Guided field experience practicums are a vital ingredient in UISRM’s experiential learning formula. At this point in 2023, UISRM students have successfully completed five guided field experiences with 78 students earning course credit toward their degree. Listed below are each of the five practicums, names of all students who successfully completed each practicum, and highlights from the experience. Be sure to check out the University of Iowa feature article detailing the NASCAR practicum experience as well as the practicum highlight video that illustrates the students' experiences in San Diego.
NASCAR Practicum
Congratulations to the students in UISRM’s summer NASCAR practicum course that worked on projects for the inaugural Chicago Street Race, which saw NASCAR convert Chicago’s scenic lakefront into a racetrack.
- A.J. Avolio, Max Beckman, Reilly DiSandro, Amanda Eck, Alex Economos, Kerry Glimco, Bryor Hansel, Colin Hansel, Paul Hardin-Specht, Bryce Maddox, Derek Ravlin, Erin Souter, Giana Spilotro, Grant Thomas, Nate Waikel, and Jacob Zucker.
Special congratulations to the project teams of 1) Derek Ravlin, Erin Souter, Bryce Maddox, and Colin Hansel, and 2) Giana Spilotro, Amanda Eck, A.J. Avolio and, Bryor Hansel. Executives singled out those two project teams for presenting the top overall promotional campaigns (Chicago Street Race collaborations with Lyrical Lemonade and the Big Ten Conference).
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 in future years. All four project teams received high praise for their work from Christian Bochicchio, NASCAR Senior Manager of Marketing Communications; Cole McGinnis, NASCAR Senior Manager of Licensing and Consumer Products (UISRM alumnus); and Andrew Engel, NASCAR Licensing and Consumer Products Manager (UISRM alumnus). Executives indicated that each team presented recommendation elements that could be activated as soon as 2024.
As part of their research leading up to presentations, students met with executives from NASCAR, the Big Ten Conference, the Golden State Warriors, Hometeam marketing agency, and Children’s Miracle Network.
After presenting, the class traveled to Chicago to experience the race behind the scenes. Students got hands-on experience in licensing enforcement and media relations, shadowed and networked with executives, and observed the event management collaboration needed to pull off the race as NASCAR adapted its schedule to fit an unusually long rain delay.
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!
- Evan Alexandrou, Gray Baginski, Braxton Beal, Audrey Black, Parker Brueck, Paige Buikema, Brendan Cooperider, Austin Dell, David Henderson, Holden Hudson, Ryan Mace, Drew Mckevitt, Bailey Ortega, Christian Paloma, Meghan Phelan, Bradley Rehg, Liz Shatek, and David Torrence.
Students kicked off the practicum by collaborating with the Team USA practicum students and working with USA Team Handball, Iowa Athletics, and the Iowa City Area Sports Commission. Once in San Diego, Iowa students joined a group from Ohio University to work with five clients – the Farmers Insurance Open, the San Diego Wave FC, San Diego Loyal SC, The Big West Conference, and historic Belmont Park. The project partners came to the University of San Diego for presentations. The student group attended games with the Padres, Wave FC, and SD Loyal SC.
Team USA Practicum
Congratulations to the select summer 2023 Team USA Practicum students who participated in a once-in-lifetime opportunity to learn, network, and immerse themselves within the Olympic Movement!
- Evan Alexandrou, Braxton Beal, Audrey Black, Brendan Cooperider, Austin Dell, Ben MacArthur, Matt McColaugh, Bailey Ortega, Meghan Phelan, Molly Rygh, Liz Shatek, and Nick Watson.
During the action-packed week in Colorado Springs – Olympic City USA, students were able to hear directly from and connect with over 20 guest speakers including representation from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), United States Olympic and Paralympic Foundation (USOPF), Untied States Olympic and Paralympic Museum (USOPM), Seven (7) National Governing Bodies (NGBs), Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, Rocky Mountain Vibes Baseball Organization, plus Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Included among the speakers were UISRM alumnae Morgan (Rabine) Benham with USA Wrestling and Lindsay Welker with the USA Triathlon Foundation.
“Living like an Olympian” rang true as these students resided on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center (Colorado Springs) campus in the same dorms as resident athletes, ate at the Athlete Dining Hall, and even worked out in the Team USA Weight Room.
Students worked in groups on Olympic Movement-focused projects assigned by the Training Center’s Visitor Center, the USOPC Collegiate Partnerships group, and USA Fencing that targeted current and impactful topics for each partner organization. Students delivered formal presentations of their research and recommendation and received extremely positive feedback from executives who were impressed with the student work.
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 United States Olympic and Paralympic Velodrome (speed cycling)
- Tour of the USOPC Headquarters
- Tour of the USOPC Archives
- Tour of USA Swimming Headquarters
- Tour of UCHealth Park (Pioneer League baseball)
- Wheelchair Basketball Experience
- Sitting Volleyball Experience
- USA Shooting Experience
- Top Golf Experience
- Toured Garden of the Gods Park, Pikes Peak (14k’), and the United States Air Force Academy
Representative student comments following the experience included:
- “The speakers were all great and I am so thankful for the opportunity to grow my network.”
- “Thank you for such an amazing trip – I will forever remember it!!!!!”
- “Thank you for this amazing experience.”
- “…I would definitely recommend to other students in the future.”
- “I absolutely loved this practicum! I really enjoyed all the experiences we were able to fit in in a week and feel that I really learned a lot about the Movement.”
- “I will forever remember it.”
- "It helped me bond with classmates all while enjoying a wonderful and knowledgeable experience.”
Fans First
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!
- Shane Arnold, Josie Bedard, Charlie Bischoff, Jeremy Chaplin, Karlin Chavez, Mia Clark, Kevin Cunniff, Hugo Flores, Taylor Fox, Michael MacDonald, Zach Madden, Libbie Malecek, Kaden McAreavy, Clayton McFarland, Liam Moran, Beau Nieman, Brinden O'Leary, Jackson Palmersheim, Aubrey Roberts, Devin Schwarz, Alex Shifflett, Gavin Skale, Charlie Vogel, and Michael Watson.
Practicum students were integral in Hawkeye Athletics safely executing events including men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s track and field, wrestling, gymnastics, swimming, and many non-Iowa events. In addition, the class executed the area's annual pickleball tournament in partnership with GreenState Family Fieldhouse and Johnson County Pickleball. The sponsorship group was able to secure some amazing prizes as Hardwood Havoc saw full participation in two levels of play and participants traveling as far as two hours to compete. Our winning team consisted of a former Iowa track athlete and his brother!
UISRM Agency
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.
- Blaise Cooper, Dylan Deschler, Tyler Endres, Taylor Fox, Rob Goode, Paul Hardin-Specht, Jill Holub, Karenna Larson, Zach Morden, Nathan Morse, Bailey Ortega, Drake Powell, Mason Richman, Gary Schwarz, Cade Snakenberg, Grant Smaellie, Brittlyn Taylor, Erin Souter, Kate Warfield, and Ian Zagaeski.
The Agency began with all associates working with the John Deere Classic (JDC) to recruit volunteers aged 18-24 to support the 2023 tournament. From there, one team continued work with the JDC to develop long-tern solutions to continue to grow the number of college students and young professionals who support the event. Thank you to Assistant Tournament Director, Ashley Hansen, and Project Coordinator, Peter Zucker (UISRM Minor 2020), for rekindling the partnership between UISRM and the JDC.
Beginning in week 5, the Agency onboarded a new partner, Knoxville Raceway, through a prior partnership with Spire Sports and Entertainment. Three teams of associates developed strategy for an economic impact study, developed race theme nights, and provided best practices to monetize the speedway's digital footprint. Thank you to Knoxville Raceway General Manager, Jason Reed, and Spire President, Todd Mackin, for the support and learning opportunities through the UISRM Agency projects.
In addition, the Agency continued to support Julie Decker, Harvest Preserve Executive Director, and the Harvest Adventure Camps. One team of associates created curriculum for the 'Blockbuster' theme week that allowed camp participants to learn about nature and teamwork through movies such as Avengers and Star Wars.