As the semester winds down at Syracuse University, students enrolled in "Sport Marketing Management"
(SPM 444) will vie against one another in an innovative and nationally modeled approach to sports
marketing education led by the KeyBank-Syracuse University 44 Rewards partnership.
As an integral part of the 44 Rewards program -- now in its second year -- sport management faculty, SU
Athletics staff and KeyBank executives work with students to help them apply theoretical marketing
concepts to a real-world experience. The students' final project is presented to and judged by semester-long
client KeyBank and other industry professionals.
"44 Rewards is a natural extension of Key's longstanding relationship with Syracuse University's athletic
and academic programs," says Stephen D. Fournier, president of KeyBank's Central New York District.
"We're pleased to directly engage students and offer them unique learning experiences that will prepare
them for the professional world."
"Sport Marketing Management" requires students to implement a major, multifaceted corporate sports
marketing sponsorship utilizing the skills honed in prerequisite courses in research methodology, sport
law, sport sales and communications. This learn-by-doing experience includes the possibility of the
winning team seeing its marketing plan activated in the coming SU sports year. In addition to the SPM
444 coursework, the KeyBank-Syracuse University relationship provides scholarships for the sport
management program, internship opportunities and research funding.
The students will present their 25-minute multimedia plans and recommendations on Tuesday,
Dec. 9, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Sims Atrium in Sims Hall.
Judges will include:
The 44 Rewards program is a multi-tiered partnership that provides ongoing prize-winning opportunities
for SU men's basketball and football fans, and includes academic and charitable giving components-all
building on the legendary significance of the number 44 in SU Athletics. For sports fans in the community,
44 Rewards has provided the opportunity to win SU men's basketball and football merchandise, season
tickets, tournament packages and other prizes for the past two years.
Students in the College of Human Ecology's Department of Sport Management study marketing,
management, communications, law and other disciplines, and gain hands-on experience in a required
internship while preparing for careers or graduate study in sport. The College of Human Ecology at SU
focuses students on the importance of community involvement, service, scholarship and experiential
learning.
KeyBank N.A. is one of New York's largest financial services companies, with one of the largest statewide
networks of branches and ATMs. The 12-county Central New York District has 59 KeyCenters (branches),
95 ATMs and more than 475 employees. KeyBank is a leader in community involvement and a strong
proponent for local economic growth. Cleveland-based KeyCorp is one of the nation's largest bank-based
financial services companies, with assets of about $101 billion. Key companies provide investment
management, retail and commercial banking, consumer finance and investment banking products and
services to individuals and companies throughout the United States and, for certain businesses,
internationally.
