SDSU Hosts First Annual Sports MBA Case Competition

Competition is first of its kind to be created through partnership with the San Diego Padres

Contact: Randy Carmical, Director of Communications
(619) 594-0206 Randy.Carmical@sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Thursday, February 09, 2006 - The San Diego State University (SDSU) Sports Business Management MBA program and the San Diego Padres Baseball Club today announced the first annual SDSU Sports MBA Case Competition. The event will be held on February 11, 2006 at the Padres Offices.  The competition was created through the ongoing partnership between the Padres and SDSU and is exclusively for MBA programs.

“The Padres were eager to work with SDSU to develop a sports MBA case competition,” said Padres CEO Sandy Alderson. “We see a tremendous value to our organization in embracing the fresh perspectives of these future sports business leaders. We strongly believe that sports MBA students will benefit from the opportunity to analyze a case drawn from the experience of our front office executives and propose solutions to issues that could potentially face a Major League organization.”

Seven teams of MBA students from SDSU’s Sports Business Management MBA program, USC’s Marshall School of Business, and the UCLA Anderson School of Management will be pitted against one another examining a case study developed by the Padres that outlines the numerous challenges which could face their executives.  Teams will present their ideas to a panel of judges comprised of Padres front office executives, sports business professors, and other sports industry professionals. 

“The educational value of a case competition for an MBA student cannot be overstated,” said Gail Naughton, dean of SDSU’s College of Business Administration. “SDSU is excited to host our peer MBA programs and provide students with a practical learning experience that combines skills learned in the classroom with a real world application in the sports industry.”

Sandy Alderson will serve as the weekend’s keynote speaker. In addition to the case competition, weekend festivities will include a sports business colloquium and reception with sports industry professionals at the ballpark, a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility, and a golf outing and networking event.

Although this event is closed to the public, it is not the only major event at PETCO Park on February 11.  The case competition coincides with the Padres' Friar Fan Fest, another first for PETCO Park.  More information on the inaugural SDSU Sports Business MBA Case Competition is available on the SDSU Sports Business Management MBA program website, at http://www.sdsu.edu/sportsmba.

About the Sports Business Management MBA Program

San Diego State University’s newly developed MBA in sports management is in partnership with the San Diego Padres baseball team and its inaugural class began in January 2005. This semester, students will participate in internships with major league teams. Sports leaders speak regularly to the class and have included the famous sports manager, Leigh Steinberg; renowned pitcher and trainer, Tom House; Erik Judson, Executive VP of External Affairs, San Diego Padres Baseball Club; and Ken Derrett, Vice President/ Chief Marketing Officer, San Diego Chargers. For more information contact the Sports Business Management MBA program at www.rohan.sdsu.edu/~cba/sports.

About the SDSU College of Business Administration

With over 5,500 students, the SDSU College of Business is one of the largest business schools in the U.S. Its programs in undergraduate international business and graduate entrepreneurship are ranked among the top programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report. This year, the college is celebrating “50 Years of Educating San Diego’s Business Leaders.”

About San Diego State University

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region.  Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 72 areas and doctorates in 16 areas.  SDSU’s more than 33,000 students participate in academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future.  For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.