In the Game: A Deep-Dive into the World of Chicago’s Sports Organizations

December 13, 2024December 17, 2025 mhayes43 Industry Speakers, Student Experience

Written by MaryMargaret Hayes

Last week, I had the privilege of participating in Professor Andy Clark’s 11th annual “Behind the Scenes with Chicago Sports Organizations” course, an immersive experience that took us inside some of the city’s most influential sports organizations. Over the span of five days, we engaged with industry professionals, toured iconic venues, and gained firsthand insights into the operations and strategies behind Chicago’s dynamic sports landscape. Come along on the journey with me as I recap my key takeaways and highlights from this unforgettable week.

Day 1:

As a kickoff for our class, Kevin Willer, a Partner of Chicago Ventures, visited the School of Hospitality and Sports Business to give an amazing talk on all things sports business and entrepreneurship. Kevin emphasized the importance of “[surrounding] yourself with good people that you can learn from,” which resonated with me as I always try to surround myself with like minded individuals who will push me to be the best version of myself. Something that Kevin mentioned that especially resonated with me was when he explained that it is important to “surround yourself with good people that you can learn from.”

Following our discussion with Kevin, our class then traveled to the United Center, meeting with both the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks.

At the Bulls, our visit was led by Kola Adebola. Our class participated in a panel with a few members of the organization, even getting a surprise visit from Michael Reinsdorf, CEO of the Bulls! Later on in the day, we also got a chance to talk with Patrick Sandusky, the VP of PR and Communications.

Then, heading to the Blackhawks, we heard from many amazing members of their team, with Matthew Schroll leading our session that day. We were also taken on a tour of the United Center, led by Kevin LeClair. During our time with the Blackhawks, we were able to meet with a multitude of DePaul alumni, including Leila Rajput, Sean Montgomery, and Willem Caster. Not only did this experience provide a fascinating look at the operations behind two major sports teams, but it also gave our class the chance to connect with recent DePaul alumni in the industry.

At the end of our first day, our class attended a Bulls game—and they won! Watching the game together was a great way to bond while also experiencing the arena in full swing after meeting the team behind the Bulls and touring the United Center with Kevin.

Day 2:

For our first session of day 2, our class traveled to Paragon Marketing Group, meeting with Paragon’s Senior Vice President, Matt Waitz, along with Michael Socks, an account supervisor at the agency. Our class was able to learn more about Paragon’s initiatives and impressive clientele, along with a brief overview of the growth of the agency. Waitz explained that “we are not the biggest agency… but we are going to try the hardest,” which was evident within their company culture.

Following our visit with Paragon, we then headed over to the Chicago Stars, Chicago’s professional women’s soccer team that competes in the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League). Our class had the exclusive opportunity to speak with Karen Leetzow, president of the Stars, who took us through a presentation of what the team is fighting for within the NWSL – a chance at equality. After hearing from Karen, we had an open discussion with many DePaul alumni, including Elizabeth Endy, Emmanuel Gomez, Andrea Correa, Niall Hurley, Emmanuel Salazar, and Anna Schmitt; it was so inspiring as a current DePaul student to see many alumni working within the industry! It was also amazing to learn of the progress being made in women’s sports, with the Stars breaking an attendance record when they played at Wrigley Field this past June, with over 35,000 attendees!

Day 3:

Moving right along into Wednesday, day 3, we first started our day with rEvolution, a sports marketing agency in the West Loop! With Michael Begel and Ian Burleigh leading our session, we learned about the 3 core pillars of rEvolution: Strategy, Activation, and Measurement. Michael stated that “we connect brands with fans – that’s what we do at our core,” which was a perfect summation of our discussion with rEvolution. We even got to talk with Larry Mann, one of the original partners of the agency since its founding.

Later in the day, we also visited with the Chicago Bears in their Loop office! We had a panel with Kristin Rogers, Rachel Chessky, Nathan DiLorenzo, Logan Oppegard, and Joann Kowalski, where our class was able to hear from those who work within marketing, sales, HR, and partnerships. A quote that stuck with me this day was from Kristin, who stated that “when a lot of things divide us, sports is the one that unites us.” Well said!

After our visits with rEvolution and the Bears, we headed back to the United Center to attend a Chicago Blackhawks game as a class—a perfect way to wrap up our third day! During the game I even waited in line to meet Tommy Hawk, the Blackhawks’ mascot, which added a fun and memorable touch to the evening.

Day 4:

With our course more than halfway done at this point, we are already on day 4, starting off strong with a visit to the Chicago Cubs in Wrigleyville!

In a presentation led by DePaul alumna Megh Babikian, we dove right into learning about ticket sales, HR, communications, fan development, and baseball sciences, meeting with Claribel Diaz, Rachel Landgraf, Brynne Murphy, and Joe Gyora to do so; Ethan Brock, a current sports business student at DePaul also stopped to speak with our class, as he is currently working for the Cubs as an Accounting Assistant. We then got to speak with Andy Blackburn, the VP of Development and Partnerships, who, along with Megh, then showed us around the many premier suites within Wrigley. It’s not everyday that you get to hang around underneath a baseball field!

Pivoting to soccer, we ended our day at the Chicago Fire. Welcomed by Ryan Mantel and Sam Bocken, our class learned the ins and outs of sales. We also met with Dan Moriarty (CMO), Emily Simanskis (Senior Manager of Digital Content and Social Media), and lastly Christine Giordano (Director of Partnership Marketing).

Day 5:

Our final day of visits brings us to Friday, where we started at Wintrust Arena, home to the Blue Demons and Chicago Sky. Greeting us at the entrance of the arena, David Kennedy, gave us a glimpse into the preparations that go into arena operations. While we watched the space be prepared for a concert that night, David explained to us just how versatile the arena is, hosting more than just basketball games.

We then met with Alex Teodosi, Chicago Sky’s VP of Sponsorships, who talked to us about his role within Chicago’s WNBA team, and the growth of women’s sports overall. Fun fact: Alex started as an intern for the Sky when he was at DePaul! One piece of advice from Alex that especially resonated with me was to “always give yourself a fair shot,” as you may not always be the smartest one in the room, but you better be the most hardworking.

DeWayne Peevy, DePaul’s Athletic Director then stopped by to explain his responsibilities at DePaul and all that entails being an AD. Peevy then took our class on a tour around Wintrust arena, stopping in both the men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms to view the impressive amenities for DePaul’s athletes within the arena.

Heading back to campus, we were then joined by Mike Gordon, the GM of Northwestern Sports Properties. Mike was a captivating speaker who had our whole class on the edge of our seats while listening to a breakdown of working in sports, with networking best practices.

The last part of our day included a “speed-dating” session with many DePaul Alumni, including Alex Bialek (Senior Coordinator of Track Content for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race), Nina Goodhue (Associate Athletics Director of Marketing & Fan Experience for DePaul Athletics), Sean Montgomery (Account Executive of Membership Services at the Blackhawks), Kelsey Horvath (Brand Marketing Manager at Schilling Cider), and Miliana Adams (Global Partnerships Coordinator at Abbott). Our class took turns meeting with each speaker through open discussions within small teams. The “speed dating” exercise was a perfect conclusion to our five days together, providing an opportunity to connect with alumni from the sports industry and gain meaningful insights into their career journeys, challenges, and advice for students like us.

Day “6”:

To wrap up the course, our class returned to campus for a final day where teams gave their final presentations to a group of panelists, with two teams being chosen as the “winners,” and getting to take home some prizes. Professor Clark has quite a sweet surprise for us, a cake with our class on it!

Among the 51 speakers we met with this week, a few common themes stood out. First and foremost: be a sponge! Nearly every speaker emphasized the importance of natural curiosity, a willingness to learn, and the ability to “soak up” as much information as possible. They also stressed the value of staying open-minded, as no career journey is linear. While you might have a clear vision of your goals, things don’t always unfold as planned, so adaptability is key.

The biggest takeaway for me, however, is the importance of being proactive. Every speaker, regardless of their organization, has achieved success by adopting an entrepreneurial mindset and, as Professor Clark puts it, “not doing the minimum.” To truly stand out, you must go above and beyond—taking that extra step is always noticed.

This week-long journey through Chicago’s sports organizations was an unforgettable experience, offering our class invaluable insights into the industry while showcasing the power of connections and collaboration. From engaging panels and dynamic site visits to candid conversations with industry leaders and alumni, each day provided a new perspective on the vibrant world of sports business. The recurring themes of hard work, community, and innovation resonated deeply throughout the course, reminding us of the unifying nature of sports and its potential to inspire change. A huge thank you to Professor Clark for curating such an impactful experience—it’s one that we’ll carry with us as we embark on our professional journeys.

Inside the 2024 Chicago Sports Summit: Key Insights from Industry Leaders

October 20, 2024December 17, 2025 mhayes43 Industry Speakers, Student Experience

By Emily Rice

Earlier this month, a few of Andy Clark’s current and former students, myself included, had the amazing opportunity to attend the Chicago Sports Summit.

Across four panels, we heard from a diverse range of speakers from various sectors of the sports industry, each providing valuable insights into their respective areas of expertise.

The first panel was with Joie Chitwood and Vaughn Moore about the upcoming PGA President’s Club in 2026, which will be hosted at the Medina Country Club. They spoke about how this President’s Cup is going to be unique for several reasons, including that Medina recently spent $24 million on renovations and that it will be the first course to have hosted a President’s Cup, Ryder Cup, U.S. Open, and PGA Championship.

Just in time for this past weekend, the next panel was with Carey Pinkowski, George Chiampas, and Jenny Spangler to talk about the Chicago Marathon. They explained a little bit of the history of the race and shared details about this year’s race as well. This year hosted more runners than ever before with roughly 50,000 runners from over 130 countries and all 50 states participating.

The next interview with Laura Ricketts, the controlling owner of the Red Stars, co-owner of the Cubs, and minority owner of the Sky really resonated with me. She spoke about many topics but two that stood out to me were her discussions of the inequalities that exist in the sports world between men’s and women’s sports and the difficulties that lie within having your stadium less than optimal in terms of being out of reach of public transportation and having to share with other teams/events. When she took over the Red Stars team, the team wasn’t in the best shape, but she hopes to change this and create a world-class team that sets the standard for other teams.

To wrap the morning up, the final panel was about how science and data analysis drive pro athletes’ performances with Elizabeth Pieroth, Brittany Dowling, and Keegan Knoll. Although each of these panelists specializes in different departments of athlete performance, they all agreed that it is often hard to get athletes to step down/take a break when they are injured and that finding the line between performance and injury prevention is often blurred, but they are hoping the use of more integrated technology and data will help prevent this stigma.

Thank you to all the guest speakers for their valuable insights and a special thank you to Ann Pitcher for allowing us to be at this amazing event!

NFL Official Tony Michalek Shares Insights with Professor Andy Clark’s Sports Management Class

October 20, 2024December 17, 2025 mhayes43 Industry Speakers, Student Experience

By James Stowell

Last week in Professor Andy Clark’s Introduction to Sports Management class, we had an amazing guest speaker: Tony Michalek.

Mr. Michalek, an NFL Official, boasts over 20 years of experience in the NFL. Some of his greatest accolades as an official even span across the globe, as he has worked two Super Bowls in 2008 and 2017, but also worked in NFL Europe for four years, including being an official for the 2003 World Bowl in Scotland.

Prior to the NFL, he worked for five years in the Big Ten Conference, also as an official, working in the Fiesta, Houston, and Cotten Bowls on multiple occasions.

Mr. Michalek talked heavily about his journey to the NFL across his entire career, sharing some of his most memorable experiences. He also gave students crucial insights on the importance of communication and conflict resolution.

For communication in the NFL, you never know where a message can end up. In his case, this can be from communicating with the rest of his crew for an NFL game, or even to the coaches on the sidelines. When explaining a conflict with former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, Tony explained that [Belichick] knew the rules so well that he could almost bend them. This led to times where Mr. Michalek had to explain why the flag was thrown, including the first ever penalty for an illegal push of a lineman on a field goal attempt.

As far as his advice for communication within class or work, Michalek explained that good communication can give a great first impression when networking or catching up with a previous colleague or boss.

Another key tenet of being an official, as well as throughout a career, is conflict resolution. As an umpire, it is Mr. Michalek’s job to chase the runners down during an offensive play. For instance, in a game where a quarterback gets hit as he is near the sideline, it could be considered a penalty. When tense situations like those arrive, Mr. Michalek takes preemptive measures to prevent a brawl from happening on the sidelines by rushing over to separate the players before the situation escalates.

Another takeaway from our session with Tony was learning how to balance humor and seriousness when talking to colleagues and peers. Mr. Michalek talked about his relationships with many former and current NFL coaches, including Rex Ryan, Jimmy Harbaugh, and Jon Gruden, who he actually met on a phone call thanks to a mutual friend.

Wrapping up our session with Mr. Michalek, our class was given a brief overview on officiating, where several students, including myself, were able to wear referee jerseys and simulate several penalty calls.

Thank you to Tony Michalek for taking the time to visit our class last week!

Student Experience: Sports Management Class Visits Sullivan Athletic Center

September 30, 2024 mhayes43 Alumni, Student Experience

Written by Marie Kane

Last week in Professor Andy Clark’s Sports Management class, we were given the amazing opportunity to travel to the newly remodeled Sullivan Athletic Center on DePaul University’s Lincoln Park Campus to meet with various members from DePaul Athletics.

We gained an inside look at multiple aspects of the college athletics business, through our amazing and insightful speakers, as well as a tour of the remodeled facility from DePaul Vice President and Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy.

Our visit began in the main conference room where Peevy spoke to us about his journey, and told us a little bit more about his job, and the business of sports. He spoke on DePaul Athletics’ mission statement, and their Dream Big plan, which is in its fourth year.

We were then joined by Taylor Stapleton, the Executive Associate Athletics Director for Revenue Generation & Strategic Initiatives, who was able to give great insights regarding the revenue side of the sports business. He talked extensively regarding the current state of NIL within college athletics, along with points about strategic planning and brand building.

Before our break to tour the facility, Jill Hollembeak, Executive Associate Athletics Director for Sports Administration, along with DePaul’s Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), spoke to us. She gave great insights into her caring nature for the student-athletes, as well as her role as SWA. She emphasized to us that, “effort counts twice.”

Following our tour, we also had the pleasure of hearing from the ticketing office on their side of the business, and that they see themselves as the “front porch” of the athletics department.

To wrap up, we spoke to our final panel led by Kassidy Ellenby, Executive Associate Athletics Director, Marketing and Communications in addition to five staffers and graduate assistants who are former Sports Business students including Paul Stromberg, Tamas Zador, Nina Goodhue, Collin Feaster and Alex Kupfer-Weinstein. They gave us the advice that there is space for us in this industry, and to be direct and reach out.

Thank you to all our amazing guest speakers for their insights, and to DePaul Athletics as a whole for hosting us for this amazing opportunity to look into the business of college athletics!

Sports Tourism Students Brainstorm Lifestyle Ideas for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race

September 20, 2024 mhayes43 Sports Business Program News, Student Experience

This past Wednesday, September 18th, students studying sports business had quite the exciting day. For starters, Professor Andy Clark’s Sports Tourism class was joined by Julie Giese, President of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, for both a presentation and brainstorming session.

Race President Julie Giese Joins the Class

Julie began the first half of the class with a presentation on both the 2023 and 2024 street races, including slides on on-site partner activations, community impact, and much more. Giese stated that the annual event is “more than a race, it’s about being a part of the community 365 days a year,” explaining that it’s almost more important what the NASCAR team is doing all-year round leading up to the event, specifically working with local businesses and charities to create a greater impact within the community, and leveraging what they learn each year to continue improving their operations.

Surprisingly, the race weekend is much more than just the race itself. With various events like NASCAR Day at the Chicago Cubs and an on-site music festival, many attendees come for more than just the race. In fact, about 40% attend primarily for the music! Julie explained that these activations, including the music festival, aim to “[create] additional interest and curiosity surrounding the event” which is essential for “appealing to a new audience and adding diversity to the event.” From pre-race marketing events to on-site activities, each element enhances the race weekend, offering an interactive experience for attendees.

Following Julie’s presentation, students collaborated in teams, brainstorming strategies in which NASCAR could boost interest and engagement around the street race, while aiming to attract both tourists and locals. Each group then presented their proposals (pictured below) to Julie, Professor Clark, and Dr. Lisa Young, the Director of the School of Hospitality and Sports Business. Both a first place and a runner-up team were selected, with each winning team taking home prizes!

After class, Professor Clark and his students, as well as Julie Giese and Dr. Young, made their way across the street to attend an event hosted by the Sports Business Club and the School of Hospitality and Sports Business. At the “Kick Off The Year” event in the Marriott Lounge (3rd floor, 14 East Jackson), students were greeted with refreshments and games, and even had the opportunity to network with DePaul Sports Business Alumni! The Sports Business Club executive board spoke as well, introducing themselves and their roles, along with discussing exciting upcoming events for the club. The event had a great turnout and was an exciting way to ring in the new school year!

Between Julie Giese’s presentation, and the welcome back event (more pictures below!), students certainly had a well-rounded day learning about sports tourism, while even networking with industry professionals who were once in their shoes!

Marquee Development: A Lesson in Sports Tourism

September 18, 2024 mhayes43 Student Experience

Last week in Professor Andy Clark’s Sports Tourism class, we traveled off-site to Wrigley Field, meeting with Marquee Development’s Managing Principal, Eric Nordness, and their Development Manager, Daniel Cogan.

Starting with a presentation in the corporate offices, Eric walked our class through the many developments that have been made at Wrigley, like Gallagher Way and Hotel Zachary, in order to make the field a year-round experience for fans and tourists, stating that “baseball is about the experience of Wrigley Field.” Wrigley has truly undergone quite the transformation, with not only expansions around the field, but within too; working across 7 seasons, it cost $1 billion to restore the historic field back to its former glory. Eric explained that it was essential to transform Wrigley Field and its surrounding property into an attractive destination. Marquee Development has projects with other teams and leagues under their belt as well, like the Tennessee Titans, FC Cincinnati, and Kansas City Current.

Following the presentation from Eric, Dan then led us on a tour around the field and through the Marquee Development office. The rich Cubs history was surprisingly present in many aspects of the new developments; the bar adjacent to the corporate offices, Lucky Dorr, got its name from Wrigley’s iconic groundskeeper, Bobby Dorr. The Hotel Zachary was named after Zachary Taylor Davis, the architect who designed Wrigley Field. Also, Mordecai, a restaurant and craft cocktail bar directly across the field, derived its name from Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, a pitcher for the Cubs in the early twentieth century. Not only do these developments increase fan experiences when visiting the field, but they pay homage to the iconic history that Chicago has to offer.

Making our way over to the inside of the field, we passed over the Gallagher Way green space, where a multitude of events are held year-round. Between movies on the green, winter wonderland, and many other events, even the outside of the field gets quite the traction.

Now inside the field, we made our way down to the dugouts. How many students can say they get to stand in the Chicago Cubs dugout as a part of their class? We continue our tour by going underground and walking through a couple of the different clubs that Wrigley has to offer; these are a large part of tourism at Wrigley, as they transform the game of baseball to a luxury experience. These exclusive clubs and suites surely play into the “attractiveness” of the property.

Our visit to Wrigley Field provided a first-hand, in-depth look at how thoughtful development can transform a historic sports venue into a year-round tourist destination while simultaneously honoring its rich history. Through an engaging presentation from Eric, and a behind-the-scenes tour with Dan, our class truly gained valuable insights into the intersection of sports tourism, venue management, and real estate development. Wrigley Field is no longer just a place to watch a baseball game, as the surrounding property and recent expansions have elevated the experience into something far more comprehensive and dynamic.

Our afternoon with Marquee Development highlights the unique, hands-on learning opportunities available in the Sports Business Program here at DePaul, and we are only in our second week back! Here’s to an exciting quarter.

These Are Not Your Average College Classes…

September 18, 2024September 18, 2024 mhayes43 Sports Business Program News

This Fall Quarter is sure to be a promising one for any student studying Sports Business at DePaul. For starters, the new School of Hospitality and Sports Business is kicking off the 2024-25 school year with new opportunities and classes, study abroad trips, and much more!

New Logo for the School of Hospitality and Sports Business

One new class in particular, HSB 398 (Sports Tourism), is being offered as a result of the new school. Within this class, taught by Professor Andy Clark, students delve into the effects that tourism has on the sports industry, and how it is especially prevalent right here in Chicago, even getting to work with the Chicago Marathon in a hands-on project. Just this week, students traveled off-site to visit Marquee Development at the Cubs corporate offices, meeting with Marquee Development’s Managing Principal, Eric Nordness, and their Development Manager, Daniel Cogan; the class even had the opportunity to tour the office, The Hotel Zachary, and the field itself!

Students at Gallagher Way and in the dugout at Wrigley Field

As far as Professor Andy Clark’s classes go, it is no secret that they stand above your average lecture. Between the many classes he teaches, students are immersed into the sports industry with weekly guest speakers, off-site visits across the city, and so much more. Not only does he have quite the impressive network of colleagues and friends that are more than happy to help his students, Professor Clark also encourages both current students and alumni to share their wins and experiences.

Just this past summer, DePaul Alumni Olivia Homan (BUS ‘19, MS ‘20) had the amazing opportunity to travel to Paris for the 2024 Summer Games. Homan, a double demon herself, has come back to DePaul many times to share her role as a Social Media Manager for NBC Universal with current students. In this article written by Meredith Carroll, Olivia explains that she was able to combine her passion for both sports and fashion at NBC Universal, even interning there while still an undergrad, and how working in social media has brought her many “pinch me” moments, like getting to attend the Olympics, the US Open, and the Super Bowl… just to name a few! Olivia reflects back on her time studying at DePaul, and even her sports business classes, as truly invaluable, explaining that she “made the most of being [here]” by using the amazing resources at DePaul, as well as living in such a big city, to her full advantage.

Olivia Homan at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris

Many active alumni, as detailed in this article from DePaul Magazine, are eager to help current students, and even bring real-world consulting projects to the table. Within Professor Andy Clark’s Intro to Sports Management class, students work alongside Julie Giese and DePaul Double Demon Alex Bialek (BUS ’21, MS ’22) at NASCAR to bring new and exciting ideas to the table for the 2024 Chicago Street Race, with a final presentation centered around increasing awareness and engagement for the race weekend. Students are given constructive feedback throughout the quarter and after final presentations with Julie and Alex. Also from DePaul Magazine, even more DePaul Alum within the sports industry share career insights and explain what they most enjoy within their jobs, along with how DePaul has impacted their careers.

Students presenting for NASCAR last Fall Quarter

Two other DePaul Alumni, Molly Byrne (BUS ’24) and Angela Hernandez (CMN ’24), also contributed to the Street Race this past July, both of whom interned with NASCAR and had hands-on experience with the event. In this article for DePaul Newsline, written by Kenneth Adusah, Byrne and Hernandez explain that they learned of the Chicago Street Race in Professor Clark’s Sports Management class, and both alumni were able to turn an opportunity that was first presented in class to an actual role within the company. Between working in partnerships and event experiences, both Byrne and Hernandez are a true testament to the grit and determination that DePaul students have, and how a passion for sports business extends much further than the classroom.

Angela Hernandez holding the NASCAR trophy

The Sports Business program at DePaul, especially classes with Professor Andy Clark, offers students unparalleled opportunities to engage directly with the sports industry. Through hands-on projects, networking with alumni, and learning from industry professionals, students gain real-world experience that extends far beyond the classroom. With new and exciting offerings and opportunities from The School of Hospitality and Sports Business, DePaul ultimately continues to shape future leaders in the sports business world.

Everlasting Sports Memories in London

May 24, 2024May 26, 2024 rbradsh1 Industry Speakers, Student Experience

By Rachel Bradshaw

After being accepted into a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of Andy Clark’s Business of International Sports 10-day Study Abroad Program in London, I knew that there would be a special journey ahead. There were so many great experiences, here are a few that stood out to me.

Following the arrival at Heathrow Airport, we had the weekend to explore the city of London before the packed week began. My small group consisted of Molly, Aleksa, Obaida and Chris in exploring some popular tourist spots. We stopped by Buckingham Palace to watch the iconic Changing of the Guards. As well as heading to St. John’s Wood where we had a chance to recreate the well-known Abbey Road album that The Beatles created. It was a lot of fun being able to create our own version of that picture.

(Left to Right) Aleksa, Chris, Molly, Rachel, Obaida at Abbey Road

On our first day of the speaker portion of the trip, we had the opportunity to hear from Neil Wood, MBE who was the CFO of the 2012 Olympic games. I was in awe being this close to someone who helped get the Olympics back to London. I started to get into the Olympics back in 2012, so being able to hear about the behind-the-scenes of how it was built and the challenges that Neil came across was intriguing.

The team with Neil Wood, MBE and the 2012 Olympic Torch

There were many things that stood out to me when it came to Neil’s presentation. But the one thing he said about starting the process of the Olympics was “to begin with the end in mind.” This is something that I think is important in any situation because you want to do something that will be beneficial in the end. Which is what the committee did because the buildings and stadiums are still being used today for different purposes throughout the city.

After he finished talking, Neil brought out the 2012 Olympic Torch. We were all able to take pictures with it and I couldn’t believe it. This was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. In my eyes, this was a great start to the program.

Another one of my favorite speakers was when we met Jimmy Worrall, who is the founder and former CEO of Leaders in Sports. Instead of focusing his presentation on what he accomplished at Leaders, he talked mainly on life advice. I appreciated that a lot and he gave so many great tips that I know I will keep with me throughout my career.

One of those that I have been thinking about since returning home from the trip is to “trial and error with your life career path, you never know what could happen.” I think this is so important because you never know what you will enjoy doing until you have tried it. There is a lot of time to get better at things you love to do, but trying something new and possibly getting good at it isn’t a bad way of going about things. Another quote that puts a good mindset on things was when Jimmy said, “your journey doesn’t start tomorrow, it starts today.”

To conclude our week, we got to hear from Lee Hoos, former CEO and now Chairman of Queens Park Rangers (QPR) FC. That morning, we heard from Lee as he talked about the ups and downs of being a CEO. One thing that stood out to me was when he was talking about how passionate football fans are in England. Especially going as far as saying that they don’t like to be told what to do. One that stood out to me the most was to “be careful with social media, don’t use it to vent and get personal.”

The team with Lee Hoos on the field at QPR

That afternoon we went to a QPR game wearing custom jerseys with our names on the back. This game turned into my favorite moment on the trip. The atmosphere was indescribable. I will never forget that feeling of being there, surrounded by all their passionate fans, plus it was a thrilling ending. Following the game, we were joined again by Lee, where he took us on the field. It was incredible, I was not expecting to get on the field as well as being able to sit on the QPR bench. I will never forget this moment.

(Left to Right) Rachel, Molly, Aleksa, and Nicole sitting on the QPR bench

I am so lucky to have been a part of the Business of International Sports in London Study Abroad Program. I have taken away a lot of advice, memories, and friendships that I will forever cherish.

Windy City Sports Extravaganza: A Weeklong Adventure with Chicago’s Finest Teams

January 12, 2024January 16, 2024 hkarl Student Experience

Written By: Carly Alvers

Exploring Chicago’s bustling sports culture for a week was more than just a class assignment. It was an excursion that left an unforgettable impression on my academic career. This class didn’t just allow me to visit a wide range of sports teams in Chicago; it also provided essential insights into the sophisticated business strategies that move the sports industry ahead. Over the course of the week, my class and I networked with 70 contacts, visited 11 offices and attended a Chicago Blackhawks game. It is hard to put into words what I experienced because I am still taking it all in. What I do know is that not only did my sports business career just start- it took off flying!

Monday

Our class headed over to the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center to meet with Mike Gordon, the general manager for Northwestern Sports Properties. Mike set the stage for the week and provided us with valuable guidance for our professional life. His main piece of advice that stood out was, “don’t just send me invitation on LinkedIn; send me a message with it.” At the end of the week, I made sure to send everyone we met with a LinkedIn message so I can always stay connected with them.

That afternoon, we headed to Guaranteed Rate Field to meet with a panel of directors who discussed their experiences with the Chicago White Sox organization.

Students meeting with Chicago White Sox Panelists where they gave us exclusive access to meet with them in the press conference room.

Tuesday

This was the day that I was most excited for. We had the opportunity to meet with Wilson Sporting Goods. We started with a tour of their glamorous office space. Following the tour, we sat down and met with numerous people who work for Wilson. We got to hear their journeys and how they now found Wilson their home.

Jeff Kortenkamp gives the class a thorough tour of Wilsons Global Headquarters.

Shanoli Kumar, a recent college graduate and an engineer at Wilson emphasize “Passion and resiliency.” When Shanoli explained what passion means to her, it made me think about the passion you must have in your job, day in and day out.

Following Wilson, we had the opportunity to visit the Chicago Bears’ Loop office with a discussion panel. When I walked through those office doors, I felt like I was at home.

We all received valuable guidance there that will help us as we transition into our professional lives over the following few years. Corporate Partnerships Account Executive Chris Simms said, “I get to go to work.” You can tell that he loves what he does.

Chicago Bears panel with a special guest President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Bears Kevin Warren.

Wednesday

On Wednesday we got to tour and visit one of the coolest offices in Chicago: the offices of Gatorade, with Global Head of Sports Marketing, Jeff Kearney. We were welcomed with open arms; we even got to try some of Gatorade’s new hydrating drink

As an athlete, I consume a Gatorade product almost every day. I wanted to know who is behind one of the most successful companies in the world and how their business strategies influence people to buy their products.

Molly Matson, the director of Gatorade partner services said, “There’s not one path for everyone.” This was really reassuring hearing it come from someone who seems like her path to get to Gatorade had no bumps in the road.

Ultimately, everyone we met had to start somewhere. You may be doing the opposite of what you think you wanted to do. It helped me feel like it’s okay if you do not know what to do.; over time, your day-to-day efforts will set you on a path where you will be successful.

Jeff Kearney gives our class a tour of Gatorades Global Headquarters along with some Gatorade “swag bags.”

Just when I thought this day couldn’t get any better, we headed off tour next destination: Wrigley Field. We were greeted by Vice President of Business Development and Partnership Andy Blackburn, who took us on a tour of the entire stadium. We even walked through the club house where All-American baseball players walk in, day in and day out. We were able to take pictures and see the players’ lockers as well as all the prestigious club levels for these premier spaces including American Airlines 1914 club and Makers Mark Barrel Room. Andy discussed the history of the architectural concepts for those two distinct premier areas.

Following the tour, the class had the opportunity to chat one-on-one with a variety of Cubs managers about their specific areas of work and what they do on a day-to-day basis. Speakers included DePaul alumni across a wide range of fields: Claribel Diaz, a human resources generalist; Megh Babikan, an account executive for group sales; Rachael Landgraf, assistant director of communications; and Elizabeth Endy, a senior accountant.

Andy Blackburn giving students a tour of the iconic Wrigley field premier spaces.

Thursday

We began the day by visiting Chicago’s leading marketing agency, Paragon Marketing Group, in the West Loop. We got to tour their new offices and learn about their client programs and career journeys of key staff members. The leaders of Paragon gave our class a detailed presentation about Paragon’s history and what they are working on right now, finishing with a Q&A.

One of their clients is UC Health, which is based out of Denver Co. I thought this was interesting; why is UC Health one of their main clients when Paragon is based out of Chicago? The answer to that is connections. Senior Vice President Matt Waitz explained how someone who worked at another company before UC Health recommended Paragon to the company. Making connections with people can lead to bigger and better opportunities. To cap off our visit, students got tips on how to build your resume and cover letter, while also getting encouraged to apply for their road warrior internship position.

Following Paragon Marketing Group, we headed over to the United Center where we met with the Chicago Bulls and their offices. Our class had a great discussion panel with current employees from the Bulls.

We had a special guest pop by our class on Thursday. The President and CEO if the Chicago Bulls. Michael Reinsdorf, said, “Work for the people, not the logo.” I really liked how he said this because you want to make good connections with the people who you work with. I learned that many of the things that they do with their jobs involved working closely with other departments. For example, marketing could be working with accounting. They all want to have good connections so they can work well with each other.

After a great discussion panel students got a tour of the Chicago Bulls Offices.

After getting to experience what it is like to work for the Bulls, we headed downstairs to meet with the Chicago Blackhawks.

After our discussions with Blackhawks staff, we had the opportunity to take a full–on tour and visit premier lounge spaces as well as attend a Blackhawks game vs the Anaheim Ducks that night. We got to explore the new features the United Center has to offer like the brand–new Fan Duel Lounge that allows customers to get their hands on sports betting and full–on bar/food service menu.

Danny Wirtz CEO of Chicago Blackhawks giving career advice to students.

Getting a surprise visit from the CEO of the Blackhawks was the cherry on top of the night. Hearing his story and how his family has built such a legacy with the Blackhawks was truly inspiring.

Friday

Friday was the big finale where we started off the day meeting with the Chicago Sky and DePaul Athletics at Wintrust Arena home of Blue Demon basketball. We first received a tour of the arena from the arena manager David Kennedy. It was fascinating learning about the management side of what goes behind the scenes of putting on basketball games as well as other events like concerts.

Later, we toured the DePaul Athletics facilities at Wintrust, encompassing visits to the men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms, the film room and their brand-new weight room and training facilities. We met with Associate Athletics Director for Merchandise and Licensing Lindsay Martin, who talked about the DePaul brand and how the new logo is changing the face of DePaul. She said, “We want DePaul gear to be in every Target across the Chicagoland area.”

Our time at Wintrust came to an end with a Q&A session with Alex Teodosi, a DePaul alumnus and Vice President of Sponsorship for the Chicago Sky and Vice President of Ticket Sales Anthony Whaley. Alex discussed the importance of spotlighting women’s athletics, the WNBA’s transformational journey, and his crucial role within the organization.

General Manager David Kennedy giving students a tour of Wintrust Arena.

Our last stop was rEvolution, an integrated sports marketing agency where we learned how the company is so successful and what makes them different from other sports agencies. rEvolution has partnerships with many worldwide companies such as Chipotle, American Family Insurance, and the Chicago White Sox – and the list goes on. It was interesting to learn all the planning and hard work that goes on to make their clients’ products stand out from other companies’.

Some great advice partner Larry Mann offered: “The first five years after college, try everything so you know what you don’t want to do.” This was inspiring to hear because I know many people including myself who don’t know what they want to do after college. But by trying everything you will find out what you have a passion for and what you don’t have a passion for.

We ended the night with a DePaul Sports Business and Alumni Roundtable. We got to experience career perspectives and network with recent DePaul graduates working in the sports business industry including UIC Athletics, DePaul Athletics, the Chicago Wolves, the New York Islanders, the Chicago Bears, and NBC.

Pictured are DePaul alumni Wahaj Tariq, Nina Goodhue, Olivia Homan, Celine Soto, Rachel Chessky, and Anissa Patterson.

Finale

To wrap up this class, we came back Monday and presented our key takeaways from this class as our final group project. It was clear that everyone who took this class took something away from every single organization and company we visited along the way. There were many creative and unique ideas to show what we took away from the class and how it impacted our academic and professional careers.

The behind-the-scenes tours and discussions provided access to a realm rarely seen by the typical spectator. Walking around renowned stadiums, meeting experienced sports executives, and witnessing the planning that goes into each game day made an incredible impact on me.

It wasn’t only about the athletes playing the sports: it was also about the difficult planning, sponsorships, and marketing efforts that boost the sports industry to unparalleled heights. What I gained from this experience will last a lifetime.

Carly Alvers is a junior softball student-athlete majoring in Sports Business