In March, Marietta’s sport management students weren’t in uniform, but they were “in the game” at the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four in Tampa. For the third consecutive year, Marietta College sport management students worked the “Big Dance” to gain valuable hands-on experience. Three current students and one alumnus worked the event in three different roles.
Two volunteer captains in Tourney Town, the fan engagement zone located outside of the arena, had a front-row experience with the interactive game and basketball contests, activity zones, and a live concert from GloRilla. As captains, Sophomores Carly Lutz `27 and Emily Grant `27 were responsible for ensuring other volunteers knew their responsibilities and for overall event management.
“Working the Women’s Final Four as a volunteer captain gave me invaluable hands-on experience,” said Lutz, who is pursuing a double major in finance and marketing, and a minor in sport management and leadership studies. “It allowed me to become more confident in my problem solving and communication skills.”
Sport management alum, C.J. Meyer `24, had filled the same role as a volunteer captain at the Women’s Final Four in 2023 and 2024. This year he was hired to train and manage all volunteers. Meyer, who is now a graduate assistant at Providence College, also worked the first and second rounds of the men’s NCAA Division I Tournament, hosted at Providence.
“This is the side of sports that most people do not see—the real behind the scenes work,” Meyer said. “It wasn't until my flight home [from Tampa] that I could reflect on the past few months in the sports world. Attending a conference at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, hosting the 1st and 2nd round March Madness at Providence, and then experiencing a full circle moment in Tampa at the Women's Final Four was incredible.” He concluded, “without a doubt, this was all made possible during my undergraduate years at Marietta College.”
Another Marietta student worked the Tampa event in direct association with the NCAA. Kodi Brenner `25, a double major in sport management and marketing, got an early start on the one-year, post-graduate role she has accepted with the NCAA’s women’s basketball operations division. At this year’s Final Four she assisted with team operations, helping manage the team and family hospitality areas, locker rooms, and media day events. In her post-graduate NCAA position, she will also be part of the 2026 Final Four.
Sport Management director, Rick Smith, said these are the types of opportunities that help Marietta College sport management students earn jobs and graduate school placement after college.
“Our sport management students have some of the most competitive resumes in the country,” he said, “and it's because of the valuable out-of-class experience our students earn year after year.”
Smith is planning possible student opportunities next year with the Savannah Bananas, the MLB All-Star game, the Boca Raton Bowl, the Myrtle Beach Bowl, the FIFA World Cup, and, of course, the 2026 Women’s Final Four.