Muskingum Students Gain Industry Insight at Robert Morris University Sport Management Career Summit

Nine Muskingum University students recently had the opportunity to expand their professional networks and explore career opportunities in the sport industry by attending the Robert Morris University Sport Management Career Summit on October 16 in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.

Representing Muskingum at the annual event were junior Adelynn Rusek, senior Makenzie Rupp, sophomore Mallory Mailach, freshman Carter Gross, senior Adam Rohrbaugh, freshman Aleks Barton, senior Jesse Wolford, junior Deaton Shade, and senior Philip Towns.

The RMU Sport Management Career Summit brought together students, alumni, and sport industry professionals for a full day of learning, networking, and career development. Participants engaged with leaders from across the sport industry through panel discussions, workshops, roundtable networking sessions, and an organizational fair designed to connect students with internship and career opportunities.

The summit featured sessions on emerging industry trends, including artificial intelligence and innovation in sports, the business of youth sports, sponsorship activation strategies, and the growing opportunities surrounding soccer's continued expansion in the United States. Students also participated in speed-networking sessions with professionals representing a variety of organizations throughout the sport industry.

"Experiences like the RMU Sport Management Career Summit are a great opportunity for our students to connect what they are learning in the classroom with the realities of the sport industry," said Jimmy Mattern, Ed.D., Associate Professor of Sport Management. "Being able to hear from industry professionals, build their networks, and explore potential career paths is an important part of preparing them for success after graduation. These high-impact experiences help our students build confidence, make connections, and better understand the opportunities available to them in the sport industry."

The value of the summit goes well beyond a single day of networking. Students often develop professional relationships that lead to shadowing experiences, internships, and employment opportunities in the future.

Last year, Adelynn Rusek connected with an athletic director from a Pittsburgh-area high school during the summit. That relationship continued after the event, leading to a summer job-shadowing experience and an opportunity to coach a volleyball team through the connection.

Several members of this year's group, including Carter Gross, Adam Rohrbaugh, Deaton Shade, and Philip Towns, established similar professional connections that could lead to internship or experiential learning opportunities in the coming months. Additional students are also expected to benefit from continued conversations with industry professionals they met during the event.

The summit aligns with Muskingum University's commitment to experiential learning by providing students with opportunities to apply classroom knowledge, develop professional skills, and build relationships within their chosen industries.

Through experiences such as the Robert Morris University Sport Management Career Summit, Muskingum students continue to gain valuable exposure to the sport industry while developing the connections and confidence needed to pursue successful careers after graduation.

In the picture (L-R) – Carter Gross, Deaton Shade, Adam Rohrbaugh, Adelynn Rusek, Mallory Mailach, Makenzie Rupp. (not pictured Aleks Barton, Jesse Wolford, Philip Towns)