Posted on Friday, December 13, 2024
Sports Management Club officers J.J. Fragoso ’25, Trystin Merson ’26 and Haleigh Redden ’27 secured a Top 25 placement out of 79 colleges and universities in the Corporate Partnerships Division at the National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship virtual qualifiers in November. The team will move on to the second round January 22-23, 2025, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
The competition, hosted by Baylor University and the Atlanta Hawks, gives students the opportunity to showcase their potential to leading professionals in the sports industry through role-playing scenarios.
Merson, who served as team leader, said this opportunity strengthened his skills in sales pitching.
“All we were given to work with was some information about the company and what they wanted,” he said. “It was up to us to guide the conversation and ultimately pitch the sale. I was able to learn about how corporate partnerships work differently than regular ticket sales and what my strengths and weaknesses were during the pitch.”
Redden said the competition allowed her the chance to get hands-on experience in this line of work.
“I have more insight on the relationships between corporations and their partnerships with other companies,” she said. “I learned what it takes to make your business stand out to the buyer.”
For Fragoso, the experience helped him better understand the ins and outs of the sales side of this industry.
“I learned how much work happens behind the scenes when it comes to figuring out what is needed in the deal,” he said.
Sports Management Associate Professor Dr. Clay Bolton gives all the credit to the students, expressing pride in the team’s performance against large institutions that include Florida State University.
“For a school of our size to do so well in our first year just speaks to the power and ability of our fine students,” Dr. Bolton said. “Our students did amazing, and I am so proud to be able to work and learn alongside them.”
Men's Basketball
LC earned a massive victory on Wednesday, Dec. 11, routing Warren Wilson by a final score of 89-56 on the road. The team returns home to host the LaGrange College Christmas Tournament Dec. 14-15. The Panthers will face off with Greensboro on Saturday, with a win advancing them to the final round on Sunday when they will take on the winner of Berry vs. East Texas Baptist.
Women's Basketball
The Panthers sit at 4-2 as they head to Atlanta, Georgia, Dec. 14-15 to play in the TownePlace Suites Classic against Warren Wilson and Southeastern Baptist on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. on both days at Dorough Field House.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Saturday, Dec. 14 – Men’s Basketball (Home) vs. Greensboro, 2 p.m., Mariotti Gym
Saturday, Dec. 14 – Women’s Basketball vs. Warren Wilson @Oglethorpe, 2 p.m., Atlanta, Georgia
Sunday, Dec. 15 – Men’s Basketball (Home) vs. Berry or East Texas Baptist, TBD, Mariotti Gym
Sunday, Dec. 15 – Women’s Basketball vs. Southeastern Baptist @Oglethorpe, 2 p.m., Atlanta, Georgia
Tuesday, Dec. 17 – Men’s Basketball at Troy, 7 p.m., Troy, Alabama
Wednesday, Dec. 18 – Women’s Basketball at Georgia College, 10:30 a.m., Milledgeville, Georgia
Change makers: LC students present research to local representative, LaGrange Daily News, Dec. 6
Category: Academics, Students
Keywords: Athletics, Business
