Senior Showcase

Welcome to my Senior Showcase of my E-Portfolio these projects and experiential learning opportunities down below have shaped not only my academic career at IU Indianapolis over the past few years but also my professional journey and aspirations. I believe these encapsulate my growth as a student and overall person throughout my time apart of the Honors College at IU Indianapolis.

Projects from 2023

As a Sports Management student at IU Indianapolis graduating with honors in December of 2024, I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects that have honed my skills and deepened my knowledge of the field. Here are some of the projects I have completed:

Honors Project: Resume Advice and Speed Interviewing Event for Sports Management Club at IUI

TESM-C 301 Project Reflection

TESM-C 301 Career and Leadership Principles

Context and Explanation:
This artifact represents a comprehensive initiative I developed during my senior year at Indiana University Indianapolis, as part of the Sports Management Club (SMC). Drawing from the Career and Leadership Principles course, the project focused on enhancing students’ professional readiness through resume-building workshops and interview simulations. Conducted during an SMC meeting, this initiative allowed participants to submit resumes for personalized feedback and engaged them in speed interviewing sessions, modeled on industry standards. The event also incorporated insights from experienced professionals, providing attendees with practical advice for pursuing internships and jobs in the sports management field.

What I Learned:
By organizing this event, I honed my project management and communication skills, particularly in coordinating with peers, SMC board members, and industry professionals. I gained a deeper understanding of the nuances of resume evaluation and the expectations for interviews within sports management. Additionally, facilitating this initiative improved my ability to lead and create value for my peers, ensuring that the event met their needs effectively.

Application to Other Settings:
The experience of planning and executing this workshop directly aligns with my career aspirations in sports management. The organizational skills and industry knowledge I gained will be invaluable in future roles that involve team leadership, event planning, or professional development initiatives. Furthermore, the ability to analyze resumes and conduct mock interviews has prepared me to mentor others in similar settings and navigate my own career journey confidently.

Significance to My Learning and Growth:
This project underscores my commitment to empowering others and advancing professionally within the sports management industry. It highlights my ability to translate theoretical knowledge into practical applications, fostering growth both for myself and my peers. Overall, this artifact demonstrates my readiness to take initiative and contribute meaningfully to professional communities, a hallmark of my academic and career journey.

Honors Project: 2018-2021 Competitive Parity through Financial Constraints of the American and European Sports Systems

Link To The Paper

TESM-S 423 Financial Principles in Sport

Context and Explanation:
This artifact is a research paper examining the concept of Competitive Parity within American and European sports leagues during the 2018-2021 seasons. The study draws on both primary and secondary data to evaluate the financial constraints imposed by Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and other regulations, analyzing their influence on team performance. The research focuses on how these financial mechanisms enabled certain teams to improve dramatically within a single season, despite disparities in budgets. This project demonstrates my ability to explore complex financial and operational aspects of the sports industry, completed as part of my academic development in sports management.

What I Learned:
Through this project, I gained an in-depth understanding of the economic structures and regulatory frameworks shaping competitive dynamics in professional sports leagues. I enhanced my skills in data analysis, comparative research, and critical thinking, as I evaluated the interplay between financial resources and team success. This exploration also deepened my appreciation for the strategic measures leagues use to foster parity, even amidst significant financial disparities.

Application to Other Settings:
The insights and analytical skills I developed will be highly relevant in my future roles within the sports industry. Whether working in team operations, league management, or consulting, understanding financial mechanisms like CBAs will enable me to contribute to creating fair and competitive environments. Additionally, the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and propose actionable solutions positions me to excel in strategic decision-making roles.

Significance to My Learning and Growth:
This research paper reflects my commitment to tackling real-world challenges within the sports industry and showcases my capability to engage with pressing financial and operational questions. By examining competitive parity, I not only gained valuable expertise but also positioned myself as a thoughtful and informed professional ready to contribute to meaningful changes in sports management practices.

Projects from 2024

Honors Project: Exploring the Dynamics of Rebranding in Major Sports Organizations and Its Impact on the Sales Process

Link To The Paper

TESM-S 301 Selling In The Sports Industry

Context and Explanation:
This artifact is a 5–7-page honors research paper that examines the intricate relationship between rebranding efforts and sales performance within major sports organizations. Completed as part of my honors project, the research integrates a detailed literature review, case studies of successful rebranding initiatives, and an empirical analysis of sales data before and after rebranding efforts. The paper explores foundational concepts such as brand identity, brand equity, and the economic impacts of rebranding on ticket sales, merchandise, and fan engagement. By blending theoretical frameworks with real-world applications, the paper offers a nuanced understanding of how rebranding can transform organizations and boost sales.

What I Learned:
Through this project, I gained a deep appreciation for the strategic elements of branding in sports management. I developed critical research skills, including synthesizing academic literature, conducting comparative analyses of case studies, and analyzing sales data. This process enhanced my ability to identify patterns and actionable insights while balancing academic rigor with practical relevance. Additionally, I better understand the motivations, challenges, and outcomes associated with rebranding efforts, knowledge that will be invaluable in sports business contexts.

Application to Other Settings:
The insights and skills I acquired through this research have direct applications to my future career in sports management. Understanding rebranding strategies equips me to contribute to branding and marketing initiatives within sports organizations, helping drive fan engagement and revenue growth. Moreover, the ability to integrate data analysis with strategic decision-making prepares me for roles that require evaluating the business impact of major organizational changes.

Significance to My Learning and Growth:
This honors project represents a pivotal step in my academic and professional journey. It highlights my ability to tackle complex, multidisciplinary topics and produce actionable insights for industry professionals. By bridging theoretical concepts with empirical analysis, the research underscores my readiness to contribute to innovative and strategic projects in the sports management field. Ultimately, this artifact reflects my growth as a researcher and aspiring sports industry professional, demonstrating my ability to connect academic learning with real-world challenges.

Honors Project: Cruise Line Management: Marketing Project for Future and Current Sports Management Students

Link To The Presentation

TESM-G 309 Cruise Line Management

Context and Explanation:
This artifact is a marketing project I developed for the Cruise Line Management study abroad program. The goal was to create a compelling pitch for my peers in the Sports Management program, highlighting the program's transformative learning experiences and practical applications of sports management principles in the cruise industry. Using my class knowledge, personal reflections, and insights from interviews with ship crew members, I crafted a PowerPoint presentation to showcase the program's unique value. The presentation features real-world examples, firsthand accounts, and visual elements like photos and videos to convey the experiential and educational benefits of this study abroad opportunity.

What I Learned:
Through this project, I deepened my understanding of the cruise industry as an extension of sports management, exploring how principles like event planning and customer engagement are applied in a unique setting. Conducting interviews and gathering testimonials provided valuable insights into the industry's operations and challenges. Additionally, I enhanced my skills in research, communication, and creative storytelling, ensuring the presentation was both informative and persuasive.

Application to Other Settings:
This project taught me how to adapt sports management concepts to unconventional contexts, such as the cruise industry. These skills are directly transferable to roles that require creative thinking, cross-industry knowledge, and marketing expertise. Furthermore, the experience of designing a professional presentation with practical insights will be invaluable in future jobs or internships, particularly those involving outreach or program promotion.

Significance to My Learning and Growth:
This artifact represents a meaningful contribution to the IUPUI Sports Management community by introducing peers to a new avenue within the industry. It also underscores my commitment to international learning and experiential education. By bridging classroom knowledge with real-world applications, the project highlights my ability to innovate and contribute as a communicator and problem-solver. Overall, this project reflects my growth as a professional who can inspire and inform others about unique opportunities for personal and career development.