DCOBT Students Pave the Way with Launch of First-Ever Women in Sport Business Club
Five female Sport Business students in the Davis College of Business and Technology at 91成人AV recognized the need for a dedicated space where women interested in sport business could connect, learn and support each other, resulting in the formation of the inaugural Women in Sport Business Club.
The executive board members of the club are President Layla Green; Vice President Natalie Lewis; Secretary Adriana Fulco; Treasurer Rori Bywater and Event Planner Mikaya Stephens.
The new club cabinet says it鈥檚 both an honor and a responsibility to be the first leaders of the organization. 鈥淲e鈥檙e laying the foundation for something that we hope will continue to grow and impact future students,鈥� said Bywater, a senior Sport Business and Accounting major. 鈥淏eing part of the first executive board means setting the tone, establishing traditions and ensuring that this club provides meaningful opportunities for its members.鈥�
The mission of the Women in Sports Business Club is to establish a community that promotes leadership, creativity and career progression by providing professional development, networking opportunities, mentorship and industry insights.
Fulco, a senior Sport Business major who is also in the Grad2Grad program earning her Master of Business Administration graduate degree, feels women in sports need to support one another now more than ever.
鈥淚 think that there鈥檚 something really powerful about having a group of women who understand the challenges you鈥檙e facing and want to see you succeed. It can be intimidating to step into a male-dominated field but knowing that you have a community behind you can make all the difference.鈥�
Although titled as the Women in Sport Business club, membership and activities are open to both men and women. The club鈥檚 leaders all realize that their chosen field of study tend to be a male-dominated one.
鈥淚 do believe it鈥檚 harder for women in sports than men; however, women are currently dominating the field by being trailblazers,鈥� stated Stephens, a senior Sport Business major.
Fulco shares that the club鈥檚 sponsor, Dr. Leah Fiorentino, Expert-in-Residence/Sport Business professor in the Davis College of Business and Technology, has been incredibly supportive through the process of starting the club.
鈥淔rom the beginning, she has been one of our biggest advocates, offering us advice, guidance and encouragement whenever we鈥檝e needed it,鈥� said Fulco. 鈥淪he鈥檚 been very important in helping us navigate the logistical side of things and makes it apparent that she genuinely wants to see us succeed.鈥�
鈥淒r. Fiorentino has pushed us to continue to grow and form this club by providing advice, ideas, tools and resources to hit the ground running,鈥� shared Green, a senior Sport Business major and founding president.
Fiorentino shares that the club is an amazing initiative that is student driven. 鈥淥ver the past three semesters while I鈥檝e been with the Sport Business program, there has been a discernible increase in the percentage of women declaring Sport Business as a major or minor, she explained. 鈥淭hese women are strong leaders and have maneuvered through the legislative campus system to be approved as a campus club.鈥�
The club鈥檚 executive board members say they have all gleaned nuggets of wisdom from Fiorentino鈥檚 Sport Business classes.
鈥淥ne of the biggest takeaways from her classes is the importance of being adaptable and always seeking out opportunities to learn,鈥� explained Fulco, who noted Fiorentino has a way of making complex topics accessible and relevant to real-world situations.
According to Bywater, Fiorentino has emphasized the importance of strategic thinking, leadership, and resilience鈥攖he three qualities she says are essential for success in sports. 鈥淗er insights on industry trends and networking have been incredibly valuable, and she constantly challenges us to think critically about the sports business landscape,鈥� she said.
The new Women in Sports Business Club executive board is excited to be building a strong community of women at 91成人AV who are passionate about sports business.
鈥淥ur goal is to provide valuable experiences鈥攇uest speakers, networking events, internships and mentorship opportunities鈥攖hat will help our members succeed,鈥� noted Bywater. 鈥淲e encourage anyone interested to get involved and be part of this movement!鈥�