UISRM’s fall 2023 newsletter highlighted the World Series journeys of May 2023 graduates and Arizona Diamondback employees, Hunter Arbogast and Marc Cortez. If you have not seen that story, we encourage you to check out Discovery + Engagement = Unforgettable. While Hunter and Marc cannot say they worked for a championship-winning team as professionals yet, Reed Zahradnik (UISRM minor 2022) can.

Reed was a Baseball Analytics Apprentice for the Texas Rangers this past season and was recently promoted to Junior Analyst. Iowa Now’s Emily Nelson told Reed’s story in this Graduate Spotlight. In case you forgot or were not aware, the Rangers defeated the Diamondbacks in the 2023 World Series.

Days before the distribution of the fall 2023 newsletter, Major League Soccer crowned their champion in the MLS Cup final. In the game, the Columbus Crew defeated LAFC, 2-1. Connecting each team’s front office to UISRM showed that David Carrasco (UISRM BS 2013), Columbus Crew Academy Scout, has bragging rights for the upcoming season over Chris Evans (UISRM BS 2022), Membership Service Consultant for LAFC.

With alumni working at both organizations in the 2023 championships of MLB and MLS, it begged UISRM to ask the question: are there other champions with UI roots working at teams in the other three major professional leagues? The answer is yes.

• In the NBA, UISRM has Tyler Warner (UISRM BS 2014) who is working for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and the Denver Nuggets as a Senior Account Executive, Business Development. Paige Snitker (UISRM BS 2019, MA 2020) works in the NBA League Office in Operations & International Communications.
• In the NHL, Stephanie Rogers (BA in Health and Sport Studies, BBA in Business Administration and Marketing, Spanish minor, 2011 and UISRM Advisory Board Member since 2021) serves as the Vegas Golden Knights VP of Marketing and proudly represents the Black and Gold.
• In the NFL, Brock Baumert (UISRM BS 2017, MA 2018) serves as the Kansas City Chiefs’ Director of Team Operations, Alex Martin (UISRM BS 2016) is the Chiefs’ Operations Manager, and Morgan Murphy (UISRM minor 2018) is the Chiefs’ Production & Game Entertainment Field Coordinator. The trio stake claims to multiple Super Bowl rings. UISRM also boasts graduates on the other Super Bowl LVIII sideline in Krisanne Ryther (UISRM MA 2019) and Abimael Cruz (UISRM BS 2018) who work with the San Francisco 49ers.

As there are different paths to championships for teams in sports, there are different paths to success in the sport and recreation industry. Below are career journey summaries for three of the industry champions discussed above. 

Chris Evans (pictured left, far left): As a May 2022 graduate, Chris Evans had a full menu of guided field experiences and extra-curricular learning opportunities available upon which to build his sport and recreation management foundation. In addition to participating in the Chicago Blackhawks/Cedar Rapids Kernels, Winter Special Olympics, and UISRM Agency practicums, he was active in networking with professionals through the Hawkeye Sport Business Association and field trips. After graduation, Chris first participated in a Living Sport internship that placed him in London, England. Upon his return to the United States, he entered the industry with the Anaheim Ducks as an Inside Sales Representative before moving to LAFC as a Membership Service Consultant.

The Sport and Recreation Management program here at Iowa was so important for me and my career because it gave me an opportunity to explore and find what in this industry I was truly passionate about. Once I found that exact thing which was revenue generation, the program gave me opportunities for not only gaining experience in and out of the classroom (with the practicums), but networking with those in the industry that could help me learn and potentially help me land my first job. The experience gave me confidence and made me feel comfortable putting myself out there against stiff competition in a competitive field. -Chris Evans

Stephanie Rogers (pictured right, immediately left of Stanley Cup): While on campus, Stephanie Rogers began constructing her experience portfolio with Hawkeye Athletic Communications. Her intercollegiate athletic experience earned her a 4-month internship with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. From there, Stephanie hit the links with the American Junior Golf Association as its Communication Manager. Building on her experience in golf, Stephanie transitioned to the PGA TOUR, beginning as a Digital Marketing Specialist, receiving several promotions, and elevating her responsibilities to Director, Corporate Partnerships, Strategy, and Innovation. Looking for a new challenge, she accepted the position of VP Marketing with Vegas Golden Knights in July 2022.

Morgan Murphy (pictured at top): A native of Coal Valley, IL, Morgan began her journey in sport and recreation as the Hawkeye Softball Team Manager. Leveraging her experiences around the diamond, she next interned with the Quad City River Bandits Entertainment Team. Participation in the Chicago Blackhawks/Cedar Rapids Kernels Practicum further prepared her for work in the ‘Big Four,’ first with the Green Bay Packers as a Game Entertainment Intern. After two seasons with the Packers, Morgan accepted a role at the TBK Bank Sports Complex before returning to ‘Titletown’ as a Game Day Specialist for the 2021 season. Her experience in Green Bay prepared her to work with Chiefs Kingdom, first as an Entertainment Assistant in 2022, and more recently as the Entertainment Field Coordinator. In addition to her seasonal responsibilities with the Chiefs, Morgan works full time with Marriott in the Kansas City area as an Events Manager.

You can't fake passion, so make sure you pursue something you truly enjoy doing. The more passionate you are about what you do, the better you will excel in your role. Also, the sports world is smaller than you think...use that to your advantage and leave a good impression on everyone you encounter. -Morgan Murphy

While it is amusing to see the list of sport and recreation management professionals with UISRM ties at championship-winning organizations, the program is proud of all who began their career journeys in the program. The family of alumni grows each semester, with those individuals working in an array of roles and industries. To the faculty who walked with you in your first steps toward becoming a working professional, you are all champions in the industry.