Sport Management Banquet Looks to Industry’s Future in Rochester
April 19, 2018
Students in the St. John Fisher College Sport Management program joined together with parents, alumni, faculty, and industry professionals for the Annual Sport Management Banquet on Friday, April 6 at Oak Hill Country Club. The celebration included recognition of student accomplishments and featured a panel of industry experts discussing the future of sports in Rochester.
Student Emma Kilmer ’18, a communications intern with the Pittsburgh Penguins, was recognized as Major of the Year. Kilmer was unable to accept the award in person because she is working in Pittsburgh as the Penguins faced off against the Philadelphia Flyers in round one of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Tyler Ahearn, Cody DuBiel, Matthew Crowley, and Kaylee Gassner received awards for Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Minor of the Year, respectively.
A highlight of the evening was The Scouting Report: ROC 2025, which brought five industry executives together to share their views on the sport landscape in Rochester, including the threats to progress and opportunities for growth. Naomi Silver, president, CEO, and COO of Rochester Community Baseball, Inc.; Wendy Dworkin, co-owner of the Rochester Rhinos and partner in the Sacramento Kings ownership group; and Bryan Karns, championship director of the 80th KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, spoke to their experiences in professional sport. David “Boots” Boutillier, co-founder of YellowJacket Racing and co-owner of Fleet Feet Sports, and Kathy Hoyt, executive director of NYSPHAA Section V, added their viewpoints on community and youth participation.
All of the panelists spoke to the need for sport organizations to produce exciting and engaging events to grow relationships with consumers in the community.
The St. John Fisher College Sport Management program is the only COSMA-accredited Sport Management program in New York State. The bachelor of science degree program offers a broad-based foundation of knowledge in the liberal arts and sport business. Classes blend theory with practical experiences to provide the tools necessary for successful careers in the sport industry.