The Michigan Sport Business Conference’s BIG Initiative is an annual award dedicated to recognizing outstanding student leaders in the sport industry who have achieved an exceptional level of success.
Launched in 2013, Chris Chaney and Brandon Rhodes founded the BIG initiative to provide a glimpse into the future of the sport industry. Winners come from across the nation with varying backgrounds and interests and go on to work in at a variety of high-level sport business companies.
Each year, our winners attend our conference and Thursday Night Dinner, receiving exclusive networking opportunities and being honored in front of game-changers in the industry.
Katherine Cottrell is a recent graduate of Clemson University, where she earned a dual degree in Sports Communication and Marketing with a minor in Business Administration. She has experience in communications, production, and marketing through roles at IMG Academy, 105.5 The ROAR, and a sports-focused agency, where she supported media coverage and high-profile event announcements, including a partnership with Olympic gymnast Suni Lee. As a former camera and replay operator for Clemson Video Services, she contributed to major broadcasts like Clemson Football Pro Day and is passionate about using storytelling to inspire unity and connection through sports.Andre Monroe is a senior at Penn State University studying Broadcast Journalism. Last summer, he worked as a Production Intern with House of Highlights under Warner Bros., assisting with social media content, live shows, trend analysis, and channel management. On campus, he serves as Sports Director for Culture Central and as NBC Sports’ campus content creator, partnering with Penn State Athletics to tell the stories of Penn State sports through digital media, an interest he’s pursued since high school as a credentialed football writer.Noah Rabinovich is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, where he majored in Finance and Management with a passion for sports. Last summer, he worked as a Finance Intern with the Washington Commanders, supporting financial reporting, forecasting, and capital project monitoring, while also volunteering at training camp. During his time on campus, he served as President of both the UMD Sports Business Society and the Maryland Sports Business Conference, where he led alumni relations, corporate partnerships, and brand development, in addition to holding leadership roles in his social fraternity.
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MICHIGAN SPORT BUSINESS CONFERENCE
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