A lucky group of Clarkstown North business students got the chance to tour MetLife Stadium, the home of the New York Jets and Giants, on Thursday, November 14. Mr. Cazzari’s and Mr. O’Grady’s Sports and Entertainment Marketing classes as well as Mr. Cazzari’s College Business Administration class went on the field trip. Students got access into the locker room, premium suites, and the field. Additionally, students got to hear from staff members including Larry Fitzpatrick, the Vice President of Ticket Sales, who discussed the career path that got him to where he is now. “He started at the very, very bottom,” said Mr. Cazzari about Fitzpatrick, “He was just a regular college graduate looking for a job and wanted to get involved in sports. He got an entry level position and now, he has worked his way all the way up to being the Vice President of Ticket Sales.”
This is the second year Mr. Cazzari has taken his students on this trip. He hopes that it’s a learning experience and inspires them to explore career opportunities in the sports marketing world. “They love having students come and learn about their organization. I think, for you guys, it’s a really great opportunity to learn about networking and all the different jobs that are available in sports and entertainment,” said Mr. Cazzari. For the business students, moments like being in the locker room, going through the tunnel where the players come out, and being on the same field where their favorite athletes play was surreal and made it a memorable experience.
Members of the Jets’ marketing team were very excited to see so many young students interested in the sports advertising business. Each employee shared their unique experiences on the path to working for the New York Jets. “The other part I loved to see was all of the young adults involved with the Jets’ marketing because it was interesting to learn how they were able to get involved in marketing for an NFL team so early in their careers,” said Mr. Cazzari. Through these presentations, students learned about how hard work can pay off when looking for a dream job.
“The most important takeaway from the trip: be willing to take risks and put yourself out there. The sports industry, in general, is not an easy field to get involved in. There are not that many jobs and it’s a risk to pursue a career in the sports world, when there are countless jobs in other avenues of business,” said Mr. Cazzari, “ but you should take risks because in the end, it will work out.”
Overall, the trip to MetLife was a huge success. “I think any student could gain a lot from this trip just in terms of any of the things they mentioned when it comes to networking, internships, risk-taking, and starting early by getting even just a volunteer position at your college. I think any student can use these lessons in their future. Whether you plan on getting involved in business or not, I think these are applicable life skills,” said Mr. Cazzari.