The Springfield WolfPack is helping Missouri State University students learn more about their future careers.
Twenty-six entertainment management students are obtaining first-hand sport industry experience by working with the WolfPack staff during the 2010 season. The students’ involvement with the WolfPack will fulfill a requirement for an elective course they are enrolled in named Managing The Sport Enterprise.
“This component of the course is designed to provide practical immersion in the sport industry to supplement the classroom instruction that students receive,” said Dr. Ben Goss, associate professor of management at Missouri State. “They are required to work a minimum of 10-15 hours for the WolfPack or in a similar setting.”
Goss said a former student who interned with the team spawned the program’s relationship with the WolfPack.
“The student suggested that Angela Edwards (team president) and I meet, and our discussions fueled some ideas about ways we could work together to provide laboratory experiences in the sport industry for our students,” he said. “The WolfPack were gracious enough to agree to open their doors to our students to give this a try, and we're most grateful.
Over two-thirds of the 28 students enrolled in the course chose to work with the WolfPack, Goss said.
Students may work more than the required hours with Goss’ approval, and several have indicated an interest in doing a full-time internship with the WolfPack after this semester.
One of the students working with the WolfPack staff is Wichita, Kan., native Scott Glenn. Glenn, who would like to be a college athletic director later in his career, said he expects to learn a lot about how social media is used by an organization like the WolfPack.
“I have seen how important the use of Twitter and Facebook are to running a successful organization,” he said. “So many people are using these sources, and it is vital that the WolfPack do as well.”
Chillicothe, Mo., native Megan Sharp said she has already learned a very important thing during her time with the WolfPack.
“It is important to have a target market,” she said. “That way you can focus each event on the audience.”
Wendy Wells, sales and marketing director for the WolfPack, said the experience with the Missouri State students will be beneficial for both parties.
“We are happy and excited to have the students be part of our team for the 2010 season,” she said. “I think there is a lot we can learn from each other, and I hope everyone involved finds this experience very beneficial and enjoyable.”
Glenn said he has already enjoyed his experience with the WolfPack.
“I have enjoyed the freedom that Wendy and the WolfPack staff have given me,” he said. “They have allowed me to learn first hand and have not micromanaged my every move.”
Goss said he believes the students and the WolfPack staff will not only help each other, but also help the growth of indoor football’s popularity in the Springfield area.
“My aim is for the students to provide help to the WolfPack franchise in any way they can, and to use this as an opportunity to discover various aspects of the sport industry that can't be taught inside a classroom,” he said.
“I'm confident our students can produce a strong return on the WolfPack investment in our class, because I passionately believe in the sport indoor football as a quality entertainment experience and am personally committed to seeing it grow in size and scope in Springfield.”
-written By Mert Seaton
source from springfieldwolfpack.net
No comments:
Post a Comment