Speaker Series
The Sport and Recreation Business program hosts virtual several Speaker Series featuring sport industry professionals from across the country and covering a wide variety of topics.
The purpose of this series is to educate, inspire and engage our students, the UAF community and the public on sport and recreation topics.
Careers on the Business Side of Hunting
Panelists for this session:- Dr. Steve Adair - chief scientist, Ducks Unlimited
- McKenzie Mitchell - big game guide, pilot, flight instructor and entrepreneur
- Kurt Racicot - founder, owner and lead designer, Stone Glacier
Sustainability in Outdoor Recreation
Panelists for this session:- Danielle Stickman - Alaska Deputy Director, The Wilderness Society
- Emily Sullivan - Arctic Program Manager, Northern Alaska Environmental Center
Careers on the Business Side of Aviation
Panelists for this session:- Elle Bardsley - Beech 1900 First Officer, Ace Air Cargo
- David Bishko - 20+ years combined in the airlines industry
- Glen Graham - Flight Control Supervisor, Everts Air Cargo
- Mikaela Young - Fire Boss Pilot, Dauntless Air
Product Development in Outdoor Recreation
Panelists for this session:- Anastasia Allison - founder, Kula Cloth
- Mason Strehl - marketing manager, Zenbivy; commercial photographer; owner, Arete Designs
Ticket Sales and Service in Professional Sports
Panelist for this session:- Aaron Lampkin, vice president of ticket sales and service for the soccer team Seattle Sounders FC
Entrepreneurship in Outdoor Recreation
Panelists for this session:- Sally Andersen, owner and business manager of Arctic Wild
- Annie Hopper, owner of Lodge at Black Rapids
- Danielle Tirrell, owner of Coyote Air Taxi
Corporate Partnerships in Professional Sport
Panelists for this session:- Michelle Gulino, senior director of corporate partnership for the San Diego National Women's Soccer League
- Dr. Peggy Keiper, associate professor and director of the Sport and Recreation Business program
Balancing Profession & Passion in Outdoor Recreation
Panelists for this session:- Sarah Histand - mental health-informed adventure fitness trainer and owner of Mind and Mountain
- Klara Maisch - artist, instructor and guide
- Joanna Young - glaciologist and director of Inspiring Girls Alaska
Rookie Chalk Talk: Early Career Panel
Panelists for this session:
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Shannon Flaherty — Senior Account Coordinator, Sportfive
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Will Quinn — Manager, Business Development, Baylor Bear Sports Properties
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Brenden Zarrinnam — Field Market Solutions Specialist, Learfield IMG College
Business of College Athletics Fundraising
Panelists for this session:
- Andrew Bauschelt — associate director of athletic development, major gifts, Rutgers University
- Immanuel Kerr-Brown — associate director of development, Penn State University
- Nick Smith — assistant athletic director for major gifts, associate director of development, Miami University
Tokyo Olympics 2021
Panelists for this session:
- Tim Ambruso — Associate director, events and logistics, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee
- Carol Callan — Women’s national team director, USA Basketball
- Paul Florence — Senior vice president, strategy and operations, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee
Business and Careers in Esports
Panelists for this session:
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Jennifer Estipona —Manager of Talent Sourcing, Activision Blizzard
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Manny Lorras — Senior Director, Team Marketing and Business Operations, National Basketball Association
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John Spiher — Vice President of Partnerships, Dignitas
Alaska Esports Scene
Panelists for this session:-
Heath Day – education program manager, GCI
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Mike Juell – esports coordinator, ķƵ
Tackling Stigmas, Stereotypes, and Myths
Panelists for this session:- Cricket Carlson – head of community, social, public and influencer relations at Kindly Beast
- Brian “Nacho” Traynor – manager of marketing and team operations for Hornets Venom GT
Coaching Esports
Panelists for this session:- Steven “Flubby” Coronel – head coach, Vancouver Titans
- Ali “Pew” Anwar – assistant coach, Vancouver Titans
- Joey “Nubzy” DiGiacomo – head coach, Seattle Surge
First Impressions and Building a Meaningful Network
Panelists for this session:
- Brett Baur, Vice President, Global Partnerships, Monumental Sports and Entertainment
- Solly Fulp Executive Vice President, Learfield IMG College
- Michelle Gulino, Manager of Corporate Sponsorship, Dallas Cowboys
- Mark Koski, Chief Marketing Officer, National Federation of State High School Associations
- Chris Parker, President and CEO, NJCAA
Sport for Social Change
Panelists for this session:
- Jordan Budget, Associate Manager, Media Partnerships, National Basketball Association (NBA)
- Lauren Dwyer, Basketball Administration Lead, Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
- Mike Metcalf, co-founder of DECK Leadership, author of “12 Second Culture,” and NASCAR pit crew coach for Chip Ganassi Racing
- Shaun Peet, co-founder of DECK Leadership, author of “12 Second Culture,” and NASCAR pit crew coach for Chip Ganassi Racing
Storytelling Using Data and Analytics
Panelists for this session:
- Melissa Koop, Senior Analyst, Business Intelligence, Phoenix Suns (NBA)
- Josh Schayer, Corporate Sales Business Analyst, Oilers Entertainment Group (NHL)
- Chris Thompson, Director, CRM and Analytics, Portland Timbers (MLS)
- Dr. Cait Wilson, Senior Research Manager, YouGov
The Landscape of Esports
Panelists for this session:
- Justin Baldwin, Senior Manager of Partnerships, 4FRONT
- Ashley Chalk, Vice President of Partnerships, Complexity
- John Spiher, Vice President of Partnerships, Dignitas
2022 Esport & Gaming Summit
Friday, March 25, 2022
The ķƵ hosted its second Esport & Gaming Summit on Friday, March 25, 2022. This free event was open to students, faculty, staff and community members, and offered virtual panel sessions by industry experts and UAF departments. The event was sponsored by GCI.
Recordings of each of the online panels may be viewed below or on the for the event.
ONLINE PANEL 1: Female Representation in Gaming
Moderator: Peggy Keiper
- Court "FrozenFlygone" - Games Done Quick/Frame Fatales
- Leonie Leonard - GameHERS
ONLINE PANEL 2: Current State of Education in Esport
Moderator: Amanda Langhorst
- Katrina Adkins - SHI International Corp.
- Heath Day - GCI
- Jeff White - National Junior College Athletic Association
ONLINE KEY NOTE PANEL: Mental Health and Gaming
Moderator: Shayna Smith
- Kelli Dunlap - Take This!
- Kim Frost - UAF
- Mike Juell - UAF
- John Spiher - Dignitas
Hybrid Community Game Night
During the game night, in-person participants attempted to conquer a summit in "The Climb 2" on the Oculus Quest 2, participated in casual gaming and watched the Valorant team in action. Online attendees had the opportunity to play Jackbox games, which are easy to learn even for first-time players.
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