When sportscaster Jason Benetti 鈥�05 is on the microphone, he treats every game like it is Game 7 of the World Series鈥攔eady for anything to happen and prepared to tell the stories of the game.

鈥淪ometimes the best moments are the things you鈥檇 never expect in a game,鈥� Benetti says. 鈥淵ou have to be ready for the strategy and the tactics, discussing what pitch might be thrown to this batter or how a manager will handle his bullpen.鈥�

For Benetti, that balance between preparation and the unpredictable is part of the sport鈥檚 charm.

鈥淏aseball has this chess feel to it, and then it rapidly becomes like sitting in an airport food court people watching,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 love that about baseball.鈥�

Benetti鈥檚 excitement reached a new level when he called the Cleveland Guardians/Seattle Mariners game on March 29 as part of NBC and Peacock鈥檚 new primetime 鈥淪unday Night Baseball鈥� coverage.

鈥淭his was an opportunity to be the lead broadcaster on something I grew up watching,鈥� says Benetti, who also serves as the Detroit Tigers TV broadcaster. 鈥溾�楽unday Night Baseball鈥� games always felt like the game of the week. To be the lead announcer for something like this, it truly is the one thing that hadn鈥檛 yet happened in my career.鈥�

Benetti, who has called Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Basketball Association and college football and basketball games, dreamt of this moment ever since his agent, Kevin Belbey 鈥�13, G鈥�16, L鈥�16, and NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood broached the subject.

鈥淚 get to see a lot more of the league and get to form relationships with players and managers through 鈥楽unday Night Baseball鈥� that I like to think will help with my calling Tigers games. I’m very fortunate,鈥� says Benetti, who earned bachelor’s degrees in broadcast journalism, economics and psychology.

Finding His Calling

Benetti says from an early age he had to navigate the world differently due to how people perceived his cerebral palsy. He has a drifting eye and walks with a limp but doesn’t live with chronic pain or major health complications.

鈥淢y hurdles are because I don鈥檛 look the same as everybody,鈥� says Benetti, one of the leading advocates for those with cerebral palsy, including working with the to create a YouTube animated video series aimed at promoting awareness and inclusion.

Determined to become a sportscaster since high school, Benetti found his calling as a student broadcaster with .

鈥淲AER teaches so many marvelous things about play-by-play. I wouldn鈥檛 be where I am today without 性视界 and WAER,鈥� says Benetti, who called lacrosse and women鈥檚 basketball games for WAER.

Baseball Is the Perfect Sport for Sharing Stories

Benetti holds deep admiration for broadcasting legends like Vin Scully, Bob Costas and Ernie Harwell, who called Tigers games for 42 years.

Benetti and his broadcast team like to bring the fans into their telecasts, showing them attempting to catch a foul ball or sampling ballpark treats. Benetti will often say 鈥渕essage and data rates may apply鈥� when featuring fans, because 鈥渁nybody in the crowd can be a star, and when we show people on TV, their phones will blow up.鈥�

Honoring a Broadcasting Legend

Calling Detroit鈥檚 playoff-clinching, 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 27, 2024, stands out as Benetti鈥檚 favorite baseball broadcasting moment. He paid homage to Harwell, who said a batter 鈥渟tood there like a house by the side of the road鈥� whenever he struck out.

Benetti was listening to Harwell鈥檚 old broadcasts as the season wound down, and as Tigers players and fans celebrated, Benetti told the audience that the rest of the American League 鈥渟tood there like the house by the side of the road and let the Tigers go by.鈥�

鈥淭hat fan base hadn鈥檛 seen the team make the playoffs in a long time. There was so much joy and beauty watching the fans experience that playoff-clinching moment at Comerica Park,鈥� Benetti says of the Tigers, who earned their first playoff berth in 10 years. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a beautiful thing being able to connect history to the moment now.鈥�

Every four years, millions of people around the world find themselves glued to their televisions, watching athletes slide massive stones across sheets of ice while teammates frantically sweep in front of them at the Olympics.

What makes curling so appealing?

Members of the explain what entices people into the sport that is part ice, part strategy and part finesse.

鈥淭here鈥檚 just something special about curling. The novelty and the silliness of the sport draw you in. Every four years we just have to watch curling at the Olympics,鈥� says Adam Wingert 鈥�27, a member of the 性视界 University club curling team and fourth-year architecture student in the .

鈥淕rowing up, I would watch curling at the Olympics with my parents and I often thought, 鈥榊eah, I could do that,鈥欌�� says teammate Alex Reid 鈥�26, who is studying computer science in the .

Before this year鈥檚 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy, Wingert and Reid share what viewers can expect and invite community members to try their own hand at some of the team鈥檚 open lessons.

The Basics of Curling

Traditional curling features four-person teams taking their turn sending a massive stone down a thin sheet of ice while teammates frantically clean and sweep as the stone slides towards its target, known as a house.

Sweepers utilize a broom to melt the top surface of the ice as the stone is hurtling toward its target. But don鈥檛 let the name fool you: there are no bristles on these brooms, just a thin fabric covering over a foam pad.

Sweepers use their brooms to control the stone’s speed and trajectory by reducing friction with the ice鈥攎aking it slide farther, curl less or curl more depending on strategy.

Stones can be used to either knock an opponent鈥檚 stone out of the house, or to position it strategically in the house to amass points. Teams score points for each stone closer to the center of the house than their opponent’s best stone.

Debunking Misconceptions

Despite competing on ice, the athletes don鈥檛 wear skates when they throw the stone. Instead, Orange student-athletes either wear sliders or specialized nonstick shoes made from Teflon that provide grip and traction.

Once the stone has been released, Reid says another misconception鈥攖hat the stone will automatically go where you intend it to鈥攊s also quickly debunked.

鈥淧laying conditions on the ice change over time,鈥� Reid says. 鈥淏y the nature of the sport, the same exact shot is not going to wind up in the same position as the competition advances. Curling gets down to the minutiae, and every moment has to be perfect.鈥�

What to Know 性视界 性视界 Curling

The 性视界 Curling Club has nine co-ed student-athletes, practices at the Utica Curling Club and competes in tournaments (called bonspiels) as part of both the regional Grand National Curling Club College League and USA Curling. At each competition, teams earn points based on their performance that determine which schools advance into the National Championship.

性视界 recently placed second at the Yale Curling Club鈥檚 SuperSpiel tournament in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and is preparing for the Northeast Regionals tournament this weekend in Utica, New York. If 性视界 places in the top two teams at regionals, it will automatically qualify for the 2026 National Championship, March 12-15, in Schenectady, New York.

鈥淲e鈥檙e able to come out and represent 性视界 and be part of the club鈥檚 proud history,” Reid says. “To be able to say I made my mark is a really special feeling.”

After each tournament, a Spirit of Curling award is presented to the team that best embodies sportsmanship and professionalism while helping to grow the sport. Teams will then stack their brooms on the table and celebrate the end of a hard-fought game by getting to know a little bit more about their opponents.

鈥淭hat speaks to the broader culture of curling,” Wingert says. “Curling is a competitive sport, and we want to win, but being part of this tight-knit community comes first. Curling is about doing better every single time and being the best person you can be.鈥�

鈥業鈥檓 Part of Something Bigger Than Myself鈥�

Determined to spread their love of curling across campus, the club team runs free learn to curl classes at the Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion on South Campus. At these sessions, which normally occur in September and October, all the necessary equipment is provided, free of charge.

That鈥檚 how Reid became involved and now he鈥檚 a key contributor to the team that has its sights set on representing the University at the upcoming national tournament.

鈥淥nce I tried the sport, what made me stick around was this understanding that I was part of something that was bigger than myself,鈥� Reid says.

Wingert, who fell in love with the sport when he was a child growing up in Southern Ontario, Canada, says nearly every member of the club team had zero curling experience before coming to campus.

鈥淭he learn to curl sessions are great because it helps us recruit for the club while spreading our love of curling on campus,鈥� Wingert says.

For more information or to fill out an interest form, visit the .

It happens every two years. An athlete captures our imagination with a stirring performance during the Olympics, and this year鈥檚 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy, will be no different.

But for the Olympian who wants to build a large following on social media, says the time to add followers is not when they鈥檙e on the medal podium, but in the years leading up to the Games.

鈥淲e started seeing athletes use social media to document their journeys and provide insightful moments that 鈥榞o viral鈥� with the 2012 Summer Games,鈥� says Horn, associate dean for strategic initiatives and professor of practice in public relations in the .

鈥淥ver the last four or five Olympic Games, we鈥檝e found that the athletes who take the time to invest in brand-building before the Olympic Village opens are best positioned to take advantage of the moment should success give them the spotlight.鈥�

Championing Causes to Connect Online

During this social media era of the Olympics, endorsement deals and commercial success comes to those athletes who deliver authentic, relatable content that shares their personal experiences with a captivated audience.

The best examples treat posting to social as an extension of their training, committing hours each week to cultivating engaging posts to share online, says Horn.

One of the best examples is Ilona Maher, a two-time rugby player with Team USA.

Maher鈥檚 popularity grew during the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021 due to the COVID pandemic) when, due to COVID protocols, she couldn鈥檛 mingle with her fellow Olympians in the Olympic Village. She first posted humorous TikTok videos before delivering messages about the importance of body positivity, body image and embracing who you are to her TikTok and Instagram followers.

Maher鈥檚 popularity continued to grow after winning a bronze medal during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. She now has 5.4 million Instagram followers and 3.9 million TikTok followers and parlayed her inspirational messages into sponsorship deals with Adidas, T.J. Maxx, L’Or茅al, Maybelline, Coppertone and other companies.

鈥淚lona used the Olympics as a launch platform for the content that ultimately gained her notoriety, success and fame, and these partnerships all came years after the Tokyo Olympics,鈥� Horn says. 鈥淪he landed these sponsorships by staying true to her message.鈥�

Social Media Popularity Not Tied to Winning

Pita Taufatofua instantly gained fame and notoriety worldwide during the 2016 Summer Olympics, but not for his successes in taekwondo.

By wearing a traditional Tongan costume as flag bearer for the tiny island nation鈥攁 feat he would repeat in both the 2018 Winter Olympics as a cross-country skier and 2020 Summer Olympics鈥擳aufatofua made an immediate impression on millions of fans watching the opening ceremonies as Tonga鈥檚 bare-chested flag bearer.

Taufatofua lost in the first round but that mattered little to his followers who flocked to find him on social media, Horn says, adding that it would have been unheard of for an athlete to be remembered for something other than winning a medal even 10 years ago.

鈥淭his is about thinking of the digital media space and social media as your legacy building ground, rather than thinking people will remember the result of your accomplishments in competition,鈥� Horn says. 鈥淏ut that鈥檚 the power of social media and the power of curated content with a strategic focus.鈥�

Regulating What Athletes Can and Cannot Share

The IOC is fairly restrictive when it comes to the types of messages they will allow athletes to share during the Games.

Among the stipulations, athletes cannot:

• Livestream their event(s)
• Produce content longer than two minutes
• Post within an hour of their competition start time
• Share content showing medal ceremonies
• Promote products

Additionally, there are social community guidelines that reflect what the IOC refers to as the spirit of Olympism, emphasizing that athletes champion fair play, respect, and diversity and inclusion, uphold human dignity and build bridges, not walls.

Horn says it鈥檚 鈥渁 highly risky proposition鈥� for athletes to make a political statement or take a stand on a social issue during the Olympics.

鈥淭his is an ecosystem where the athletes are not in control. The athletes鈥� opportunity is to create brand-building and brand-following and then monetize that after an Olympic Games,鈥� Horn says.

Familiar Faces on Team USA

Team USA boasts seven five-time Olympians: Lindsey Vonn (alpine ski racing), Evan Bates (figure skating), Elana Meyers Taylor (bobsled), Nick Baumgartner (snowboarding), Faye Thelen (snowboarding), Kaillie Humphries (bobsled) and Hilary Knight (ice hockey), along with popular four-time Olympians Mikaela Shiffrin (alpine skiing) and Chloe Kim (snowboarding).

Horn says these household names have established presences on social media and understand how to deliver compelling and engaging content.

鈥淭he question is who will we be talking about one month from now because they burst onto the scene with a social plan that captured engagement in ways that companies and brands can embrace?鈥� Horn says.

A great nickname certainly helps: Horn points to charismatic figure skater Ilia Malinin as someone to watch. Malinin is known as “the Quad God” for his proficiency in landing quadruple jumps鈥攆our-rotation jumps known as “quads鈥� on the ice.

Mykala Walker鈥檚 message for the Orange community about is one she says is often repeated by head coach Felisha Legette-Jack: See it through.

Walker, who was of 性视界 women鈥檚 basketball in October, has in collegiate basketball, from playing at Wake Forest University to coaching at Arizona State, University of Delaware and Georgetown University.

Now, she鈥檚 excited to be back in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), joining the Orange and being on the frontline at a time of pivotal growth in women鈥檚 basketball.

鈥淚 love what we’re able to do for players these days,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e’re putting them on a platform to help them be truly successful long after they take off their 性视界 jersey for the last time. You’re always going to be an Orange when you leave here, but it’s an exciting time to elevate and help these kids launch into their futures.鈥�

And in the meantime, she says the Orange community has a part to play as the team, which has won 10 of its first 11 games, continues its season.

鈥淲e need you to come here, sit with us,鈥� she says. 鈥淪ee it through, and know we’re going to fight. We fight here at 性视界.鈥�

Below, Walker shares more about her vision for continuing to build the program.

When Brian Tarrant’s email arrived in the inbox of design faculty in the (VPA), it carried with it more than a simple project proposal. It carried the weight of history, the story of college football’s most famed number鈥攖he legendary 44鈥攁苍诲 those who wore it.

Tarrant ’96, a former Orange football player and senior vice president with MC2, a brand experience solutions agency, reached out to partner with the University. He sought help curating the memorabilia and developing the storytelling for the Legend of 44 exhibition, which his company designed.

The primary stakeholder, Rob Konrad 鈥�02, the last 性视界 football player to wear the number before it was retired in 2005, invested a significant amount of time and personal resources to help acquire the iconic memorabilia. 鈥淗is generosity and deep love for the University truly made this project possible,鈥� Tarrant says.

The is not just a jersey at 性视界; it is part of the University鈥檚 identity. From 1954 to 1998, 11 players wore the number, beginning with Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown 鈥�57, who ushered in the modern era and transformed it into a symbol of excellence.

The most notable players to follow Brown include Ernie Davis 鈥�62, the first African American Heisman Trophy winner in 1961; Floyd Little 鈥�67, H鈥�16, a three-time All-American at 性视界 and Hall of Fame running back with the Denver Broncos; Michael Owens 鈥�90; Terry Richardson 鈥�94; and Konrad, who went on to play six seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

Honoring the Legend of 44

To create the exhibition, environmental and interior design students Trisha Mohta ’28, Katja Wetzel ’27, Carmela Garcia ’26, Isabel Lamporte ’26 and Holly Ishiro-Randall ’26鈥攁long with museum studies graduate student Daniel Griffaton G鈥�26鈥攚orked alongside faculty members Zoriana Dunham, assistant teaching professor, Andrew Saluti, associate professor, and Tarrant and his team.

The students learned the stories behind the artifacts, including game-worn helmets from Brown and Konrad and cleats from Davis’ Heisman season. They visited the storage site to measure objects and examine them firsthand. The challenge was to translate decades of achievement, sacrifice and cultural significance into a cohesive narrative that would resonate with fans across generations.

Within the exhibition’s design, larger cases feature Brown, Davis and Little, and smaller cases feature Owens, Richardson and Konrad. A backlit 44 display lists all 25 players who were known to wear the number on the football field.

A Rewarding Experience for Students

As the project progressed, the team saw how individual stories wove together into something larger鈥攁 tapestry of excellence that transcended any single student-athlete. They collaborated through shared digital whiteboards, collecting sketches and concepts, refining their vision through multiple meetings with Tarrant’s team.

Garcia has focused on big-scale design in her studies, and this project taught her that human-centered design must prioritize the small scale.

“It was so exciting to see this project come to life within the course of a few weeks,鈥� Garcia says. 鈥淎nd it made me realize the power of cooperation, various skills and a shared interest.”

Randall says the students were involved in the full design process. 鈥淔or the first time, we were able to follow a project from initial ideation through installation, and I am proud to have been able to contribute to a project that celebrates 厂测谤补肠耻蝉别鈥檚 legacy,鈥� she says.

“A particularly meaningful element for the students was shaping the ‘legend story’ of the iconic number 44,” says Dunham. “They worked to design a display that would connect fans across generations while preserving the legacy and significance of the number within the school community.”

When installation week arrived in mid-November, the students and faculty completed the hands-on work. The exhibition, now permanently situated outside Club 44 at Gate C in the JMA Wireless Dome, features the artifacts alongside a timeline honoring every player who wore the number, plus video and photo displays that bring the legacy to life.

“Working with students from the environmental and interior design and museum studies programs was an incredible opportunity,” says Tarrant. “The students assumed ownership of the storytelling, including image selection, artifact descriptions and overall layout, which became a major asset to the project’s success. I could not be more proud of this project and the role the students played in bringing it to life.”

The unveiling ceremony in November was attended by Konrad and William Schoonover 鈥�65, who also wore the 44, along with the families of the legendary players and Chancellor Kent Syverud.

For Dunham and Saluti, watching their students succeed was deeply rewarding. “The students gained experience in artifact research, narrative development, client collaboration, iterative design and team project management,” says Dunham. “It is a rare opportunity for students to leave a permanent mark on campus while applying the skills they are learning鈥攚hat could be more powerful than that?”

Jill Nelsen L鈥�27 playing soccer and loving sports. She was recruited to California State-East Bay with a four-year athletic scholarship to play women鈥檚 varsity soccer, while also earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in kinesiology. When she later decided to pursue law school, she hoped to stay connected to the world of sports and entertainment鈥攂ut she never imagined that would open doors to opportunities like Miami Swim Week and New York Fashion Week.

During her first year year, Nelsen joined the Entertainment & Sports Law Society, often attending networking events with alumni thriving in this space. At one such event, she met Riley Christian L鈥�16, now an entertainment and sports attorney with , a firm he founded in 2022.

Nelsen and Christian had a lot in common; she had been a collegiate soccer player and he a collegiate baseball player. At the time, Christian was rebranding his boutique law firm in New York City to focus more on the areas of sports and entertainment that dealt with navigating the NCAA鈥檚 new Name Image and Likeness (NIL) rules for college athletes and handling legal issues related to artificial intelligence in the entertainment and music business.

Nelsen later reached out to Christian, asking if he might need an intern, and he agreed to bring her onboard.

At first, she helped navigate the logo development for the firm鈥檚 rebranding, later moving on to legal research for defamation cases, statute of limitations issues, trademark infringements and intellectual property, while learning as much as she could about the ever-evolving NIL rules.

Piecing Together Sports, Fashion and the Law

While her whole internship experience was exciting, Nelsen says two highlights were attending Miami Swim Week and New York Fashion Week.

鈥淩iley knew these big events would be good networking experiences for me, and he also knew I liked to talk to people and that would be a good way to spread the word about the rebranding of Artifex Athleta,鈥� she says.

The annual Miami Swim Week is the world鈥檚 largest swimwear and resort wear event that includes runway fashion shows, trade shows and pop-up shops, as well as the chance to meet and network with all kinds of people connected to this area of fashion鈥� from designers and buyers to athletes, agents and the media.

鈥淵es, it was focused on swimwear, but there are so many aspects of the law attached to the fashion space, including trademarks, sponsorships, negotiating and closing NIL and more,鈥� Nelsen says. 鈥淚t was a fascinating experience to see it in action.鈥�

She also attended New York Fashion Week, one of the 鈥渂ig four鈥� fashion events in the world, showcasing what鈥檚 going to be 鈥渋n鈥� for the upcoming season. The biannual event includes exclusive runway shows by world-class designers that are attended by celebrities, influencers, fashion buyers and the media.

This, too, gave Nelsen an opportunity to network with a host of agents, attorneys and other business leaders in the fashion space.

鈥淭he experience of not only attending these fabulous events but also having the chance to work with Riley helped me begin to make a name for myself as more than just an athlete,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he younger version of me would be emotional to see all the things I鈥檝e accomplished both in my course work, as well as internship opportunities. My takeaway from this entire experience is that I can do it, and there are people who truly believe in me and see my potential.鈥�

Uplifting Women Is the Ultimate Win

After completing her education at the College of Law, Nelsen鈥檚 dream is to one day work as general counsel for a NBA or NFL team and negotiate from the team鈥檚 side with players and their agents. But her ultimate goal is to one day be a general manager or even owner of a WNBA team.

鈥淪ports, and now working in sports鈥攈as always been the dream,鈥� she says.

Her older sister has been a role model, she says, 鈥渕oving mountains鈥� as director of services and retention for the NBA鈥檚 Los Angeles Lakers.

鈥淚鈥檝e also learned a lot about creating space for people like me, particularly as a first-generation Latina woman,” Nelsen says. “I鈥檝e been told I鈥檓 too much, too blunt, too Californian, but I鈥檝e also been told 鈥榙on鈥檛 dim your light to fit into a box that鈥檚 been predefined for you.鈥� I am proud to be a 性视界 law student with the opportunity to contribute to uplifting women in the sports and entertainment business and also within the legal field. That is a real win for me.鈥�

When graduated from the University in 2017 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in sport management from the , legalized sports gambling in the United States was limited to two states: Nevada and New Jersey.

But since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that prevents the federal government from dictating how states manage sports betting, the industry has undergone a rapid and extraordinary expansion. Some form of sports gambling is now legal in 39 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and the betting market in 2025 is estimated to reach nearly $20 billion in the U.S. and $111 billion globally, according to .

After starting his career in sports sponsorships and then working outside of sports, Weiss put his entrepreneurial spirit and skills to work by creating a company that is now shaping the future of the booming sports gambling industry. Weiss is CEO and founder of (the M.V.P is for Make Vegas Pay), a Fort Lauderdale-based business that provides expert advice and education services for sports bettors.

鈥淎 lot of people love sports, and they love betting on games, but they work day jobs and they don鈥檛 really have the time to do the research,鈥� Weiss says. 鈥淪o the idea was for us to be that guiding hand for them.鈥�

As M.V.P continues to grow, Weiss has reconnected with his 性视界 roots. He joined , a network of donors who share a common goal of supporting the University鈥檚 highest priorities. Following conversations with Falk College Director of Development , Weiss joined the , a group of the college鈥檚 most committed and influential young alumni.

Weiss is also helping to cultivate the next generation of sports betting experts. He’s in his second year of hosting Falk College students who are handling a variety of roles.

Sport analytics major Jared Weber 鈥�26 is interested in a career in sports gambling and says he鈥檚 gaining a wealth of industry knowledge.

鈥淢y experience at M.V.P has helped me build a deep understanding of how to identify and create advantages over sportsbooks聽and thereby make myself a valuable candidate for jobs in the future,鈥� Weber says. 鈥淚’m incredibly grateful to Simon for giving me the platform to learn so much about the betting space and helping other students learn along the way.鈥�

Sport management major Lindsay Dorman 鈥�27 also wants to work in what has been a male-dominated sports gambling industry. She says Weiss has given her jobs and introduced her to people that have increased her confidence and made her more motivated to work in the field.

鈥淗e鈥檚 taught me so much about the industry while giving me the freedom to take initiative and grow creatively,鈥� Dorman says. 鈥淚鈥檓 really grateful for his mentorship and this experience is making me even more motivated to make an impact in this space.鈥�

鈥淎 dark presence looms over the sanctity of a collegiate event.

In walks the top-ranked player, in walks the destroyer of worlds.

You asked for friendlies and you got a war; Syrup is in the building.鈥�

Those were the words commentators uttered as Andrew Mo 鈥�29聽 took his place with his 性视界 teammates , the largest gaming competition for Super Smash Bros. in the world. The University competed at the August event, facing off in a best of three crew battle against Shenandoah University.

When it was his turn at the controller, Mo sat slouched slightly forward in the black folding chair, focused on the monitor before him, seemingly unshakable as onlookers and commentators reacted to his gameplay.

鈥淭his guy is crazy,鈥� one of them said.

After one devastating blow to an opponent, the commentators let out squawks of delight while people in the crowd clasped their hands to their heads in amazement.

Mo deftly removed his headphones, offered his opponent a fist bump and turned forward again, waiting for the next player to take a seat beside him.

By the time the battle was over, the commentators labeled the 鈥淪yrup sweep鈥� complete.

At the time, Mo was ranked eleventh globally for Super Smash Bros Ultimate. His Smash Bros. coach , who is also the esports program manager in the , says Mo is now trending closer to the top five.

鈥淗e鈥檚 probably the fifth in the world right now,鈥� Bair says.

What Makes Syrup So Good

Mo, an undeclared major in the , first picked up a controller when he was 5, playing Smash with his brother. He says what he loves about the game is how free form it can be.

鈥淭here’s a lot of room for creativity and your gameplay has personality in it,鈥� he says. 鈥淵our gameplay is your own, and it’s unique.鈥�

He began playing competitively in 2019 at the age of 12, starting with local tournaments in his home state of New Jersey.

Mo says when he was getting ready to compete in his first match, he forgot to create his 鈥渋n-game鈥� tag, or name. So he played with the moniker left behind by another player鈥擲yrup.

鈥淚t was someone else’s, so I was just like, 鈥極K, this is mine now,鈥欌�� Mo says.

Now, it鈥檚 how he鈥檚 known around the world.

Why He Chose 性视界 University

Mo says he was drawn to 性视界 for its programs, but also for its investment in esports and new state-of-the-art facilities.

Esports started on campus in 2017 as a student club, but the University now has both an esports communications and management bachelor鈥檚 degree鈥攐ffered jointly by the and the 鈥攁苍诲 , meaning the squads are school-supported, under . Thirty students field the six varsity teams playing Call of Duty, Counter-Strike 2, Overwatch 2, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Valorant.

Programs are run out of two gaming facilities on campus, at the Barnes Center at The Arch and the Schine Student Center. A third space is also being built in the Marley Building.

鈥溞允咏� is probably the only school with two whole facilities,鈥� Mo says. 鈥淎nd the facilities inside, they’re very advanced and modern looking. It’s literally the perfect place to play any competitive game.鈥�

While the NCAA doesn鈥檛 currently support esports, the University鈥檚 varsity teams compete in the Power Esports Conference (PEC) against other Division I schools, such as Michigan State, Boise State and Ohio State, among others. With a fall and spring season, the University plays each school in the fall and then again in the spring, culminating with an in-person championship in April. Some of the varsity teams also compete in the PlayVS College League (PCL).

There are seven student-athletes on the varsity Smash team, including Mo.聽Bair said separate of his skill, Mo鈥檚 contributions as a person and teammate in the program have also been significant. He鈥檚 humble when Smash comes up in classes, a good student and hardworking member of the varsity team.

鈥淗e represents collegiate esports really well,鈥� Bair says.

The Impact at 性视界

To convey what it means to have a player of Mo鈥檚 caliber, Joey Gawrysiak, executive director of esports and professor of practice, brings up another 性视界 legend.

鈥淭he analogy we always use is that Andrew is the best recruit 性视界 has had since Carmelo Anthony,鈥� he says. 鈥淗e is not only just technically gifted, he is mentally gifted at the game and understands how somebody is going to react to his play style, so he can then counteract it really well and not have to react in real time as much as the average person might have to.鈥�

Bair says Mo might be the most talented person at a single skill you could meet in your lifetime.

鈥淚 don’t know if I will meet someone better at something than Andrew is skilled at this video game,鈥� he says.

Part of Mo鈥檚 talent is simply innate, Bair says.

But the coach stressed the time Mo puts in to develop his game is also huge.

Mo says he tries to play every day. And if he can鈥檛 pick up a controller, he is still thinking about the game.

鈥淚 think about Smash a lot,鈥� he says. 鈥淎 big way to improve once you reach a higher level is you have to start thinking of new situations and how to implement new ideas into your game.鈥�

Mo says 性视界 is the 鈥減erfect place to go鈥� if you鈥檙e interested in esports.

He鈥檚 learned in his own classes how esports can translate to other majors, like business, management or production.

鈥淚 want to lean toward learning how to make content and get into maybe the production side of things, which 性视界 can definitely help me with,鈥� he says.

(MLS) and 性视界 University announce a new initiative to provide current and former players and their families with access to market-relevant online degrees, certificates and career development opportunities through the University鈥檚 nationally ranked online degree and certificate programs.

The collaboration empowers MLS players and their families鈥攁s well as league and club staff and their families鈥攖o pursue customized degree programs and professional development designed for the unique demands of professional athletes. The initiative also extends to future MLS stars across and , ensuring the entire MLS ecosystem benefits from expanded access to higher education.

Creating flexible pathways for a variety of academic offerings, programs draw on the expertise of 厂测谤补肠耻蝉别鈥檚 renowned schools and colleges, including the , , and .

鈥淢ajor League Soccer is proud to work with 性视界 University to provide world-class educational resources that support the personal and professional growth of players, alumni and staff across our league,鈥� says Sola Winley, MLS executive vice president and chief engagement officer. 鈥淭his initiative expands on traditional higher education offerings by providing flexible, high-quality opportunities tailored to the unique needs of the MLS community.鈥�

Opportunities created through this initiative include:

• Flexible, 100% online degrees and certificates
• Pre-academic English language support
• Credit transfer assessment
• Career-focused programs in business, project management and sport analytics, among others
• Dedicated online student support

鈥淢y fellow deans and I are excited to partner with Major League Soccer to provide the 性视界 University experience to current and former players and their family members who are interested in pursuing our robust academic offerings,鈥� said Falk College Dean , who earlier this year helped create a with the Major League Baseball Players Association. 鈥淔or athletes and professionals with unpredictable schedules, our online programs offer the perfect balance of flexibility, extensive academic support and real-world applicability鈥攁ll without compromising the demands of their careers or personal circumstances.鈥�

Educational offerings will be accessible online, on campus and at 厂测谤补肠耻蝉别鈥檚 鈥渁way鈥� centers in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Dedicated admission specialists and academic advisors will work with each participant to tailor academic pathways aligned with their goals.

“It’s big for all the players in MLS, the staff and coaches as well, to have this opportunity to go back to school and focus on their education, because it’s so important,鈥� says Miles Robinson, center back for FC Cincinnati and former defender at 性视界 University (2015-16). 鈥淚t’s a great chance for everyone in MLS, and their families, to be able to further their education, especially with 性视界 University. Being a 性视界 alum, it’s amazing to recognize how great the school is and what it has to offer.”

For more information about the partnership, visit the .

An innovative initiative focusing on the power of sport fandom for character development has been awarded more than $800,000 in funding through a 2025 from the Educating Character Initiative, part of Wake Forest University鈥檚 Program for Leadership and Character, which is supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. The grant will fund Character Development through Sport Fan Engagement, a project developed by , professor and dean of the , and the , vice president and dean of , who are co-principal investigators.

Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew says the project leverages the University鈥檚 existing strengths in sport-related academic research and teaching while drawing on themes outlined in the academic strategic plan, particularly human thriving. 鈥淭his project has the potential to engage individuals across our campus community鈥攕tudents, faculty and staff鈥攁苍诲 promote the respectful exchange of ideas around the concepts of fandom and character development,鈥� she says.

This significant award recognizes 性视界 University鈥檚 commitment to fostering holistic student development and leveraging the unique environment of collegiate sport fandom for character education. The project aims to cultivate ethical reasoning, teamwork, empathy and a stronger sense of community among undergraduate students by engaging them in the social, emotional and cultural dimensions of sport fandom. Ultimately, the project has the potential to not only transform fandom at 性视界, but also to become a national model for ethical and inclusive fan engagement throughout sport.

鈥淭his project represents a truly collaborative effort across 性视界 University to push past the boundaries of knowledge by uniting spiritual inquiry and sport scholarship to explore how the passion of sport fandom can be a powerful catalyst for human flourishing,鈥� Konkol says. 鈥淲e believe that by focusing on the virtue of teamwork, we can help our students not only understand鈥攂ut also actively practice鈥攖he values that build stronger communities.鈥�

性视界 University, with its dynamic athletics program, is uniquely positioned to host this initiative. 鈥淪port fandom, particularly in the vibrant atmosphere of NCAA Division I athletics, offers an unparalleled real-time context for character education,鈥� Jordan says. 鈥淭his grant allows us to harness that energy to teach fairness, loyalty, leadership, humility and sportsmanship in ways that deeply resonate with our students鈥� lived experiences. We are excited to contribute to a national conversation about the role of sport in character formation.鈥�

The project will include a series of structured educational and experiential components, co-designed with student leaders, including peer-led workshops, team-based challenges, game-day campaigns and reflective discussions, all centered on the character virtue of teamwork. Its structure emphasizes inclusive participation across diverse student populations and encourages cross-campus collaboration among students, faculty and athletics staff.

鈥淐ultivating individuals of character who embody teamwork benefits our university and our students but also strengthens our athletics program,鈥� says John Wildhack, 性视界 University director of athletics. 鈥淭his initiative will help us learn more about fan behavior and encourage students to develop lifelong connections to the traditions and teams that define the Orange Nation. Passionate and dedicated fans are essential for our teams to compete at the highest levels.鈥�

The program will also include a multi-year research study, The Impact of Sport Fandom on Character Development Among College Students: A Multi-dimensional Analysis Using the Psychological Continuum Model, which is intended to address a critical gap in existing literature.

Beyond its well-recognized athletics program, 性视界 University has evolved its sport-focused educational offerings and is redefining the future of sport research, education and innovation. In July, the Falk College became the nation鈥檚 first standalone college of sport on a Research 1 campus. Singular in focus, global in reach and designed for the future, the Falk College aims to be the top academic and research institution in sport.

Hendricks Chapel, known as the spiritual heart of 性视界 University, serves as a global home for religious, spiritual, moral and ethical life. Established in 1930 as a home for all faiths and place for all people, the chapel sponsors over 2,000 programs for more than a million annual attendees to help prepare engaged citizens, scholars and leaders for participation in a changing global society.

Other participating units include the , the School of Education鈥檚 , the , and .

Why all the racket about Padel? Students and faculty in the collaborated with a global communications consulting firm to release a report about the emerging sport鈥檚 rapid rise in popularity.

The report, 鈥淐elebrities, Community, Content, and Competition: Padel鈥檚 Meteoric Rise in U.S. Popularity,鈥� identifies key reasons behind the explosive growth of Padel, a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash.

Factors include more ways to stream Padel tournaments, an increase in community-focused clubs and the influence of celebrity enthusiasts like actress Eva Longoria and Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter.

鈥淧adel in the U.S. won鈥檛 be just a sport鈥攊t will be a cultural phenomenon,鈥� says Ben Nichols, founder of the firm, . 鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing the same kind of momentum that once launched pickleball, but this time with a broader lifestyle appeal.鈥�

Baneet Bains G鈥�25 led the Newhouse students that produced the report through the Padel 22 partnership. They were supervised by , professor of practice of public relations and associate dean for strategic initiatives in the Newhouse School.

鈥淎s a former PR student myself, a big part of my mission is to support students in finding their way into the sport industry at a time when Padel is growing rapidly across the country,鈥� says Nichols.

鈥淭o have been able to partner with one of the very best public relations programs in the United States has been an honor,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled Newhouse has been able to blaze the trail in the college sector by producing this industry-first report.鈥�

What Is Padel and Why Is It Booming?

Padel is typically played in pairs, as doubles, on an enclosed court that is about one-third the size of a tennis court. In Padel, balls can be played off the walls.

There is some social media-fueled debate about how to pronounce the word. Nichols said the correct pronunciation is 鈥淧A-dell鈥� (like 鈥減addle鈥�), though some players in the United States call it 鈥減ah-DEL.鈥�

Either way, it鈥檚 considered the world鈥檚 fastest-growing sport, the report said. In the United States, Padel has gained traction through celebrity endorsements, increased exposure through digital content and investment in elite clubs and tournaments.

According to the Padel report released Wednesday, U.S. court construction skyrocketed from fewer than 30 in 2020 to more than 600 in 2024, with projections of 30,000 by 2030.

鈥淢edia growth and engagement serves as one of the key drivers of the success of emerging sports across the U.S.,鈥� says , director of the . 鈥淭he report shows that a combination of celebrity influence, community activation and content creation are all key drivers in Padel鈥檚 emergence.鈥�

Hands-on Learning at the Newhouse School

For the Newhouse team, the collaboration offered students a valuable opportunity to work on a high-profile project about an emerging sports trend, the first research of its kind about Padel in the United States.

鈥淧roviding students with hands-on learning opportunities in global sport communications is central to the Newhouse approach of integrating classroom knowledge with real-world impact,鈥� Horn says. 鈥淭his academic-industry intersection defines the value of a Newhouse educational experience, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, thanks to our industry partners and their desire to help our students s斐甦.鈥�

Bains, who graduated in May, led a team that ranged from first-year to graduate students.

鈥淭his project was the ultimate hands-on experience of what we鈥檝e been learning in the classroom,鈥� she says, 鈥渨orking together in a setting that mimicked a professional environment.鈥�

.

Jordan Boron 鈥�25 loved to play ice hockey, but she came to 性视界 University in 2022 because its in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics is widely considered one of the best sport management programs in the country.

厂测谤补肠耻蝉别鈥檚 team? Not so much.

But in Boron鈥檚 three winters on campus, the club team went from having only six players in the season before Boron arrived to going undefeated (20-0) and winning the in early March, with Boron as one of the team鈥檚 leading defensemen.

Turned out, Boron really could have it all at 性视界.

鈥淚 am honored to be a part of this team and to be a part of how far it has come,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he team鈥檚 leadership has done incredible things to build out this program and our coaches, Christina Beam and Marty Sicilia, have been a huge part of that. This team is a group of deeply dedicated players that worked so hard to win that national title.

鈥淭hat is what made this win so much better, the hard work that we all put into this team,鈥� Boron says.

Boron is one of six Falk College students who played on 厂测谤补肠耻蝉别鈥檚 first women鈥檚 club hockey national championship team. The others are Sarah Anderson 鈥�28 (health and exercise science and premed), Gia Becchi 鈥�28 (sport management), Sophie Lauzon 鈥�26 (public health), Neve Padulo 鈥�28 (exercise science) and Bryana Treon 鈥�27 (social work).

Boron was on the ice when the buzzer sounded to end 厂测谤补肠耻蝉别鈥檚 4-2 win over the University of Tampa in the AAU Women鈥檚 National Championship game in Jacksonville, Florida. It was a moment she鈥檒l never forget.

鈥淒uring the last few minutes of the championship game our bench was going wild because the inevitable win was in sight,鈥� she says. 鈥淎ll I was thinking was 鈥業 need to go hug Emma (goaltender Emmalyn Lacz) because she played so incredibly.鈥� The next thing I know, the whole team is on the ice, gloves and sticks thrown about and we are all screaming at the top of our lungs. We are national champions!鈥�

鈥榃e Had A Real Chance鈥�

Growing up in Mount Airy, Maryland, Boron started playing hockey when she was 10. She played in youth leagues and in her senior year of high school was talented enough to play for the Tier 1 Washington Pride. In youth hockey in the United States, Tier 1 represents the highest level of competition and requires significant time and travel commitments.

Boron could have certainly tried to play hockey in college, but she focused her choice on academics and once she learned about the sport management program at 性视界, she 鈥渒new this was where I wanted to go.鈥� While touring campus and visiting the on South Campus, she met one of her future hockey teammates, Amanda Wheeler, who was working at the pro shop. They started talking about hockey, and Wheeler encouraged Boron to try out for the team if she came to 性视界.

was founded in 2022 as a way to give club teams more structure and competitive opportunities. The league is comprised of three men鈥檚 divisions and one women鈥檚 division, and the divisions are split into regional conferences. For the women, the division includes 18 teams divided into College Hockey North and College Hockey South divisions.

The time commitment is significant鈥攖hree practices a week and home and away games each weekend with the away games often involving hours of travel and some overnight stays. Guided by coaches Beam and Sicilia, the team steadily improved over the years and this past season went 14-0 before defeating Springfield and Paul Smith to win the College Hockey North.

In the national tournament in Jacksonville, 性视界 defeated Springfield again before facing the Alabama Frozen Tide鈥攖he first team 性视界 played from the College Hockey South.

鈥淭he 10-2 win against Alabama was the moment for our team that made us feel like we had a real chance to win a national championship,鈥� Boron says. 鈥淪eeing that we could win against a team that had previously beat Tampa, our next opponent, gave us the confidence boost we needed.鈥�

鈥楾he Moment Did Not Feel Real鈥�

With a pool-play format, 性视界 qualified for the national championship after defeating Alabama but still had to play Tampa, which had also won its first two games to qualify for the final. But while 厂测谤补肠耻蝉别鈥檚 pool-play game against Tampa didn鈥檛 decide the national title, it did set the tone for the championship game that followed the next day.

鈥淚 would argue that this was one of the most important games of the tournament,鈥� Boron says. 鈥淲e needed to play that game just like we would the next day to win the title.

鈥淎fter our 3-2 win in our first game against Tampa, our excitement continued to build, and everyone was locked in and set on winning the next day,鈥� Boron adds. 鈥淲e went on to win the championship game 4-2, playing and fighting even harder than the game prior.鈥�

For Boron, who will be graduating early in December after completing her Capstone internship this fall, the championship put an exclamation point on her stellar athletic and academic experience at 性视界. This season, she worked as a community relations intern for the 性视界 Crunch American Hockey League team, assisting with community-related projects such as honoring military members and auctioning autographed game-used memorabilia for fans during games. Previously, she had internships with the 性视界 Athletics communications team, the NHL鈥檚 Washington Capitals and the Premier Lacrosse League at the Championship Series in February.

Boron is a member of (WISE) in the Falk College, and for the past two years she was co-chair of the Donations Committee for the Sport Management Club鈥檚 Sports Charity Auction. The 20th annual auction in December raised $59,500 for the Rescue Mission of 性视界, and the club has now raised more than $760,000 for local charities since 2005.

As she prepares to start her professional career, Boron says she would like to work in youth hockey development to make the sport she loves 鈥渕ore accessible to all.鈥� Her hope for young players is that they all have an opportunity to experience what she felt on the ice in Jacksonville, where all the hard work and sacrifice paid off in a historic championship for 性视界 club hockey.

鈥淚t was incredible to share this moment with my teammates,鈥� she says. 鈥淎fter the huddle dispersed, I found some of my closest friends on the team hugged them because the moment did not feel real. There is no one I would rather be on that ice with.鈥�

To learn more about the women鈥檚 ice hockey club, follow the team on . If you鈥檇 like more information about the team or to try out, email suwomenshockey@gmail.com.

Growing up on a cattle farm in Alden, New York, a rural community 30 minutes east of Buffalo, gave Morgan Foss G鈥�20 an understanding of agriculture, food production and life on a farm.

The master’s degree in聽public relations Foss graduated with from the gave her a strong foundation of communication, writing, relationship-building and strategic thinking.

Today, she puts it all together as program manager for the Buffalo Bills Foundation, the nonprofit arm of her hometown football franchise. The foundation supports a wide breadth of initiatives dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Western New York region, but its primary focus is addressing child hunger, food access and supporting healthy eating.

鈥淏uffalo is the sixth most segregated metropolitan region in the country and 1 in 5 children鈥�1 in 8 people overall鈥攁re food insecure,鈥� Foss says, illuminating the importance of her work with the foundation. 鈥淭here are many food deserts within the city and in surrounding communities, despite there being many agricultural areas, like where I grew up.鈥�

The supports several nonprofit organizations and programs that uplift the food system and provide healthy foods to underserved families. Foss is one of three employees who liaise with the foundation鈥檚 board of directors to respond to funding requests and direct resources to the many hunger-fighting organizations doing the work.

鈥淭he Bills organization has such a large platform and influence in the Western New York region. So in this position, I can connect the community鈥檚 needs with resources and bring awareness to specific causes.鈥�

A Pandemic-Inspired Pivot

While Foss was always drawn to nonprofit and community-based work, she went to Newhouse intent on entering entertainment public relations after completing an undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama.

In the spring of 2020, she was planning to visit Los Angeles for the entertainment immersion experience and was pursuing an internship in Nashville with Sony Music Entertainment, and then 鈥� we all know what happened next.

鈥淎ll of a sudden I was finishing up my master鈥檚 degree, teaching undergraduate courses online and doing a virtual internship all from my childhood bedroom while simultaneously working on my family farm,鈥� Foss says.

Not only were her personal plans put on hold, but the entire PR and entertainment industry was a question mark as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. With so much uncertainty, Foss began looking for opportunities closer to home, ultimately leading to her dream career with the Bills.

鈥淚t was a crazy time and while many businesses closed, my family farm and the agriculture industry trudged forward to ensure food was produced and stocked on shelves,鈥� says Foss. 鈥淭he pandemic certainly changed the trajectory of my career, but I鈥檓 grateful for it.鈥� She emphasizes that her experience in 2020 built life skills that have wildly benefited her career鈥攊ncluding adaptability, organization, being innovative with her time and space and the ability to build relationships through a screen.

Giving Back and Living the Dream

Foss was named community relations coordinator with the Bills in 2022. Now in her third season with the organization, she has been promoted to Bills Foundation program manager, overseeing the distribution of foundation grants to nonprofits across the community.

Foss has also worked on initiatives promoting cancer awareness, military appreciation and social justice (in partnership with the National Football League鈥檚 Crucial Catch, Salute to Service and Inspire Change initiatives), as well as CPR education and AED awareness, youth sports and physical fitness and numerous other causes championed by players.

The Bills recently wrapped up their annual Huddle of Hunger Initiative, which collected over 31,000 pounds of food and raised more than $150,000 to support 20 local charities, including FeedMore WNY and its 400 hunger-relief agencies serving the four counties surrounding Highmark Stadium. 鈥淔or this year鈥檚 food drive, we had 16 rookie players and six veteran players participate and a massive turnout,鈥� Foss says. 鈥淭he Buffalo Bills players are amazing and very dedicated to the community where they play.鈥�

Besides the technical and interpersonal skills she developed at Newhouse, Foss says one of the best takeaways has been the group of friends and fellow alumni she connected with during the master鈥檚 program.

鈥淚 have a group chat with my best friends from the program,鈥� Foss says. 鈥淕oing through this experience together of graduating during the pandemic was unique, and we know we can count on each other to discuss our careers鈥攁reas we might want to grow in and navigating challenges or transitions. I love having peers who are on the same wavelength and seeing my friends growing and doing amazing work in their industries and their fields.鈥�

Earlier this year, Foss had her first baby, a son named Valentino鈥擳ino for short鈥攁苍诲 returned to her role part-time for the 2024 season. She is thrilled to be back in the business of connecting the foundation鈥檚 resources and the Bills players with the people and organizations in her community doing incredible work.

鈥淛ust so far this season [in addition to Huddle for Hunger], we鈥檝e brought players to Dave and Buster鈥檚 to hang out with families affected by cancer, we鈥檝e made sandwiches and handed out food with players at St. Luke鈥檚 Missionary Church, we鈥檙e getting ready for Veterans and Native Heritage Month celebrations in November. We do a lot with different youth organizations and that鈥檚 probably my favorite part of the job鈥攋ust seeing kids light up after meeting their idol,鈥� Foss says.

To learn more about the work of Foss and the Buffalo Bills Foundation, visit .

性视界 University is teaming up with the nationally recognized to launch a unique partnership that seeks to advance knowledge and enhance the professional acumen and management skills of sport administrators and executives. The new partnership between the and Women Leaders in Sports comes at a time when more women are participating in sports than ever before and as 性视界 University brings to life its commitment to elevating sport across all facets of the University, including through academic study, experiential learning, club sports and intercollegiate athletics.

鈥淔alk College is creating exceptional experiential learning opportunities for future sports professionals,鈥� says Falk College Dean Jeremy S. Jordan. 鈥淲omen鈥檚 prominence in sports is growing exponentially as they lead traditional male and female teams, engage larger audiences, earn new sponsorships and gain greater media attention than ever before. This partnership integrates our students and faculty with the outstanding work of Women Leaders in Sports and guides us as we develop programming and curricula to meet the needs of this dynamic field.鈥�

Jordan also noted that the recently concluded Summer Olympics generated tremendous excitement and support for women in a variety of sports. It was the fourth Summer Olympic Games where female U.S. athletes won more medals than their male counterparts. The was evident in Paris, from former student-athletes who competed in various sports, to faculty and students participating in academic opportunities, to those working behind the scenes鈥攎any facilitating media coverage of women-dominated and other events.

The novel partnership was inspired after 性视界 University鈥檚 Women in Leadership (WiL) Initiative hosted Women Leaders in Sports鈥檚 Chief Executive Officer Patti Phillips on campus last March for a series of meetings and presentations. The collaborative effort will create mentoring, learning, fellowship, internship and membership opportunities for Falk students, provide access to professional memberships to Falk faculty and support faculty attendance at significant events, such as the Women Leaders in Sports National Convention. The joint agreement names Phillips as special advisor to Jordan and enlists her services as an 鈥渆xecutive in residence鈥� at Falk. The partnership also calls for an exchange of relevant University research and co-creates a Women Leaders in Sports Fellowship.

Women Leaders in Sports is a 45-year-old organization dedicated to enhancing women鈥檚 influence and transforming leadership in sports. Phillips notes that this new partnership makes great strategic sense given the synergies between her organization and the Falk College.

鈥淲e accelerate the potential of women to positively impact sports with year-round, world-class leadership development, career training and networking,鈥� says Phillips. 鈥淥ur nearly 6,000 members share Falk College鈥檚 core commitment to mastering all facets of sports, whether business management and human performance or use of technology and marketing. Our members will gain insights that can make them even more effective administrators and executives.鈥�

According to Women Leaders in Sports, nearly half of the women who attend one of the organization鈥檚 leadership experiences advance in their careers within a year. The organization hosted 16 national events in 2023. Beyond training and networking, the group also hosts an exclusive online career platform, celebrates member accomplishments with awards and media recognition, and engages, educates and challenges industry leaders to make more diverse and equitable hiring decisions.

Today鈥檚 announcement comes just four months after 性视界 University announced it would transform the Falk College into a first-of-its-kind College of Sport. The reimagined David B. Falk College of Sport will be the first standalone college on an R1 campus to focus exclusively on sports-related disciplines, making the University among the leading academic institutions for preparing students to lead and drive innovation in sport-related fields and industries. The transformation follows two decades of recognized excellence in sport management, sport analytics, exercise science and nutrition, and such innovative interdisciplinary majors as esports. The Falk College鈥檚 excellence, combined with the high growth of sport in the U.S. and around the world, has created unprecedented demand for talented practitioners and professionals.

性视界 the Reimagined David B. Falk College of Sport

The reimagined Falk College of Sport will house academic programs in sport management, sport analytics, exercise science, nutrition and, jointly with the Newhouse School of Public Communications, esports. It will focus on four areas of academic excellence: Sport Business, Human Performance, Sport Technology and Innovation, and Community Sport and Wellness. The college will also launch a new research institute focused on sport and innovation that will leverage an interdisciplinary, cross-campus approach to drive innovation in sport and health outcomes and integrate expertise in business, digital media and technology, among other areas of academic focus.

性视界 Women Leaders in Sports

Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in Sports is the only nationally recognized professional membership organization whose mission is to develop, connect, advance and champion women leaders working in sports. Women Leaders provides career and leadership training, access to a powerful network and the resources to advance women at every stage of their careers. Learn more about the organization on its and follow Women Leaders on聽,听,听 补苍诲听.

性视界 University鈥檚 WiL

Establishing 性视界 University as a pacesetter in cultivating women leaders, the Women in Leadership Initiative supports professional development for women on campus through education, awareness and mentorship. Created in 2018, the WiL seeks to catalyze the personal and collective advancement of women on campus. WiL hosts a robust professional development program, with opportunities customized to the needs of faculty and staff. Participants benefit from the real experiences and candid advice offered by panels and solo guest speakers.