Members of Monmouth University’s Sports Industry Club attended the Philadelphia Phillies’ College Series Sport Management & Hospitality Night on Sept. 24 at Citizens Bank Park.
The event included a networking hour with Phillies front office employees, a panel discussion with sports management and hospitality executives, and a Phillies game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
“So much of working in the sports industry is about making connections and building your network,” said Matthew Harmon, Ed.d, Senior Specialist in the Department of Communication, and adviser to the Sports Industry Club. “So opportunities like this where students have an opportunity to have face-to-face conversations in the first part of the event and then listen to the panelists in the second part of the event are invaluable.”
Abigail Kosch, junior communication major, and the club’s networking officer, attended the event to connect with professionals working in the sports industry.
“I was able to connect with so many people who work for the Phillies and gain insight on how they got to where they are today,” Kosch said. “It was so inspiring to hear from others who were once in my shoes, and continue to think about how I can apply their knowledge to my career journey.”
Kosch also said the trip allowed members of the club to connect with one another. “Being surrounded by likeminded people who are also just as passionate as you are about the sports industry and connecting further with them is extremely important as well,” Kosch said.
Natalee Mattei, senior communication major, and the club’s co-social media coordinator, said speaking with professionals gave her a different perspective on working in sports. “Being able to talk to industry professionals provides really specific insight that you really can’t get from anywhere else,” Mattei said. “It helps with deciding if sports is really for you and, if it is, it helps to figure out what avenue you might want to follow.”
Mattei said attending with other members of the club made the experience more comfortable. “My favorite aspect of the trip was that I got to go with friends,” Mattei said. “Being true to yourself is so important in networking, and in sports, networking is so important.”
The event also gave students the opportunity to hear from Phillies executives about their careers and experiences in the industry, including their involvement with the 2026 MLB All-Star Game and the team’s postseason runs.
Harmon said the experience connected students’ classroom work with potential careers. “It is what makes what we do at Monmouth special,” Harmon said. “Because there is so much connection to inside the classroom, but then having events like this it all ties together and students can see an end game to all the work they do.” Harmon said students can also learn from hearing about the different paths professionals have taken. “Ultimately, I hope that it shows the students there is a pathway to working in the industry, and no one’s path is the same,” Harmon said. “There’s a lot that can be learned from listening to others.”
The event concluded with students attending the Phillies’ game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
“You get to see the industry personified and you almost can picture yourself in those roles. It’s exciting to do so,” Mattei said.
