The SUNY Fredonia contingent (from left): Jeffry Sayers, Dr. Sungick Min, Piper Evangelist and Christopher Mozzillo at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY.
Classroom learning is great, but students also need to be “in the field” to learn about the sport management industry.
A recent excursion to KeyBank Center by students majoring in Sport Management delivered that one-of-a-kind “field” experience.
“Through sports field trips, students receive various experiences that are not possible in a classroom setting. Therefore, I often take my students to professional sports games,” said Associate Professor Sungick Min of the Department of Applied Professional Studies.
The Buffalo Sabres suffered a 4-3 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 28, but absorbing the full game experience from the suite level was clearly a win-win for the students.
These field trips were a tremendous opportunity for students to not only get a behind-the- scenes look at the sporting industry, but also to show them possible career paths through the Sport Management major.” - Dr. Sungick Min
Piper Evangelist, a first-year student from Collegeville, PA, found the entire experience enjoyable.
“The whole trip was very well organized and planned by my professor and the amenities were very nice. Getting VIP parking was definitely a very good experience. The suite seats were nice and comfortable, and the food was great and served in a timely order and fashion,” Ms. Evangelist said.
“The game was very entertaining to watch, and that's coming from a girl who's never watched a hockey game in person in her life,” Evangelist remarked. “I would recommend that everyone put themselves into a position to get this opportunity because it's one you shouldn't miss out on.”
Though he’s a lifelong Sabres fan, Jeffry Sayers, a first-year student from Fredonia, NY, found the experience to be amazing.
“I was able to watch the whole game, and with our view see the entire rink and view how all the players interact with each other,” reported Sayers, who also has a minor in Communication. Despite the OT loss, Sayers said he had an “amazing time” at the game.
Christopher Mozzillo, a sophomore from Athens, NY, attests it was a vastly different experience from what he expected. Starting with the clear view of the entire playing surface to the hospitality that VIP seating offers, he explained, “this is likely an experience I would have never gotten to have and likely will never have again after this trip.”
Mr. Mozzillo, whose personal record at Sabres games fell to 0-2, picked up valuable understanding of what the on-ice crew does that might be valuable to have should he seek internship or career opportunities in the sports world.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity that was given to me, and I will continue to follow and analyze sports throughout my time here at Fredonia and in life,” Mozzillo said.
All three students – enrolled in either SPMG 100: Pathways to Success or SPMG 210: Principles of Sport Management -- agree the trip was well organized by Dr. Min. He’s also taken Sport Management students to experience Buffalo Bills (NFL) and Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) games.
“These field trips were a tremendous opportunity for students to not only get a behind-the- scenes look at the sporting industry, but also to show them possible career paths through the Sport Management major,” said Min, who also coordinates internships in Sport Management and Coaching.
