Student Spotlight

Collin Munson

 

Photo of Collin Munson

Collin Munson Class of 2019

What made you decide to study Sport Management at WSU?
Being a former college wrestler and playing sports throughout my whole life, staying in sports was important to me because I鈥檝e been around it my whole life. What better way to do that than study sports at one of the best Sport Management programs in the country.

Tell us about any Internships you have done or are currently doing? What do you hope to learn from your internship experience?
I鈥檓 currently working in the Department of Sport Management here at WSU and it鈥檚 one of the greatest experiences I could get. They are allowing me to control some social media content and work with them to complete tasks like COSMA certification and other things. I鈥檝e also worked the NCAA March Madness and got to see the behind the scenes of how the event is run.

What are your career goals?
I want to own a professional team. Most likely NBA but any of the power 5 (NBA, NFL, MLS, NHL, & MLB) would be great. I am very self-driven and a lot of the times, like to have a big input on projects and stuff and what better way to do that then be the owner of a team. I don鈥檛 want to be a GM because those are replaceable. Being an owner will also help me give back to the community in many different ways and give to those in need in this county.

What has been your favorite course that you have taken during your time in Sport Management?
It鈥檚 really hard to pick a certain course because many of the courses in Sport Management I found really entertaining and I could take a lot of value from these classes. Like Sports Law with Brad Pittman was great to learn the law side of sports and some things I never knew and I can take going forward. Mike Ross taught PR and that class taught you so much on how sports and social media are growing more and more together. I can go on and on about what I鈥檝e taken from each SMGT class and I liked them all.

If a friend asked about your time in the program, what would you tell them?
That it鈥檚 very hands on and they are teaching you everything you need to know about the management side of sports while getting experience at the same time. I鈥檝e worked many different events because of the department and things that I can and will put on my resume. I鈥檓 sure there are more things to come as well.

What has been your favorite part of the program?
The opportunities presented. They have a lot of connections all around the country and have a big impact on the sports teams in Wichita. The opportunities are endless and that鈥檚 something not every program has provided to me before coming to WSU.

What do you plan to do after you finish the program?
After I get my Graduate degree, I plan on finding an opportunity in the Boston area and hopefully starting my career off there. That鈥檚 the plan for right now but it could and probably will change.

What have you learned in this program that you plan on taking with you once you graduate?
That the management side of sports can be a grind meaning that you will work many hours and it will test your love for sports. I also learned that the entertainment side can be an option going forward as well.

In five words or less, how would you describe the Sport Management program?
The best in the country.