Students “Get in the Game” at 2026 Maryland Sports Business Conference

Sports organizations from across the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area convened at the University of Maryland, not for competition, but to empower students for sports careers during the 2026 Get in the Game: Maryland Sports Business Conference.

In its sixth iteration, this year’s conference leaned even more into cultivating the regional sports community with presenting sponsorship from Monumental Sports and Entertainment (MSE).

The conference, once again, was also planned in part by a team of undergraduate students from the Stephen M. Schanwald Sports Management Program at the Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Following its reputation for increasing awareness of sports business opportunities, the conference engaged attendees with panels, workshops and networking opportunities aligned with its 2026 theme — “Level up Your Lineup: Build Your Roster Today. Win Your Career Tomorrow.”

During the roughly daylong event, participants received career insights and firsthand accounts of relevant sports industry trends from representatives of local and national sports organizations, including MSE, the Baltimore Ravens, the Baltimore Orioles, the Washington Commanders, the Washington Nationals and the Washington Mystics.

Topics presented during the event included an assessment of the increased investment and attention of women’s sports, identifying viral moments for marketing impact, how sports shape city identity, learning adequate networking techniques and a crash course in the fundamentals of sponsorship strategy.

Another early-afternoon panel, “Pivot to the Playing Field,” highlighted professionals who built careers in sports through “unconventional routes” and offered practical advice that current students can implement to help their transition into the sports industry.

The panel, moderated by Courtney Humphrey, UMD ’16, Manager, Access, Impact, & Inclusion, MSE, featured Kelly Skoloda, Chief People Officer, MSE; Alexis Dotson, Coordinator of Player & Family Support, Washington Commanders; Shauki Smith, Contracts Manager, Washington Spirit; Candace McIntyre, Director of Human Resources, Washington Nationals; and Erica Lloyd, Player Care Officer, D.C. United.

Here are a few pieces of advice they shared with attendees:

Meet first, connect later. Smith urged attendees to rethink their approach to networking through LinkedIn. In anticipation of attending events like a conference, she said people like to be proactive and connect with others they hope to speak with. However, from the perspective of someone who receives hundreds of connection requests, Smith said that blind LinkedIn requests “won’t work out as well as you think.”

“You can send a message to that person, but if possible, go to your event first and then send the connection request. As soon as I got into the sports industry, the percentage of my connections shot up,” said Smith. “We’re not always able to respond to everyone, but if you’ve made the connection in person, then it’s easier to start that relationship and cultivate it online.”

Fill your skills. A major hurdle for those seeking to break into the sports industry is a perceived lack of skills or qualifications. Lloyd reminded attendees of the breadth of roles available in the industry. She said a candidate might have three of the six required skills in a desired job listing. While they might not be the best fit for the position at that moment, there are positions in other sports-adjacent fields they can pursue to acquire the skills they need to make the pivot eventually.

“Do your homework about the positions you’re interested in and the skills they are looking for,” said Lloyd. “Your next step doesn’t have to be your final step. Use every opportunity to gain experience and skills that you might not already have for your ultimate desired position.”

Passion isn’t enough. Heightened competition doesn’t just apply to on-field talent in the sports industry; it applies to all of the roles behind the scenes, too. McIntyre shared how many applicants or people looking for roles in the sports industry feel that their passion for either the sport or the organization they are applying to gives them an edge. Passion helps, she said, but demonstrating experience and competency matter even more in the hiring stages.

“Passion is extremely important, but you have to have the skillset too,” said McIntyre. “Think about what you can offer the organization. At the end of the day, sports are a product. Passion is just a multiplier for the skillset you bring, and you want someone who can balance both.”

Tell your story. Regarding the hiring process in the sports industry, Skoloda noted that many candidates contact her after applying to inquire about the status of their applications. That approach, she said, doesn’t inspire hiring committees to advocate for a candidate. Instead, she recommends that candidates who choose to be proactive in their communication tell their story and differentiate themselves.

“Think about who’s receiving your résumé and how you’re reaching out,” said Skoloda. “If you give me a well-thought-out email with a story, I’m more likely to check in with whoever might be conducting a complimentary interview because the candidate was thoughtful and told me who they are. Authenticity and effort always show up.”

Put the job first. In her role with the Commanders, Dotson frequently interacts closely with players to accommodate their needs, including managing their development, onboarding and family liaising. She cautioned those seeking jobs in the sports industry to put their fandom to the side and “understand that these are real people.” Instead, she advised students to prioritize the job and meet their objectives. 

“The biggest misconception is romanticizing working and being close with the players,” said Dotson. “People think I do anything they ask me to do, but that two-letter word comes out a lot, too. We’re there to develop them as men and as pros. Be aware and mindful of what you’re saying when you say you’re going to do anything for them.”