UISRM’s guided field experience programs are vital to students’ experience portfolios as they pursue a career in sport and recreation. The project-based coursework provides opportunities to develop knowledge, skills, and abilities in collaborative environments that position them for success in a range of sport and recreation roles. Already in 2025, over 85 students earned course credit and moved closer to their dream job in sport and recreation through guided field experience working with organizations such as Hawkeye Athletics, NASCAR, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Chicago Fire FC, and more. Listed below are each of the six practicums, names of all students who successfully completed each practicum, and highlights from the experience.
San Diego Sports Consulting Practicum
Congratulations to each of the students who successfully completed the San Diego Sports Consulting practicum and provided innovative solutions to a range of partners located in the San Diego market!
- Liv Arrowsmith, Nathan Bernabe, Alina Davis, Drew Dole, Brennan Hazen, Henry Hissrich, John Hussin, Yunping Ji, Hayden Krause, Samantha Meents, Kenny Michaels, Nicolas Olson, Pearl Reisz, and Morgan Schroeder.
The San Diego Sports Consulting Practicum celebrated its 12th iteration in 2025. Fourteen UISRM students spent two weeks in San Diego County working with four partner organizations: the San Diego Padres, the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, the NLL’s San Diego Seals, and the US Rugby Foundation. Trips to Petco Park for a stadium tour and Dodgers-Padres game and an NWSL game at Snapdragon Stadium were highlights of the experience. Presentations were well received by the partners and another cohort has raised the bar for SDSCP.
Team USA Practicum
Congratulations to 2025 Team USA Practicum cohort who participated in a once-in-lifetime opportunity to learn, network, and immerse themselves within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement!
- Leah Harris, Yunping Ji, Lilly Lowry, Marcus Marzen, Riley Moore, Joshua Pelzer, Sarah Petani, Carlee Rochford, Wyatt Streeby, Julius Thukral, Joelle Wessels, and Charlie Wolf
During the action-packed week in Colorado Springs – Olympic City USA, students were able to hear directly from and connect with over 25 guest speakers including representation from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), United States Olympic and Paralympic Foundation (USOPF), United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum (USOPM), multiple National Governing Bodies (NGBs), Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, Rocky Mountain Vibes Baseball Organization, plus Olympic and Paralympic athletes. In a full-circle experience, alumnae Morgan (Rabine) Benham (BS 2017) with USA Wrestling served as a guest speaker after only a few years removed from being in the practicum students' shoes.
Students enjoyed a full schedule of educational and memorable experiences during the practicum:
- Visited and interacted with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum (USOPM)
- Tour of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center
- Tour of the USOPC Headquarters
- Tour of the USOPC Archives
- Tour of USA Swimming Headquarters
- Tour of USA Hockey Headquarters
- Tour of UCHealth Park
- Wheelchair Basketball Experience
- USA Shooting Experience
- Top Golf Experience
- Rocky Mountain Vibes baseball game (Pioneer League)
- Experienced Garden of the Gods Park, rode the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak (14k’), and visited and the United States Air Force Academy campus
Students worked in groups on Olympic and Paralympic Movement-focused projects assigned by the Olympic Training Center’s Visitor Center, the USOPC Collegiate Partnerships group, and US Olympic and Paralympic Museum. Students delivered formal presentations of their research and recommendation and received extremely positive feedback from executives who were impressed with the student work.
Representative student comments following the experience included:
- “…it was a great time, and I made lots of new friends and connections.”
- “It was an amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone who is willing and able to go.”
- “I had a great time, and this was a trip I will think about for a very long time. Not every SRM student gets to experience this, so it feels good to have a little leg up in the networking world!”
- “…I learned a lot about myself and what I want to do with my life through this experience, so thank you!”
- “I love this Practicum, best Practicum ever and also excited to share this experience in the LinkedIn.”
- “I enjoyed my time in Colorado Springs. I believe it has helped my learning tremendously and I thought the experience was valuable.”
- “This was one of the best trips, including family ones, that I have ever been on - I am just thankful for being a part of it!”
- “I really enjoyed this experience and thought it was one of the most fun things I have gotten to be a part of! It really is the only course I would take over and over again!”
- “This week was truly once in a lifetime, and I would do 100 times over again if I had the opportunity!”
Thank you to all that help to make this practicum a reality! We are looking forward to the fifth edition of this incredible student experience for 2026!
NASCAR Chicago Street Race Practicum
Congratulations to the students in UISRM’s summer NASCAR practicum course that worked on projects for the Chicago Street Race, which saw NASCAR convert Chicago’s scenic lakefront into a race track.
- Sani Brewer-Wimes, Evan Fowler, Charlie Fox, Zach George, Trina Griffin, Hunter Harrison, Tommy Kerwin, Austin Kurt, Kylee Logan, Eli Mall, Jacob Mall, Caitlin Montgomery, Tavien Neipert, Garrett Packer, Joseph Skaja, Kyle Strider, Eddie Tepper, Jane Teuber, Paige Thompson
Special congratulations to the project team of Hunter Harrison, Sani Brewer-Wimes, Eli Mall, Trina Griffin and Garrett Packer. Executives singled them out for presenting the top overall promotional campaign for their development of the “Creator Clash” campaign that would blend motorsports with digital creator culture to reach Gen Z.
During the practicum, students performed market research and developed and presented creative promotional campaigns designed to increase Gen Z ticket purchases and TV viewership of the Chicago Street Race. All four project teams received high praise for their work from Cole McGinnis, NASCAR Director of Licensing and Consumer Products (UISRM alumnus), and Matt Nordby, NASCAR Managing Director of Communications, who indicated that each team presented realistic campaign elements that could be activated.
After presenting, the class traveled to Chicago to experience the race behind the scenes. Students got hands-on experience in customer service, toured the track and media room, met executives from NASCAR and Legends event company, and enjoyed the Cup Series race day as fans.
This was the fifth practicum that UISRM and NASCAR have collaborated on since 2020, and the second time the student work was focused on the Chicago Street Race. UISRM students were also on the scene for the inaugural Chicago Street Race in 2023.
Business of Golf Practicum
Congratulations to each of the students who successfully completed the Business of Golf practicum and learned details about a growing sector of sport and recreation!
- Nathan Bernabe, Nathan Besler, Ashton Carmer, Maizy Cowman, Nate Dierickx, Dylan Dorian, Nick Hunter, Jack Hussin, Carson Leonard, Kenny Michaels, Shelby Reck, Joelle Wessels, and Jackson Yurgae.
Thirteen University of Iowa students began the practicum by joining students in the San Diego Sports Consulting and the Team USA practicums for pre-week learning in Iowa City. In doing so, students learned the basics of consulting and presentation standards for UISRM by working on projects with First Tee of Central Iowa and the Iowa City Area Sports Commission.
Following pre-week activities, students began their Business of Golf learning journey through ‘Lecture and Learn Meetings’ and ‘Experience and Learn Sessions’. These learning activities provided students foundational knowledge of the business model, operation, and maintenance of golf courses, indoor golf and entertainment centers, and outdoor hitting range and entertainment centers. Special thanks to the professionals at Finkbine Golf Course, X-Golf, and Pinseekers for sharing their time and expertise.
The culmination of the students’ experience involved working several marquee events. First, students delivered participant-focused events benefiting the Johnson County I-Club and the Iowa Women’s Basketball program at Finkbine Golf Course. Next, students traveled to Silvis, IL to work the John Deere Classic PGA TOUR spectator-focused event. Students served in a preparatory role in advance of play and as part of the Event Management and Guests Services team fulfilling various specific tasks once play began.
To demonstrate their learning through the practicum, students performed research to develop recommendations for the benefit of future John Deere Classic tournaments. The three areas of emphasis included partnerships and sponsorships, college-aged volunteers, and upgraded hospitality options. After formulating recommendations, students presented their findings to John Deere Classic tournament staff. Special thanks to Peter Zucker (Manager, Tournament Services – John Deere Classic, UISRM Minor 2020, pictured front left with students) who helped re-ignite the partnership between UISRM and the John Deere Classic.
UISRM Agency Practicum
Congratulations to each of the students who successfully completed the UISRM Agency practicum and provided innovative solutions to a range of sport and recreation industry partners!
- Nathan Bernabe, Connor Boyd, Cara Burns, Drew Dole, Andy Espineira, Daniel Fleming, Elizabeth Froelich, Joe Glasgow, Trina Griffin, Travis Hantz, David Henderson, Joe Korpalski, Erin Morgenthaler, Kylee Logan, Haley Nord, Lily Rennick, Jack Rohden, Delaney Shaw, Joseph Skaja, Ethan Stout, Caden Todtz, and Joey Vogdes.
The Agency continues to expose students to industry growth opportunities for associates to pursue in sport and recreation. For spring 2025, the Agency began a long-term relationship with Chicago Fire FC through UISRM alum and Fire FC Manager, Membership Sales, Sam Bocken (BS 2020, MA 2021). Associates created innovative solutions for heritage night themes, suite sales messaging, and membership retention. Beyond working with Fire FC, associates delivered proposals to Iowa (now MidAmerica) 7v7 Football for continued growth and for a partnership with the UI Disability Studies Certificate to deliver an Adaptive Sports Festival on campus.
For the first time in the Agency’s history, associates traveled off campus to deliver their client work and experience the work environment of sport and recreation professionals. Thank you to Sam and everyone at the Fire FC for providing the experience of a lifetime at Fire FC offices and their match against Montreal FC. Check out highlights from the day by clicking on the image above.
Fans First Practicum
Congratulations to each of the students who successfully completed the Fans First practicum and provided excellent guest services and event management at a variety of local events!
- Zach George, Holly Golvach, Kaitlyn Hanna, Brennan Hazen, Tyler Herwig, Jacob Hollister, Jack Hussin, Eugene Kim, Lilly Lowry, Macie Mashek, Andrew McKevitt, Sammy Meents, Xavier Nwankpa, Jaziun Patterson, Tray Rompa, Madigan Schmidt, Morgan Schroeder, Julia Sekulich, Tucker Snook, Connor Soliday, Maddy Sullivan, and Jan Teuber.
The spring 2025 version of Fans First was another great opportunity for students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world settings. Over the course of the semester the class volunteered a total of 2,023 hours of time to working athletic events for the Iowa Athletics Department. With the hands-on involvement in the event management department students were able to work men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s wrestling, gymnastics, baseball, softball and more. The students were able to practice customer service skills while developing teamwork and problem-solving skills. Through the close collaboration with the event management department a few students will even end up with internships working with the department. It was an exciting semester!