Breaking into the sports industry certainly takes more than simply knowing the game.
It’s a competitive world where thousands of young college graduates and those who are already in the workforce dream of working for their favorite teams, leagues, and organizations. But getting that opportunity is often the hardest thing to obtain. A resume can display what an individual has accomplished, but in an industry such as sports it is constructed closely on relationships and who you might know.
That is where Monmouth University’s Sports Industry Club hopes to bridge the gap.
The student-run organization is helping fellow students go from simply thinking about what it would be like to work in sports to actually meeting the professionals who do. Through numerous networking events, guest speakers and trips to games, students can discover the business side while beginning to build meaningful connections of their own.
“This industry really is all about who you know, and having a club like this one is a huge plus for students who are looking to get their foot in the door,” said Abigail Kosch, the club’s Networking Officer.
And there are certainly plenty of doors to choose from.
According to Monmouth University, the club has an active roster of more than 100 students representing all grade levels and over 15 different majors. The club has partnered with organizations throughout the MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL, along with other professional sports organizations across the tri-state area and beyond.
Whether a student wants to work in marketing, business, analytics, broadcast, or communications, Kosch said connecting with people already doing the job can provide valuable direction. “It’s important to talk with those who are in the field, get their guidance, and even have them point you in the direction of others who work in your niche in the industry,” Kosch said.
Those conversations are a regular part of the sports industry club experience.
Throughout the academic year, the club organizes virtual meetings with professionals working across the sports industry. Guests highlight their experiences; describe the paths they took to reach their current positions and answer any questions from interested students. The smaller setting presents members with a more personal opportunity to learn directly from sports professionals and practice something that can absolutely be intimidating—networking.
For Social Media Coordinator Natalee Mattei, that access is what makes the organization stand out. “The Sports Industry has been one of my favorite experiences at Monmouth,” Mattei said. “Sports Industry is different because you actually get to see the industry and connect with people in it.”
Sometimes, getting to experience the sports industry involves leaving campus altogether.
Club members get to take part in career excursions and networking events throughout the year. These unique experiences combine sports with opportunities to meet working professionals and gain a firsthand look at the work occurring away from the field, court, or ice.
This semester, members are traveling to a networking event at a Philadelphia Phillies game. While most fans go to the game concentrated on what happens on the field, club members will have the opportunity to make key connections and search for potential careers.
For students still trying to figure out where they belong in the industry, Kosch said experiences like these can help them discover what they may—or may not—want to pursue.
That chance can be exceptionally useful in an industry that extends well beyond the athletes who compete day in and day out.
Analytics, marketing, public relations, social media, business operations, and numerous other careers all play a significant part in making the sports world operate. A student fascinated in one area may have an entirely different objective from the person sitting next to them at a club meeting, but they share a common interest in turning their passion for sports into a profession.
For Vice President Ava Hubinger, the club has provided an opportunity to do exactly that. Hubinger joined as an undecided freshman before serving as the club’s Social Media Coordinator during her sophomore and junior years. Now a senior, she has taken on the role of Vice President.
“Social media, marketing, and graphic design are all careers I want to explore and be a part of post grad, so having this position helped me both learn more with social media and graphics hands-on as well as help build my resume,” Hubinger said.
Now, Hubinger is helping create some of the same prospects that originally interested her to the organization, working beside President Ava McGinty and the club’s executive team to plan trips and continue its speaker series throughout the academic year.
Those networking relationships don’t have to stop with professionals, either.
With more than 100 students and over 15 majors represented, the club also gives members an opportunity to meet other Monmouth students who share the same interest in sports. Club leaders hope that more students become involved this year, not only for professional opportunities but for the chance to collaborate with other students who share that passion.
“Networking skills are often so overlooked but are such a key part in sports,” Mattei said. “Between career treks, club trips, and Zoom meetings with current industry members, there are endless chances to connect and practice networking.”
There may be no guaranteed path into the sports industry. An introduction might not immediately turn into an internship, and a networking event might not lead to a job offer the next morning. But in a competitive field where getting through the door can be one of the hardest parts, the Sports Industry Club gives Monmouth students a place to start knocking.
For Hubinger, what began as a freshman looking for a way to become involved on campus has grown into something much larger.
“I think this club has helped me create lifelong connections both with my peers and professionals in the sports industry,” Hubinger said. “I would absolutely recommend anyone with an interest in sports to join SIC!”
