Recreation, Sport, & Tourism
2021 Sapora Symposium Schedule
(RST 199 - 1 credit hour) for the second eight weeks of fall semester available on the Course Explorer! The theme of the Symposium is “Sapora 2021 - Let’s Get REAL”:
- R Recreation, Sport and Tourism
- E Entrepreneurial &
- A Applied
- L Leadership
Course is offered in synchronous (CRN 47481) and asynchronous (CRN 62591) sections
Thursday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.
TOPIC: “Finding Solutions by Integrating Your Assets”
Excel Sports Management Panel
Excel Sports Management is an industry-leading management and marketing agency that represents top-tier talent, blue-chip brands and marquee properties. Established in 2002, Excel is based in New York City and has offices in Los Angeles and Miami.
- Named 2019 Best Employer in Sports by Front Office Sports
- Represent Tiger Woods and Derek Jeter
Panel Discussion:
- Bobby Barad - Excel Sports Management Agent
- Javon Phillips - Excel Sports Management Agent
- Mike Fonesca - Excel Sports Management Agent
- Stephanie Arpaia - Excel Sports Management Agent
Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m.
TOPIC: “Everybody has the ability to be life changing to someone.”
Speaker:
Thursday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m.
Ian Happ – Outfielder, Chicago Cubs
Topic- “Being where your feet are..”
Background: In just his first few seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Happ is already breaking team records and making league history. He established himself as one of baseball’s breakout stars when he hit a home run during his first at-bat of his major league debut. His momentum only continued when he homered on the first pitch of the 2018 season, making him the second player in MLB history to hit a home run off the first pitch of the season
Chaim Bloom – Chief Baseball Officer, Boston Red Sox
Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m.
Ayo Dosunmu – Chicago Bulls / Illini Basketball star
Topic – “Saying what you mean…and doing what you say”
Background – Illlini Basketball Legend / 2021 2nd Round Draft pick for the Chicago Bulls.
DJ. Svihlik
Director of amateur scouting for the Miami Marlins and 1998 Big Ten Conference Player of the Year with Illinois.
Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m.
TOPIC: “The Business of Live Sports: Contemporary Issues in a Complicated Age”
Panel Discussion:
- Gideon Cohen, Senior Vice President, Media Talent, Excel Sports Management
- Sweeny Murti, New York Yankees Pregame / Postgame Radio Host, WFAN Radio
- Jim Duquette, former General Manager of the New York Mets / Co-host on MLB Network radio
- Dani Wexelman (Sirius XM MLB On Air Host)
Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m.
TOPIC: “Heads Up Approach to Leadership / Overcoming Curses”
Speaker:
Theo Epstein – 3 time MLB World Series Winning Executive (Architect of Cubs World Championship 2016)
Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.
TOPIC: “How to a throw a party for 100,000 people”
Panel Discussion:
- Rich Goodstone, Founder of the Bonnaroo Music Festival (Manchester, Tenn).
- Carmen Rossi, Chicago Hospitality Entrepreneur/ Lalapalooza Executive
Thursday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.
TOPIC: “Storytelling: Building an Emotional Connection with Your Brand”
Panel Discussion:
- Josh Shaw, founder and CEO of MISSION Athletecare (https://www.mission.com/)
- Brian Berger, founder and CEO of Mack Weldon (https://mackweldon.com/)
- Chief Zaruk, founder of Big Loud Record Label / Talent Management Agency (Nashville)