A year inside the organization
Introduced in 2011, the fellowship was designed for undergraduate and graduate students who wanted to contribute directly to the symposium. Fellows worked closely with the executive director over 12 months, supporting projects involving media, sponsorship, year-round content and the planning and implementation of the Ivy and Global Sports Symposiums.
The 2014 program described a small annual intake of up to two students. Their role involved organizational tasks across several activities, offering a view of how an educational event is developed and delivered. The combination of continuing projects and an annual conference made the work broader than a single day of volunteering.
Recognizing emerging professionals
Also launched in 2011, the Sports Symposium–SportsPro 10 NEXT awards recognized ten young sports-business leaders each year for distinctive early achievements. The honorees represented different functions and countries, reflecting the range of careers within the industry.
The awards brought those early-career perspectives into the symposium alongside established executives. In 2014, Chris and SportsPro Managing Director Nick Meacham hosted the ceremony. Recognition formed part of a wider educational program that also included workshops, discussions and student-led organization.
Turning experience into useful conversations
The 10 NEXT Series extended the idea into smaller gatherings. A May 2013 session at Madison Square Garden, organized by the Young Leaders Committee, examined the anatomy of a sports deal. Award recipients Jason Belzer, David Oestreicher and Jared Schoenfeld discussed selling, relationship building and negotiation.
The session materials moved through practical stages: preparing outreach, understanding a potential partner's needs, presenting an opportunity, negotiating and defining the agreement. Questions and networking followed the discussion. This was a concrete example of the organization's wider approach: experienced young professionals explaining their work to people preparing to enter or advance within the industry.
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