Sports management, MBA students benefit from “real-world experiences” during Arizona trip

Emma Liberatore appreciated getting real and honest answers from professionals.

Sidney Milliken learned that work constantly goes into the growing sport management industry.

By going behind the scenes, Mallorie Norton saw that it takes a large number of people for a successful sports facility or event.

Liberatore, Milliken and Norton were part of a sizable contingent representing Ashland University’s sport management and MBA programs in Arizona for an experiential learning trip, highlighted by the unique opportunity to work the NFL Experience event as part of Super Bowl LVII.

“When the opportunity presented itself to experience sports first-hand at the Super Bowl, I knew it was a chance that Ashland University couldn’t pass up,” said Lance Kaltenbaugh, associate professor of sport management at AU who was in charge of the eight-day trip in early February.

The AU group volunteered Feb. 4 and 5 at the NFL Experience, which took place at the Phoenix Convention Center and included autograph sessions, exhibits and interactive games.

“The highlight of the trip for me was working the NFL experience,” said Milliken. “It was a blessing to be able to see the constant joy on all of the kids’ faces when they got to participate in the events and see their favorite team’s logo everywhere.

“And working this event allowed my resume to grow,” she added.

In addition to working at the NFL Experience, the group also visited Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks), had a question-and-answer tour with event staff at Footprint Arena (Phoenix Suns) and enjoyed presentations at Phoenix Raceway (NASCAR), Goodyear Ballpark (where the Cleveland Guardians play spring training games), Arizona State University and State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals).

“I feel as though I really benefited from this opportunity because it was all about immersing us in real-world experiences,” Liberatore said. “These kinds of things just add so much perspective and can really open your eyes to the wide range of career paths you can take within your major.

“We had the opportunity to ask the tour guides and other faculty members questions about their jobs,” she added.

The trip has inspired Norton to get more involved on campus within her sport management major.

“I am doing so by working with the athletics department as a part of the game-day operations staff as well as being a member of Sport Business Club,” Norton said.

While a majority of the trip was experiential learning, it also allowed the students and Kaltenbaugh to bond and create memories they will never forget.

“One of the unique aspects of the trip was the opportunity to experience the outdoors and take hikes in Sedona and Camelback Mountain in Phoenix,” Kaltenbaugh said. “This challenged everyone's limits and taught them about overcoming obstacles – physical and mental.”

Kaltenbaugh said the sport management program is looking forward to more experiential learning, relationship building and memory creating in 2024 by again volunteering at the NFL Experience for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas and traveling in June to the Netherlands and Germany.