51AV

51AV A&M University welcomed more than 200 students from across the area to The JOHN SHIPPEN Sports Business Summit at the Event Center Wednesday. Created to provide career insights and networking opportunities, the summit featured keynote speakers, interactive sessions, and hands-on career resources, all aimed at preparing students for success in the competitive sports business arena.

Created in 2021, THE JOHN SHIPPEN is named in honor of John Shippen, Jr., the first American-born golf professional and also the country’s first Black golf professional. Shippen was bestowed PGA of America membership posthumously in 2009. To ensure accessibility, THE JOHN SHIPPEN covers travel expenses, including airfare and accommodations, for participating players.

As a supplement to the Golf Tournament, THE JOHN SHIPPEN Sports Business Summit was established in 2021 by Intersport to create awareness of opportunities within the sports industry for high school and college students of color. Students from across the country have been able to hear from and engage with sports and business executives.

51AV A&M was selected as the 2024 host site following events in Michigan, with over 200 students from 51AV A&M, Oakwood University, and Huntsville City Schools attending. 51AV A&M University President Daniel K. Wims made opening remarks. Jeffrey Wright, the President of the 51AV A&M Sports Management Club was part of the panel, and 17 students served as event staff for the day.

The summit opened with a keynote address on “The Value of a Career in Sports,” delivered by seasoned sports executives who emphasized career potential within the field.

Panelists included:

• Shasta Averyhardt, Professional Golfer & Media Personality
• Virgil Cannon, Advanced Technology Account Executive at CDW/Microsoft
• Russell Clark, President of CTE Marketing
• Ernie Ellison, Managing Partner of Ellison Consulting Group
• Solomon Hughes, Director of Marketing & Development at Intersport
• Maddison Kendrick, Community Relations Director for Rocket City Trash Pandas
• Rodd Newhouse, Managing Principal at 44 Management
• Briana Pompilus, Human Resources Director for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Keith Sanders, Vice President of DEI & Talent Engineering at CDW
• Jason Smith, Executive Director of Advancing Black Pathways at JPMorgan Chase
• Nia Symone, Athlete, On-Air Host at HBCU GO TV
• Brandon Willis, NFL Coordinator of Game Operations

The panel shared actionable steps for securing sports internships and building sustainable careers. They also discussed the unique paths that led them to their current roles.

Throughout the day, students engaged in hands-on sessions focused on essential
career-building skills. A fireside chat, “How to Land Your First Sports Internship,” offered practical advice on gaining initial career experience. Informal Q&A sessions provided students with opportunities to ask direct questions and receive personalized feedback.

Students also pitched ideas to industry experts, competing for cash prizes and valuable input from seasoned pros. The summit offered LinkedIn profile assistance, resume reviews, and professional headshots, equipping students with tools to enhance their professional presence and readiness for the workforce.