NU's sports management students get insider's view of industry during annual summit

By Niagara University

Niagara University’s College of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management hosted its annual Sport Management Summit April 5-13. The weeklong conference included a series of engaging discussions, events, keynote speeches, and interactive workshops intended to expose students to the wide range of career opportunities available in the sports industry.

“Our summit events give our students an outstanding opportunity to explore the many sectors of this exciting and evolving industry, and to learn from seasoned professionals, mid-career managers, and those just starting out in the field,” said Bridget Niland, dean of the college. “This knowledge helps our students identify pathways to their future careers and the people who may be able to help get them in the door.”

Featured speakers included Clevis Murray, Buffalo News sports reporter; Greg Sankey, commissioner of the Southeastern Conference; Amy Latimer, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Delaware North; Russ Yurk, commissioner of the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association and president and founder of 129 Sports LLC; Katy Yurk, associate director of academic and membership affairs at NCAA; Dan Misko, senior vice president of business development for the Buffalo Bills; and several executives from Legends Hospitality, including Mark Playko, executive director, corporate partnerships; Zayhaan Batlivala, associate, business research; Nicole Greuel, administration manager; and Julie Altobello, director of strategy.

The third annual Sabres/NU Night kicked off the week’s activities. Participating students attended a career development panel with the Buffalo Sabres and took a facility tour before the game against the Philadelphia Flyers. International Korfball Federation-certified coach Dankmar Caderius van Veen led an information session about the sport during a community event on April 6 at the university’s Kiernan Recreation Center. A “lunch and learn” with presentations by NU sports management alumni Ryan Virtue, ’07, partnership and development manager, Positive Coaching Alliance; Andrew Chesebro, ’07, director of the St. Christopher’s Fund at St. Christopher’s School, Richmond, Virginia; and Jessica Turner, ’06, business development manager, New Era, wrapped up the week’s activities.