SPMA Council Podcast: Recent Episodes
SPMA Council
An engaging podcast with great content and helpful insight designed to help aspiring sport professionals!
On the seventh episode of the 5th season, Dylan and Luke talk with Victoria Grizzlies play by play announcer, Tom Wilke!
Dylan and Kendra talk to former SPMA student Blair about his experiences in sport management!
On the third episode of Season 5, Dylan welcomes back Jackson to the PodSquad to talk to Mia Redders about her journey in sport media!Here are all of Mia's socials: https://linktr.ee/miaredders
On the second episode of season 5, Dylan talks to Kayla Black about her position with Millions.Co!
On the first episode of season 5, Maddy and Dylan interviewed Burton Lee; the director of game operations and fan experience for the PWHL!
On the twenty first episode of season 4, the SPMA council Podcast, we welcome Former MLS Superstar Justin Morrow from TFC. On this episode, Justin talks about his current role as Technical Development Manager (1:20), his organization Black Players For Change (6:50), and what the biggest challenge has been for him since transitioning from the pitch into the office (13:45). Then the episode touches on if Justin could play for any team in the world who would it be and why (17:20), the most memorable stadium Justin has ever played in (18:50), and lastly what Justin loved most about Toronto (21:35). Thank you to Justin for joining us this week. Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the twentieth episode of season 4, the SPMA council Podcast, we welcome Nico Correa from Forge FC. On this episode, Nico talks about his career in the sport industry (1:20), How he found his passion for communication (6:30), and what is his biggest challenged in media (11:50). Then Nico talks about his favourite moment with the Hamilton Sports Group(15:30), his prediction for TFC and Forge FC (20:20), and lastly what makes the CPL stands out (23:30). Thank you to Nico for joining us this week. Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the Nineteenth episode of season 4, the SPMA council Podcast, we welcome Cameron Penney from True North Entertainment. On this episode, Cameron talks about his career in the sport industry (1:20), What skills he learned while working in social media (5:50), and what does he Day-to-Day task look like (10:50). The Cameron touched on his favourite social media from this year (21:35), His favourite memory as a child that inspired him to work in sport (26:45), and the difference between USports and the NHL (28:30). Thank you to Cameron for joining us this week. Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the Eighteenth episode of season 4, the SPMA council Podcast, we welcome Mitch Sharma from TD. On this episode, Mitch talks about what he learned and took away from his internship with the Edmonton Oilers (1:20), How sponsorships are different then other areas (5:30), and where he thinks the future of sport sponsorship is heading (11:15). Then Mitch talks about how his podcast (The Sports Business Life) has helped him with his professional career (15:30), what moment made him want to work in sports (18:00), and lastly what sponsorship deal he is most proud of (20:10). Thank you too Mitch for joining us this week. Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the Seventeenth episode of season 4, the SPMA council Podcast, we welcome Ian Mendes from the Athletic. On this episode, Ian talks about his career path (1:15), What he enjoyed when being an on air host with sports net (3:50), what time stood out during his career and what skill you need to work in sport media (12:30). Then we asked Ian about his time as a mascot with the Ottawa Lynx (17:25), what teams he cheers for (20:30), and lastly his predictions on the NHL eastern conference playoff race (22:15). Thank you to Ian for joining us this week. Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the sixteenth episode of season 4, the SPMA council Podcast, we welcome Ryan Harrison from the Welland Jackfish. On this episode, Ryan talks about his career path (1:25), how the Jackfish embrace their slogan of “Fans First, Fun Always”, and what steps need to be taken to make baseball as an entertainment business. Ryan then talks about his favourite baseball team (15:30), What he is looking forward to this season with the Jackfish (17:15), and lastly Ryan gave some advice to some students about finding their niche in the sport industry (20:30). Thank you to Ryan for joining us this week. Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the Fifteenth episode of season 4, the SPMA council Podcast, we welcome back Will Ord from the Toronto Blue Jays. In his return episode Will talks about his career post-graduation (3:10), Will talks about his roles with the Jays (8:30), and then If Will could go back to first year what would he tell himself (15:30). Then Will touches on what has been his favourite episode of the season (22:35), Will’s most memorable memory with the Jays so far (26:40), and lastly Will gives his realistic Leafs predictions (32:05). Thank you to Will for joining us this week. Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the Fourteenth episode of season 4, the SPMA council Podcast, we welcome Jake Bourrie from the Sarnia Sting. On this episode Jake talks about his career in the sport industry (1:10), how marketing in the OHL is different from the NHL (3:30), and then what trends are starting to some into marketing (7:40). Then we asked Jake who the best player he has seen play in the OHL is (10:46), what the most memorable event of his career is (13:00), and lastly what has been his favourite player interaction that he has seen(14:45). Thank you to Jake for joining us this week. Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the Thirteenth episode of season 4, the SPMA council Podcast, we welcome Josh Matlow from the Barrie Baycats. Josh is currently their manager, general manager, and president of the team. Josh talks about his career in the sport industry (1:10), what the biggest challenge has been since coming back from Covid-19 (6:00), and Josh talks about the IBL expansion. His most memorable moment in baseball (11:00), his 2023 Jays Predictions (14:00), and finally what qualities make great professionals (15:45). Then Josh asks Maddy and Jackson what they would like to takeaway from the podcast (21:40). Thank you to Josh for joining us this week. Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the twelfth episode of season 4, the SPMA council Podcast, we welcome Madison Koekkoek. Madison is currently in a role with Sportsnet as their manager of Athlete Influencer Strategy and Business Relations. On this episode Madison talks about her industry experience (1:30), how social media and athletes work together (5:40), what one key takeaway/piece of advice she received during her career (11:40). Madison then talks about what type of qualities that great athletes hold when it comes to working in social media, her most memorable experience (19:25), and then lastly her favourite piece of social media or digital content released in the last year (23:00). A huge thank you to Madison for joining us this week on the podcast.
Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the eleventh episode of season 4, the SPMA council Podcast, we welcome Antonio Pierfelice. Antonio is currently in a role with the Montreal Canadians in their youth hockey development team. On this episode Antonio talks about his industry experience (3:30) and his future gaols within the industry (14:40). Then Antonio talks about what his favourite moment with the Canadians (19:25), his Stanley cup finals predictions (24:32). Lastly Antonio, Jackson, and Maddy talked about who was a better prospect when they entered the draft, Connor Bedard or Connor McDavid (28:00). A big thank you too Antonio for joining us this week. Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the tenth episode of season 4, the SPMA council Podcast, we welcome former SPMA council President and current LSU Grad Student Ethan Crystal. On this episode Ethan talks about the difference between the US and Canada (1:45), What his roles are at LSU (4:45), Recommendations for students looking to build a career in event management (10:30). Then the podcast talks about Ethan’s best memories at LSU (15:30), the most famous athlete Ethan has met at LSU (18:50), and then finally Ethan and Jackson talk about their College Football Predictions (21:55). A big thank you to Ethan for coming on this week. Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
Happy Holidays to all and best of luck to any student that are in exam season. A big thank you from Maddy and Jackson to everyone for a successful first half of season 4 and we look forward to having a strong second half after the holiday break.
On the Ninth episode of season 4 the Pod-squad welcomes the SPMA council First years. We were joined by Dylan, Zoe, Ella, and Kendra as we discussed their first semester here at Brock . On this episode, the first years talk about their future career aspirations (2:15), Why they chose the Brock Sport Management program (6:28), what other experiences the firsts year have gotten (9:35). Then the episode gets into some real life conversation where the first years talk about their best memory from first semester so far (14:20), what varsity team they would play for (16:50), and lastly what athlete they would like to spend a day (21:05). A big thank you to Dylan, Zoe, Ella, and Kendra for joining us on this episode. Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the eighth episode of season 4 the Pod-squad welcomes TJ Manastersky to the podcast. TJ is the current Head Coach of the Brock Men’’s Hockey Team. On this episode, TJ talks about how his coaching career (1:15), His own Podcast (3:20), How the coaching landscape has changed over the years (7:05), His scouting career (8:25). Then the episode got into some real life sports talk with some Stanley Cup Predictions (11:10), His fav memory of coaching (12:10), and finally what his dream would be to coach (14:25). A big thank you to TJ for joining us this week. Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the seventh episode of season 4 the Pod-squad welcomes Marc Sorrie to the podcast. Marc is currently with the Canadian National Women’s soccer team but most recently worked with Niagara 2022 Summer Games. On this episode, Marc talks about how his main roles and responsibilities with his jobs (1:30), what the biggest challenge was with the summer games (6:10). Then Marc talks about his time in Brazil with the women’s soccer team(8:55). Then the episode got into some World Cup talk (13:00) and which sport Marc would add to the Canada Games (17:38). Lastly the most notable athlete he has seen at the Canada Games (22:38). Then finally,. A big thank you to Marc for being a guest of season 4!!! Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the sixth episode of season 4 the Pod-squad welcomes Aidan Miess to the podcast. Aidan is currently a project manager for the Lifesaving Society Ontario. On this episode, Aidan talks about how she got into the sport industry (1:10), what the biggest learning curve has been since graduating from Brock SPMA in 2021 (4:50). Then Aidan talks about his time at the 2022 Niagara Summer games (7:40). Then the episode got into some swimming talk as we talked about the GOAT’s of swimming (14:05) and which Swimming event Aidan would compete in (17:28). Then Aidan reflect on his time at Brock (20:25). Then finally, Jackson and Aidan give their World Series predictions (23:35). A big thank you to Melanie for being a guest of season 4!!! Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the fifth episode of season 4 the Pod-squad Melanie Danna to the podcast. Melanie is currently in a role with Giants of Africa as their Global Programming and Court Operations Director. On this episode, Melanie talks about how she got into the sport industry (0:50), what the most rewarding aspect to Melanie’s job is (5:15). Then Melanie talks about the process of putting on the G League showcase while with Raptors 905 (10:15). Then the episode got into some NBA talk where Melanie and Jackson make their NBA MVP picks and championship picks (18:05) and which NBA Player would she want to meet (20:37), and lastly her favourite Raptors Jersey (23:05). A big thank you to Melanie for being a guest of season 4!!! Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the fourth episode of season 4 the Pod-squad welcomes George Dudas to the podcast. George is currently in a role with The NHL as a Director of Business Development focusing in Global Partnerships at National Hockey League. On this episode, George talks about how he got into the sport industry (1:25), the new NHL promotion with the rink boards during televised NHL games (8:27). Then George talks about the process on how a sponsorship deal goes through (15:25). Then the episode got into some Personal talk where George told the story about his most rewarding deal he was apart of (23:25) and which NHL arenas are his favourite to attend (28:20). A big thank you to George for being a guest of season 4!!! Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the Third episode of season 4 the Pod-squad welcomes Jason Maglantay to the podcast. Jason is currently in a role with Tennis Canada as their Regional Director of Stadium Sales and Service. On this episode, Jason talks about how he got into the sport industry (1:25), what the biggest challenge about selling tickets are and what were some strategies to over come that (16:35). Then Jackson and Jason talk about Windsor, Ontario as it is Jackson’s hometown and Jason graduated from the University of Windsor (28:20). Then the episode got into some Tennis talk where Jason talked about his most memorable sellout crowd (32:18). Then lastly, Jason talks about what his favourite tennis tournament to ever attend was (34:30). A big thank you to Jason for being a guest of season 4!!! Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
On the second episode of season 4 the Pod-squad welcomes Rosalynn “Roz” Thornton to the podcast. Rosalynn is currently in a role with TFC and the Toronto Aros as a Game Presentation Coordinator . On this episode, Rosalynn talks about how she got herself into the sport industry (1:45), why she is so passionate about soccer (6:10), the importance of each sector within a gamely role (11:54). Then Jackson and Rosalynn talk about their favourite theme nights they have been apart of (16:35). Then the episode got into some World Cup talk (19:25). Then lastly, Rosalynn talks about who her favourite soccer player ever are (20:50) and her favourite TFC Player (23:05). A big thank you to Rosalynn for being a guest of season 4!!! Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
The first episode of season 4 for the Brock SPMA Council Podcast is officially here. The new Pod-squad welcomes Dan Shulman to the podcast. Dan is the current play-by-play announcer for the Toronto Blue Jays. Dan has also previously worked with ESPN on Baseball night in America and College Basketball. On this episode, Dan talks about how he found his love for play-by-play as an actuarial science graduate (2:00), talks about the different strategies he uses for calling different sports (5:06), where he believes the future of sport broadcasting is going (9:40). The podcast then shifts away from the sport industry talk to sports talk where Dan answers questions about the Blue Jays playoff chances and opportunities (16:00), what would be the one game he could call in sports history (19:10). SPMA Council President, Neville Madill, then asks Dan about a famous play-by-play highlight featuring Dan (22:30) and then about the renovations that will be happening to Rogers Centre (25:45). A big thank you to Dan for being our first guest of season 4!!! Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
The final episode of Season 3 is here, as the PodSquad gets together for one last episode to wrap up the season that was.
William, Maddy, and Jackson reflect on the season by talking about their standout moments from Season 3, specifically their favourite episodes that they were a part of (7:00), including William's comments on what made a great interview on the podcast (8:32). The squad then dives into the Season 3 theme, "Maximize Your Mindset," and chats about how each of them put that theme to use this year in podcast production for all of Season 3 (13:00), which somehow pivoted to a conversation on TikTok trends... (16:01).
The squad then shifts to a farewell tribute to the departing host, William Ord. William shares his own unique mindset that he has used to forge a successful career during his time at Brock and in the sport industry, revolving around a simple quote from a pre-game speech before a hockey game, and ensuring that those who have that mindset consistently take time for themselves (18:17). William then shares his biggest learning experience from hosting the SPMA Council Podcast for 3 years- the good and the challenging- (23:33), including adapting on the fly during each podcast recording (25:28), and taking risks (26:19). William also shares some standout episodes from his time with the show (27:34), and goes back in time to when he hosted his first episode to offer a bit of advice (33:15).
Finally, William gets the final say on this episode to close out Season 3 in style (36:43).
Thank you to those that have tuned in all year- whether it be for one episode, multiple episodes, or all episodes- we do not take the support we get for granted. and it's always a pleasure to share these great industry minds with all of you.
Have a great end to the semester, have a great summer, #MaximizeYourMindset and in the words of our host, "Stay Classy."
In Part 2 of our season finale, the PodSquad welcomes on another awesome panel of graduating SPMA students, featuring Jess Crosthwaite, Kurtis Fischer, Ryan Hyndman, and Joseph Sayej (learn a little more about these panelists by tuning in at 4:17)! Jess, Kurtis, Ryan, and Joseph tap into the "first word" of the podcast by sharing their own unique mindsets that have driven them through four years of their SPMA tenure (7:26). They talk about the skills that they've learned that remain in their "professional toolbox" as they prepare to enter the workforce after graduation (13:20), which unexpectedly transitions into the challenges of navigating the Mackenzie Chown complex, for some reason (17:24). The panelists also talk about key things that helped their professional development outside of regular lectures and seminars (21:35). Additionally, each panelist reflects on some standout/memorable moments during their 4 years in the Sport Management program, from attending the Leafs training camp in Niagara Falls, attending networking events, and going to Brock sporting events (28:47). Jess, Kurtis, Ryan, and Joseph then share their final thoughts to wrap up Part 2 of the finale (37:46). Thank you to Jess, Kurtis, Ryan, and Joseph for joining the show! A special shoutout to our podcast administrator Maddy for doing an amazing job once again as a co-host! Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube! #MaximizeYourMindset
It's that time of year again... our highly anticipated SEASON FINALE is here- Part 1 of 3, that is.
In Part 1, the PodSquad welcomes on three graduating Brock Sport Management Students to the show- Jake Matthews, Natalie Hamel, and Matthew Rose!
The three panelists first talk about the mindset that has helped forge a successful tenure at Brock U, ranging from creating a positive attitude/culture, committing to open-mindedness, and a willingness to try new things, even if they may be outside of one's own comfort zone (5:48). They discuss how they were able to find certain niches in the sports industry that they were passionate about (and would hopefully like to pursue as a career) during their four years at Brock (8:02). The panelists also talk about things throughout their SPMA tenure that have helped the most in their professional development, ranging from club involvement to volunteering for a wide variety of organizations, regardless of which niche and setting. (13:12).
Finally, the panelists "time travel" back to first year in 2018-19, and offer their "first-year" self some words of advice (22:39, probably the best part of the show in our opinion), as well as share some final thoughts to wrap up Part 1 (30:37).
Thank you to Jake, Natalie, and Matthew for joining the show and being an awesome panel for Part 1! A huge shout-out to Jackson Pretli for co-hosting again!
Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
MaximizeYourMindset
In this episode of the podcast, the squad welcomes Paul Walderman, a Digital Content Specialist at MLSE, to this week's edition of the show!
Paul starts off the podcast by detailing his mindset, based on a positive attitude and a commitment to hard work (9:03). He talks about his tenure at George Brown College and Ryerson University, where he talks about the skills he took with him when he made the decision to fully commit to a career in sports business (10:53). Paul then talks about his first role in the industry- an internship with Toronto FC and TFC II- and talks about the real value that networking and honest, hard work can bring to the table when working in the industry (15:36). Additionally, Paul talks about his time with the Toronto Argonauts working as a Special Products Coordinator in Marketing and in Ticket Sales. Throughout that time, Paul talks about his strategies to adapt and embrace a difficult scenario, where doing so led him to his current role that he works at within Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (22:05).
More importantly, Paul sheds some light on an extremely important article put together by himself and the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) team at MLSE to detail life as a sports professional on the autism spectrum. He talks about a certain connection with Doug Flutie, one of the Argos' all-time greats, that motivated him to put that piece together, which ended up getting attention worldwide (32:47). The article addresses crucial aspects such as what living on the spectrum can entail, the complexity of the disorder, certain challenges individuals may face, the benefits of including autistic people in the workplace, and meaningful steps that should be taken to create a more equitable environment, such as new hiring practices (35:34). Paul also elaborates on the ways that he is trying to impact the community, one of which is his Board of Directors position at the New Haven Learning Centre (43:40).
Thank you to Paul for joining the show! A huge shoutout to Amanda Benitez, who made her podcast cohosting debut!
Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
MaximizeYourMindset
In this episode of the show, William and returning co-hosts Jackson Pretli and Alex Penz welcome on Phil Sullivan, current team manager and former head coach of the Brock Men's Rugby Team, as well as a professor in the Kinesiology department for over 19 years.
Phil starts off the show by elaborating on own his mindset throughout 20+ years of involvement as a coach in the game of rugby. He talks about the main motivator that attracted him to the field of psychology, and he also elaborated on how he got started in coaching the sport of rugby after multiple years of experience as a player.
Phil then elaborates on the unique challenges that he faced while running the Brock Men’s Rugby Program, notably recruiting and season structure. He talks about his 19+ year tenure as a professor and elaborates on how his involvement influenced his coaching style. Finally, we take a trip back to 2019, as Phil talks about Brock’s thrilling bronze medal victory over the Trent Excalibur to clinch their very first appearance in the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship.
Thank you to Phil for joining the show! Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast, and subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
MaximizeYourMindset
The PodSquad is back again this week for another great episode, as they welcome on Becca Hogan and Phil Giannini, Group Sales Account Executives at Oilers Entertainment Group! Becca and Phil start off the show by sharing their own unique career mindsets (8:56). They both talk about their previous roles before joining the oilers and the skills that they learned from them- Becca as an intern for the Niagara IceDogs (where she also shares an awesome community involvement story)/a marketing lead generation Specialist for Mezzanine Growth (11:50), and Phil with ADP Payroll Solutions, where he emphasizes the essentiality of relationship-building in a sales environment (18:30). Becca and Phil then touch on some strategies that they use when selling the Rogers Place experience to groups attending Oilers or Oil Kings hockey games, most, if not all are based around what the fan wants out of attending a game (23:32). They also talk about the changing business environment throughout the past year, caused by capacity restrictions, and they elaborate on how they and the OEG team have been able to adapt (29:00). Finally, Becca and Phil talk about a sale that serves as one of their favourites during their time with Oilers Entertainment Group (33:52). Thank you to Becca and Phil for joining the show! A special shout out to debuting co-host Ruby Neumann! Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us using @spmacouncilpodcast on Instagram and TikTok! Subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube! #MaximizeYourMindset
In this episode, William welcomes back a familiar face back to cohost, as he teams up with Neville Madill to interview Shauna Bookal, SPMA alumnus and the current Executive Director for Field Hockey Ontario!
Shauna starts off the show by sharing her extremely committed and driven mindset that she has used for all of her years working in the industry (13:53). She talks about her time spent at 3 different universities (Brock SPMA, Durham College Sport/Event Management, West Virginia University Masters of Sport Management) and shares how the time she spent at all three fueled her passion for the events side of sport, which led into multiple opportunities with assisting in major games, such as the Invictus Games in Toronto and the Canada 55+ Games in Brampton (17:09). She also elaborates on the massive differences on the college level with sport events in Canada, compared to NCAA events in the U.S, while going into detail about what a major games experience is like- spoiler, almost no day at a major games is "typical!" (25:45)
Shauna then talks to us about her tenure with Field Hockey Ontario. Shauna tells us how she got her start at the organization, where she ascended to Executive Director from her Event Coordinator role in an extremely quick timeframe (30:59). She elaborates on the transferability of skills in sport, (32:19), and the strategies that Field Hockey Ontario is implementing to continually grow the sport each year through partnerships, recruiting new Canadians, and implementing the Long Term Athlete Development model to ensure that athletes get the optimal support that they need in training or in game action (33:18). Finally, Shauna talks to us about her involvement in the Black Female Coach Mentorship Program which creates equitable opportunities, support, and leadership development opportunities for Black female coaches across the country (41:58).
Thank you to Shauna for joining the show!
Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us using @spmacouncilpodcast on Instagram and TikTok! Subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube! #MaximizeYourMindset
In this week's episode of the podcast, the squad sits down with SPMA alumnus and current Program Specialist at JaysCare, Alex Mohamed! Alex begins the show by sharing his career mindset of open-mindedness, along with a willingness to adapt to sudden change (9:51). He reflects on his time at Brock as a SPMA student, particularly with his involvement on the Brock Intramurals staff as a coordinator (14:00), his time with the City of Brampton as a Programmer of Summer Camps and Sport Specialist (18:00), and the transferrable skills that he picked up along the way, which has impacted his current role. Alex then talks to us about his tenure at JaysCare, and starts off by reflecting on the impact that organizational initiatives have on certain groups (21:20), especially with RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) and Indigenous community programs. Within those programs, he explains the process behind effective program management, with the core being embedded with community input and involvement (28:48). Finally, Alex shares an amazing story about one of the very first JaysCare programs that he ran up in a remote Indigenous community in Northern Saskatchewan (36:15-40:10). Thank you to Alex for joining the show! A special shoutout to Alex Penz for making his co-hosting debut! Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us using @spmacouncilpodcast on Instagram and TikTok! Subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
MaximizeYourMindset
The PodSquad is back at it again as William and debuting co-host Chantal interview Yoel Haile, Account Coordinator in Global Partnerships at MLSE! Yoel starts off the show by stating his own career mindset based on curiosity (7:54), and talks about his time as a McMaster Commerce Student (11:54), where he set his mind on finding a niche in the sports industry. During his time there, he achieved a number of accomplishments, notably being a founding member of the McMaster Sports and Business Association, where he details the process behind creating that club (17:20). Yoel then talks about his time as an intern with the Hamilton-Tiger Cats (23:26) and talks about the strategies he used to maximize the value of the internship experience. He also talks about his current position in Global Partnerships with MLSE, where he explains the strategies behind effectively managing relationships between the numerous global brands that MLSE deals with on a day-to-day basis (30:55). Finally, Yoel talks about some of the transferrable skills that he's used to adapt to new positions, such as the Blue Jays Leadership Development Program, and Canadian Tire's sport partnerships division. (34:37). Thank you to Yoel for joining this show for this week's episode! Keep up with the podcast on social by following @spmacouncilpodcast on Instagram and TikTok! Subscribe to our audio/video feeds on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Anchor!
MaximizeYourMindset
The PodSquad is coming in hot with the first guest of 2022, as William interviews NHL agent and founder of Driven Sports Group, Jason Harshaw! Big shoutout to SPMA Council Graphic Designer Luke O'Brien, who made his co-hosting debut on the show! Jason chats about his career mindset, which is based on the understanding of committing to investing in yourself, and the fact that building a career takes a lot of time. He also talked about his time in SPMA and the career goals he envisioned when going into the program, and he chats about his time with the Brock Men's Hockey Team, where he was a 4-time Academic All-Canadian Additionally, Jason elaborates on the sacrifices he had to make in order to continue pursuing his chosen niche of becoming a full-time agent in the hockey industry. Jason then talks to us about the agency that he founded-Driven Sports Group. He talks about how Driven got started, what the business does on a day-to-day business, and the businesses' overall mentality towards their clients, who primarily play in the OHL, AHL, Europe, or the NHL. He also talks about the challenges that Driven faces daily, mainly the effort and path (which often is not clear-cut) it takes for players to get to the next level, which has been amplified these past two years. Finally, Jason emphasizes the importance of not being afraid to reach out to people in the SPMA program for advice or help in any career path. Be sure to stay connected with us on social! Give us a follow on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast! Subscribe to our audio and video feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube!
MaximizeYourMindset
After a long Christmas break, the SPMA Council Podcast is officially back for the first episode of 2022!
Before we get to January’s lineup of guests, this episode delivers the best moments and sound bites from the first half of this season. It’s filled with great stories and advice from the great guest lineup that we’ve had so far, including the likes of Brenley Shapiro (Mental Performance Coach, Arizona Coyotes/Peterborough Petes), Ryan Stacey (Video/Hockey Operations Coordinator, Charlottetown Islanders/Newfoundland Growlers), Sarah-Marie Doherty (Founder, Shop Dressr), Michael Lenart (Physiotherapist, Team Canada Para Hockey), Chris Shewfelt (VP, Business Development for the Toronto Argos/TFC and a SPMA Course Instructor), and Evan MacDonald (Founder, The Wheeled Brew).
We hope this compilation serves as a prelude for what's to come over the next few months! Stay tuned to our Instagram and Tiktok pages (@spmacouncilpodcast) to be the first to know about the latest episodes and content from the PodSquad! Get excited for a tremendous second half of Season 3 and always be ready to #MaximizeYourMindset!
IT’S MIDSEASON WRAPUP TIME!
For the final episode before exams and the holiday break, William, Maddy, and Jackson sit down to talk about the first half of Season 3! Tune in to hear about their thoughts on how the new theme has played out so far, the guests that have appeared on the show, standout moments, and even a random conversation at the start about… Christmas dinner???
From all of us at the pod squad, we want to wish all of you the best of luck in exam season this year. Thank you to all who have tuned into our show so far, and we can’t wait to come back with a full slate of guests, starting in January of 2022. Stay healthy, finish off the year strong, and always remember to #MaximizeYourMindset!
This week's episode features a different twist, as we bring on Ruby Neumann, Alex Penz, and Chantal Brioux to be a part of our First Year Roundtable!
Everything in this episode revolves around the perspective of a first year experience as a SPMA student. The three reps talk about what mindset they've adopted early on to be successful in the program, and some of the main reasons why they made the final decision to head down to St. Catharines. Additionally, standout moments from the year are also brought up.
Ruby, Alex, and Chantal also talk about some adjustments that they've had to make during the year, with one particular example revolving around... stop lights and Ubers???? Finally, they reveal events or specific things that has helped them mitigate the ongoing stresses that university can impose on a daily schedule.
Thank you to Ruby, Alex, and Chantal for joining the show to have an amazing conversation with us!
Keep up with the podcast on social! Give our Instagram and TikTok pages a follow by searching the handle @spmacouncilpodcast! Subscribe to our Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube feeds to be the first ones to access fresh podcast content!
MaximizeYourMindset
In this episode of the SPMA Council Podcast, the squad welcomes SPMA alumnus Evan MacDonald, who is the founder and owner of the Wheeled Brew, a mobile bar business that serves outstanding craft beers for a variety events on literal wheels! To help co-host, we welcome an old friend of the show for this episode, as Evan Pike steps back behind the mic!
Evan, joining us from the Wheeled Brew's first store location in Barrie, talks to us about his mindset of keeping an open mind, failing fast, and using the lessons from those failures to move in a positive direction. He elaborates on his time in the SPMA program with respect to the niches he envisioned himself going into, and he also gives an inside look into the process behind dealing with various clients/managing relationships at Sigma Promotions. Additionally, he describes the wealth of knowledge he gained from a role that required him to wear a lot of knowledge "hats" to succeed.
The conversation then shifts to his current venture, The Wheeled Brew. Evan gives us insight into the unique business model that he established through inspiration from a less-than-appealing wedding bar table, and gives us a look into how the Wheeled Brew operates at each event. Evan also tells us about how he decided to open up the Wheeled Brew's first store location, and the unique rationale behind naming each bar truck. Finally, Evan harps on the importance of dedicating time to personal development and growth at the end of the show (much of it being out there for free, such as podcasts!).
Thank you again to Evan for joining the show and engaging in fantastic conversation!
Keep up with the podcast on social! Give our Instagram and TikTok pages a follow by searching the handle @spmacouncilpodcast! Subscribe to our Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube feeds to be the first ones to access fresh podcast content!
MaximizeYourMindset
After grinding through midterms, we're back in a big way featuring a fantastic guest, as William and Maddy interview Chris Shewfelt, VP of Business Development for the Toronto Argonauts/Toronto FC and a SPMA Course Instructor!
To start the show, Chris talks about his start as a SPMA course instructor this year and his overall philosophy when it comes to teaching and dealing with each student in his class. He sheds some light about how he was able to navigate his teams at TFC and the Argos through the pandemic, and what strategies he used to keep the team functioning at high performance.
Chris also engages in a great discussion about leadership. He chats about what makes great leaders and the characteristics surrounding those who are successful in roles both inside and outside a work environment. Additionally, Chris talks about the importance of personal branding, and the importance of creating one that serves as a positive reflection. We end the show by talking about MLSE LaunchPad and the great work it has done to help those in need through the power of sport.
Thank you Chris for joining the show and taking the time to talk with us!
If any listeners are interested, the 14th annual PrimeTime Sports and Entertainment Conference is being held from November 14th-16th in Toronto! The conference is a great resource for professional development, and a way to get yourself out there to a number of sports organizations, especially with the Career Fair being held on the Monday. For more information on the conference and to register, please feel free to click the following link: http://www.primetimesport.ca/registration/
Keep up with the podcast on social by following us on Instagram and TikTok! Subscribe to our streaming feeds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube by simply searching "SPMA Council Podcast!"
MaximizeYourMindset
Season 3, Episode 4 is here, as William and guest co-host Anaiah Pitt invite Michael Lenart onto the show! Michael, a registered physiotherapist, works on the medical staff for Team Canada's para ice hockey team, and also serves on the Medical Advisory Board for Para Golf Canada. Michael starts off the show with his take on a growth mindset outlook that's helped him throughout his career. He sheds some light about his early days of his career in physiotherapy, including specific experiences that led him to this unique career route. Michael also talks about his involvement in the para sport sector. He talks about what led him to sledge hockey and how he was appointed to Team Canada. The national team completed the 2021 World Championships in Ostrava last winter, so Michael gives us a look at what a game-day experience looked like, and how the team reacted to any events or medical issues. Michael is also heavily involved with Para Golf Canada, so he gives us a look on the efforts being made to make the game more accessible to those with a disability. Finally, with intramurals starting for Brock students, Michael gives some helpful tips on how students can experience a smooth return to sport after being away from the playing field for more than a year. Thank you Michael for joining the show! Be sure to follow our social media channels to keep up to date on everything that's happening with the podcast! We're on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok by simply searching "SPMA Council Podcast!"
MaximizeYourMindset
On this week's edition of the SPMA Council Podcast, William and special guest co-host Jake Matthews interview SPMA alumnus Sarah-Marie Doherty, founder of Shop Dressr, a rapidly growing business dedicated to producing high-quality Canadian university apparel.
To start off the show, Sarah chats with us about her driven mindset that revolves around saying yes to every opportunity, both as an undergrad and after university. She also talks about the niches in the sport industry that she wanted to focus on as a career once she got out of the program.
We then get into the year 2019, which was the founding year for Shop Dressr. However, before the founding of the business, Sarah tells us her journey to find her passion and her purpose, which, interestingly enough, was found by looking at a credit card statement. When Shop Dressr was eventually launched, Sarah tells us about how it started with a goal of selling 25 shirts at Queen's University. Demand grew to 75 shirts sold that day, and the rest is history, with multiple universities signing on with the business over the past year and a half.
Finally, Sarah talks about the unique indirect marketing strategies that she uses- primarily on social- to attract consumers (take some notes if you wish, it's a fantastic way to sell and positively push a brand), the hurdles that Shop Dressr has had to navigate, and where she sees Shop Dressr going in the future.
Thank you to Sarah-Marie for joining the show! Feel free to check out Shop Dressr at shopdressr.com or on social using @shopdressr!
As always, our content can be found on all major audio platforms and YouTube! Follow our Instagram and TikTok pages as well for cool podcast content, such as guest reveals and previews!
MaximizeYourMindset
We're back at it again with another awesome episode for all of you to enjoy! In Episode 2, the squad welcomes on SPMA alumnus Ryan Stacey, current coordinator of video services for the Charlottetown Islanders and host of the Hockey Minds Podcast! Ryan joins the show to discuss his pathway into the the operations side of hockey. Ryan sheds some light on the numerous volunteer positions he took while in the SPMA program, including the sacrifice that it took to make those opportunities a reality. Ryan also chats about the conclusion of his time at Brock that ended up with an internship with the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL, followed by a position as Analytics Director of the Sarnia Sting not long after, and chats about the differences between working the professional and the major junior game. At the time of this recording, training camp was underway for the Islanders, so Ryan talked about his current role with how he's supporting the players, and the uncertainty behind a changing roster with constant movement. He also chats about his podcasting duties as host of the Hockey Minds Podcast, which recently had a multi-day online conference of various hockey operations professionals, ranging from the analytics community and scouts, to coaches and player development specialists. Finally, Ryan speaks on the growing role of analytics in the game, ranging from on-ice statistics, to off-ice business analytics that can potentially help organizations make pivotal decisions. A special shoutout to our social media manager Jackson Pretli for making his official hosting debut on the show! Keep up with the podcast on Instagram and TikTok using the handle @spmacouncilpodcast! Subscribe to our Apple, Spotify, and YouTube feeds to tune in to all our latest content!
MaximizeYourMindset
It's finally here... our OFFICIAL Season 3 Premiere! This is sure to be one of our best episodes yet, as William and Maddy invite on Brenley Shapiro, Mental Performance coach for the Arizona Coyotes (NHL) and the Peterborough Petes (OHL)! To start off the show (11:54), Brenley shares how she maximizes her own mindset in order to have a successful career in her field. She shares her own unique path for going into the field of sports psychology through a passion for sport and her own experiences in her general counselling practice (15:48). Brenley also remarks on the weight of expectations that athletes face from a very young age, which she was determined to help succeed (17:35), and she reveals the framework and process behind what goes into helping each athlete she encounters (24:15). Additionally, Brenley reflects on the past year with the Coyotes and the experiences with virtual-only interaction (30:00). She highlights the differences in mindsets between professional and junior players (36:00), and she shares some very valuable pointers for students in preparation for the 2021-22 school year. We think it's one of the most important segments of this episode- trust us. (41:53). Thank you Brenley for joining the show and taking the time to speak with us! Keep in touch with the podcast on social! Follow us on Instagram/Tiktok @spmacouncilpodcast, tune into our audio platforms (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, we're everywhere!), and subscribe to our YouTube Feed by searching "SPMA Council!"
MaximizeYourMindset
After a long summer break, we're officially BACK for Season 3 of the SPMA Council Podcast! Old and new faces are introduced for the 2021/22 edition of the Pod Squad! This year's squad features two new faces- Jackson Pretli (Podcast Social Media Coordinator) and Madelyn Grossi (Podcast Administrator), with William Ord as the host. Plus, hear an big announcement at the beginning of the show regarding a "Last Dance" for one of these three. In this season preview, the theme for this year is unveiled- Maximize Your Mindset. Hear what this theme means to each member of the pod squad, and how it'll influence the direction of Season 3 this year. The team also chats about a few personal goals for Season 3 as well. We hope that this preview serves as an exciting primer for this season! Stay tuned for the premiere featuring a very exciting guest, which'll drop on August 27th! Tune in with the pod squad as they bring a Season 3 full of great content guaranteed to #MaximizeYourMindset! Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us @spmacouncilpodcast on Instagram and Tik Tok, and subscribe to our YouTube feed by searching "Brock SPMA Council!"
Did you think we were done when we recorded the Season 2 Recap? Nope! As a little surprise, and a thank-you to our guests and listeners, we have put together a compilation that captures the best that Season 2 had to offer. This stretches from our season premiere in August to our final regular episode in late March 2021. Check out the timestamps below to tune into each episode's top soundbite! Thank you again for your support all year. Season 2 brought incredible moments and memories to the show, and we're honoured that you've been on that journey, whether it's been through listening to one episode, multiple episodes, or even the whole Season Two lineup. We'll be taking a break for a bit, so stay healthy, enjoy the nice weather, and stay tuned for our plans for Season 3! We're hoping to build off the momentum that we've gained this season to deliver a new one that you'll absolutely love. As we say after every episode, stay classy and we'll see all of you soon. -The Pod Squad Intro- 0:09 Episode 1 with Sean Mitchell- 0:51 Episode 2 with Noah Goren- 5:33 Episode 4 with Hannah Gougeon and Mackayla Petrie- 10:47 Episode 5 with Adam Hunter- 14:48 Episode 6 with Matt Ragogna- 17:31 Episode 7 with Emma Lambert- 22:37 Episode 8 with Adam Krueger- 27:22 Episode 9 with Tyler Matthews- 32:47 Episode 10 with Matt Comand- 36:00 Episode 12 with Damien Cox- 41:27 Episode 13 with Chris Charlebois- 44:38 Episode 14 with Fitriya Mohamed- 47:56 Episode 15 with Caitlin Bolitho- 52:24 Episode 16 with Erin Uchtenhagen- 56:01 Episode 17 with Anaiah Pitt and Jackson Pretli- 1:00:43 Episode 18 with Josh Belkoff- 1:03:52 Episode 19 with Andi Petrillo- 1:09:23 Episode 20 with Rod MacKinnon- 1:13:23 Final Remarks- 1:16:07
Welcome to the Season 2 Recap for the SPMA Council Podcast! In this episode, William, Neville, and Evan discuss the year that was, accomplishments, and standout moments from certain episodes of the show. We hope you enjoy! Stay tuned for a compilation of the best moments from the season that will be released very soon!
OutOfYourComfortZone
You've waited for it and it's here- welcome to part 1 of the finale for Season 2 of the SPMA Council Podcast, featuring panels of 4th year graduating students from the program! The panel of Ethan, Suz, and Emmett chat with William and Neville about their time in SPMA, with each person having a distinct and unique path that they took to make the most out of their SPMA experiences (6:05). The panel elaborates on steps they took to make their SPMA experience as memorable as possible, and advises on some ways to do so for others interested in doing the same thing (15:43). Additionally, the panel sheds some light on some setbacks or challenges that they have faced as a SPMA student-hint hint, this may or may not be a leading question-(29:00), and to end off on a good note, the panel reflects on some of the light-hearted and funny moments that they've experienced while in SPMA (43:30). Thanks to Ethan, Suz, and Emmett for coming onto the show to chat with the pod squad! It was awesome to hear about your journey through the program- best of luck as you head off into the industry as Badger alumni! Keep up with the podcast on social by following us on Instagram @spmacouncilpodcast! Subscribe to our Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and YouTube feeds to stay up to date with the latest content and news!
OutOfYourComfortZone
Season 2, Episode 20 is here! In this episode, it is Ethan Crystal's last as a co-host, as himself and William bring on a good friend of Ethan's- Roderick MacKinnon from the Canadian Olympic Committee. Rod sits down and chats about his time at McGill, where he was an analyst for the McGill Martlets Women's Hockey Team (11:33), his exchange journey to China that was completely out of his comfort zone (16:30), and how his role has evolved due to the postponement of Tokyo 2020 (30:20).
Rod also talks about strategies that he employed to get his foot in the door in the industry, giving helpful points to those seeking to work in sports(34:15).
Thanks to Rod for coming on the show! Keep up with the podcast by subscribing to our audio and video platforms, and give us a follow on Instagram! As well, big shoutout to Ethan, the founder of this show, for co-hosting for one final time. You will be missed! Best of luck as you head towards graduation in June.
OutOfYourComfortZone
This is a MASSIVE episode of the SPMA Council Podcast, as William Ord and returning guest cohost Madelyn Grossi bring on Andi Petrillo, host of Leafs Lunch and formerly of Hockey Night In Canada! Andi starts off with a brief reflection on her career (8:00) that came with a whole lot of "firsts". She talks about how she got inspired to work in sport through her studies at Seneca College (15:00), along with her early experiences as a reporter for Leafs TV, covering the Maple Leafs and the Marlies (19:55). After her tenure from MLSE, Andi touches upon the unique aspects of working for Canada's biggest telecast, Hockey Night In Canada (25:00), such as acting as an unofficial ambassador for the game across the country. She talks about her current role with TSN 1050's Leafs Lunch, along with the differences to conducting a successful radio show (29:13). Finally, Andi talks about a (35:19) "full circle" experience with some young fans that was similar to an experience she had with an idol in broadcasting that she looked up to, along with advice to students who may be interested in pursuing a media/broadcasting career. Thank you Andi for joining the show! Stay up-to-date with content by subscribing to our Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube feeds! Follow us on Instagram for great content, highlights, and guest announcments!
OutOfYourComfortZone
The newest episode of the podcast is here! William brings on SPMA Council Events team member Mason Boruch to chat with Josh Belkoff, VP of Business Development at Sports Business Solutions and VP of College Partnerships/Business Development at theClubhouse!
Before the main bits of the show, a spirited discussion about the weather in St. Catharines vs Arizona comes up for some reason (6:56). After that spiel that has absolutely nothing to do with sport, Josh gives an overview of his career journey (9:27), starting with finding his passion for sport business while majoring in political science, and a unique internship/class project with Tucson FC and the MLS Desert Diamond Cup (15:35) that helped him shape his industry niche (funny enough, he was talking to that same class he was in just before the show!). Josh also talks about his time with the Phoenix Suns in business development and premium sales, including the ways the Suns brand was marketed to consumers (22:00).
Finally, Josh talks about his role with Sports Business Solutions with regards to dealing with different sports teams and groups (29:17), and his position with theClubhouse, founded on the concept of giving back to aspiring sports industry professionals (33:16). He also sheds light on what's been making his life purposeful in an uncertain environment (37:33).
Thanks again to Josh for joining the show! Keep up with the podcast by subscribing to our Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube feeds to stay up to date with the latest episodes! Follow us on Instagram for cool content, behind-the scenes footage, and more!
OutOfYourComfortZone
Episode 17 of the podcast goes old-school with 1 take and one take only, while adding something new- a roundtable format to discuss the 2020-21 academic year. This roundtable features William and two of SPMA Council's first year reps- Jackson Pretli and Anaiah Pitt. The table starts the conversation by discussing various approaches that they took to set themselves up for success back in September 2020 (2:35). Challenges during the year (6:24), and strategies to create opportunity or keep life interesting are also talked about (13:00). Finally, the table talks about the ever-pressing discussion surrounding mental health and the strategies that they've used to keep their minds level and positive in order to make the most of this year(17:52). Thanks to Jackson and Anaiah for joining the show! Keep up with the show by following us on Instagram @spmacouncilpodcast! Stay up to date with content by subscribing to our YouTube channel (SPMA Council) and follow our Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Anchor feeds for the latest content!
Season 2, Episode 16 is here, as William and Evan interview Erin Uchtenhagen, Business Executive for the WHL's Red Deer Rebels!
Erin starts off the podcast by telling the crazy story about how her start in the fashion industry during her time at Red Deer and Olds College led to her discovering a passion for business and sport (8:23), along with the relentless pursuit it took to land opportunities (11:38). Erin talks about her time with the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, including what a typical day looked like working when the Games were in full swing (spoiler-it was anything but!) (17:22).
Erin moves on to talk about her current role with the Red Deer Rebels, which is a role with "many hats", as the old saying goes (22:55). She talks about the recent headlines that the Rebels have made by housing team members in arena suites, along with the process that went behind that (28:15). Finally, Erin touches upon her entrepreneurial endeavors as a freelance ecommerce consultant (34:38), along with advice to students possessing an entrepreneurial spirit.
Thanks to Erin for joining the podcast! Keep up with the show by following us on Instagram @spmacouncilpodcast. Follow our Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube feeds to stay up to date with the latest content!
OutOfYourComfortZone
15 episodes into Season 2 and we're still producing electric content, as the pod squad interviews Caitlin Bolitho (BSM 13'), Sr. Manager of Ticketing and Client Services for the Hamilton Bulldogs!
Caitlin starts off the episode by telling a crazy story about how she met a connection-in Florida, of all places- that ultimately gave her the boost she needed to have a career in the sports industry (9:57). She also discusses the tasks and responsibilities she faces in a typical day working for the Bulldogs (13:32).
During her time at Brock, Caitlin reflects on the variety of opportunities she had during her undergrad (from opportunities in and away from the sports industry) (18:17), along with her recent journey back to academia with an MBA from Queen's University (24:49). Finally, Caitlin reflects on the challenges that COVID has brought to her ticketing and client services role, along with hidden positives from the time away from work (30:24), and her favourite memory so far with the Bulldogs (36:22).
Thanks to Caitlin for joining us, and to our podcast administrator, Neville Madill for co-hosting! Keep up with the podcast on social by following us on Instagram @spmacouncilpodcast! Stay up to date on new content by following our Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube feeds!
OutOfYourComfortZone
We've got an absolutely stellar podcast lined up for this week, as William and special guest co-host Patrick Byrne welcome on Fitriya Mohamed, current SPMA Masters' student and the founder of the Muslim Women's Summer Basketball League (MWSBL) in Toronto! Fitriya starts off the show by sharing her journey to Canada at age 10 from Ethiopia, along with what developed her passion for the game of basketball (8:50). She also talks about her current tenure as a SPMA Master's student and the challenges that online learning has brought to the year (14:07), along with the importance of "trusting your gut" (18:01). Fitriya also chats about her main project, the MWSBL. She talks about how the league was formed from a grant from the City of Toronto (22:58), unique challenges with running the league (26:17), mainstream media sources like Nike recognizing the importance of diverse sport entities (29:01), and the league's mission to create role models for future players (34:06). Thanks to Fitriya for coming onto the show! Keep up with the podcast by following us on Instagram @spmacouncilpodcast! Follow/subscribe to our Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube feeds to be the first to know about new and exciting content!
OutOfYourComfortZone
We're rolling into Episode 13 of this season as William and guest co-host Madelyn Grossi welcome aboard SPMA alumnus Chris Charlebois of Sport-Travel!
Chris talks about his recent journey pursuing his Masters, which led to an instructor role within the department (12:51), and shares why the role has made him more connected with the current SPMA student population (13:48). Chris also discusses his journey after his time as an undergrad, including time with his own company, C2C Sports & Entertainment (16:39). In his current role as COO of Sport-Travel, Chris sheds some light on the challenges that himself and company have faced due to COVID (22:50), along with discussing sport’s worth in the future (25:14). Finally, Chris talks about the benefits with getting involved with local businesses (31:24), and common misconceptions with events in the industry (35:22).
Thanks again to Chris for joining the show! Keep up with the podcast by following us on Instagram, and subscribe to our Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Anchor, and YouTube channels to keep up-to-date with the latest content!
OutOfYourComfortZone
After the Christmas break, the SPMA Council Podcast is BACK in business as we kick off the second half of season 2! This week's episode features a well known and accomplished industry pro- Damien Cox of the Toronto Star, formerly of Prime Time Sports on Sportsnet 590 The FAN.
Damien sits down with William Ord and Evan Pike to chat about his 30+ year career in the industry. Damien talks about his start into the business through his experiences starting at the Scarborough News Bureau and the Toronto Star (10:54), and the importance of acquiring transferrable skills that can apply to a variety of different fields (13:40). Damien discusses his time at Sportsnet 590 The Fan and the role sports radio plays in modern sport consumption (17:11), along with (21:55) a moment of career re-evaluation after leaving television and radio. He also sheds some light on his role of running the Lou Marsh Award Voting committee (awarded to Canada's best athlete), along with the unique circumstances brought by this year's results (28:30), along with his "bucket list" on who he'd like to interview.
Thanks to Damien for coming onto the show, and to Evan for doing a great co-hosting job! Keep up with the podcast on social by following us on Instagram, and subscribe to our Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube feeds to be the first to listen to new episodes!
OutOfYourComfortZone
We're officially halfway through Season 2 as we head into the holidays!
All of the pod squad gets together to chat about what went down over the past couple months, including their thoughts on Season 2 and their favourite moments from all 10 episodes! Plus, hear some personal goals and aspirations about what we're going to bring to the table in 2021!
We hope you enjoy this episode as a nice way to conclude 2020. Have a great Christmas, and we will see all of you with more great content beginning in the New Year!
OutOfYourComfortZone
We're officially going into the double digits in season 2, and it's on the back of an electric episode, featuring Matt Comand (BSM '09), Founder and Director of Performance at Emergent.
In this edition of the show, William and debuting guest co-host Mason Boruch interview Matt to discuss his story. Matt talks about his start into the coaching business with his experiences at Brock (10:20) and as a graduate student at the University of Denver studying psychology. After leaving Denver, Matt discusses his time with the Institute of Sport Performance and Wellness (13:08) and how it helped him understand how athletes move, learn and acquire skill, along with his tenue at Consistent Elite Performance. He also talks about how he landed a position at Humber College teaching Sports Psychology (27:40) through an interesting and funny connection at a conference in Colorado.
In the back half of the episode, Matt talks about the main motivation for starting Emergent and the main areas of expertise the business sets out to accomplish (21:24). Finally, Matt shares some meaningful mental training tips and skills that students can have on hand to keep their mind level and healthy during stressful times- a point you do NOT want to miss. (35:47)
Thanks again to Matt for coming on the show! As always, keep up with the podcast on social by following us on Instagram @spmacouncilpodcast! Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spoitfy, Anchor, and subscribe to us on YouTube!
Season 2, Episode 9 is here- double digit episode counts are on the horizon! For the first time ever, we've got some family ties on the podcast, as William and guest co-host Jake Matthews welcome on Jake's brother/SPMA alumni Tyler Matthews to the show! Tyler (6:14) talks about how he got his interest in the legal field through the sport law and negotiations courses offered in the program including a trip to the St. Catharines Court of Justice to argue a mock case (9:55), and how he balances his responsibilities working with AthletesCAN and studying law at Western University as a graduate student, while emphasizing the importance of good mental health (13:16). Tyler also discusses his past tenure developing publications for the industry with the Sport Dispute and Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) (18:11), the process for athlete advocation cases (22:20), and current issues that he's had to adapt to due to the volatile nature of sport this year (25:53). Thanks again to Tyler for joining the podcast! Keep up with all the latest on the podcast by giving us a follow on Instagram @spmacouncilpodcast! Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and subscribe to SPMA Council's YouTube for the video versions of the show!
OutOfYourComfortZone
In this edition of the pod, Liam Nielsen joins William to make his co-hosting debut as they welcome on Adam Krueger, Brock SPMA alum and the current social content coordinator for MLSE. Adam chats with the team to discuss how he got his current role from the literal rafters of the Rogers Centre due to a Twitter DM (6:46), his SPMA alumni day experiences (12:27), and his takeaways as a TFC team operations intern (16:10). Adam also goes in depth into his current tenure at MLSE, including his past experiences as a community manager for a variety of MLSE franchises (20:21) and how he strategizes to produce content in his current role (24:54). Plus, learn how the Maple Leafs' first TikTok account came to fruition (28:40)!
Thanks again for Adam for taking time to chat with us! It was great having you on to talk about your current role and experiences, considering that the social/digital aspect of sport has been rapidly changing and evolving over a short period of time. Keep up with the podcast on social! Follow us on Instagram @spmacouncilpodcast! Give us a follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Anchor... wherever you find your favourite podcasts! Be sure to subscribe to the SPMA Council YouTube channel to have first dibs on the video version of the show!
OutOfYourComfortZone
Season 2, Episode 7 is here, as William and guest co-host Courtney Christy (1:06) interview Emma Lambert, National Manager of Events at motionball! Emma talks about her journey through both university and college that led her to experiencing motionball events (12:48), key moments that spurred her to pursue a full-time role with motionball (20:18), and the unique partnership process that the organization took to get their Virtual Marathon of Sport televised on Sportsnet (24:57), which raised over ONE MILLON DOLLARS. Although the Marathon of Sport was virtual, Emma touches on the importance of what the marathon meant to the athletes (34:42) in terms of interacting with people, and her favourite memory from her time at the organization (39:00). She also talks about the vast growth of motionball and the popularity it has recieved from coast to coast (39:48). This is an amazing episode that highlights a great person and a great organization that is dedicated to supporting Special Olympics Athletes, and it heightens the importance of supporting the movement as well. Simple things such as social interactions go a long way for this group of individuals. To learn more about motionball, along with their #nogoodway campaign, head on over to motionball.ca.
KEEP UP WITH THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL! Give us a follow on our Instagram page @spmacouncilpodcast! Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Anchor, and subscribe on YouTube! #OutOfYourComfortZone
Season 2, Episode 6 is here, as a FIRED UP (4:53) hosting duo of William Ord and (returning co-host) Neville Madill bring on Matt Ragogna, head coach of Brock Men's Volleyball, and a real "jack of all trades". Matt touches on the reward he gets from being a TA in the Sport Management department (10:00), the development pathway he took to become a varsity coach (13:32), and the current strategies he uses while coaching Brock (21:07). Matt also talks about the unique situation that the team is in this year (29:00), and he also chats about a meaningful initiative that he self-started (35:24), called Niagara Youth Life Coaching.
Matt's story is one of dedication and commitment, two qualities that everyone should aspire to use in their lifetime. Plus, we shout out SPMA Council Events Director Nat Hamel (2:07), as her podcast has a merchandise campaign centred around good mental health, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Mental Health Association. Check it out by visiting the show's official Instagram @didiaskpodcast!
Stay connected with new episodes, behind the scenes footage, and more! Give us a follow on Instagram @spmacouncilpodcast! We're on Apple, Spotify, Anchor, and Youtube! #OutOfYourComfortZone #FiredUp
In the latest episode of the SPMA Council Podcast, the team brings on Brock SPMA grad Adam Hunter, Sr. Manager of Growing the Game at Golf Canada(5:37). Adam talks about his SPMA experiences(7:09), why he wanted to pursue the grassroots element of the golf business(11:45), the challenges and opportunities of Summer 2020(22:50), and great advice for aspiring industry professionals(25:41). Plus, hear about some unique places where the game of game of golf is currently growing!(17:11) This is a great episode to listen to, and to make it even better, the podcast's social media expert, Evan Pike makes his debut as a co-host! We hope you enjoy as we head into the month of October! Keep up with the podcast on Instagram by following @spmacouncilpodcast! Be sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, and subscribe on YouTube to be the first to tune in to our latest content!
OutOfYourComfortZone
In this episode, we welcome on current fourth-year SPMA students Hannah Gougeon and Mackayla Petrie, founders of Sport Helps Everyone Make Allies (SHEMA). Hannah and Mackayla (8:00) discuss their SPMA journeys heading into their final year, along with how SHEMA came to be. They discuss the club's aspirations/goals for the year, the impact that they and SHEMA would like to leave on the SPMA community, and discuss key advice for current SPMA students. SPMA Council Events Director Natalie Hamel makes her co-hosting debut as well (1:22). Tune in for an engaging and insightful podcast- we hope you enjoy! #OutOfYourComfortZone
Season 2, Episode 3 is a unique episode as the pod team brings on current SPMA Council President (and former co-host of the show), Ethan Crystal (1:43) to discuss the 2020-21 academic year and the state of the Brock Sport Management Council. As William tries to figure out why Ethan is a guest and not his "partner-in-crime", Ethan talks about the mission of the council (3:30), the state of the group (7:30), plans for connecting and engaging with new Brock SPMA students (18:59), and a great story from his time at LSU (31:14). He also pulls out the proverbial UNO reverse card and lets the host end off the show. With this episode's twists and turns, this is sure to be a good listen to get you excited for the rest of the school year. Tune in, and enjoy!
KEEP UP WITH THE POD ON SOCIAL!
LinkTree (direct links to our Apple, Spotify, and Anchor feeds) https://linktr.ee/spmacouncilpodcast
Instagram: @spmacouncilpodcast
YouTube: Brock Sport Management Council
In the second episode of Season 2, William and debuting co-host, Neville Madill interview Noah Goren (BU SPMA '19), Marketing co-ordinator for the Laval Rocket and Live Social Contributor for the Montreal Canadiens. Noah talks about his journey in SPMA (9:00) from the perspective of someone outside of Ontario and reflects on the tight-knit aspect of the SPMA community. Noah also talks about creating opportunities for success (18:20), differences between working with Laval ad Montreal (20:00) and key traits that students can learn for success in the industry (40:00). Enjoy this episode and relax before the 2020-21 school year gets underway- happy Labour Day everyone! #OutOfYourComfortZone
Folks, we've waited a long time to say this... SEASON 2 is officially here, with our guest Sean Mitchell, Treasurer of Baseball Ireland (yes, we're going intercontinental)! William joins Sean (12:30) as he talks about the current state of the game of baseball in Ireland, its progress over 25 years, and Baseball Ireland's plans for growing the game for future generations. In one of our most anticipated episodes yet, learn about the amateur sport industry from an international context, and the dedicated and passionate ways that many individuals like Sean have displayed to make baseball thrive in the country. Plus, we say hello to two new members of the podcast team (0:15), Neville Madill (podcast administrator), and Evan Pike (social media expert), who give their input on the interview as well. We hope you enjoy the episode! Let us know if you did, and stay tuned for more great season 2 content! https://youtu.be/GFlUQfZr3MA
Episode 15 brings McKenzie Clarke of SBX Group to the podcast with our regular host Will and his guest co-host, Vince Capano!
Listen closely for an insightful conversation filled with many tips and tricks for those looking to make it in the sports industry! Thank you McKenzie for joining us on the pod!
Welcome to Episode 14 of the SPMA Council Podcast!
In this episode, Will chats over the phone with Jared McGuirk, an Account Executive for the Oilers Entertainment Group and a recent Brock SPMA graduate.
Stay-tuned for an interesting in-depth conversation about Jared's journey to his current role and some advice he has to those future sport management professionals currently stuck at home due to COVID-19.
Welcome to Episode 13 of the SPMA Council Podcast!
Will and guest co-host Suzanne welcome on our special guest Madeline Rawson, who is currently working for the CHL!
Tune-in as Madeline shares all her experience in the sports industry and highlights a couple of things students can do to further their professional careers. Thank you Madeline for coming on the pod!
Welcome to Episode 12 of the SPMA Council Podcast!
Will and Ethan welcome on our special guest Will Kay, who is currently Director of Business Development for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Will has plenty of knowledge and experience that he touches upon throughout this episode! Make sure to listen closely as Will offers some advice for those hoping to break into the sports industry!
Welcome to Episode 11 of the podcast!
Will is finally joined by his regular full-time co-host Ethan who has just returned from his exchange at LSU.
Together, they chat with Darryl Dionne of the PHPA about his wealth of sport industry experience, including stints with the Columbus Blue Jackets and WWE.
Many of you know Darryl from his time teaching SPMA 2P65 last semester at Brock, so we hope you enjoy listening to this episode!
Welcome to Episode 10 of the SPMA Council Podcast!
In this episode, Ethan chats with the interns from the National Champion LSU Event Management Department. Listen as they discuss everything surrounding their internship and listen as they give advice to those looking forward to their own internship.
We hope you enjoy this special episode of the podcast!
In Episode 9 of the podcast, Will is joined by guest co-host Hayley Michie as they travel to interview Darren Arnold of the Hamilton Bulldogs.
This Brock SPMA alumnus has had a plethora of experience in the sports industry and shares his journey and his insights to those hoping to one day break into the industry!
As always, we hope you enjoy it and let us know what you think!
In Episode 8 of the podcast, Will is joined by SPMA Council Member Ryan Hyndman as they team up to interview Matthew Bennett, Director of Corporate Sponsorships at Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group.
Listen closely to hear Matthew's experiences all the way from his time at Brock to his current role.
We hope you enjoy and keep a look out for the next episode!
In Episode 7 of the podcast, Will travels to Rogers Centre (or as he still calls it... the Skydome)to interview SPMA alumnus Evan Gwartz. Evan, currently in Client Services and Premium Hospitality with the Toronto Blue Jays, talks about his role with regards to dealing with clients and trends in premium seating.
He also talks about previous experiences working with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and gives insights into what the SPMA graduate student route has to offer.
Plus, Evan shares his thoughts on movies and his favourite sports venues!
Enjoy it and happy Sport Media Day, as part of our spirit week!
In episode 6 of the podcast, Will and Ethan head to Mississauga to interview CFL on TSN analyst and colour commentator Duane Forde. Duane talks about his career experiences accumulated with Sportsnet, theScore, and TSN.
He also has some great advice for student-athletes trying to navigate university on top of playing sports.
It’s jam-packed with insightful content that SPMA students can use to their advantage.
Happy listening!
In the latest episode, William and Ethan interview current SPMA Council president, Vince Capano.
Vince talks about the current state of the Council with regards to the current group and overall presence around the program. Also featuring a mini-preview to all SPMA students about what to expect/get excited for the year ahead.
We hope you enjoyed this episode. Remember to like, subscribe and share with all your friends!
Episode 4 of the SPMA Council Podcast invites Brock alums, Mitch Johnson and Curtis Savage, from Landmark Sports Group, to talk about their experience in the "non-traditional" side of the sports industry.
Hear these recent graduates talk about their transition from school to work, the intricacies and details that go into planning a race and some funny office stories.
Mitch and Curtis also give advice to SPMA students on how they can succeed straight out of the gate and some lessons to learn along the way.
In the third episode of the Brock SPMA Council podcast, Ethan and newcomer to the podcast Will are joined by Danielle Henry of MLSE and GroundbreakHERS.
Listen in for a fantastic chat about life working for MLSE and the challenges and triumphs that came with starting GroundbreakHERS. This episode offers listeners an in-depth view on what life in the sports industry entails, with some funny stories along the way.
Overall, we discussed her story working in the sport industry, GroundbreakHERS, advice for students looking to work in the sport industry, and a sneak preview of a potential council event this upcoming year