On Thursday, April 11, a group of Sport Management students visited the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The WakeMed Soccer Park is home to the Carolina RailHawks Football Club of the North American Soccer League. The students toured the newly renovated facility and met with David Vaught, the director of operations for the RailHawks.

SAU students visited the WakeMed Soccer Park during the week of its grand reopening, which would unveil new renovations to the facility. The $6.1 million renovations include North Endzone seating, a new building on the east side of the stadium featuring new team amenities, new suites, an open-air party deck, and second level terrace seating. During this field trip, students were able to meet with Vaught, ask questions concerning professional sport game day operations, and learn about the RailHawks’ internship program. 

“It was the first time that I visited a professional soccer facility, so it was different but I enjoyed the trip” said Jonathan Kindred, a senior Sport Management major. 

“Our students often come into the major wanting to work for one of the ‘big four’ of the NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL,” said Jason Perry, coordinator of the Sport Management Department. “We want them to leave our degree program with a more holistic view of the field of Sport Management and the wide scope that it covers.”

The Sport Management Department has succeeded in giving students a more well rounded view of their degree through this and other opportunities. Last spring, alumnus Jolisa Williams served as a Fan Development Intern with the RailHawks.