The experience began with a visit to the Jackie Robinson Museum, where students examined the historical, cultural, and social impact of sport. Through the legacy of Jackie Robinson, the museum encouraged critical reflection on the intersection of sport, civil rights, and leadership, setting the academic tone for the week and underscoring sport’s ability to drive social change and global influence.
Throughout the week, students attended a wide range of professional and collegiate sporting events, allowing them to observe operations, fan engagement, and event management in real-world settings. These experiences included the NFL, NBA, NHL, WWE, and NCAA Division III competitions at iconic venues such as MetLife Stadium, Madison Square Garden, and Barclays Center.
Reflecting on the experience, graduate student Eli Zdonek shared that the trip “really allowed me to experience a city with real pride in its team and immerse myself in why sports are such a huge part of the culture of New York City.”
On Monday, students participated in a guided tour of Madison Square Garden, gaining insight into the operational demands of a venue often referred to as “the world’s most famous arena,” which hosts more than 300 events annually. The group later visited New York University, where students toured the Paulson Center with athletics administrator Steve Herishen, Assistant Athletic Director of the Paulson Center, before attending an NCAA Division III women’s basketball game. NYU’s women’s basketball program recently reached a 77-game winning streak and captured the 2025 Division III National Championship.
A major international component of the course took place on Tuesday with a visit to the United Nations. Students completed a guided tour and participated in a briefing focused on Sport for Development and Peace, examining how sport is used globally to advance social change, diplomacy, and sustainable development. During the briefing, students heard from representatives of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Department of Global Communications, and UN Women, who discussed how sport supports the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through cross-sector collaboration and global partnerships.
Additional experiential learning opportunities included visits to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and One World Trade Center, providing important historical and social context surrounding events that reshaped American life. Student Brandon Easter noted that lunch at One World Trade Center was his favorite part of the trip.
Later in the week, students participated in a behind-the-scenes pregame tour of Barclays Center prior to an NBA game, where they explored exclusive hospitality spaces, fan engagement strategies, and sat courtside for pregame warmups. Graduate student Archie Dees reflected that “being able to see the scale of events in the area and the significance of these facilities to New York’s culture was eye-opening.”
Beyond academic and professional learning, the experience created lasting personal memories and strengthened connections among students and faculty. Several students highlighted walking across the Brooklyn Bridge as a particularly meaningful experience. Sofia Antolini shared that “walking on the Brooklyn Bridge at night with classmates and professors was just amazing — a walk I will never forget,” while Alijah Barber described the moment as “unreal,” noting how the city lights were inspiring. Nate Seeger echoed that the Nets vs. Magic game and the Brooklyn Bridge walks were among the highlights of the entire trip.
For many students, the experience extended beyond sport management and professional exposure. David Osowski shared that the trip “helped me grow as a person by showing me new places, new opportunities, and friendships I did not expect,” while Emer McGlynn emphasized that the New York experience provided “valuable real-world insight to complement what we learned in class.”
The trip concluded with an in-depth visit to Yankee Stadium, where students engaged directly with industry professionals, including Doug Behar, Senior Vice President of Stadium Operations; Aryn Sobo, Vice President of Human Resources, Employment and Labor Law; Eric Fritz, Director of Stadium Facilities; and Craig Cartmell, Senior Associate Director of Marketing and Promotions. Through these conversations, students explored the complexity of operating a professional sports organization and gained insight into sustainability initiatives, community outreach efforts such as Hope Week, and the practical application of human resources, marketing, and promotional strategies.
The International Sport course is a signature component of Catawba College’s Master of Sport Management program and reflects the College’s commitment to experiential learning, professional development, and preparing graduates for leadership roles in the global sport industry.
Dr. Duane Aagaard, Associate Professor of Sport Management at Catawba College, shared, “The New York City experience provided our students with intimate exposure to the sport industry and a week-long laboratory to interact with iconic global brands.”
