Laurentian University's School of Sports
Administration (SPAD) has organized a fourth-year field trip
which has taken 27 students to Phoenix, Arizona.
The group departed Sunday and will return on
April 4. During their stay, the students will make marketing
and promotion presentations to the Arizona Cardinals football
club of the National Football League, the Phoenix Coyotes of
the National Hockey League, Arizona Sting of the National
Lacrosse League and Phoenix Road Runners of the East Coast
Hockey League.
The field trip includes strategic marketing
studies which are aimed at increasing season ticket sales for
the Cardinals, developing game-day strategies to attract new
fans for the Cardinals and maintaining a brand image during a
work stoppage for the Coyotes.
Students will also work towards attracting
college and university students to Arizona Sting home games and
marketing a new team for the 2005-06 season for the Road
Runners.
Since 1985, Laurentian SPAD students have
shared their sports management skills with many amateur and
professional sports organizations.
These field trips provide a unique
opportunity for students to gain valuable professional
experience and international exposure, and to hone their
marketing skills.
During previous field trips, Laurentian SPAD
students have made presentations to many professional
organizations, including the International Olympic Committee,
Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Blue Jays,
Toronto Raptors, Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Lakers, Los
Angeles Kings, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat,
Washington Bullets, Canadian Olympic Committee and many
others.
The field trips frequently lead to direct
employment opportunities for the students.
Over the past two years, students have raised
in excess of $30,000 to cover the costs involved in the field
trips.
