In October, the Sport and Recreation Management program was able to bring back its popular field trip program after a 21-month hiatus due to the pandemic. SRM program director Dan Matheson took 56 students from all majors on campus (undergrads, grad students and law students) to the Big Ten Conference headquarters in Rosemont, Illinois, for a day of education about the business of intercollegiate athletics, learning about possible career paths, and networking. Seventeen Big Ten Conference executives from all areas of operations, including Commissioner Kevin Warren and Iowa alumni Megan Rowley and A.J. Edds, met with students to talk about their careers and share advice and inspiration.    

The following student comments on social media and in emails capture the impact the trip had:

• “It was such an eye-opening experience for me and helped me figure out that sports management is the route I want to take.”
• “Loved every minute of the trip.”

• “Yesterday was the coolest!”

• “I am so grateful for this experience and for all the wonderful connections I made today with the staff and my fellow peers!”

• “That was one of the most valuable opportunities I have had here at Iowa, and I look forward to more field trips and learning about the industry.”

Thank you to our friends at the Big Ten Conference for hosting such an impactful experience. Also, a special thank you to the John E. Evans Experiential Learning Award program in SRM for helping to keep this trip so affordable for all students!