Written by Amanda Neppl
From November 14 to 18, the Sport Management Student Association (SMSA) took a trip to Indianapolis, IN, where members of the organization networked and gained insights on opportunities within the sports industry. SMSA members had a chance to meet with representatives from the NCAA, the Indianapolis Colts, the Indiana Pacers, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis Indians. “It was cool to hear from so many different departments within each organization we met with,” says Tevis Jordan, the treasurer for SMSA and one of the coordinators of the trip.
Start Your Engines
The students started their day bright and early on Thursday, Nov. 14, for what would be a long drive to Indianapolis. On Friday, SMSA members journeyed to the NCAA headquarters. There, the students heard from former FSU Athletic Director Stan Wilcox, as well as Karl Hicks. Additionally, students gained access to the museum, the NCAA Hall of Champions, which includes artifacts from collegiate athletics, interactive displays, trivia contests and more. Later on in the day, SMSA members met with representatives from the Indianapolis Indians, a triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Afterwards, students took a group picture on Victory Field.
Friday concluded with a visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). Here, SMSA members were joined by students from Indiana University. All the students heard from a panel of IMS representatives and had the opportunity to ask questions. Students had the chance to see Gasoline Alley, the TAG Heuer building which houses club seats, and everyone got to “kiss the bricks” on the Speedway itself!
Hearing from the Pros
On Saturday, students heard from professionals from the Indiana Pacers. After the panel, the organization stayed for the Milwaukee Bucks versus Pacers game. Although the game resulted in a loss for the Pacers, students still had a memorable experience, enjoying the game and taking photos on the court.
The final day of the trip ended on a high note. Students listened to representatives from the Indianapolis Colts. Afterwards, they attended the sponsored tailgate in front of the Lucas Oil Stadium. By 1 PM, students were ready to see the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Indianapolis Colts.
Overall, the SMSA trip provided students with the perfect once-in-a-lifetime experience. From seeing–and kissing–the Indianapolis Motor Speedway firsthand to attending two professional sporting events within the same weekend, the trip created students unforgettable memories, learning opportunities and networking for the students.
Christensen Regnier, a student in the Sport Management master’s program at Florida State University, says he particularly enjoyed “getting the chance to be around students with different areas of concentration. It is neat to see them connect with people involved in sport.”
Get Involved!
Anyone who is interested in attending a SMSA trip must be a dues-paying member of SMSA. They must also have a minimum of 10 service hours and must apply to attend the trip. SMSA is open to all majors. Meetings are weekly. Follow Sport Management Student Association on social media or stop by the SMSA table at Market Wednesday.
According to College Choice, Florida State is home to the top-ranked master's program for Sport Management. The program appeals to students globally, offering them competitive tools to advance into the sport industry through higher education. You can learn more about the Sport Management master's program by clicking here.
A native of Boca Raton, FL, Amanda is a senior studying Sport Management and minoring in Communication. She is a staff writer for the FSView & Florida Flambeau, as well as an assistant in the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs. When she is not writing or working on schoolwork, Amanda enjoys running, yoga, reading, and watching sports highlight reels. Follow the author on Twitter at @amanda_neppl.
