For Cairn University sport management students, learning extends far beyond the classroom. Recent visits to Citizens Bank Park and Trenton Thunder Ballpark provided opportunities to step into the professional environments they are studying and see sport management concepts in action.
On September 24, students enrolled in the Introduction to Sport Management course attended Philadelphia Phillies College Night at Citizens Bank Park. Beyond enjoying a Major League Baseball game, students observed the many elements that contribute to a successful professional sporting event, including venue operations, event management, and the overall fan experience.
A few days later, students in the Sports Facilities Management course traveled to Trenton Thunder Ballpark, just down the road from Cairn’s campus. The visit offered firsthand insight into the management and operation of a professional sports facility, allowing students to connect classroom concepts with the realities of running a live venue.
While each experience provided a different perspective on the industry, both offered something a classroom alone cannot provide: the opportunity to observe the sports business in action. Cairn’s location in the Greater Philadelphia region gives sport management students access to a wide variety of professional sports organizations and facilities. Experiential learning is a key component of Cairn’s sport management curriculum, and these settings create valuable opportunities for students to engage with the industry firsthand as part of their academic experience.
