First General Body Meeting Thursday Night

State of the Student Union: August 2013

The last three years have seen the Drexel Sport Management Student Union grow from merely an idea in the imagination of one ambitious sport management student to a burgeoning student organization on the ever-improving Drexel University campus.  As it goes, the SMTSU grows as the Drexel sport management program grows as the University as a whole grows.  With growth comes change, and as you read last week, there are changes coming to the SMTSU.

SMTSU Announces Leadership Changes

PHILADELPHIA, PA- For the first time since its inception in late 2010, the Sport Management Student Union (SMTSU) at Drexel University will be under new leadership. Kevin Giordano has decided to step down from his position as president, with Kevin Rossi assuming the top position. SMTSU has also announced the creation of an Advisory Board to guide its strategic operations.

As a co-founder of the organization in his final term at Drexel University, Giordano noted nearing graduation as the primary reason for stepping down as president.

"This fall term is my last and it's time to pass the baton. Kevin Rossi is more than ready to assume the position. His determination and entrepreneurial mindset, coupled with a keen understanding of organizational operations, makes him the perfect fit to lead the organization moving forward."

Kevin Rossi brings both SMTSU and industry experience to the top position. He is well-versed in social media, athletic communications and leadership. Rossi pointed to his excitement about the opportunity when asked for thoughts on the change.

"Kevin (Giordano) has been a great mentor to me throughout my time at Drexel.  He has taught me how to become a true leader, and I look forward to taking those lessons to bring the SMTSU to knew heights.  Kevin started and developed an influential organization on Drexel's campus, and I can't wait to begin the challenge of continuing on with his vision and continuing to move the SMTSU forward."

SMTSU has also unveiled an Advisory Board to provide additional organizational oversight and direction. The board consists of current Faculty Advisory Dr. Ellen Staurowsky, sports journalist at ESPN Mike Mazzeo, graduate sport management student Patrick Gallagher, and outgoing president Kevin Giordano.

The organization is currently finalizing functional planning for the 2013-2014 annual year. The previous school year saw more member participation, record blog viewership, and increased clout in speakers brought to campus. SMTSU has plans in place to build upon and exceed quality of the previous year.

SMTSU Is Now On Campus Soapbox!

As the Drexel SMTSU continues to grow alongside the Drexel Sport Management program as a whole, we are always looking for ways to further our engagement with the Drexel community as a whole.  After all, who doesn't like sports?  Seriously.

An Evening with Ethan Zohn

Interested in hearing Ethan Zohn speak?  RSVP for the event on Facebook!

General Body Meeting: Social Media Scavenger Hunt This THURSDAY

Meeting Thursday: The Business of March Madness

SMTSU General Body Meeting: Personal Branding

Drexel SMTSU Announces 'The Sports Biz Report' Podcast

Sports & Cookies Event

SMTSU Catchphrase Thursday Night

SMTSU "Meet and Greet" on WEDNESDAY!

SMTSU Pictionary TONIGHT!

SMTSU Sports Pictionary THURSDAY!

SMTSU Sports Quizzo TONIGHT!

WHAT: SMTSU Sports Quizzo

WHEN: TONIGHT! From 7-8pm

WHERE: Drexel Plaza Seminar Room 004

WHO: YOU and other knowledgeable Drexel Sport Management students

WHY: Test your sports business and general sports knowledge against the most knowledgeable sports fans at Drexel!  There will be 4 to 6 teams in a quizzo style competition. 

The winning team will receive an SMTSU drawstring bag!

There will be pizza, soda and Insomnia cookies.

Grab a friend and join us TONIGHT to test your sports knowledge with us!

SMTSU Sports Quizzo

WHAT: SMTSU Sports Quizzo

WHEN: THIS THURSDAY October 25th 7-8pm

WHERE: Drexel Plaza Seminar Room 004

WHO: YOU and other knowledgeable Drexel Sport Management students

WHY: Test your sports business and general sports knowledge against the most knowledgeable sports fans at Drexel!  There will be 4 to 6 teams in a quizzo style competition. 

The winning team will receive an SMTSU drawstring bag!

There will be pizza, soda and Insomnia cookies.

Grab a friend and join us THURSDAY to test your sports knowledge with us!

Philly Sports Networking at Xfinity Live

Recently, I had sent out information to my Sport Management students (and otherwise marketed) an upcoming networking event meant for current and aspiring sports industry professionals.  This event, by way of an additional shameless plug, is the “Philly Sports Networking event” which is being held on September 19th from 6:00-9:00pm at the new Xfinity Live facility near the sports complex in South Philadelphia.  This event is tricky when it comes to networking and getting the most out of it as compared to let’s say a career fair but nonetheless it is extremely valuable and worth your while.

When attending a networking event or an otherwise-titled social event that has a professional feel to it (like an awards dinner, for example), it is usually helpful to go into it with some sort of goal in mind.  I want to walk out of here with 10 business cards or I want to handout 5 resumes.  However, you may not have a business card to give or an event (like this) asks that you not bring your resume.  Still, try to go into the event thinking that you want to meet x number of new people, possibly collect y number business cards, or set-up z number of follow-up coffee or lunch meetings or informational interviews.  Go into it with a game plan!

Networking nights are unique.  Everyone has an agenda.  Some people are in it for the social aspect (meeting new friends, having a drink).  Others are looking for potential leads for business development purposes (sales, money).  A few people might be looking for a job and if you are lucky, a small percentage of the attendees might be looking to hire now or in the near future.  There are probably another half dozen reasons for attending but let’s just stick with these for now.  Because there are different motives for being there, I’d suggest that you have reasonable expectations. 

Since you don’t know who will be there, you can’t do homework on each person or company.  No big deal.  Be prepared personally and it’ll all fall into place.  For you, develop a 30 second commercial or an elevator speech.  Tell people who you are and what you do but do so concisely.  Then listen.  Ask questions of the people you are meeting with.  Networking nights are a two-way street…in other words, don’t be selfish.

Aside from dressing appropriately (business casual will suffice), be sure to bring something to write with and jot down notes on.  If you don’t have a business card, as I assume most college students do not, bring a professional-looking padded portfolio.  Try to get the name, phone, and email of the people you meet if you do indeed plan on following up.  Then, here is the key.  FOLLOW-UP.  I’ve been to dozens of networking events and collected hundreds of business cards but that is only half the battle.  What you do next is key.  Email them, call them, and/or connect with them on LinkedIn.  Continue the relationship that started with a handshake and build on that relationship.  Networking takes time.

Finally, I would try to meet and introduce yourself to the organizers.  Thank them for putting the event together and inviting you.  Perhaps they might be willing to lend you a hand in the challenging world of navigating a networking night.  Good luck!

SMTSU Announcement!

We hope that everybody's summer is off to a great start whether you are at home (lucky), on co-op, or in class.  Here at the Sport Management Student Union we have some big plans coming up for next year and WE WANT YOU to get involved.  If you are interested in being on a planning committee to map out next year or just helping out with anything general, then please contact the SMTSU directly at drexelsmtsu@gmail.com or email Kevin Rossi at kevin.t.rossi@gmail.com. 

SMTSU Networking Night

Who: Drexel Sport Management Student Union, Eagles, Turnkey, NFL Films, Drexel Athletics, and YOU

What: SMTSU Networking Night

Where: Sky View Room in McAlister

When: Wednesday May 16th at 6pm

How: RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/308865585858340/

Join the Sport Management Student Union for a night of networking. Drexel's own Mark Gress, Employer Relations Coordinator for the Steinbright Career Development Center will MC the night, focusing on developing your networking skills in sports. Hear firsthand from top spo...rts organizations in the area on what they look for when meeting potential employees.

Bring business cards to exchange with our panelists!

Some lucky attendees will also win an SMTSU PRIZE PACK - with a SMTSU branded shirt, water bottle, key chain, and draw-string bag!

Sports Organizations in Attendance:

Erik Rausch
Human Resources Coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles

Carolyne Savini
Director of Executive Recruiting, Turnkey Sports & Entertainment

Bryan Ford
Manager of Student/Member Services, Drexel Athletics

Cara Angelucci
Internship Coordinator, NFL Films

Business casual attire required. Finger foods and light refreshments will be provided.

SMTSU Blog Contest

DATES OF CONTEST: May 1^st 2012 to May 31^st 2012

HOW TO ENTER: Go to www.drexelsmtsu.blogspot.com “The Sports Complex” and comment on one or more of the blog posts.  Each comment will enter the commenters name into a prize drawing (Ex. One comment = name into drawing once, two comments = name into drawing twice, etc.).

WHY: After the contest period of May 1^st to May 31^st, comments will be tallied and the drawing will be held on or about Friday June 1^st, 2012.  The winner of the prize drawing will be randomly selected and contacted via email or phone. 

PRIZES: One (1) grand prize will be awarded.  The grand prize is a Drexel SMTSU prize pack consisting of one (1) SMTSU Keychain, one (1) SMTSU Water Bottle, and (1) SMTSU Drawstring Bag. 

Prizes will be provided by the Sport Management Student Union

This contest is open to everybody everywhere.

Any comment containing profanity/obscene language will be deleted and participant will be disqualified.