Skylar Robles, 2025
I got to work directly on a number of significant projects at TexAgs, including site coordination, sponsor relations, and event planning. Together with my team, I helped plan and organize the Kick-Off Summer Kickball Tournament, securing sponsorships, organizing prizes, and helping to construct the event's framework. In order to improve the experience of sponsors and attendees, I also helped with the Pre-Season Kick-Off event by meeting with venue staff, redesigning the event arrangement, and coming up with ideas for raffle and auction item packages. I also oversaw communications for the Breaking Traditions screening by liaising with the event sponsor and venue manager to keep the preparation process on schedule. During my internship, I developed my ability to work under pressure, solve problems fast, and communicate effectively in a hectic setting. I was able to gain useful professional skills in event planning, marketing coordination, and teamwork throughout my time at TexAgs.
Words of Wisdom
- Be patient, open minded, and positive
Ashton Almond, 2025
I am incredibly grateful for such an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with open arms by everyone—staff, players, and coaches alike. One of my favorite moments was when Ben and I were refilling a Gatorade cooler, and a Pepperdine coach and player struck up a conversation with us. After thanking us for helping out, they asked who we were and where we were from. When we told them we were there for our capstone project and had come all the way from Texas A&M, they were genuinely appreciative. It was such a simple interaction, but it really stuck with me—just one of many positive experiences we had throughout the tournament. Another memorable interaction came from one of the University of San Francisco coaches. On the very first day, he made a point to thank us multiple times for our efforts, which meant a lot to us, especially since our role was to support the teams and make sure their experience at the tournament was the best it could be. After San Francisco was eliminated, their coaches still went out of their way to thank us as they were leaving. Even though their tournament run had ended, their gratitude was unwavering. I remember turning to Ben afterward and saying how I wished they were still in the competition because of how impactful that moment was for me. During the tournament, our responsibilities included keeping team tents stocked with Gatorade and towels, ensuring water and Gatorade coolers at each court were refilled, setting up signage and QR codes for WCC beach volleyball merchandise, and assisting other volunteers whenever needed. We also helped with scorekeeping, making sure everything ran smoothly, and kept the practice courts organized between matches. After each game, we ensured that the courts were reset and ready for the next teams.
Words of Wisdom
Kolby Nevins, 2025
For my business project, I was tasked with creating a manual for future equipment managers who will be working at Princeton University. The manual contains information on job responsibilities, contact sheets, and any other additional information one may need. I was also able to visit Princeton University to shadow for a weekend where I was able to observe Ivy League lacrosse and baseball.
Words of Wisdom
- Stay committed
- Do something you love
- Keep networking
Jacob Murray, 2025
The culminating experience was something that I had a great time experiencing as a student at Texas A&M University. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to help Athletes in Action with their event. The culminating experience program is awesome and provides students with a lot of guidance and opportunities. I would say that the business project part of the SPMT curriculum is a great idea as a whole and very helpful for the students to gain real-life, hands-on experience.
Words of Wisdom
- Do not be scared to go for a business project that you think you might not have a chance of landing. I was nervous that I was not going to get this business project because there were multiple people interviewing for it. I was extremely excited, shocked, and grateful that I was chosen for this opportunity!
Drew Elliott, 2026
My Capstone Business project was an extremely rewarding experience, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in it. Throughout my business project, I gained valuable experience that I will take with me for the rest of my life. I learned how to apply the skills that I learned in the classroom to the real world. This project was an extremely rewarding experience. I learned how to manage a large-scale youth sports event and grew in both my marketing and professional skills.
Words of Wisdom
- Make the most of your experience.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help.
- Gain insights from the partners that you are working with.
Logan Emmitte, 2026
This semester, we had the opportunity to work with the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC). We were tasked with collecting data for every All-State High School basketball team since 1984, which will be displayed on the TABC's brand new webpage. Since there was not a webpage beforehand, we had to go through a multitude of sources to find the information we needed. We went through old newspapers, many websites, blogs, message boards, and we even called some people we never met before that we thought could help us. We ended up forming a database containing forty years worth of high school basketball All-State honorees in Texas, both preserving the past and serving as a foundation for players to be honored in the future. In addition to the All-State webpage, we also took over 500 pictures that the TABC will use for their Hall of Fame webpage. I am very grateful for the opportunity to help so many people's accomplishments have a permanent digital home, and I am looking forward to watching the webpage grow every year going forward.
Words of Wisdom
- Be Persistent-Don't be afraid to reach out to random people. Not everybody is going to get back to you, but the people who do will genuinely want to help you out.
Mary Hall, 2025
My culminating experience, Cow Art in the Park, was a community-based event held in support of the Robert Conte Foundation for Parkinson’s. The purpose of the event was to raise both funds and awareness for Parkinson’s disease through an engaging and creative platform. Local artists, families, and community members were invited to paint life-sized cow statues in a public park, transforming the space into a vibrant celebration of art and advocacy. The event was supported by local sponsors like Chick-fil-A and Piada, and featured volunteers, student organizations, and campus partnerships working together to benefit the foundation’s mission and outreach programs. Being involved in this event gave me the opportunity to contribute to something meaningful while also helping to develop valuable leadership and organizational skills. I helped coordinate logistics, communicate with vendors and sponsors, and support outreach efforts to engage the community. It was incredibly rewarding to see people come together in such a positive way—to learn about Parkinson’s, connect with others, and take part in something that made a lasting impact. The experience reinforced the power of collaboration, creativity, and compassion in driving awareness for important causes.
Words of Wisdom
- Don’t be afraid to fully invest yourself in your project.
- Show up, put in the work, and people will feel your passion. That’s when the impact really starts to happen.
Kaitlyn McKenzie, 2026
For my capstone project, I had the incredible opportunity to work alongside the Houston Astros marketing department, assisting the Director of Digital Marketing and Advertising in the lead-up to the College Classic tournament. My responsibilities included creating promotional emails, developing social media strategies, and crafting targeted email campaigns to engage consumers ahead of the event. During the tournament, I had the privilege of working on-site at Daikin Park alongside the Astros’ social media coordinator. My role involved capturing phone content for reels and assisting in the creation of daily social media posts to enhance fan engagement. This experience was both insightful and rewarding, providing me with valuable hands-on exposure to the fast-paced world of sports marketing. I am incredibly grateful to Ms. Gonzalez and the entire Astros organization for this opportunity, which has significantly enriched my knowledge of digital marketing in the sports industry.
Words of Wisdom
Kendall Beal, 2026
As part of my culminating Capstone Experience – Business Project, I had the privilege of organizing and executing a community pickleball tournament in support of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund—an organization committed to funding research and raising awareness in the fight against ALL cancers affecting women. The Play4Kay Pickleball Tournament, held at El Campo Friendship Park, brought the community together in a fun and impactful way to champion a meaningful cause. I was given a fundraising goal of $1,000 and am proud to have surpassed that goal thanks to strong community support and participation. I led efforts in coordinating event logistics, sponsorships, managing the tournament schedule, and engaging with both players and attendees. This hands-on experience not only strengthened my skills in communication, organization, and leadership, but also provided valuable insight into the world of event management within the sports industry. Above all, it underscored the power of sport as a vehicle for positive change and community connection.
Words of Wisdom
- Say yes to opportunities that push you out of your comfort zone (that's where growth happens!)
- Lean on your support system, trust your instincts, and don’t forget to enjoy the process!
Anna Hancock, 2026
For my Culminating Experience, I was tasked with focusing on identifying and curating best practices in revenue generation for NIL and the upcoming revenue-sharing model (starting on July 1) for NCAA Division I programs. This project has been incredibly valuable, not only in deepening my understanding of the evolving college athletics landscape, but also in shaping real-world consulting work. The insights I gathered have already been applied—and will continue to be used—in ongoing projects with Penry Advisors, supporting clients like Oklahoma State, Kent State, Arkansas State, Old Dominion, Tulsa, and more than 15 other institutions.
Words of Wisdom
- Do not take advantage of the resources at hand during this experience, everyone you work with wants the best for you
- Never say no to a challenge, you will always learn something from it!