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Blue Demons go on whirlwind tour of Chicago sports industry

Dec. 9, 2022

This December intersession, DePaul business students in a “Behind the Scenes with Chicago Sports Organizations" course visited with many of Chicago's iconic sports teams and organizations, including the Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks and Bulls. Now in its ninth year, the class is led by Andy Clark, director of Sports Business Programs and clinical professor in the Driehaus College of Business.

Beyond providing a fun learning experience between the fall and winter quarters, the intensive one-week program acts as a networking opportunity for Blue Demons. Most of the sports organizations featured in the program now have alumni of the class working on staff.

23 undergraduate and 3 graduate students in the Sports Business program take off on a week-long trek through Chicago’s sports landscape.

Twenty-three undergraduate and three graduate students in DePaul's sports busines program took off on a week-long trek through Chicago’s sports landscape. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Kicking off on Monday, Nov. 28, Chris Hartweg, publisher and CEO for Team Marketing Report, lead a discussion with the class on DePaul’s Loop Campus.

Chris Hartweg, publisher and CEO for Team Marketing Report, lead a discussion with the class on DePaul’s Loop Campus. (DePaul University/Kathy Hillegonds)

Later that day, the students toured the White Sox Guaranteed Rate Field and learned from department heads.

At the beginning of the week, students toured Guaranteed Rate Field, home to the Chicago White Sox, and learned from department heads. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Tuesday began with a visit to one of “Crain’s Coolest Offices in Chicago,” rEvolution Integrated Sports Marketing Agency in their West Loop headquarters. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Celine Soto, manager of Client Services at rEvolution Integrated Sports Marketing Agency, spoke with the class and is also an alumna who participated in this class while at DePaul.

Celine Soto, a DePaul alum and the manager of Client Services at rEvolution Integrated Sports Marketing Agency, spoke with the class. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

(DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Tuesday afternoon brought the class north to Wrigleyville and the Cubs corporate offices.

Tuesday afternoon brought the class north to Wrigleyville and the Chicago Cubs organization corporate offices. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Colin Faulkner, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing and chief commercial officer for the Chicago Cubs, lead the class through the newly renovated areas beneath Wrigley Field.

Colin Faulkner, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing and chief commercial officer for the Chicago Cubs, led the class through the renovated Cubs home clubhouse and premier spaces. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Diego Chahda, account executive, premier sales with the Chicago Cubs and DePaul College of Communication alum, class of 2012, provided insights into a career in the Chicago sports industry.

Diego Chahda, account executive, premier sales with the Chicago Cubs and 2012 DePaul alum, provided insights into a career in the Chicago sports industry. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

A unique feature of Clark’s class is gaining access to areas that are usually restricted to the general public. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Wednesday began with an excursion to Wilson Sporting Goods’ corporate headquarters. (Wilson Sporting Goods/Drew Meredith)

Following that, the class ventured west to the United Center and interacted with a panel of representatives from the Bulls.

The class ventured west to the United Center and interacted with a panel of representatives from the Chicago Bulls. (Chicago Bulls/Beth Blackman)

The class were special guests of the Blackhawks that evening for their game vs. the Edmonton Oilers.

Blue Demons were special guests of the Chicago Blackhawks that evening for the team's game vs. the Edmonton Oilers. (DePaul University/Kathleen Cassin)

On Thursday the class made their way to the Bears’ Loop offices for a roundtable discussion with managers from key departments, including Rachel Chessky (BUS ’16), third from left who was a student in this class. (DePaul University/Kathy Hillegonds)

(DePaul University/Kathy Hillegonds)

Thursday afternoon included a meeting with leading sports market agency Paragon Marketing Group and Senior Vice President Matt Waitz.

Thursday's session included a meeting with leading sports marketing agency Paragon Marketing Group and Senior Vice President Matt Waitz. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

On Friday morning, the class headed south to Wintrust Arena and a tour with Arena Manager David Kennedy. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Taylor Stapleton, executive associate athletics director for DePaul Athletics, far left, also met with the class at Wintrust.

Taylor Stapleton (far left), the executive associate athletics director for DePaul Athletics, met with the class at Wintrust Arena. (DePaul University/Kathy Hillegonds)

Finishing up the week, and back at DePaul, the class spoke with Mike Gordon, Northwestern Sports Properties General Manager and DePaul MBA ’95.

Back at DePaul, the class spoke with Mike Gordon, Northwestern Sports Properties general manager and DePaul MBA ’95. (DePaul University/Kathy Hillegonds)

Friday ended with a DePaul Sports Business Alumni & Friends Roundtable including Olivia Solimene, partnership strategy coordinator for the Chicago Fire, who was a student in the class just last year.

The week ended with a DePaul Sports Business Alumni & Friends roundtable. The session featured Olivia Solimene, the partnership strategy coordinator for the Chicago Fire, who was a student in the class last academic year. (DePaul University/Kathy Hillegonds)

Alex Teodosi,vice president of Sponsorship for the Chicago Sky, was a student in the class in 2015.

Alex Teodosi, vice president of sponsorship for the Chicago Sky, is an alum of the 2015 "Behind the Scenes" course. (DePaul University/Kathy Hillegonds)