Fall 2008 Speaker Series

An important component of the Center for Sports Business & Research is forming alliance with sports industry leaders including through an on-campus speaker series. These guest presentations allow students, faculty and staff to interact with industry leaders as well as helping build relationships between the Center and the sports industry.

Fall 2008 Speakers

September 19 - Friday, 5:00 p.m., 110 Business Building Auditorium

Jim Delaney, Commissioner of the Big Ten, “How The Big 10 Challenged Big Media. And Won.”

September 25 - Thursday, 6:00 p.m., 110 Business Building Auditorium

Tom Sharbaugh, long-time Anheuser Busch vice president of  brand management and marketing consultant, “Building A Consumer Products Brand Through Sports and the Birth of the Bud Light Brand.”

September 26 - Friday, 6:00 p.m., 110 Business Building Auditorium

Tom Stevens, vice president of Learfield Sports (sports media rights holder for 30 universities including Penn State), “Marketing of Sports Media and the Case for Sales Leadership Skills.”

December 3 - Wednesday, 6:00 p.m., 111 Business Building Auditorium - Sports Marketing Class Presentation

JP Lespinasse, NBA Marketing Director, “Creating and Marketing a New Developmental League within the NBA.”

December 4 - Thursday, 6:00 p.m., 007 Business Building - Sports Marketing Class Presentation

Brian Chiera, Pittsburgh Pirates Marketing Director, "Creating a New Generation of Pirates Fans."

December 8 - Monday, 6:00 p.m., 110 Wartik - Sports Marketing Class Presentation

Pat Fagan, Learfield Sports/Penn State Sports Properties General Manager, "Activating and Leveraging Sports Sponsorship Packages."

December 10 - Wednesday, 6:00 p.m., 110 Wartik - Sports Marketing Class Presentation

Dan Margulis, ESPN Director, "Programming and Marketing ESPNU to College Students"

December 11 - Thursday, 6:00 p.m., 107 Business Building - Sports Marketing Class Presentation

Ed Weber, senior vice president and chief financial officer, Major League Baseball Advanced Media, “Marketing of On-line Content and Services to 'Out of Market' College Student Fans of Major League Baseball.”

All sessions of the Speaker Series are open to Penn State students, faculty, staff, and the public.