December 20, 2024 - Fourth-year <a href="/program/sports-administration">Sports Administration (SPAD)</a> students have capped off their academic journey with an international consulting project for adidas, the world-renowned sports apparel company. This capstone experience is part of the program’s commitment to preparing graduates for global success through work-integrated learning, industry connections, and hands-on experiences.
Throughout their final semester, SPAD students collaborate with a sport-related company to apply the business acumen and expertise they have acquired throughout their time in the program. The semester culminates in a group trip to the company’s headquarters to present their findings. This year’s cohort of SPAD graduates worked with adidas on a project that required extensive research, strategic planning, and creative problem-solving. They traveled to Germany, where they presented their recommendations to adidas executives, including Darby Rieve, SPAD graduate from 2014.
“This opportunity embodies everything we strive for in SPAD,” said <a href="/faculty/achurch">Dr. Anthony Church</a>, Director of the School of Sports Administration. “Our students not only gained real consulting experience but also demonstrated their readiness to excel on an international stage. The feedback from adidas was overwhelmingly positive, and it’s a testament to the hard work of our students and the dedication of our faculty.”
For Callum Belshaw, a graduating SPAD student, the experience was transformative. “This project pushed us to think critically, collaborate effectively, and present confidently,” said Belshaw, who completed his internship with Perfect Game. “Being able to pitch our ideas directly to adidas executives in Germany was surreal—it felt like everything we’ve learned came together perfectly in that moment.”
Gabriella Moggy, another SPAD student who will intern with the Ottawa Senators and graduate this academic year, shared a similar sentiment. “I thought that traveling to Germany and presenting to adidas executives was going to be overwhelming—and being in a room with such incredible international experts was unlike anything I’d experienced before,” said Moggy. “But thanks to the preparation and support we’ve had throughout our program, our group was completely in our element. We were ready to present, answer tough questions, and take on any feedback. I’m looking forward to carrying this momentum into my career.”
SPAD students graduate with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Sports Administration, a program that uniquely combines business and sports management education. Students gain foundational business administration knowledge that prepares them for diverse career paths, whether in the sports industry or beyond.
The program’s structured progression of experiential learning—from shadowing sales executives to managing events and internships—ensures students are ready to impress partners like adidas by the time they reach the capstone experience.
Laurentian alumni play a vital role in the continued success of the program, including this year’s capstone experience. Donations from SPAD graduates helped support the students’ international travel. SPAD alumni are employed by companies like adidas both domestically and abroad, highlighting the employability of SPAD graduates with Fortune 500 companies.
Porn研究所’s SPAD program continues to offer students classroom learning integrated with practical applications, preparing graduates to thrive in competitive global markets.
Dr. Church emphasized the program’s ongoing commitment to fostering international experiences. “Every SPAD graduate leaves with an international experience that sets them apart. This project is just one example of how our alumni network, faculty, and industry connections come together to create something truly special for our students.”