The Hagan School of Business kicked off this year’s Sports and Entertainment Dinner Series with a trio from the best of the business. The series was initiated to provide students with a direct link to the sports and entertainment world. It allowed students a chance to ask questions about breaking into the business from professionals who have gone through all of the motions and succeeded. 

The first guests of the year included Founder and President of Prodigy Sports Scott Carmichael, Founder and President of Convergence Sports & Media LLC Tom Richardson and Vice President of Human Resources of Octagon Marketing Brian Smith.

The goal of the event was to help students and provide them with “Different perspectives that hopefully will give you guidelines to get your career going,” said President of H&H Consulting and Executive Director for the Center of Sports and Entertainment Studies Glenn Horine.

Horine ran the event as a question and answer format, asking the guests about their careers and how they got there. He also encouraged the audience to ask their own questions, even throwing in free career books as incentive to speak up.

Each guest shared pride for their efforts and where they stand today in the business, but each spoke specifically of how they got there. “We all make mistakes. You grow and take it to the next level,” said Smith.

The panel made an assortment of recommendations, but certain tips came up repeatedly. “Your written and verbal communication is so key,” said Carmichael. He is a big believer in the human aspects of communication and not solely relying on the virtual side of today’s technology. However, the advantages of that technology could not be denied throughout the conversation.

Amidst all the advice, the prominent theme of the night was networking. Each panelist shared personal experiences to prove how networking furthered his or her careers. Each story demonstrated how every step one takes affects their future.

A major part of the networking experience is the connections one makes and turns into mentorships. “There are mentors out there but you, the mentee, have to initiate it,” said Horine. Richardson explained that any relationship could turn into a mentor; only it cannot be forced. It is determined by the chemistry and the mutual respect the mentor and the student share for one another.

The panel’s enthusiasm for their careers showed through their eagerness to help the soon-to-be-graduates in the audience. Everyone listened intently to the advice they had to give, and many students took notes on the pointers they shared about industry.  To help counter the competitiveness of the business, the Sports and Entertainment Series provides Iona students with valuable networking correspondents, priceless advice and not to mention, a free dinner.