRECTOR, BUSINESS OPERATIONS/COLLEGE OF Last year, even as doors remain Sponsorship classes worked with the project involved research with corporate CHARLESTON ATHLETICS closed and sport business professionals St. Louis Blues to develop Blues NHL20 and facilities partners, such as the St. Thomas Woelfel, ’14, discovered his internship, I realized I had a passion for worked from home, students in the Showdown, an innovative new esports Louis Blues, the Dome at America’s particular passion in the wide world of the business and budgeting side. I was Rawlings Sport Business Management competition held this spring. From Center, and the Tampa Bay Lightning.” sport business management during a able to get a second summer internship program continued to gain valuable initial research to final implementation, This shift in education involved greater summer internship just before his junior there and worked in depth with the industry experience. Rawlings sport business management interaction with industry professionals, year. That experience helped shape his business department, gaining Those first months of learning during students were integral to the project. says Schmidt — a development made career and continues to inspire his work. great experience that still helps me a pandemic required adaptability — and The crucial final phase — implementation easier with technology access, training, “Not only did I learn a lot, I was able to this day.” ultimately helped the program prepare — was completed as students held and support provided by the university. to build relationships with people in Now, as director of business for the 2020-2021 school year, since twice-weekly virtual meetings with Blues Students met with industry professionals the industry I still have today,” Woelfel operations for the College of Charleston and effort it takes to be successful in most courses had already adjusted corporate teams to finalize details. via the Zoom app to ask questions and says. It all began with a meaningful athletics department, Woelfel helps to the business of sports because I saw technologically to the new reality. Despite the limitation placed on learn first-hand about the complexities of conversation he had with Jason create yearly budgets as well as works it first-hand as a student through my “We have always been heavily invested planning by the Covid-19 pandemic, planning a sports event. Lamont Buford, Williams, EdD, Rawlings Sport Business with coaches throughout the year to volunteer and internship opportunities,” in experiential learning opportunities,” the esports competition far exceeded senior director of game presentation for Management program director. maximize their budgets. He also creates Woelfel says. “Additionally, nearly every says Daniel Schmidt, senior program participation goals. the Arizona Coyotes and Kevin Bauer, ’17, “Jason asked me what I wanted to do U.S. Department of Education and class I took had real world implications. coordinator. “The pandemic challenged special events manager for the St. Louis For example, the sales class with Attention to Detail in the sports industry. I knew I wanted to NCAA financial reports and assists with us to find new ways to provide students Blues, were two such mentors. Salesforce: Although I have not held a The program also changed direction work in college athletics but wasn’t sure scholarship distribution to with insider industry knowledge, but we “Students were able to ask questions sales position, I have been able to use for students in the Event and Facilities exactly what I wanted to do within that student-. made the pivot and our students were about their project to industry the results-centered selling techniques I Management course. By mid-semester, industry,” Woelfel recalls. “I really enjoy the opportunity to have actively learning and doing throughout professionals who do exactly what the learned then throughout my career.” they would have been hosting live events In response, Williams reached out to a positive impact on student-athletes their courses.” students were working on,” Schmidt says. While Woelfel appreciates the many to showcase their skills in event execution. a former colleague at the University of and forward to that opportunity The use of new technologies is an opportunities provided by RSBM to gain Virtual Viewpoints Instead, small student groups were asked Arkansas and helped Woelfel obtain a every day,” Woelfel says. added skill in itself, but students learned real-world experience in the industry, Every Thursday, for example, the program to explore an industry specific event summer internship on the campus. Prior to joining the College of other key skills, Schmidt says, like time building a network as a student was also held online professional development on a deeper, more technical level. They “Part of my internship required me Charleston in 2018, he earned an management and holding themselves a major benefit, he says. seminars with representatives from first created a rider — a comprehensive to research all the different aspects of MBA, then served as an accountant and each other accountable for “The program sets up a number all areas of sport business. Students document outlining all aspects of college athletics and interview folks in the University of Kentucky athletics work completed outside a normal of opportunities each year to create facilitated conversations with guests an event, such as parking, security, within the athletic department,” Woelfel department for over two years. classroom structure. relationships with folks in the industry,” that included industry leaders as marketing, vendors, power requirements, says. “After those interviews and a “I graduated from Maryville with a he says. “These are relationships that well as alumni who work in various and media setup. number of different projects during the complete understanding of the time help long after graduation.”

8 | | 9 ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS

REAGAN PATRICK, ’18 TICKET OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE, THE ASPIRE COMPANY/VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

Reagan Patrick, ’18, advises students “I think the biggest thing I took from the in the RSBM program to take ample program is being able to adapt to change,” advantage of volunteer and internship she says. “Our industry is forever changing, opportunities so they’re exposed to so it’s important to be able to stay on your the many facets of sport business toes and adjust.” management. She took her own advice Building your career network is a theme and now enjoys a multi-faceted job in throughout the program, according to “The opportunity was cool because the industry. Patrick and many other alumni — and I worked with the person in charge of JOSH PARRISH, ’18 “I’ve worked for The Aspire Company they’re not just local connections, game day operations,” Patrick says. “I got at Vanderbilt University in Nashville Patrick discovered. GENERAL MANAGER, PEAK SPORTS to see how she wrote the scripts for the for two years now,” Patrick says. “I was “I was able to go on the study abroad MGMT/MISSOURI WESTERN STATE announcers. I was in charge of getting recently promoted to ticket operations trip to England in 2019 with other students the cheer squads and bands where they associate from a sales consultant position. and faculty, and that trip exposed me to a needed to be as well as getting their music I like to call myself a jack of all trades. lot. It was my first time out of the country,” to the DJ — and making sure they knew I’ve done a bit of everything: sell tickets, Patrick says. “I was able to build a lot of when to play. I just learned so much from market different packages, and assist the connections with people from the different that experience, and that pushes me to still hospitality department.” organizations we visited, and I still talk strive for my of one day becoming a In her first year, Patrick reached her to some of the professionals I met on Josh Parrish, ’18, landed a challenging “It’s been a lot of fun to build the every single internship and volunteer game day operations director.” job in sponsorship even before he property,” he says. “The majority of our opportunity I could.” sales goal of $250,000 in revenue. To that trip.” graduated from the Rawlings Sport funding is external, through booster He also worked with the National achieve that, she relied heavily on skills As a student, Patrick most enjoyed her Business Management program. After clubs or corporate sponsorships. We’re Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, learned in the Rawlings Sport Business volunteer work for the annual Missouri hitting his annual sales goal in just six an NCAA Division II school, so we the Missouri Valley Conference, Learfield Management program. Valley Conference tournaments. months, he was promoted to general don’t have the crazy revenues of other Sports, Rawlings, and Ballpark Village manager for a university athletics schools. Every single dollar means a lot in downtown St. Louis, among other program — the first ever to hold the to our department.” student experiences. position at the school. As part of his responsibilities, Parrish As a former president of the Parrish works at Missouri Western manages partnership contracts and student-run Rawlings Sport Business NICOLE NARDI, ’16 State in St. Joseph, Mo., and is employed agreements for the athletics office, en- Management Leadership Council and an by Peak Sports MGMT, which owns suring an organization’s business goals alumnus who often speaks with students COORDINATOR, CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS multimedia rights for universities around are met through university programming. about his career path and to share ACTIVATION/LAS VEGAS RAIDERS the country. Previously, he was a Peak “The best part of working in sports industry expertise, Parrish continues to Sports account executive at Nicholls is that every day is different,” Parrish help develop valuable experiences Nicole Nardi, ’16, grew up with sports — “Moving to a new location and opening University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. says. “At any given moment, I’m cold- for students. especially . So naturally, she was Allegiant Stadium has been a new “That the organization has such calling businesses to potentially get “We really want to see them have thrilled to land a position with the Las Vegas experience in all aspects,” Nardi says. “The confidence in my work speaks to my them involved in marketing, building great careers,” Parrish says. “Ultimately, Raiders (formerly the Oakland Raiders) after majority of my focus has been on managing experiences,” Parrish says. “I’ve worked corporate and community relationships, creating memorable experiences so completing her studies. and collecting inventory for all our TV in sales and sponsorship and am able identifying touch points between the students gain real life experiences is “I love to talk about football every day, and Radio shows as well as managing to bring a high level of professionalism community and the university, and key. It took me a year after graduating and that’s what I do in my job,” Nardi says. our publication inventory. Our formats perfect match for my personality and what I to the position because of the many making sure existing partners that to understand how each of my own “Working in corporate partnerships for the and inventory amounts have changed wanted to do professionally.” real-world volunteer and internship support the programs get their experiences led me on this path and NFL was my dream.” drastically, so we’ve had a lot of fun Jason Williams EdD, director of the opportunities provided by Maryville brands seen.” helped me find my passion in sales. I’m As coordinator of corporate navigating this new realm.” Rawlings Sport Business Management when I was a student.” As a student at Maryville, Parrish held grateful for each of those opportunities.” partnerships activation for the Las Vegas- Nardi is also involved in talks about how Program, helped Nardi obtain an internship Parrish joined Missouri Western State six internships in three and a half years. based professional football team, Nardi the 2020 season will look with Raiders with the St. Louis Cardinals ticket office. athletics in 2019. He is responsible for all “You get out of it what you put into it,” has personally been working with her partners and how assets may have changed It was a fortuitous opportunity, she says: sales and fulfillment activation and raises he says. “I dug deep and wanted to do partners, assisting with some of the or may have been affected by COVID-19. “That decision helped me get a job in the funds in support of athletics programs. founding partners, and working with One Rawlings Sport Business Raiders’ ticketing office. I was promoted to another colleague to handle all media Management class in particular, says Nardi, my current position less than a year later.” for their department. set her career path in motion. NFL 2020 season has been a busy one, “My corporate sponsorships class helped especially since the NFL team recently me figure out exactly what I wanted to do moved from Oakland to Las Vegas. in the field,” she says. “I realized it was a

10 | | 11 STUDENT FEATURES STUDENT FEATURES

MORGAN RIPPER: STUDENTS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES OLYMPIC-SIZED GOALS “I’ve always had an interest in Olympics history and how ADAM ALDRIDGE: the competition unites the world as people set differences PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF aside to showcase their talents.” “As with any project or internship or volunteer opportunity, you have to put yourself out there, you can’t stand back. Morgan Ripper, senior, has Olympic- Meanwhile, she has made it a point Ripper also traveled to England with Be the first to raise your hand.” sized goals for her career in sport to stay busy with local internships and the RSBM study abroad group during the business and is proactive in reaching volunteer opportunities. This fall, she’ll summer of 2019. them. This past spring, she was able intern with World Wide Technology “I tried to take advantage of every to attend a Team USA symposium Raceway in Illinois to help develop STEM opportunity that came my way,” Adam Aldridge, senior, is not one to sponsorship. When he first came to in Colorado (before concerns over initiatives for students ages 13-18. The Ripper says. sit on his hands — in fact, he advises Maryville, Aldridge was hesitant about The need for flexibility in operational COVID-19 shut down travel and large program involves robotics and esports, Although months of COVID-19 students in the Rawling Sport Business jumping into the sales field. As an planning, especially in these times of gatherings) to learn about working among other activities to get youth quarantine slowed down her activities, Management program to raise their upperclassman, he sees things a global pandemic, is another lesson behind-the-scenes at Olympic Games. engaged with racing. she used her time to create a virtual job hands as often as possible when quite differently. Aldridge finds valuable. He worked on “One of my aspirations is to do Last winter, Ripper completed an shadow week for the RSBM program. volunteer opportunities arise. Following “I’ve learned how to have comfortable an esports project for the St. Louis Blues. something with Team USA,” Ripper internship with the St. Louis Sports “We broke students up into small groups his own advice, Aldridge has gained and meaningful conversations with Students were tasked by the team says. “I’m not an , but I like Commission. Her work focused on based on their areas of interest, and valuable real-world experience in many people so now I’ve gained confidence with developing and executing an sports in general. I’ve always had an assisting with the development of we spoke with professionals across aspects of the industry. working in sales,” he says. “In our Game esports tournament. interest in Olympics history and how the the St. Louis Biz Dash, a 5K run that the country who work in college or “The number of internships and Face class, sales professional Rob “We needed to pivot from where we competition unites the world as people benefits the St. Louis Sports Foundation professional sports or in the sporting volunteer opportunities you can sign Cornilles taught us his selling approach. started last fall to where we ended up set differences aside to showcase and maximizing the number of tickets goods industry,” she says. up for in this program is endless,” he It helped me feel like I was saying the when it launched,” Aldridge says. They their talents.” available to the Musial Awards for local As she enters her senior year, says. Aldridge has worked at events right things, not just calling organizations shifted outreach strategies to attract local While searching for internships online, organizations, especially those that Ripper’s big takeaway is this: Don’t for the Missouri Valley Conference, the blindly. Having the right words — even just players and high school teams when the she read about the 2020 Team USA Sym- exemplify good sportsmanship. She has sell yourself short. NHL All-Star Fanfare, the 100th PGA to leave a voicemail — has a big impact on first effort fell short, and had to change posium and jumped at the opportunity. also interned with Rapsodo, a product “Be yourself in interviews and show Championship, Rawlings Sporting Goods, your confidence as well as your success.” the in-person championship game to a “The speakers were professionals who development company. you’re willing to put forth effort,” she Rapsodo, Peak Sports, the St. Louis Blues, Aldridge says classroom lessons and virtual event, along with other tweaks. work in different areas — like physical and In her first two years at Maryville, advises. “You might not meet every and the St. Louis Cardinals, among others. on-the-job experiences go hand in In the end, the event far exceeded their mental health, operations, events, and Ripper engaged in a long list of volunteer requirement listed for an opportunity, He plans to volunteer at World Wide hand. He enjoyed a project in his sports original goals for participation. marketing. They’re already planning for experiences, including stints with the but being willing to learn and grow Technology Raceway this fall. analytics class where students compared Persistence is the hallmark of success, the 2028 Olympic Games,” 100th PGA championship (which she goes a long way toward landing these “You get to experience a lot of different the equivalent value of Aldridge says: “It was a good feeling Ripper says. The event also featured an did even before arriving on campus as valuable experiences.” aspects of sport business,” he says. “It’s strategies — why one tactic is more to know we got the job done and did it internship fair with team representatives, a freshman), Cardinals Winter Warmup, huge, being able to get out there and successful over another. well. As with any project or internship or and opportunities to network with the 2019 March Madness in Kansas City, have personal contact with professionals “After that class, I did similar work as volunteer opportunity, you have to put professionals. Ripper plans to apply for the Round Rock Classic in Texas, and and build those relationships over time.” an intern with the St. Louis Blues,” he yourself out there, you can’t stand back. a Team USA position sometime after a trip to Reno, Nevada, as a marketing The variety of hands-on experiences says. “It was cool to apply my classroom Be the first to raise your hand. You came graduation from Maryville. representative for Rawlings. has also helped him narrow his knowledge to the internship and get here for a reason. Just do whatever career goals to a role in operations or those two perspectives.” needs doing.”

ORGANIZATIONS WE WORK WITH

12 | | 13

19125 SW 125th Ct. TUALATIN, OREGON 97062 INSTRUCTOR FEATURES INSTRUCTOR FEATURES

LARRY ALBUS: FOCUSED ON INSTRUCTORS SHARE THEIR STORIES INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE “You can read a textbook about sponsorship or promotion ART CHOU: INSPIRING or analytics, but to actually to do something and participate in an important project is a strong selling point YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS in post-graduate interviews.” “My father, who was a professor, always said if you want to learn something really well, teach it.” Larry Albus recently joined the RSBM He managed six NCAA national of sponsorship matters: What should I faculty as an instructor, having previously tournament championships, including sponsor? How will results be measured? been a member of the adjunct faculty two Final Four basketball championships. What is the cost, and is it appropriate? since 2013. He brings a wide range of As president of DWA USA, a national His students now explore those same Art Chou, instructor, brings 30 years neurship in the past six years. Along with expertise in collegiate and professional sports marketing agency, he planned questions and more for organizations like of sport business experience to the being an RSBM instructor, he serves as sports, sponsorship, event ownership, and and executed sales programs for Holiday Rawlings and the St. Louis Blues. classroom, along with a deep passion general manager for Rapsodo, which students thinking like an entrepreneur as corporate consulting. Bowl, National League, LPGA, and Albus teaches Sports Corporate for nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit provides innovative products and data fast as possible. Their lessons — which are “I enjoy working with Rawlings Sport the Baseball Federation. He Sponsorship, Business Analytics, Finance, of students as well as organizations and analytics for all 30 major league 100 percent based on real-world cases — Business Management students,” Albus also managed five LPGA events and and Promotions. He guides his students business professionals with whom he baseball teams as well as softball and culminate in an independent study where says. “I started my career in college college basketball doubleheaders owned through projects involving valuable, continues to work in the industry. golf organizations. students design their own startup, then athletics at Saint Louis University, helping by the agency. hands-on learning opportunities that Chou began his career as a designer Previously, Chou co-founded Stadia pitch their idea to actual investors.” to run sports programs. I was involved Albus was also vice president and go above and beyond a typical of , managed golf Ventures, a unique sports tech hub for Student projects have ranged from with young people then, and it was general manager of a Champ Car racing classroom experience. businesses, and then ran the product entrepreneurs, industry partners, and innovative hydration bottles to a great to see them work hard and win team for three years. “To me, that is the real point of side of the business for Rawlings. He investors. Chou continues to coach community center for competitive esports games. Now, I tell my students: ‘When At Anheuser-Busch, Albus created differential in this program compared to was instrumental in developing the individuals and organizations for Stadia teams, Chou says. this project — whatever it is we’re working and served as director of the Sports others around the country — the real- longstanding partnership between Ventures and regularly invites students “I strive to plant a seed in my students on — is finished, your name will be on a Marketing Group and the International world experience and the impact of the Maryville University’s Rawlings Sport to participate in various aspects of the — to start that, ‘Hey, what if …’ feeling that final document you can show to potential Sports Marketing Division, which included students’ work,” Albus says. “You can Business Management program and company’s client engagement. As a result inspires them to entrepreneurship,” he employers.’ Seeing their success is Budweiser’s first World Cup sponsorship. read a textbook about sponsorship or the sporting goods company, which is of that partnership, he has hired several says. “I want to them come away with a truly gratifying.” Most recently, Albus worked with IEG, a promotion or analytics, but to actually located adjacent to campus. During that graduates of the RSBM program and confidence that says ‘I can do this.’” Following his work as athletic director Chicago-based consulting agency, where to do something and participate in an time, he became interested in teaching. provided internships for students. at SLU, Albus served as commissioner he worked for 18 years. He directed important project is a strong selling “My father, who was a professor, always “I teach a series of four courses in sport of the Metro Conference. He was a projects for major corporate sponsors point in post-graduate interviews. It’s a said if you want to learn something entrepreneurship, and the curriculum member of the NCAA Men’s Division and properties, including ExxonMobil, terrific asset for students, in terms of job really well, teach it,” he says. “I saw an is based on my work through Stadia One basketball tournament committee Capital One Bank, TD Ameritrade, and candidacy — they can show the projects opportunity for myself, Rawlings, Ventures,” Chou says. “Students learn and represented the NCAA to the U.S. the NCAA, among many others. His work they worked on and discuss in detail the and Maryville University to learn from how to develop an idea into a company, Olympic Committee House of Delegates. involved advising clients on a wide range work they did.” each other.” beginning with market research and Professionally, Chou has primarily including product pricing, partnerships, focused on sport business entrepre- and investor relations. The idea is to get

BY THE NUMBERS of graduates have careers in projects and experiential of our courses are the industry within six months learning opportunities % % corporate-partnered + 93 of graduation 75 30 during the 2019-2020 academic year

14 | | 15 TESTIMONIALS TESTIMONIALS ALUMNI FACULTY

One thing I have learned about the RSBM program is that they What Maryville does in regard to field experience for sport QUOTES continue to help long after we leave campus. I still reach out to QUOTES business management students is unmatched. I can’t see another Jason and Daniel for advice, and it’s great to know we always program across the country providing this level of hands-on have an open line of communication. experience — whether students work with Rawlings, the St. Louis Blues, major university athletic departments, national Thomas Woelfel, ’14 tournaments, and so much more. That broad range is important Director of Business Operations College of Charleston Athletics because it helps students understand what they like. And, when they apply for their first career job, they have real experience to talk about in an interview.

Art Chou, Instructor

I think the thing that all of RSBM graduates can agree on is, every year the program gets better. They are always adding new volunteer events and opportunities. To the current student I would say, please take advantage of everything that you have in front of you — you will get exposed to everything this industry has to offer. Students involved in the NHL 20 esports competition research and implementation project with the St. Louis Blues took a Reagan Patrick, ’18 tremendous amount of satisfaction from their efforts because it Sales Consultant The Aspire Company/Vanderbilt University wasn’t easy. They worked on it from the ground up and, at the end of the day, it turned out to be enormously successful.

Larry Albus, Instructor

16 | | 17 TESTIMONIALS POSITIONS & INTERNSHIPS

2019-2020 INTERNSHIPS

RAWLINGS ST. LOUIS BLUES CHICAGO BANDITS STUDENT Katie Grunert Haley Akihiro Maggie Koszala Mason Schoch Jonathan Schupp Tyler Quest Adam Aldridge ST. LOUIS AMBUSH Rachel Kassing Our faculty go above and beyond. They come to all the activities Hayden House Caroline Hughes Adam Aldridge Brandon Turner Ashley West students are involved in — whether it’s volunteer opportunities Kaylee Burton Spencer Lundgren QUOTES ABSTRAKT MARKETING GROUP with a sports event or RSBM Leadership Council events. Even if it Jacob Anderson Eddie Wright starts at 6 am., they’re there to make sure things go smoothly and ST. LOUIS CARDINALS ST. LOUIS SPORTS COMMISSION Clayton Meyer Abigail Monis we have everything we need. Morgan Ripper Justin Frisch SPORTS MONSTER

Morgan Ripper, Senior PEAK SPORTS – CENTRAL ARKANSAS ST. LOUIS FC Matt Wolf Emma Drysdale Nicholas Powers QUINCY GEMS

MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE OLYMPIA ATHLETICS AND EVENTS Cade Schares Katie Grunert Mason Schoch ST. LOUIS INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Adam Rouse

Experiential learning is key in developing skills needed in our industry. The Rawlings Sport Business Management program has blessed me with countless opportunities to enhance these skills and prepares me for a long and successful career in the sport business industry.

Jacob Anderson, Senior

I can’t express enough the amount of joy and honor this brought me. This program, this university, has provided The research project as a whole would not have been possible ALUMNI HONOR me so much, and I truly without the class working together through every step. We wouldn’t be where I am worked extremely hard to analyze the data, and it was very The annual Speed Networking event was first created six years ago by Samantha Robison, ’14, exciting to present our findings to Rawlings. I gained valuable who was a senior at the time. The event is still going strong with more than 60 students and today without any of it. 30 industry professionals participating in 2020. This year, the RSBM program—grateful for her experience through the presentation, and I loved having the major contribution to student success—surprised Robison by renaming the event “The Rawlings opportunity to do so. Sport Business Management Samantha Robison Career Fair and Speed Networking Event.” “I can’t express enough the amount of joy and honor this brought me. This program, this Taylor Shingler, Junior university, has provided me so much, and I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without any of it,” Robison says.

18 | | 19 The John E. Simon School of Business Nonprofit Rawlings Sport Business Management Program U.S. Postage 650 Maryville University Drive P A I D St. Louis, MO 63141 St. Louis, MO Permit #4468

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING MARKETING 93% CAREER PLACEMENT SPONSORSHIP INTERNSHIPS FINANCE ONLINE PROGRAMS SALES OPERATIONS SPORT DATA ANALYTICS GAME FACE SALES TRAINING PARTNERSHIPS EXPERIENCED FACULTY MARKET RESEARCH MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS JOHN E. SIMON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 93% CAREER PLACEMENT INTERNSHIPS SALES RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS 93% CAREER PLACEMENT ONLINE PROGRAMS OPERATIONS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING MARKETING 93% CAREER PLACEMENT MARKETING 93% CAREER PLACEMENT SPONSORSHIP INTERNSHIPS SPONSORSHIP INTERNSHIPS FINANCE ONLINE PROGRAMS SALES OPERATIONS FINANCE ONLINE PROGRAMS SALES OPERATIONS SPORT DATA ANALYTICS GAME FACE SALES TRAINING SPORT DATA ANALYTICS GAME FACE SALES TRAINING PARTNERSHIPS EXPERIENCED FACULTY MARKET RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS EXPERIENCED FACULTY MARKET RESEARCH

MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS JOHN E. SIMON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS JOHN E. SIMON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 93% CAREER PLACEMENT INTERNSHIPS SALES SPONSORSHIP EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 93% CAREER PLACEMENT INTERNSHIPS SALES RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS 93% CAREER PLACEMENT ONLINE PROGRAMS OPERATIONS RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS 93% CAREER PLACEMENT ONLINE PROGRAMS OPERATIONS FINANCE ONLINE PROGRAMS SALES OPERATIONS FINANCE ONLINE PROGRAMS SALES OPERATIONS SPORT DATA ANALYTICS GAME FACE SALES TRAINING SPORT DATA ANALYTICS GAME FACE SALES TRAINING PARTNERSHIPS EXPERIENCED FACULTY MARKET RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS EXPERIENCED FACULTY MARKET RESEARCH

MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS JOHN E. SIMON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS JOHN E. SIMON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 93% CAREER PLACEMENT INTERNSHIPS SALES SPONSORSHIP EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 93% CAREER PLACEMENTFor INTERNSHIPSmore information: SALES RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS 93% CAREER PLACEMENT ONLINE PROGRAMS OPERATIONS RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS 93% CAREER PLACEMENT ONLINE PROGRAMS OPERATIONS Jason M. Williams, EdD | Program Director @MURSBM Assistant Dean, John E. Simon School of Business [email protected] Rawlings Sport Business Management Program at Maryville University maryville.edu/sportbusiness 20 |