Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management (HRTM) and Recreation & Leisure Management majors, minors, and faculty participated in the Philadelphia Phillies #CollegeSeries Sport & Facility Management Night on Monday, September 18, 2017. The high-level networking, information, and sporting event began in the Media Room at Citizens Bank Park and ended with the viewing of the Phillies 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Cheyney delegation joined students from such institutions as Atlantic Cape Community College, Cairn University, Drexel, Penn State, St. Joseph’s University, and Temple to go behind-the-scenes in the business of baseball with Philadelphia Phillies, Aramark, and Spectra executives involved in facility management, food and beverage, and hospitality during a moderated question and answer session.
Panelists provided excellent insight into their areas of business in addition to sharing their career experience and advice. The panel included Sal DeAngelis, Director, Operations/Security; Eric Tobin, Director, Operations/Events; Kevin Tedesco, Aramark General Manager, Sports & Entertainment; Carolyn DiGuiseppe, Spectra General Manager, Facilities; Kristin Zeller, Manager of Phillies Special (Non-Game Day) Events, and Gregg Murphy, Phillies Broadcaster (Moderator).
Sophomore and REM major Nina Hicks, one of the 12 attendees from CU, exited the park with several tidbits of lasting advice. “One thing that stuck out to me the most was how all of the panelists told us to go after every opportunity you have, and to never think anything is beneath you because you have to get your start somewhere. They also told us to stay persistent, put yourself out there and never be afraid to ask questions and to remain open to different things.”
In addition, students like HRTM sophomore Rodney Jones posed questions to 25-year-old, Phillies catcher Andrew Knapp about his college and major league experience. The group was also able to meet informally with front office personnel from various departments, as well as those who spearhead the Phillies intern program.
“This was a phenomenal opportunity to get up close and personal with Phillies senior executives. I’m grateful Athletic Director Sue Kilian and Recreation & Leisure Management’s Pat Walker emailed regarding the opportunity and delighted the Phillies organization rolled out the red carpet. The students seemed to enjoy networking with peers from other schools and clearly had a great time learning about the myriad areas of sport, facility, and hospitality employment the Phillies and Citizens Bank Park provide,” shared Associate Professor and Chair of the Hospitality and Recreation Management Department, Dr. Ivan Turnipseed.
The evening concluded with viewing the home win from the popular Scoreboard Porch. Attendees also received a concession credit that could be redeemed throughout the ballpark for food, beverage, and/or merchandise.