Sport Management Students Rank Among Best in the Country in Sales Competition

Mohammed Anas Ali ’22 MS, ’23 MS recently had the opportunity to put what he learned in the classroom to the test while taking part in a unique strategy and sales competition. He and some of his fellow University of New Haven students excelled, pushing their way into a top finish and a chance to advance to the next round: the championship.

Ali, a candidate in the university’s graduate business analytics program, was one of several Chargers who qualified for the National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship last semester. The university took first place nationally in the corporate partnerships category at the event. Individually, Ali finished the competition third in the nation and will compete in the championship in Atlanta later this month.

“The day the results were announced, I was so nervous,” said Ali, who also has a master’s degree in sports management. “I checked the website every few minutes. When I found out I was ranked No. 3 in the nation, it was a very special moment for me and I shared with my family and close friends as soon as I found out. It made me feel that my hard work was valued and it motivated me that I could create something of value in the sports industry.”

“I had a support system”

Ali was one of several university standouts in the competition. Ilias Giannakopoulos’ 23 MS finished ninth in the nation in singles, and he and Ali advanced to the championship in Atlanta.

Her classmate Mike Pantera ’24 MS also grabbed a big win in qualifying and finished 18th in the nation individually. Entering the competition, Pantera initially feared being at a disadvantage. For Pantera, who had studied biochemistry as a bachelor and had no experience in the field of sports management, the sports management course was a small change. He drew encouragement and momentum from the competition and the support he received.

“Finishing 18th nationally was a pleasant surprise for me,” he said. “I knew I had a support system around me that could help me present the best version of myself. This competition was a great opportunity for me because it gave me the opportunity to test my newly learned skills with other students like me.”

“Drawing on the stuff they’ve learned”

Part of that support system included the Chargers’ coaches, two alumni dedicated to helping them prepare and learn as much as possible. David Estevez ’16, ’18 MBA, who now works for the National Basketball Association as associate manager of team marketing and business operations, and Chris Bartels ’15 MS, associate vice president of Berk Communications helped prepare the students for the competition. Estevez and Bartels continue to work with students preparing to compete in the championship, offering advice, feedback and support during weekly sessions.

Bartels says he’s thrilled the students had the opportunity to take part, as such competitions provide hands-on experience. He enjoyed the opportunity to work directly with students and help them gain experiences that he believes will directly impact what they will do in the industry.

“It was really incredible to see how well prepared all the students went into the first round of the competition,” said Bartels. “It was clear that they were drawing on the material they had learned in the classroom as they put together their presentations. We also had very productive weekly work sessions, with everyone asking insightful questions and leading the conversation in a way that showed they unlocked the core pillars of the project.”

“Challenged me intellectually”

At the competition, hundreds of students from across the country acquire skills that will help them make the transition from student to industry professional. They introduce a product to a “buyer” using the product information provided prior to the competition, and the judges then rate their performance.

“The Sports Management department is dedicated to providing our students with experiential learning opportunities,” said Ceyda Mumcu, Ph.D., department head and student professor. “This was an exceptional opportunity to test our students’ knowledge and skills at an industry level.

“Our alumni make a significant contribution to the success of our students,” she continued. “They always respond to our call and are happy to give back to our program. They support the growth of the next generation of chargers in the sports industry.”

The Championship will be another valuable opportunity for Chargers to apply what they have learned in the classroom and make important connections to the industry. In fact, one of the goals of the competition is to connect students with potential employers and it offers them opportunities to network and interact with recruiters.

For Ali, the Business Analytics graduate, traveling to Atlanta later this month is something he’s looking forward to and preparing for. He takes into account the feedback he has received so far and says the preparation and support he has received has boosted his confidence.

“I’m thrilled to compete in the championship round in Atlanta,” he said. “I will have the opportunity to network with professionals in leadership positions who would otherwise be out of reach for me. What I enjoyed most was how this competition challenged me intellectually and taught me valuable problem-solving skills.”