Rice University Department of Sport Management

10/26/2026

Peyton Stevenson ’26 is putting his Sport Analytics degree to work as a Sports Science Fellow with the Baltimore Ravens! 🏈📊

From the football field to the world of player performance and analytics, Peyton is turning his passion for sports into an exciting career in the NFL. 🦉👏

Read more about Peyton's journey from Rice to the Ravens 👇

Former Rice football safety Peyton Stevenson '26 is bringing his on-field talents to central Maryland in his new role as a sports science fellow with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.

10/22/2026

The verdict is in… it’s time to celebrate Professor Wilka! 🎂🦉

Happy Birthday to our Sport Law superstar, Professor Stephanie Wilka! From leading our Sport Law concentration to advising Rice Sport Law Society🦉 (RSLS), she’s always making a strong case for student success! 💙⚖️

Thank you for your passion, mentorship, and dedication to ! We hereby rule that your birthday MUST be filled with cake, laughter, and absolutely NO objections! 😉🥳

10/14/2026

This summer, Nzobaho Ngiriweneza '28 gained hands-on experience as a Strategy and Fan Development Intern with Hometown Soccer Holdings, a joint venture between KKR and Major League Soccer focused on accelerating the growth of MLS NEXT Pro. ⚽📈

Nzobaho supported strategic planning for fan engagement and revenue growth, contributed to sponsorship and partnership strategy, benchmarked major sports organizations, and analyzed fan data and market trends.

One of his major projects involved developing a pipeline of more than 100 potential sponsors for New Jersey MLS NEXT Pro, one of the first clubs launched under the Hometown Soccer platform. His research helped identify commercial opportunities in the New Jersey market and provided valuable insights for the executive team as they began engaging prospective partners.

Nzobaho’s biggest takeaway was gaining a firsthand understanding of what it takes to build a professional sports organization from the ground up. From developing technology infrastructure and commercial strategies to recruiting key personnel, he learned how these foundational elements work together to position a club for long-term success.

Congratulations, Nzobaho, on an incredible summer with Hometown Soccer Holdings! 👏

10/13/2026

We’re HIRING! 🦉

Rice University’s Department of Sport Management is searching for its next Chair and Professor of Sport Management or Sport Analytics!

Join a nationally recognized program ranked #1 in Best Colleges for Sports Management in America by Niche for eight consecutive years and help shape the next chapter of Rice Sport Management!

📅 Full consideration deadline: November 16, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the search is closed.

🔗 Learn more and apply: https://apply.interfolio.com/195245

10/12/2026

She's got us HOOKED on Sport Management! 🎂💙

Happy belated Birthday to Professor Diane Crossey! From welcoming our newest Owls to guiding them through their journey, Professor Crossey knows how to make a winning first impression!

Whether she's teaching Intro to Sport Management, inspiring students to Lead with Service, or helping them navigate their academic game plan, she's always setting our students up for success! 📚

Thank you for your heart, dedication, and unwavering support of our students! We hope your birthday is a real HOOT! 🥳

10/08/2026

This summer, Sean Shen '28 gained hands-on experience as a Global Soccer Fan Festivals Intern with Octagon, supporting The Home Depot’s activation at the FIFA Fan Festival Houston. ⚽🏟️

Sean’s responsibilities included setting up, breaking down, and maintaining activation equipment, engaging with fans, and contributing to competitive reporting. He also helped keep interactive experiences running smoothly throughout the Fan Festival, from reloading soccer balls at Beckham’s Bucket to preparing and distributing fan workshop kits.

A highlight of Sean’s experience was engaging with large crowds of passionate soccer fans during live World Cup matches while learning how to stay organized, energetic, and calm in a fast-paced event environment.

His biggest takeaway was the importance of adaptability, clear communication, and quick problem-solving when supporting large-scale live events where situations can change quickly.

Congratulations, Sean, on a great summer with Octagon and an unforgettable FIFA Fan Festival experience! 👏

10/05/2026

We may be a day late, but the birthday wishes are still right on the money! 🎂

Happy Belated Birthday to our Sport Finance lecturer, Carrie Potter! 🎂 Thank you for sharing your expertise, investing in our students, and showing them the business behind the game. 🦉💙

We hope your birthday weekend paid BIG dividends in fun, cake, and celebration! 🥳

09/29/2026

This summer, Nadia Lee '28 gained hands-on experience as a Corporate Partnerships Success Intern with Los Angeles FC, supporting client calls, matches, watch parties, partner events, and experiences throughout the organization. ⚽🤝

Nadia helped coordinate partner accommodations at BMO Stadium, assisted with partnership assets, and supported a variety of activations. During the FIFA World Cup, she also helped execute LAFC’s official watch parties, managing VIP and general admission ticketing and check-in for fans and invited partners.

Her experience extended beyond match days—from helping execute a MyRealTrip Money Can’t Buy Experience and a ZippyPaws adoption event at Pasadena Humane to participating in LAFC’s inaugural Partner Summit.

Nadia’s biggest takeaway was seeing how closely departments across a professional sports organization must collaborate. She learned that partnerships, marketing, data strategy, and other teams all play a role in bringing successful events and activations to life.

Congratulations, Nadia, on an incredible summer with LAFC! 👏

09/24/2026

We’re proud to celebrate 20 recent Rice Sport Management graduates who have landed full-time roles across the sports industry!

See where they’ve landed and read more about their new roles 👇

Twenty of Rice’s recent graduates have launched directly into the sports industry, securing roles with professional sports teams, collegiate athletics, and agencies.

09/22/2026

This summer, Henry Daly '27 gained hands-on experience as an Account Specialist with Hyperice, helping develop new business with golf and country clubs across multiple markets. ⛳🤝

Henry researched potential clients, connected with Directors of Golf, scheduled calls, and developed customized Hyperice packages based on each club’s needs. He also gained valuable experience building relationships with prospective clients through calls, emails, and in-person interactions.

One of Henry’s biggest takeaways was learning the importance of persistence, consistency, and adaptability in sales. The experience showed him how strong relationships and a willingness to follow up can create new business opportunities.

👏 Congratulations, Henry, on a great summer with Hyperice!