Sport Management Internships
A critical component of the Sport Management curriculum are the experiential learning opportunities offered through the practicum and internship courses, and our program stands out in its focus on real-life opportunities for students. Unlike most programs where faculty members juggle classroom responsibilities with oversight of practica and internships, Fisher’s Sport Management Program offers a dedicated staff member whose primary responsibility it is to assist students with pairing their interests with the vast practical opportunities available throughout the sport industry. Sport Management requirements dictate students take a 120-hour practical experience in a students’ junior year and a 400-hour opportunity during the senior year of their studies. Practicum and internship credits allow students to learn more effectively by applying classroom theory to real work experience. These courses also provide continuous feedback on the academic training students receive throughout the program.
Various on-campus internship opportunities for Sport Management students include the Athletic Business Office, Student Life Center, Growney Stadium, Media Relations, Intramurals, and The Cardinal Courier (campus newspaper). In addition, the College’s location provides a unique opportunity for valuable internship experiences off-campus. Numerous opportunities exist in the Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse areas. In Rochester alone, a number of minor league sport teams exist offering potential internship experiences in soccer, baseball, ice hockey, and indoor/outdoor lacrosse. Beyond professional sport, students have garnered experiences with private high schools athletic departments; not-for profit organizations like the Monroe County Sports Commission and Boys’ And Girls’ Club; as well as municipal recreation departments in the region. In addition to the varied experiences available within the Rochester area, St. John Fisher College serves as the site of the Buffalo Bills’ preseason summer training camp.
Below is a partial list of placements sport management students have participated in:
- United States Olympic Training Center, Lake Placid
- Phoenix Coyotes, National Hockey League
- Monroe County Sports Commission
- 85th PGA Championship, Oak Hill Country Club
- Arena Football League Office, Chicago, IL
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America
- Syracuse University Athletic Department
- Rochester Americans, American Hockey League
- Buffalo Bills, National Football League
- Monroe County Special Olympics
- Brighton Parks and Recreation Department
- Mid-town Athletic Club
- Total Sports Experience, Facility Management, Rochester, NY
- The Golf Channel
- American Junior Golf Association
- Madison Square Garden
- Florida Marlins, Major League Baseball
- WHAM-TV Sports department
- Delaware North Company
- Eastside YMCA
- Cleveland Cavaliers, National Basketball League
- Turning Stone Resort PGA Championship
- Troyer Motor Sports
- Empire State Games - New York
- Disney Hilton Head Resort
- Canisius College Athletic Department
Travis Tiernan '09
When the time came to make my decision on where to further my education, I knew exactly where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. I knew St. John Fisher had an up and coming Sport Management program and had already distinguished themselves as one of the best programs in the state. The professors have an endless amount of real life experience that makes learning enjoyable and interesting. The biggest "eye catcher" was the extensive network and the "go out of their way" mentality that the program has. Classes are challenging, yet intriguing and push you to think outside the box which makes everything very rewarding. Working on assignments that deal directly with local professionals in the industry makes résumé building easy and your network begins to grow immediately upon arriving.
As the major becomes more established, the amount of contacts the department can put you in touch with increases continuously; making it easier to access some of the best opportunities in the country. I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for the tireless effort put forth by the department. Through alumni events, roundtable discussions, luncheons with local professionals, and generous financial support, I was able to make contacts outside of school. This exposure was critical and it helped me land a paid internship with the Florida Marlins. From there, I took what the Marlins organization taught me along with the lessons I learned from Fisher and turned my internship into a full-time Account Executive position with benefits and a salary included.
I also took advantage of the opportunities on campus. The professors have an "open door policy." If they weren't taking care of another student or some sort of academic matter, they were always willing to sit down and talk/listen.
St. John Fisher has molded me into the professional that I am today. From the first day learning about professionalism (clean shaven, firm hand shake, etc.) to the final capstone presentation, my time as a Sport Management major helped me create a large network, partake in some of the best experiences of my life, and has helped position me for future success.
Travis Tiernan is an Account Executive for the Florida Marlins, MLB