Sport Management Banquet Honors Students, Faculty

May 16, 2022

Earlier this spring, the Sport Management Department at St. John Fisher College held a celebration of student accomplishments and honored its graduating seniors and members of the program’s faculty and staff.

Patrick Gordon, Katie Burakowski, Rachel Makowski, and Todd Harrison

During the ceremony, Dr. Todd Harrison, past chair of the department and director of College operations for the Buffalo Bills Training Camp, was also honored as Sport Manager of the Year in recognition of his 17 years of service to Fisher. During Harrison’s tenure as chair, which spanned 11 years, he played a lead role strengthening alumni relations, crafting and refining a curriculum that prepares students for careers in sport, and contributing to the industry through involvement in the Bills Training Camp, Seneca Falls It’s A Wonderful Life Run, NCAA DIII Golf Championship, and the 2013 PGA Championship.

“It was really important to us to be able to publicly recognize all that Todd has done for our program. At one point I looked around the room and realized that to some extent everyone was there because of Todd and his commitment to our students,” said Dr. Katie Burakowski, assistant professor and chair of the program. “After 17 years of service and dedication to sport management education, he undoubtedly deserved to be honored as our Sport Manager of the Year.”

The department also recognized the contributions of Professor Alan Pogroszewski, who retired in December, and Pat Gordon, who is transitioning to a new role in Institutional Advancement this summer.

A number of students were also given awards, including:

  • Students of the Year: Rachel Makowski and Owen Hetherington
  • Junior of the Year: Adam Drake
  • Sophomore of the Year: Gabe Irwin
  • Freshman of the Year: Brandon Makowski
  • Minor of the Year: Trevor Reformat
  • Sport Management Club Member of the Year: Rachel Makowski
  • Ralph C. Wilson Scholarship Award Winners: Drew HerrNeckar and Andrew Symans

The department also announced the re-introduction of the Experiential Learning Award; which is resuming after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. The award helps students off-set the cost of pursuing industry experiences outside of Western New York.

“We were elated to be back at Oak Hill Country Club for our end of the year celebration. It felt extra special this year to be back for the first time since the height of the pandemic,” said Burakowski. “To be able to gather as a group with parents, friends, and alumni to recognize all our students have accomplished this year was really gratifying. And as always, the students also loved the opportunity to beat their professors in a little head-to-head bowling competition at the end of the night.”