Sports Management Commission

Leadership in Sports Speaker Series

The Leadership in Sports Speaker Series adds additional overall value to the Sports Management Commission (SMC) as well as the Daniels Sport Management program. We aim to accomplish this goal by bringing in valued individuals with expert knowledge in their field to share their insights and knowledge with commission members and industry prospects. We realize the benefit and necessity of hearing from people who have succeeded in arenas we aspire to join. Specific objectives of hosting the series include creating opportunities to network and share career advice within the industry, gain national exposure for the sport management program, expose students to various aspects of the industry, capitalize from first hand real world experiences, and increase knowledge of the industry and its details.

This series recognizes outstanding contributions in the field of sports management. Honorees of the predecessor to the official formation of the SMC include:

• Scott Pioli, the 2- time NFL Executive of the Year and three-time Super Bowl champion, as the General Manager of the New England Patriots;
• Mark Sauer, the versatile former President of the Pittsburgh Pirates and current President of the NHL’s St. Louis Blues while handling the dual role of President of the Blue’s arena, the Savvis Center;
• Ed McGuire, one of the designers of the NFL salary cap system and current Vice President of Football Operations for the San Diego Chargers; and
• Liz Ridley Leckemby, Operations Manager for the hugely successful LPGA U.S. Open event held in Cherry Creek in 2005

Held on campus in the Daniels College of Business, this series offers students the opportunity to interact in a roundtable discussion with those individuals at the pinnacle of the sports industry to share their thoughts, hear the various paths to success and learn from those with the highest level of practical experience.