Sports Symposium connects students with industry professionals and career insights

Nichols College students explored career paths and trends in the sports industry during the college’s fourth annual Sports Symposium on Nov. 9 in Daniels Auditorium. Organized by students in this year’s Event Management class, the event brought professionals directly to campus to provide students with real-world perspectives, practical advice and connections.

This year’s event introduced its first-ever keynote speaker, former NFL player Shamiel Gary, and included two panels featuring leaders and decision-makers from a range of sport sectors, from major sports leagues to college athletics to sports marketing. A networking session capped the day’s activities where students interacted with panelists and Nichols alumni.

Reflecting on the personal and professional trials he experienced while trying to find his place in pro football, Gary emphasized the importance of resilience.

“Can you still have enough courage to show up when things look dark?” Gary asked. “So many times in my life, I had enough faith to believe that things would work out, even if the circumstances didn’t look like it.”

Gary’s message about cultivating lasting relationships — a habit he saw Patriots quarterback Tom Brady practice firsthand — resonated with Tyler Ladouceur ’28, a sport management major who helped organize the event.

“One piece of advice I took away was that it is not just about meeting someone or making a connection, but learning how to maintain that relationship over time,” Ladouceur said. “It’s often the little things that go a long way toward making people feel valued, heard and appreciated.”

Career insights from industry professionals

The League Panel featured Devin Morgan, senior manager with the National Women’s Soccer League; Paul Cacciatore, vice president of member experience and arena operations for the Boston Celtics; and P.J. Loyello, former senior vice president of communications and broadcasting for the Miami Marlins and now a communications consultant.

The discussion, moderated by Nichols alumnus Dan Saucier ’12, director of sales and partnerships at drvn, offered practical advice for getting hired in the competitive sports industry.

“Don’t think about the word resume. Think about the word portfolio,” Cacciatore said. “You’re not just building a resume from a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior year. You’re really building your experiences along the way. … Highlight yourself based on what your experiences are.”

Saucier recalled how a Nichols practicum involving the Celtics led to an internship and helped him develop professional connections. He encouraged students to seek guidance rather than hesitate to ask for help.

“Ask questions that need to be asked,” Saucier said. “People would rather just try and figure it out instead of just come and ask the question. … Be vulnerable and be willing to just talk and learn.”

The College Athletics & Marketing Panel featured Chris Rossi, director of sports sales and chief marketing officer at the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau; Elise Boissoneau, who works in corporate sponsorships at Boston College through Van Wagner; and Joe Castaldi, director of leadership and annual giving at the College of the Holy Cross.

Moderated by Nichols alumnus Mikey Ricci ’15, head coach of the 2026 NACR champion Nichols College men’s rugby team and a former Boston College assistant athletic director, the panel explored career paths and day-to-day responsibilities in college athletics, marketing, sponsorships and fundraising.

Boissoneau described the varied responsibilities of working in college athletics, from coordinating sponsor promotions to handling last-minute game-day needs.

“You have to do whatever it takes sometimes to get the job done, given the circumstances,” she said.

Building connections beyond the classroom

David Hodge, Ph.D., chair and assistant professor of sport management at Nichols and symposium organizer, emphasized the value of exposing students to professionals with different backgrounds and connections across the industry.

By design, said Hodge, the symposium ended with a networking session to give students an opportunity to speak directly with panelists and alumni, ask questions about their experiences and begin building professional relationships of their own.

“Students have the opportunity to tap into those networks, which is a unique way to set themselves apart from other students and jumpstart their careers,” Hodge said.

(Pictured in top story photo: Former NFL player Shamiel Gary delivers the keynote address at Nichols College’s fourth annual Sports Symposium on Nov. 9.)