At a glance
In addition to becoming immersed in cutting-edge sport management research while creating a review of literature, the senior capstone class is designed for Alfred State sport management to work closely with a local sport organization to address problems and concerns through research-based recommendations and solutions.
When it comes to providing students with amazing hands-on experiences involving interaction with industry professionals, Alfred State College’s sport management programs have always been a homerun.
The most recent example of this is the joint collaboration between ASC students and the Rochester Red Wings – the Minnesota Twins’ Minor League Baseball AAA affiliate – on a capstone project.
In addition to becoming immersed in cutting-edge sport management research while creating a review of literature, the senior capstone class is designed for Alfred State sport management to work closely with a local sport organization to address problems and concerns through research-based recommendations and solutions.
While embracing Alfred State's hands-on approach and applied learning model, sport management students partnered with the Red Wings in a consultative role to provide strategies to improve social media and digital marketing, sponsorship, ticket sales, and promotions.
Students who participated included Robert Adams, of Jasper; Ryan Apolito-Santos, of Manhattan; Kenny Bello, of Brooklyn; Robert Cardona, of Manhattan; Matthew Cunningham, of Mastic; Grace Hall, of Cattaraugus; Cassidy McCourt, of Buffalo; Cody Miller, of Andover; Ryan Mills, of Massapequa; Pedro Mora, of Manhattan; Fernando Ramos, of Yonkers; William Robinson, of Jamaica; Trevor Stiles, of Hornell; Leigh Swartzfager, of Nunda; and Francis Tabisola, of Westbury.
John Lisec, assistant professor in the Business Department, said, “The sport management program partnership with the Rochester Red Wings is a tremendous example of hands-on and applied learning in action at Alfred State College. While developing research-based recommendations for the Red Wings from cutting-edge sport management academic research, the sport management capstone class begins to bridge the gap between academia and the sport industry.”
Ramos described the Red Wings project as “quite the experience.”
“Meeting the professionals in the industry is one thing, but being able to present my own ideas that I got from my research was both exciting and nerve-wracking,” he said. “Would I do it again? Yes I would.”
Swartzfager said, “The capstone project really opened several opportunities for us that we would not have received by just sitting in a classroom. Going to the Red Wings stadium and discussing possible suggestions to help them improve in certain areas such as marketing, promotions, sponsorship, and more was intimidating, yet such a rewarding experience.”
