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.

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.

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.

Oversee team gear, ensuring athletes have top-quality equipment.

Brad "Spider" Caldwell ('86) is entering his 38th year with Penn State. He currently works out of the Club and Suites Office at Beaver Stadium where there he assists in coordinating all the special events that are utilizing the rentable spaces within Beaver Stadium. He helps manage Game Day operations of the Suites and Club Seat areas as well. Also, he works with the Physical Plant office on overseeing all maintenance issues of the South End Zone area and all Suite levels.

Before 2015, Spider served for 31 years as the Equipment Manager for the football team, starting out as a student manager in 1983, becoming the full-time Assistant in 1987, then promoted to Director of Equipment Operations in 2000 until the summer of 2014.

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.

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.

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.

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

Destiny Rodriguez ('17) is the Director of External Operations for Penn State Football. She oversees: Sports properties and sponsorships, donor relations, team communication, marketing, social media, video production, the Quarterback Club, and the Coach's public appearances. She also manages team and staff special events, travel, and logistics. PHEW! 

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.

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.