Friday, December 8, 2023
On dugout at World Series
UISRM graduates, Marc Cortez (third from right) and Hunter Arbogast (back row in center), pose in Chase Field at the World Series with colleagues. They both graduated in May 2023 with their Bachelor of Science degrees in Sport and Recreation Management and now work as New Business Consultants for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Improbable is a word that many who followed the MLB Playoffs used to describe the Arizona Diamondbacks’ run to the World Series. Ryan Bunnell is one of the reporters who did. In his Cronkite News article, he points out that at the beginning of the 2023 MLB Season, the Diamondbacks had a 1.6% implied probability to win the National League. Furthermore, he noted that the team’s record of 16-34 from mid-June to mid-August made them unlikely candidates to qualify for the postseason.

As improbable as the Diamondbacks’ postseason success still is to many, the success of Hunter Arbogast and Marc Cortez is not. Both earned their Bachelor of Science degree in Sport and Recreation Management in May 2023. Shortly after graduation, they began their professional careers with the Arizona Diamondbacks as New Business Consultants.

In addition to success in the classroom, both followed the CLAS mantra of ‘Explore. Discover. Create. Engage.’ through extra- and co-curricular activities. While the video content connected to this story shows many of the exciting scenes the pair experienced during the Diamondbacks’ World Series run, it also shares how discovery and engagement contributed to where Hunter and Marc are in their professional careers.

While the last seven months have been a whirlwind, both Hunter and Marc point to UISRM’s focus on experiential learning as a key ingredient to their early professional success. Furthermore, they shared that the Diamondbacks welcomed them with open arms and daily demonstrate their investment in team culture and individual development. Combined, Hunter and Marc have been able to thrive where others might feel overwhelmed.

Hear about Hunter and Marc's path to the World Series.

Since Hunter and Marc first interacted with the Arizona Diamondbacks Sr. Manager for New Business, AJ Gioglio, approximately one year ago through the Hawkeye Sport Business Association, the team has worked to create a stronger relationship with UISRM and its #SalesHawks. Gioglio traveled to Iowa City to contribute to the UISRM Symposium as a panelist and networking professional. AJ’s contributions led to attendees learning best practices for professional communication and interviewing as well as what working in revenue generation is like.

The strengthening partnership between the program and the Diamondbacks is evidenced by the recent news shared by current UISRM student, Nathan Morse. Upon his graduation in December, he will become the third UISRM graduate to join the Arizona Diamondbacks. Morse, like Hunter and Marc, has also seized opportunities facilitated by UISRM to explore, discover, create, and engage, most notably through participation in the 2022 National Collegiate Sports Sales Competition.

Thank you to AJ Gioglio for your contribution to the UISRM Symposium and support of UISRM students. Congratulations to Hunter and Marc on your early-career success and thank you for sharing the excitement of the Diamondbacks’ World Series run.