UISRM’s guided field experience offerings are vital to students’ experience portfolios as they pursue a career in sport and recreation. The project-based coursework provides opportunities to develop knowledge, skills, and abilities in collaborative environments that position them for success in a range of sport and recreation roles. Already in 2026, over 90 students earned course credit and moved closer to their dream job in sport and recreation through guided field experience working with organizations such as the NCAA, Chicago Fire FC, Hawkeye Athletics, NASCAR, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the John Deere Classic, and more. Listed below are each of the six practicums, names of all students who successfully completed each practicum, and highlights from the experience.
Championships: Planning and Presentation Practicum
Congratulations to each of the students who successfully completed the Inaugural Championships practicum!
- Drew Dole, Kennedy Foppe, Brennan Hazen, Evan Hinders, Suazanna Huffins, Griffin Johnston, Abby Kay, Phoebe Loth, Lilly Lowry, Macie Mashek, Sarah Petani, Ella Raef, Kelly Roney, Addison Salach, Drew Smaellie, Connor Soliday, Josie Wenger, and Joelle Wessels.
The Championships practicum focused on understanding how large-scale championship events are planned, managed, and delivered from start to finish. Throughout the spring 2026 semester, students gained hands-on experience working at premier events, including the NCAA Final Four Fan Fest, the inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships, and the Missouri Valley Women's Basketball Championship.
These opportunities provided students with a behind-the-scenes look at event operations, fan engagement, logistics, and championship execution at the highest levels of sport. By applying classroom concepts in real-world settings, students developed valuable skills and industry knowledge while building professional experiences that will serve them throughout their careers.
UISRM Agency Practicum
Congratulations to each of the associates who successfully completed the UISRM Agency practicum!
- Lea Albin, Dylan Dorian, Kyle Fischer, Harry Fonseca, Sergio Gonzalez Icaza, Reese Harris, David Hoover, Austin Kurt, Zach Lapeire, Ryan Lynch, Angelina Mazza, John McGowan, Patrick Neary, Yoselyn Reyes-Ortiz, Ryan Schmitz, Mia Stahle, Joshua Stefans, and Wyatt Streeby.
For the second time, the UISRM Agency supported Chicago Fire FC through consulting projects that improved their membership benefits, helped the club better connect with families, explore new fundraising initiatives for the Chicago Fire Foundation, and expand their P.L.A.Y.S program for Chicago’s youth. After presenting their work to Fire FC executives in team offices, the associates cheered on Fire FC at their match versus Atlanta United FC on April 11. During their time in Chicago, associates also had the opportunity to tour the home of the Chicago White Sox, Rate Field.
Thank you to Chicago Fire FC’s Sam Bocken (BS 2020, MA 2021), Ryan Mantel, and Stacy Tsihlopoulos for your leadership and hospitality throughout the Spring 2026 UISRM Agency. Also, shout out to the White Sox’s Mike Mazza, Scott Reifert, Andrew Abate (BS 2014), and Isabel Martinez (BS 2023) for your generosity in hosting the UISRM Agency associates at Rate Field.
Fans First Practicum
Congratulations to each of the students who successfully completed the Fans First practicum!
- Nate Dierickx, Daniel Fleming, Nathalie Garcia, Leah Harris, Reese Harris, Leighton Jones, Joe Korpalski, Ting Han Kuah, Jackson Lamboley, Carson Leonard, Danny Moran, Carson Naegele, Ronan OBroin, Kelly Roney, Sophie Scanlan, August Schmidt, Ella Sebek, Ashton Simpson, Drew Smaellie, Grace Smyth, and Brady Tiran.
The Fans First class made a significant impact in the Spring 2026 semester, dedicating 1,872 hours to supporting a wide range of athletic and community events. From softball and baseball to NCAA Women's Basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, men's basketball, track and field, and local races, students gained real-world event management experience while successfully completing program components required for graduation. Their contributions played an important role in creating positive experiences for participants and fans. The events they supported helped students develop valuable skills in customer service, operations, teamwork, problem-solving, and professionalism that will benefit them in their future careers.
Students Learn Sport Marketing and Communications Through NASCAR Practicum Course
Congratulations to the students in UISRM’s summer NASCAR guided field experience course that worked on a real-world project for NASCAR executives while traveling to Nashville to learn about the motorsports industry behind the scenes during the Cracker Barrel 400 race weekend.
- Quinn Abbott, Lea Albin, Nick Baedaro, Natalia Caron, Braylon Demattia, Maja Day, Jose Diaz, Charlotte Feliz, Kevin Gaddam, Jonathan Lambe, Vincent Lavacca, Lina Nguyen, Isabel O’Brien, Abby Princehouse, Nathan Sanchez, Saiphani Sirimalle, Kaylie Tverberg, and Ellie Weinschenk.
- Special congratulations to the project team of Braylon Demattia, Charlotte Feliz, Lina Nguyen and Abby Princehouse. Executives singled them out for presenting the top overall promotional campaign for their development of the “Two Worlds, One Track” campaign that proposed merging motorsports with K-pop culture to capture a new Gen Z audience.
During the practicum, students performed market research and developed and presented creative promotional campaigns designed to increase Gen Z ticket purchases and streaming viewership of NASCAR’s newest race in San Diego on the Naval Base Coronado. All four project teams received high praise for their work from Cole McGinnis, NASCAR Director of Licensing and Consumer Products (UISRM alumnus and Advisory Board member), and Matt Nordby, NASCAR Managing Director of Communications, who raved about each team’s presentation of actionable campaign elements.
To begin the course, the class traveled to the Nashville Superspeedway to experience a NASCAR weekend while also making stops to learn from and network with executives at the Nashville Predators and Nashville Sounds and attend a Sounds baseball game. McGinnis spent a day leading the class around the Superspeedway to meet with executives on motorsports teams and with the race ownership group before letting them enjoy the race as fans.
This was the sixth practicum that UISRM and NASCAR have collaborated on since 2020, and the first time the students have traveled to Nashville for the experience. Well done, students!
Team USA Practicum
Congratulations to each of the students who successfully completed the Team USA practicum!
- Harry Fonseca, Evan Fowler, Henry Kohanzo, Mason Lerma, Jacob Mall, Tyler Stout, Brady Tiran, Georgia Wilson, and Jackson Yurgae.
During the action-packed week in Colorado Springs – Olympic City USA, students were able to hear directly from and connect with over 25 guest speakers including representation from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), United States Olympic and Paralympic Foundation (USOPF), United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum (USOPM), multiple National Governing Bodies (NGBs), Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, Rocky Mountain Vibes Baseball Organization, plus Olympic and Paralympic athletes. In a full-circle experience, alumnae Morgan (Rabine) Benham (BS 2017) with USA Wrestling served as a guest speaker after only a few years removed from being in the practicum students' shoes.
Students worked in groups on Olympic and Paralympic Movement-focused projects assigned by the Olympic Training Center’s Visitor Center, the USOPC Collegiate Partnerships group, and US Olympic and Paralympic Museum. Students delivered formal presentations of their research and recommendation and received extremely positive feedback from executives who were impressed with the student work.
Thank you to all that help to make this practicum a reality! We are looking forward to the fifth edition of this incredible student experience for 2026!
Business of Golf Practicum
Congratulations to each of the students who successfully completed the Business of Golf practicum!
- Colin Baker, Noah Blair, Ethan Holthaus, Joe Hughes, Austin Kurt, Chris Myren, Sebastian Simones, Carter Speer, Brett Tighe, Brady Tiran, and Brent Whene.
Thirteen University of Iowa students began the practicum by joining students in the San Diego Sports Consulting and the Team USA practicums for pre-week learning in Iowa City. In doing so, students learned the basics of consulting and presentation standards for UISRM by working on projects with First Tee of Central Iowa and the Iowa City Area Sports Commission.
Following pre-week activities, students began their Business of Golf learning journey through ‘Lecture and Learn Meetings’ and ‘Experience and Learn Sessions’. These learning activities provided students foundational knowledge of the business model, operation, and maintenance of golf courses, indoor golf and entertainment centers, and outdoor hitting range and entertainment centers. Special thanks to the professionals at Finkbine Golf Course, X-Golf, and Pin Social for sharing their time and expertise.
The culmination of the students’ experience involved working several marquee events. First, students delivered participant-focused events benefiting the Johnson County I-Club and the Iowa Women’s Basketball program at Finkbine Golf Course. Next, students traveled to Silvis, IL to work the John Deere Classic PGA TOUR spectator-focused event. Students served in a preparatory role in advance of play and as part of the Event Management and Guests Services team fulfilling various specific tasks once play began.
To demonstrate their learning through the practicum, students performed research to develop recommendations for the benefit of future John Deere Classic tournaments. The three areas of emphasis included partnerships and sponsorships, college-aged volunteers, and upgraded hospitality options. After formulating recommendations, students presented their findings to John Deere Classic tournament staff. Special thanks to Peter Zucker (Manager, Tournament Services – John Deere Classic, UISRM Minor 2020, pictured front left with students) who helped re-ignite the partnership between UISRM and the John Deere Classic.
San Diego Sports Consulting Practicum
Congratulations to each of the students who successfully completed the San Diego Sports Consulting practicum and provided innovative solutions to a range of partners located in the San Diego market!
- Carter Brandau, William Cowan, Tyler Herwig, Drew Hillman, Lauren Kuhn, Daniel Moran, Carson Naegele, William Ryan, and Caden Todtz.
The San Diego Sports Consulting Practicum celebrated its 13th iteration in 2026. Nine UISRM students spent two weeks in San Diego County working with three partner organizations: the San Diego Padres, the NLL’s San Diego Seals, and the University of San Diego. Trips to Petco Park for a stadium tour and Padres game and an NWSL game at Snapdragon Stadium were highlights of the experience. Presentations were well received by the partners and another cohort has raised the bar for SDSCP.