Plan and put on the Annual Sport Management Awards from start to finish.  This includes securing a keynote speaker, organizing award recipients, planning formal dinner, organizing hotel accommodations for keynote speaker, putting together program and PowerPoint presentation for night of the ceremony, and organizing press and media for the ceremony.  

Most things get done through emails and working closely with faculty in order to use their contacts in the industry to help secure a positive keynote speaker that will educate and enlighten our students. 

This year’s keynote speaker is Ethan Zohn.  He has gained the reputation of being an incredibly motivating figure.  Through his work with Grassroot Soccer, which provides African youth with the knowledge and life skills necessary to live HIV-free through the popularity of soccer, as well as playing and coaching soccer professionally in Zimbabwe, the United States, and Chile, Ethan has gained the experience necessary to provide individuals with much life impacting information.  Ethan has been recognized for his work with such awards as the 2004 Nkosi Johnson Community Spirit Award, the Heroes Among Us Award, and the Auxilia Chimusoro Award. Ethan was the 2003 winner of CBS’s “Survivor-Africa” and graduated from Vassar University.
Some past keynote speakers were Anucha Browne Sanders and Michael Veck.  Sanders was known for initiating the much publicized sexual harassment case with the New York Knicks.   Her stand has been applauded by commentators as a watershed, ground-breaking event in sports business that struck a blow for diversity and social justice in the workplace. Michael Veeck is the son of Hall of Famer, Bill Veeck, and co-author of Fun Is Good: How to Create Joy & Passion in Your Workplace & Career. Additionally, he is President and part owner of six minor league baseball teams.