Student Experience

What to Expect

Algonquin College is proud to provide a diverse and dynamic student experience. Check out the highlights below to get a sense of what to expect as a student in the Sport Business Management program.

Success Stories and Testimonials

“The program was designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the sports industry.

The faculty members are not only experts in their fields but also genuinely dedicated to students’ success, both inside and outside the classroom. They offered guidance and mentorship, helping students navigate their career paths. This program included a variety of hand-on learning opportunities such as volunteering and the internship included in this program. These opportunities allowed me to gain practical experience and build a professional network.

The program opened my eyes to opportunities I hadn’t previously considered. Initially, I planned to pursue internships with two specific organizations. However, participating in placement day and interviewing with various organizations expanded my options, ultimately leading me to choose a different organization. The organization I am still with six years later.

The knowledge and skills I acquired in the Sport Business Management program at Algonquin College have enabled me to pursue a career in sport management. I highly recommend this program to anyone passionate about making a mark in the sports industry.”
– Shelby Prilisauer, Graduate, Indoor Events Lead, Volleyball Canada

Work-Integrated Learning

Learning that meets the demands of industry
An active advisory board of sport industry leaders ensure our curriculum remains current and meets the demands of the sport industry. These relationships also provide opportunities for networking and bringing influential industry leaders into the classroom to share their experiences.

Gain unique knowledge and experience from a field placement in the nation’s capital
Ottawa has several professional sport franchises and more national governing sport bodies and multi-sport organizations than any other city in Canada. The program balances sport-business management education with an intensive experiential work placement. Throughout the duration of the program, students must work a minimum of 16 hours per week within the sport industry.

Students have enjoyed gaining real-life experience through field placements with the following organizations:

Competitions

Celebrating a 20-year partnership between Sport Business Management & Ottawa Senators

Photo (L to R): Ed Blomeley, ACSBM Professor/Coordinator; Matthew Franczyk, Coordinator, Corporate Partnerships, Ottawa Senators Hockey Club; Josh Moscovik, ACSBM student; Jimuel Cedo, ACSBM student; Sparticat; Brandon Lytle, ACSBM student; Alex Pilette, ACSBM student, Eric Lightfoot, ACSBM student; Aaron Robinson, Director, Fan and Community Development, Senators Community Foundation.

Each year, Sport Business Management (ACSBM) students compete in the ACSBM Major Bid Contest, a real world bid development package created by students to at times assist national sports organizations with future sporting events. The competition was launched in 2002 when the Senators donated the Crystal Cup to the ACSBM program’s founder, former NHL’er and Sens Alum Jim Kyte.

This year, on August 16 at the Canadian Tire Centre, the winning student team was presented with the Crystal Cup by the Ottawa Senators mascot Sparticat. This year’s participating sport organization, who provided mentorship to the ACSBM students, was the NHL NYC HQ Special Events Group (Outdoor Games). A special thanks to NHL CCO Steve Mayer, who so quickly said yes to our request for support and engagement.

The NHL Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and the Senators Community Foundation have been functional partners of the Algonquin College Sports Business Management program for over two decades.

Congratulations to the Sport Business Management student team!

Tom Anselmi, Ottawa Senators President and CEO Guest Speaker in Classroom
Tom Anselmi, the newly appointed Ottawa Senators President and Chief Executive Officer, made his first educational-related speaking appearance in the Ottawa-area recently to students in Algonquin College’s Sport Business program. Tom, a recognized senior business leader in Canada and an accomplished sports and entertainment executive, most recently worked for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) where he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 1999 and President in 2012. Prior to his role at MLSE, Anselmi was also Vice-President and General Manager of arena operations for Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment (now Canucks Sports & Entertainment) in Vancouver.

During his hour long visit to the class he discussed his philosophy for working in the business of sport, using examples of his own career path. He then took questions on a variety of topics from the students ranging from Ottawa’s attempts to secure a new arena to his thoughts on changing the culture of the team’s front office.