RPTM for Student-Athletes

Gain a wide range of recreation knowledge and experience beyond a traditional sports management degree.

Gain experience with sports organizations, stadiums, and event venues during your work experience hours and internship.

Connect with industry professionals and Penn State alumni.

There are many career opportunities in collegiate and professional sports, event management, and facility operations.

Ensure seamless day-to-day operations of professional sports stadiums and arenas. Plan and execute sporting events, concerts, and large-scale entertainment experiences.

Brad "Spider" Caldwell ('86) is the Assistant Director of Club and Suites at Beaver Stadium, where there he assists in coordinating all the special events that utilize the rentable spaces within Beaver Stadium. He helps manage Game Day operations of the Suites and Club Seat areas, as well.

Zach Fernandez ('19) is living the "Steely McDream" as a Stadium Event Operations Coordinator with the Pittsburgh Steelers!

Every March, Jessica Sallurday ('19) executes March Madness events and promotions. She has been an integral part of the logistics behind many college football bowl games and play-off games.

Andrew Wurst ('13) is the Senior Manager of Event Operations at USTA National Tennis Center in New York City. 

Enhance fan experiences through exceptional customer service and stadium operations.

John Piacentino ('23) interned with the Babe Ruth League, Inc. while in school as a student-athlete with Penn State Baseball. His time was spent as a Customer Service Intern which included office support, preparing team packets, league travel arrangements, and tournament operations.

Dan Newhart ('04) began with the Philadelphia Phillies, then State College Spikes, then Tampa Bay Rays, and recently landed the position of Vice President of Ticketing with Fiesta Bowl. 

Mo Gannon ('22) works with the Atlanta Falcons in Group Sales. She has goals of becoming a Director of Group Sales with a professional sports team.

Build connections between sports organizations and their communities.

Nick Dawkins ('24) began his own non-profit while a RPTM student and Penn State Football player. The Dawkins Family Foundation's mission is to empower communities through youth. Nick has gotten fellow student athletes involved in his community-driven efforts both in State College and back home in Allentown.

Taschet Murphy ('16) is in Maryland with Montgomery County Recreation’s Youth Development team. Their focus is to use recreation, sports, and structured activities to support the health of their community and to develop leadership, career skills, and connections to “Excel Beyond the Bell.”

Adam Rudel ('13) is the Senior Manager of Marketing & Football Outreach for the Baltimore Ravens, specializing in fan engagement and development through many avenues, but primarily youth and high school football.

Maintain and oversee athletic and recreational facilities and their programs.

Brianna Bryant completed her internship with a sports training facility and works with Penn State Football, first as a video management intern and now in recruiting and operations.

Billy Sellers ('20) is the Aquatics and Recreation Coordinator in South Middleton Twp., PA. He oversees all aquatics programs including lessons, lifeguard training, swim team, scuba, and kayaking.

Coordinate logistics, scheduling, and event management for teams, venues, and organizations.

Destiny Rodriguez ('17) was previously the Director of External Operations for Penn State Football. She has recently accepted a position with the New York Jets and their Player Personnel Operations team. She now helps with: professional and collegiate scouting, analytics, evaluating player talent, and maintaining the team roster. She also helps her department maintain the travel schedule of personnel executives and coordinate important dates with league and team calendars.

Tristin Iannone ('19) is the Director of External Operations for Penn State Football. He oversees: Sports properties and sponsorships, donor relations, team communication, marketing, social media, video production, the Quarterback Club, and more.

Heidi Erb ('19) is the Director of Internal Operations & Head Coach Logistics with Penn State Football. 

Jordan Hill ('12) is the Director of Life Skills for Penn State Football. 

William Kahn ('22) is a Rehab Development Assistant with the San Francisco Padres.

Sean Durant ('23) is an Account Executive with JMI Sports. He works as an intermediary between UPENN Athletics and corporate and business partnerships to support their athletic programs. In addition to UPENN, JMI works with other universities like Pitt, University of Kentucky, UCLA, and Notre Dame.

Erik Hoffman ('13) is the Director of Partnership Sales with Penn State Sports Enterprises - Playfly Sports. He specializes in sponsorship sales, promotional concepts, sales management, event planning, and in-venue entertainment for Penn State Athletics.