Hesston College School of Management hosted a successful virtual “ATL Experience” on December 3, a powerful online event connecting current and prospective students with industry professionals in an engaging discussion on sports management and business.
The panel featured four distinguished professionals:
- Warren Parr, vice president of ticket sales, Atlanta Falcons
- Keith Roberts, senior manager, Atlanta United
- Austin Jones, manager of corporate sponsorships, Rome Emperors
- Tyler Makins, assistant producer, NBA TV/Turner Sports
Two Hesston College students, Santiago Gonzalez and Yoshimune Goto, organized the event as their final project for their Professional Development class. Inspired by their recent trip to Atlanta for the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) conference, they coordinated the event to share insights from that experience and provide a platform for networking and mentorship.
The panel discussion offered students invaluable advice on navigating careers in sports management and beyond. Tyler Makins and Austin Jones, both former students of Dr. Preston James, director of the School of Management, candidly shared their experiences transitioning from college to the professional world, emphasizing perseverance, adaptability and resilience.
“The ATL Experience was a remarkable demonstration of the power of relationships and networking,” said Dr. James, who has also worked with both Warren Parr and Keith Roberts in the past. “The willingness of these industry professionals to give back and mentor our students speaks volumes about the connections our program fosters.”
For students, the impact was immediate. Many expressed interest in forming a sports management club and felt inspired by the panelists’ real-world examples and advice. For Gonzalez and Goto, the event was a chance to sharpen their leadership, event planning and communication skills while making a lasting impression on their peers. Their efforts brought in a mix of in-person and virtual participants, including current and prospective students, faculty, staff, coaches and community members.
“The ATL Experience highlighted not only the growing opportunities in our sports management program but also the value of integrating real-world experiences into our curriculum,” said Dr. James. “This event was a meaningful step forward in preparing our students for success in their careers.”
Hesston’s sports management program is currently pending Higher Learning Commission approval and is anticipated to be available in fall 2025. For more information about this and Hesston College’s business program, contact the admissions office at admissions@hesston.edu.