Ohio University sport management students will have the opportunity to speak to field professionals this week at the 2011 Sports Business Forum.
The event, designed specifically for undergraduates, will begin at 2 p.m. today and will continue through Saturday.
Before the first session, there will be an open house about the Sports Management graduate program.
This year, the forum is hosting nine different guest speakers from across the country, each offering a different perspective on the sport management field.
The keynote speaker, Host Communications CEO Jim Host, will speak at 6 p.m. today.
Host has been recognized for his work in the sports industry with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of College Marketers. In March 2010, he was named among the “Champions: Pioneers and Innovators in Sports Business” by the Sports Business Journal.
“He will provide a unique insight for anyone attending,” said Allison Pisching, a graduate student and one of the event organizers.
Mike Redlick, vice president and chief sales officer for Indy Motor Speedway, and BC Johnson, manager of business development for Disney Sports Attractions, will attend the forum as well.
“We are fortunate to be able to bring in speakers that have such an impact on the sports industry,” Pisching said. “This opportunity is not available at many schools across this country.”
Rob Kreger, a sophomore studying sport management, said he is excited for the event.
“I know that I should go to this event,” Kreger said. “There will be many opportunities to network with professionals in my field of study.”
The forum is open to students of any major, said Eamonn Reynolds, a senior and the event’s media coordinator, since jobs in the sports industry are available for professionals of any major.
“Just look at me,” he said. “I am a public relations major, and I have been doing a lot of work with the Sports Business Forum. There are plenty of these types of jobs available in the sports industry.”
bl171210@ohiou.edu
