ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
Greetings to all and a “Happy Fall 2024.” As you read this newsletter another Summer Olympics cycle has completed. As luck would have it the European Sport Management conference takes place in Paris in September, and several from FSU will be attending; they will have the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of the Olympic Games-post hoc of course.
We are looking forward to a great academic year. The department continues to be blessed with good students in all three degree programs. Applications for admission to the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs continue to increase. In a time when many of our peers are moving to online degree programs to attract students, our focus on experiential learning and engaging with industry partners helps us attract more applicants than we can admit for both of the degree programs. The doctoral program has been and continues to be strong as well; we implemented an updated program of study in Fall 2023 as part of our effort to continue strengthening the training and preparation of future scholars.
There were no new faculty members hired in the past year; we did have one new addition to the office staff. Mr. Patrick Dickson joined our group as our Accounting Specialist; in a very short time he has become an integral part of the department operations and has already helped improve our fiscal operations. In his spare time Mr. Dickson is the FSU Men’s Lacrosse Club coach, making him a great fit in the department with his sport interests. One other area of growth has been the college expansion; we have completed our first year as the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. The expansion has been positive in my opinion, and Dean Andrew has done a fantastic job leading the larger college. There has been some fantastic research activity among the faculty members. Dr. Devra Waldman spent part of the summer in Italy and part in India conducting field work for her research. Dr. Anna Posbergh was in Switzerland for much of the summer working through materials from the International Olympic Committee pertaining to policy issues. In the span of a few months Dr. David Pifer received the wonderful news that two (2) grant applications were approved for funding, one with Game Change and another with the National Science Foundation. The funding will enable Dr. Pifer to continue his research in the sport analytics area.
The focus on experiential learning continues to manifest through numerous exciting activities. We continue to host trips for students and faculty that allow for networking with industry professionals and completing service at various sporting events. The Global Sport Program continues with two unique offerings, a session in Spain and a session in the United Kingdom. At the time of this writing we are in discussions with counterparts in Panama to create opportunities for students to come to FSU from Panama, and to develop opportunities for programming, internships, and prospective jobs in the growing Panamanian sports industry. I wrote last year the department is as strong as it has ever been, and I continue to hold that opinion. Please enjoy reading about what all has been going on, and please follow up and let us know how you are doing.
Regards,
Jeffrey D. James, Ph.D.
Sport Management Department Chair
College
Florida
of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
State University
SPORT MANAGEMENT STUDENT GROUP NETWORKS IN CHARLOTTE
STUDENTS TRAVEL TO HOUSTON, ASSIST WITH 2024 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS –LONDON, UK
FSU WELL REPRESENTED AT NASSM CONFERENCE IN MINNEAPOLIS
DEAN ANDREW RECEIVES TOP LEADERSHIP AWARD FROM NASSM
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: DR. JUN KIM
STUDENTS IN FACILITIES COURSE RAISE CHARITY FUNDS, RUN EVENT
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: DR. DAVID PIFER
FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS
On the cover: Summer Study Abroad Programs – London, UK, p.7
Sport Management Student Group Networks in Charlotte
By Stephanie Horowitz
The Sport Management Student Association (SMSA) traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina during the Fall 2023 semester for a networking trip. The members of the SMSA networked with professionals in organizations such as the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Independence, and Wake Forest University. In addition to the insight gained from professionals, students were able to tour Bank of America Stadium and American Legion Memorial Stadium, as well as seeing different positions in action during a Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers game. This networking trip allowed students to build professional relationships with potential future employers in a sport-filled city and provided the opportunity to engage with top professionals in a more one-onone setting.
Upon arrival in Charlotte, SMSA networked with the Carolina Panthers, including Bryce Garvey (Director of Ticket Sales and Services) and Bonnie Almond (Senior Director of Stadium Operations and Events). Bryce and Bonnie were able to discuss their personal paths into the sport industry, as well as provide answers
to all student questions and pieces of advice. SMSA was also granted the opportunity to receive a tour of the facility, and how it connects to the executives’ roles. Later on during the trip, students attended a Carolina Panthers game against the Houston Texans and saw the executives in action.
The following day, SMSA had the pleasure of meeting with Wake Forest University. Lindsey Babcock, Deputy Athletic Director and COO, was able to provide her personal success in the sport industry by giving a little background of how she got to Wake Forest, while taking time to answer questions. After our meeting, she guided us to the student section, where we got to watch Florida State University defeat Wake Forest in football on the road.
Students were then granted the opportunity to receive a tour and meet with several professionals of the Charlotte Independence, including Amanda Cover (Manager of Digital Marketing and Communications), Jamison Baile (Coordinator of Digital Marketing and Social Media), and Jake Kling (Account Executive - Ticket
Sales). With all three of these executives being very young, it was extremely beneficial to hear about their recent transition from college to the sport industry, especially Amanda, who is a graduate of our Sport Management program at FSU. The Charlotte Independence, as well as the Charlotte FC MLS teams are relatively new and developing, so learning how an organization is built from the ground up was insightful.
On our final morning in Charlotte, SMSA networked with and received a tour of the facility of the Charlotte Knights. We had the pleasure of hearing from Matt Harper (Vice President of Ticket Sales), Cooper Kinsey (Sports Sales Account Executive), and even Rob Egan, the General Manager. Minor league baseball can some-
times be overlooked by students looking to break into the sport industry, but we all got the chance to see how much working within it can help you gain an understanding of all departments.
The SMSA networking trip to Charlotte was an incredible experience for students to be able to network and begin to build relationships with a large variety of successful professionals in the sports industry across multiple organizations, along with develop relationships with each other. Being surrounded by individuals with similar aspirations and a passion for sports is an experience that is unmatched; one that allowed us all to take a step forward toward our careers. ∎
Students Travel to Houston, Assist with 2024 College Football Playoffs
By Arianna Prince
Seven FSU Sport Management students assisted Etzel—a major hospitality service provider—in connection with the 2024 College Football Playoffs (CFP) and the Allstate Championship Tailgate near Dallas. From January 4-8, the students helped setup, execute, and tear down this impressive annual event. The Allstate Championship Tailgate consisted of CFP activations like the zip-line, mechanical ‘footbull,’ and oversize gloves.
Several tethered hospitality events were affiliated with Capital One, ESPN, Playoff Premium, and Taco Bell. Other sponsorship activations included Allstate, AT&T, Dr. Pepper, Eckrich, Gatorade, Goodyear, Great Clips, Mercedes, and Modelo. At the conclusion of all the pre-game festivities, Etzel extended tickets to all the FSU students allowing them to attend the CFP championship game. During the trip to Texas, the students also had the opportunity to network with the Houston Astros. Tom Jennings, Vice President of Merchandising and Retail Operations, arranged for the students to meet and talk with several executives, including Senior Vice President of Business Operations Marcel Braithwaite. Learning from the speakers added to the students’ knowledge of operations and how a successful MLB team runs on a day-to-day basis. During an open evening, the students also watched the NBA Houston Rockets face off with, and defeat, the Milwaukee Bucks. ∎
Summer Study Abroad Programs – London, UK
By Dr. Katie Flanagan and Dr. N. David Pifer
The Department of Sport Management embarked on an exciting overseas trip to study abroad in the diverse city of London, offering an immersive and educational experience for approximately 30 students. The study abroad program provided students with a unique blend of academic learning and real-world exposure to the international sport industry.
By touring sporting venues such as Tottenham Stadium, Stamford Bridge, Lord’s Cricket Grounds, and the Queen’s Olympic Park, with the aim of broadening the understanding of international sporting venues, and how they draw similarities and differences to American venues taught about. Moreover, excursions to Edinburgh, Scotland to watch The Open and Wimbledon, England to attend the Wimbledon Championship were provided as well. Attending these two historic European events were such amazing opportunities and truly special to attend. Not only did they give insight to the history behind tennis and golf, but also the longstanding traditions these two sports hold in Europe. Doubledecker bus and bike tours around London allowed students to see prominent English landmarks such as Beg Ben and the Tower of London, while a three-night trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, offered additional sightseeing at the local castle, the Royal Mile, and King Arthur’s Seat.
Additionally, several guest speakers were presented before the class to discuss their occupations in the field of sport, along with any advice they could provide to students aiming to pursue the same or similar career paths. These presentations also offered the chance for any questions to be answered, a factor which was greatly utilized by each student. Specifically, Nick Robinson, founder of International Sports Consulting, Paul Deakin of NFL Europe, and Jack Cole of the DP Tour all spoke and bestowed valuable advice based on their experiences throughout their careers.
Dr. N. David Pifer emphasized the significance of the timing: “We were fortunate to visit the United Kingdom while several marquee sporting events were taking place. Students experienced the excitement of Wimbledon, caught a practice round of The Open at Royal Troon, and witnessed England’s run to the finals of the UEFA European Championship.” Dr. Pifer also noted that while English spirits may have been down following a 2-1 loss to Spain in the final match of the Euros, student enthusiasm remained high throughout the time abroad as they explored English sport venues and learned about similarities and differences between the sport industries of the United Kingdom and United States.
Sydney Copstead, an FSU graduate student on the trip said “Our class class got to see a ton of amazing venues and learn about global issues in sport. We went to Wimbledon, The Open, Lords Cricket Ground, and so much more. I am so grateful to have gotten to study with my closest friends and colleagues.”
Nicholas Romano, a senior student, also added “The London sport management study abroad program was totally worth it. I learned so much, met so many new people, and made connections with those people. I was a little nervous about going at first, but once I settled in, I had the time of my life. All in all, it was a great month abroad, and I’m so glad I took advantage of it and went!”
Additionally, Dr. Katie Flanagan summed up the programs’ value: “It is without a doubt any student of FSU who is considering registering to study abroad should absolutely do so under the Sports Management branch. The value behind each of these visits, trips, and guest speakers is immeasurable, providing memories and insight that will last a lifetime.” ∎
FSU Well Represented at NASSM Conference in Minneapolis
By Susmit Gulavani
The 2024 North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) annual conference took place in Minneapolis from May 29 to June 1. The Department of Sport Management demonstrated significant representation, with seven doctoral students and eight faculty members presenting their research. Participants shared their findings through two formats – oral presentations and poster sessions. The range of topics addressed was extensive, covering areas such as sport marketing, sport management, sport for development, sport sociology, sport politics, and sport ecology and sustainability.
The conference played a crucial role in the professional development of the PhD students. It offered them a platform to share their research with a broader audience, receive feedback from peers and experts in the field, and engage in intellectual exchanges that could enhance their future research endeavors. Indeed, the opportunity to establish connections with other researchers and professionals in the field is invaluable for their academic and professional growth.
Beyond the scholarly presentations, the conference also featured significant networking opportunities. Dean Andrew organized an alumni social event, fostering connections between current students, alumni, and faculty members. This event was an excellent opportunity for participants to network, share experiences, and discuss career trajectories in a relaxed setting. During this event, both Dean Andrew and Dr. James addressed the attendees, providing updates on the department’s progress and achieve-
ments, thereby strengthening the community and fostering a sense of pride and belonging among the alumni.
Notably, the conference recognized the significant contributions of key individuals to the sport management field. Dean Andrew received the Garth Paton Distinguished Service Award and Dr. Du was honored as a NASSM Research Fellow.
Overall, the 2024 NASSM conference was a remarkable event for the Department of Sport Management, highlighting its commitment to research excellence and professional development. The achievements and recognition of its members underscore the department’s pivotal role in advancing the field of sport management. ∎
Dean Andrew receives top leadership award from NASSM
By Josh Duke
Dean Damon Andrew—who also serves as a professor in the Department of Sport Management—received the 2024 Garth Paton Distinguished Service Award from the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM). The award is among the most prestigious given by the leading sport management organization.
“I am honored to join the list of the many distinguished individuals who have received the Garth Paton Distinguished Service Award,” Andrew said. “So many past recipients of this award have mentored me along my academic journey, and I am so grateful to be recognized by an organization I so deeply cherish and respect.”
Dr. Jim Weese, former dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University, delivered introductory remarks during the ceremony on June 1 in Minneapolis, in which he cited Andrew’s prodigious scholarly publishing and administrative successes.
“Over the past 22 years, he has served our organization exceptionally well,” Weese said. “He got involved very early in his time with NASSM, serving on ad hoc committees, including the strategic planning committee, the research fellow selection committee, and the governance committee.” In total, Andrew served ten years on the NASSM executive board, including his time as editor of the Sport Management Education Journal and his elected appointments as member-at large and president of NASSM.
The Garth Paton Distinguished Service Award recognizes a member of NASSM in good standing who has shown high distinction within the organization and at the recipient’s academic institution. Winners are chosen for their service to NASSM and professional contribution to fellow members and contribution to the field of sport management. ∎
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Jun Kim
Associate Professor, Arcadia University
Jun Kim is an associate professor of sport management at Arcadia University. His research focuses on machine learning and consumer behavior, with publications in both sports and economics journals. Recently, he published a study on March Madness predictions using machine learning in Managerial and Decision Economics. He is currently investigating whether financial gains from betting outcomes can offset a home team’s loss in terms of sports fan satisfaction. Jun serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Applied Sport Management. He earned his Ph.D. in sport management from FSU in 2013 and has taught at different institutions such as SUNY Brockport, Columbia University, and Temple University.
How did you decide to attend Florida State University for your doctoral studies?
My decision was primarily influenced by Dr. James. He is a renowned scholar in sport marketing and consumer behavior, and I still remember speaking with him on the phone after submitting my application. I was fortunate to receive a four-year fellowship with Dr. James’s support. Looking back on my time at FSU, there were many challenges, such as the preliminary exam and dissertation proposal. However, I learned a great deal, not only academically but also valuable life lessons.
What was the topic of your dissertation and how has such research served as a launching pad for your current research focus?
My dissertation explored sport consumer satisfaction determined by mixed emotions and counterfactual thinking. Given that the expectancy disconfirmation framework has dominated consumer behavior research, I aimed to examine an alternative comparison standard for sport consumer satisfaction. I also tested sport fans’ emotional responses to different types of game outcomes and found that people could experience positive and negative emotions concurrently during close contests. This research resulted in the publication of two papers in the Journal of Sport Management. My dissertation has laid the foundation for my current research in consumer behavior, leading me to investigate the topic of sport betting and consumer satisfaction. Through my dissertation work, I gained a deep understanding of experimental design.
What is your teaching focus now?
I have taught a variety of courses ranging from Sport Marketing to Principles of Management. Although I enjoy teaching most of these courses, I am particularly drawn to teaching analytics courses. I have been teaching both business and sports analytics courses, and adopting new algorithms and testing different datasets brings me the joy of problem-solving. Another area I am working on is integrating the application of AI and automation in sports management courses. I have already incorporated topics such as blockchain technology (e.g., metaverse, crypto, and NFT) into Sport Marketing and Introduction to Sport Management courses. To my knowledge, many AI-related courses in sports or business focus on athlete/team performance analysis and machine learning. However, I aim to develop more content on the use of AI for enhancing sport fan experiences and understanding its psychological and behavioral impacts on building loyalty. For example, a company called Fancam has installed 360-degree high-resolution cameras in most major league sports venues, providing gigapixel photography for major sports games. This technology captures all event attendees. Imagine showing a team sponsor’s new advertisement on the jumbotron and capturing everyone’s facial expressions right after the ad. With new AI software, we could instantly analyze positive and negative facial expressions, allowing us to easily measure the audience’s reaction to the new ads. This technology will create new revenue streams for teams and provide instant feedback from their fans.
What are some of the highlights about being a faculty member? I started my job from scratch at Arcadia University, a private regional institution located in the Philadelphia area. My primary responsibilities are teaching and service. As program director, I developed the undergraduate curriculum and proposed a series of courses. Accreditation is another task I am currently working on, which is a very time-consuming and lengthy process. Additionally, I help students in securing internships and full-time jobs. To facilitate networking, I organize career fairs and speaker series events, inviting a variety of teams (e.g., Phillies, Flyers, Union, Sixers) as well as local sports companies and agencies. Since a student’s success is my success, I strive to provide the best resources possible.
I have also served in various roles such as faculty athletic representative, member of the faculty senate, and member of the promotion and tenure committee. Indeed, evaluating and deciding on a colleague’s tenure and promotion was very important task that required meticulous attention to detail, but it is an integral part of higher education. This role allowed me to understand the complexities and responsibilities involved in academic administration.
What advice do you have for current doctoral students in our program?
I have a few suggestions on this topic. First, I recommend developing a sub-specialty area in addition to your primary research focus. For instance, I published and presented on sports analytics, while my dissertation focused on sport consumer behavior. During my time at FSU, I was a research assistant for Dr. Rodenberg, and I had the opportunity to collaborate on his project regarding the NBA’s age eligibility rule. We published papers in economics and sports analytics journals and presented our study at Harvard University, marking my first visit there. At that time, sports analytics was very new, but we anticipated it would become one of the fastest-growing academic areas. Dr. Rodenberg introduced me to the book Mathletics by Wayne Winston, which is considered a bible in sports analytics and is still a key resource for my analytics classes. Having a sub-specialty area has significantly helped me extend my teaching and research, allowing me to explore diverse topics.
Second, I recommend communicating with your advisor regularly. My dissertation proposal took more than a year to complete. I struggled to stay on track due to my teaching responsibility and uncertainty about my research direction. While I had broad ideas, it took several months to refine them. If I had actively communicated with my advisor during my dissertation work, the process would have been much smoother and quicker.
Lastly, take courses outside of sport management. While you may be required or suggested to take statistics or business seminar courses, I strongly recommend taking electives from business, communication, psychology, or economics. When applying for jobs, you may be surprised to find that sport management programs are housed under various academic units. Students in each academic unit are exposed to unique teaching styles. For example, case studies and business simulations are widely used in business courses, while analytics courses mainly use different statistical software and datasets. Experiencing and being exposed to different teaching styles and methods is extremely helpful when developing and teaching courses as a faculty member.
Best of luck with your studies and stay healthy! ∎
Students in Facilities Course Raise Charity Funds, Run Event
By Dr. Mark DiDonato
On April 11, 2024, graduate students in the Facility and Event Management course planned and hosted “Discs for Duty,” a one-day disc golf charity event at Tom Brown Park in Tallahassee. The student-led event raised over $3,000 for the FSU Veterans Center. The event not only provided an engaging and fun-filled day for participants, but also highlighted the practical application of facility and event management skills taught in the course.
The students worked tirelessly to plan every detail, from securing sponsorships to managing logistics, ensuring the event ran smoothly. Attendees enjoyed various activities, including a disc golf tournament, raffles, and refreshments, all contributing to the
vibrant atmosphere. The success of the event was a testament to the hard work and commitment of the students, who have proven their ability to execute large-scale events with professionalism and creativity.
The funds raised will significantly aid the FSU Veterans Center in providing essential services and support to veterans pursuing their academic goals on campus. ∎
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Dr. David Pifer
Assistant Professor David Pifer collaborated with both students and colleagues on several projects last academic year. Along with advisee Sachin Narayanan, a second-year PhD student, Dr. Pifer published an article in the Journal of Sport Management highlighting the inaccuracies and inconsistencies that can arise when applying analytical models built from men’s football (soccer) data to performance analyses of women’s soccer players. The study was notable for being one of the first to build an expected goals (xG) model exclusive to the women’s game and for highlighting key differences that exist in the measurement and performances of male and female soccer players.
Dr. Pifer also secured a number of grants based on his sports analytics research focus. First, Dr. Pifer and his PhD advisees, Sachin Narayanan and Dhruv Joglekar, received a $4,600 grant from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for research analyzing the transfer portal movements of college athletes between NCAA revenue sport programs and the subsequent performances of the associated players and teams. Second, Dr. Pifer earned an external award totaling $64,971 from Game Change, a company focused on enhancing athlete wellness, for research predicting minor league baseball players’ chances of making it to Major League Baseball (MLB). This longitudinal project will synthesize performance metrics and psychometric evaluations of MLB prospects to estimate overall probabilities of career success and identify factors that are influential to their advancement.
Third, Dr. Pifer, FSU alum Dr. Chris McLeod, and two other co-primary investigators were awarded a large ($471,645) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for work that will examine unrealistic optimism and its effects on long-term objectives. The longitudinal project will quantify unrealistic absolute optimism (UAO) in minor league baseball players and college applicants by comparing self-reported probabilities of future career success (e.g., making it to MLB or being admitted to a top university) to the probabilities generated by machine-learning algorithms trained on historical data. It will then explore the relationships between the UAO measures, a series of potential mediators, and eventual career outcomes, providing evidence for whether UAO has a positive or negative effect on career objectives. Dr. Pifer will play the lead role in creating the machine-learning algorithms used to predict career probabilities in both contexts. ∎
Faculty Achievements
Dr. Posbergh was an invited speaker at the International Olympic Committee’s World Conference on Prevention of Injury and Illness in Sport February 29-March 2, 2024 and took part in a plenary panel session entitled “Towards LGBTQI athlete health and protection: A safeguarding approach.”
Dr. Kellison was a guest of the Global Sports Management Graduate Student Seminar at Seoul National University where he presented “The Future of the Sports Stadium in a Warming City.” In his lecture, he discussed four ways sport venues broadly intersect with environmental issues, including through sustainable design, environmental justice, stadium replacement, and the public goods debate.
Dr. Du earned two awards during the 2023-2024 academic year. At the 2024 NASSM Conference, he received the NASSM Research Fellow Award. At the 2023 SMA Conference, Dr. Du— along with Dr. James, Dr. Kim, and Dean Andrew—won the Outstanding Professional Paper Award for their co-authored work entitled “Measuring the ripple effect of stadium atmosphere in emotional contagion and fan engagement in social media using deep learning.”
In February, Dr. Rodenberg’s doctoral advisee Scott White won the Bernard Patrick Maloy Graduate Student Research award at the 2024 Sport & Recreation Law Association conference in Baltimore, Maryland. The underlying paper was spawned in Dr. Rodenberg’s Spring 2023 doctoral seminar course.