February is a critical month in the season for many college basketball teams. Earning wins over higher-ranked teams and avoiding upset attempts by underdogs lead to stronger ‘resumes’ with post-season play approaching. A stronger season resume helps teams rise to the top seeds in postseason tournaments. With each passing game, the pressure builds as coaches remind players of goals for the season and teams aim to perform their best at the NCAA Tournaments.

For students who are not college basketball players, particularly those graduating at the end of the spring semester, emotions and pressure are similar in February. Early spring semester is a time when prospective employers post open positions and qualified candidates compete to earn opportunities. To assist, the University of Iowa and its Pomerantz Career Center offer a range of support, events, and services to guide students through the process and help them perform their best in the interview process at the most critical time. In a similar manner to college basketball teams, students rise to the top of the applicant pools.

Beyond what is offered at an institutional level, UISRM supports resume-defining opportunities that help aspiring sport and recreation professionals rise to the top of the large applicant pools competing for a position in the industry. It is no coincidence that these events take place in the key job search month of February. History shows that these opportunities have resulted in countless UISRM graduates vaulting their way into success in the industry.

Below are highlights from student experiences at the four resume-defining opportunities.

TeamWork Online Sport Sales Workshop & Job Fair (February 2): The #SalesHawks showed up in a big way for the Cleveland Sports Sales Workshop and Job Fair presented by TeamWork Online, which brings sport sales professionals from around the country to lead the workshop and see the talent pool up close. Among the hiring managers was Sam Bocken (BS 2020, MA 2021), Manager-Inside Sales with the Chicago Fire. He greeted the 2024 #SalesHawks with a unique perspective as a UISRM alumnus. In addition to workshop sessions, the group heard from Cleveland Cavaliers President Nic Barlage, sports sales training pioneer Charlie Chislaghi, and TeamWork Online President Buffy Filippell.

Leading up to the job fair, the 11 upperclassmen were in demand from the start, booking over 100 preset interviews with hiring and sales managers from the 38 teams represented at the event. The #SalesHawks didn't stop there with approximately 40 additional meetings scheduled on site. These interviews and conversations led to multiple job, internship, and site visit opportunities. 

The group was prepared for success by UISRM faculty Anna Jensen, Jeremy Parrish, and Packy Moran through role plays and resume reviews leading up to the event. Parrish and Moran accompanied the group to provide “in-game” coaching and advice in Cleveland. 2024 #SalesHawks in attendance included Evan Alexandrou, Jaxton Boyer, Cara Burns, Zachary Goldstein, Clayton Kerch, Jacob Nonnenmann, Paola Pastrana Rocafort, Drake Powell, Devin Schwarz, Eric Skala, and Nick Watson. You can find many of their names shared in the UISRM Achievements article as several have already accepted positions in the pros. 

National Collegiate Sports Analytics Competition (February 21-22): Double-major, Michael Moran (ex. BS 2024, pictured right) represented UISRM at the National Collegiate Sports Analytics Competition in Dallas, TX. Coached by Tippie faculty Hassan Rafique, Michael analyzed ticketing data, created a five-minute presentation with data analysis and visualizations, and presented his work to a panel of judges. In a strong field of undergraduate sport analysts from around the country, Michael earned and brought home the title. Congratulations Michael!

National Sports Forum Case Cup Competition (February 24-25): Four masters students traveled to Pittsburgh, PA to compete in the National Sports Forum Case Cup competition. Steven Bott (ex. MS Business Analytics, 2024), David Henderson (BS 2023 & ex. MA 2025), Holden Hudson (BS 2023 & ex. MA 2025), and Lane Sobieski (ex. MA 2024) worked on a case presented by Sports Pittsburgh. The group’s charge was to leverage a summer event that would attract visitors to the region and beyond utilizing the city’s downtown assets and strong sports culture.

The Hawkeyes represented themselves very well in the elite 12-team competition with an event idea that utilized two of Pittsburgh’s famous “Three Rivers”. After the competition – eventually won by the University of Oregon – the team enjoyed the conference as full participants hearing from revenue-focused industry professionals and experiencing the city’s MLB and NFL stadia – as well as a 400-drone light show. UISRM’s Development and Scholarship Committee was happy to provide financial support to cover the cost of the team’s entry into the invitation-only competition.

National Collegiate Sports Sales Competition (February 26): Two soon-to-be UISRM graduates, Jaxton Boyer and Eric Skala, traveled to Atlanta, GA to participate in the National Collegiate Sports Sales Competition. In addition to representing the Hawkeyes in the competition, the pair participated in several professional development and networking sessions. Since the event, both Jaxton and Eric shared their post-graduation plans. Jaxton recently announced he will join the Cleveland Cavaliers as an Account Executive whereas Eric will join the Arizona Diamondbacks as a New Business Consultant. UISRM’s Development and Scholarship Committee was happy to provide financial support to the pair to attend the 2024 event.