Leighton Reddy, 2026
For my capstone project, I worked with Hyphenated Athletics, a sports management company started by Jamie Wood. The company’s main goal is to help college athletes, coaches, and businesses understand how to make the most out of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals. My job was to help them change their strategy from just building athlete brands to acting as a "middleman" between local businesses and college athletes. During the semester, I focused on building the company's online presence. I revamped their social media by posting clips about identity and NIL, which helped us gain over 3,400 views and dozens of follows from athletic directors and college and high school athletes. I also helped edit a new website that makes it easier for brands and athletes to find and understand Hyphenated Athletics. To pull everything together, I created a "Local NIL Playbook" to teach business owners how they can partner with athletes to get more customers and grow their brand.
Words of Wisdom
- The main words of wisdom I would share to future Culminating Experience students would be to make the most out of whatever you do and to stay on top of your work.
Henry Coombes, 2026
My culminating experience working with EverRise focused on understanding how data-driven research can transform leadership in education and athletics. The company’s mission focuses on turning leadership into measurable outcomes by using assessments, research, and analytics to evaluate how coaches and educators impact student growth, well-being, and performance. EverRise emphasizes collecting and analyzing large amounts of data—such as student-athlete feedback—to provide actionable insights that improve communication, trust, and skill development among leaders. Through my work, I gained exposure to how research-backed strategies can directly connect leadership behaviors to real-world outcomes like academic success and personal development.A major component of my experience was using AI tools to support research and outreach efforts for potential clients. AI played a crucial role in efficiently gathering information, analyzing trends, and identifying organizations that would benefit from EverRise’s services. It allowed me to streamline the research process, generate insights quickly, and craft more personalized and effective communication when reaching out to schools, athletic programs, and other institutions. This not only improved productivity but also ensured that outreach efforts were data-informed and aligned with the company’s mission of using evidence-based approaches. Overall, AI was an essential tool that enhanced both the quality and efficiency of my work, making it possible to contribute meaningfully to EverRise’s goal of empowering leaders through data.
Words of Wisdom
- Time-Management, Planning, Persistence
Taylor Jackson, 2027
My culminating experience was a business project centered around a Dude Perfect themed concept, where I helped create and plan interactive games and event ideas designed to engage fans in a fun, competitive way. I worked on brainstorming attractions like team based games that required communication and strategy, while applying what I’ve learned in my Sport Management classes, such as fan engagement, event planning, and operations. The project gave me a better understanding of how entertainment and branding come together to create memorable experiences, and it pushed me to think creatively while also making sure the ideas were realistic and could actually work. Overall, it helped me build confidence in my skills and confirmed my interest in pursuing a career in sports and entertainment.
Words of Wisdom
- Be Adaptive, Be Flexible, Be Confident
Brayden Fickle , 2027
Throughout my culminating experience I was able to analyze social media statistics and trends, as well as learn more about the landscapes of high school and collegiate basketball. I was able to research and plan out how to add more teams to Revocruit, as well as complete daily tasks such as video editing, player and team write-ups, and create social media data sheets. I was also given the opportunity to meet the staff at the Revocruit office, and go through a day in the office, completing assignments and collaborating with different branches in the Revocruit department. It was very helpful being able to see how my work was helping them, and getting some insight into the minds behind Revocruit.
Words of Wisdom
- Never say no to an opportunity or assignment, and don't be afraid to ask questions if you need help.
Vynson Mathavong , 2026
During my culminating experience with the Rice Athletics football equipment staff, I gained comprehensive, hands-on experience in the daily operations of a Division I equipment room. I was responsible for assisting with equipment distribution, laundry operations, locker room organization, and practice and game-day setup. This role required strong attention to detail, time management, and the ability to perform efficiently in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.In addition to my operational responsibilities, I contributed to developing a recruitment outreach initiative aimed at increasing awareness and interest in equipment staff roles. This experience allowed me to expand my understanding beyond day-to-day tasks and into the strategic and organizational aspects of athletics. Overall, the experience strengthened my work ethic, adaptability, and commitment to pursuing a career in equipment management.
Words of Wisdom
- Clarify your path upfront and communicate your goals early.
Carson Lauter, 2027
Best experience ever. If you get the option or opportunity to get TexAgs as a Business Project, take it. But also, make the best out of any culminating experience. It was such a great learning experience and opened my mind to many other opportunities that I would want to pursue after college within the sports management world. Overall getting to be a sales and event management intern for TexAgs while fulfilling the 450 class was a awesome experience.
Words of Wisdom
- Have an Open Mind, Work Professionally, Have Fun.
Megan Pfeiler, 2027
In my Culminating Experience with Athletes in Action, I got to jump right into their marketing world and help create graphics for all kinds of events at the Sports Complex Retreat Center. With my partner, I built a social media calendar and designed flyers and promo materials for the Leanna Crawford Concert. On my own, I created all the graphics for the Women’s Retreat and the Homeschool Winter Field Day—which was so fun because I had the freedom to get creative and really make the designs my own. One of my favorite parts of the experience was joining the weekly marketing meetings on Zoom. They made it feel so personal and welcoming, and it was a fun way to connect with the staff while getting real feedback on our projects.
Words of Wisdom
Warren Palmer, 2026
My Culminating Experience was a great opportunity for my team and me to learn more about working in the sport industry. We gained hands-on event planning experience and became more knowledgeable about how corporate partnerships work. Working with TexAgs provided me with crucial knowledge of events and sponsorships, and I am very grateful to the Sport Management department and Professor Geyer for their help in securing this position.
Words of Wisdom
- Two things I would recommend for future CE students would be: Do not procrastinate, and always do your work with 100% effort.
Crystalynn Cardenas, 2026
The Boys and Girls Club is a great organization to partner with. I had the greatest support and the most amazing time navigating this experience. I learned a lot about myself, the internal logistics of youth sports, and the importance and impact I had when creating my football league.
Words of Wisdom
- Have patience and ask questions!
Yaotong Liu, 2026
As an international student, this Culminating Experience at Victory Sports was a very meaningful opportunity for me because it was my first time working with a local youth sports organization in the United States. Everything was new to me at the beginning, so this experience helped me understand how community sports programs are run here and allowed me to contribute in a way that connected me with the local community. My main responsibilities included contacting potential sponsorship partners, creating simple design materials for different programs, and gathering information from churches for our outreach and future partnerships. Through this work, I learned how important communication, organization, and consistency are when building relationships with outside partners. I also improved my design skills and gained a better understanding of how youth sports organizations market themselves and expand their reach. Overall, this experience helped me grow both personally and professionally, and it strengthened my interest in continuing a career in sport management.
Words of Wisdom
- Don’t be afraid to step in and help wherever needed