Switching majors led one student to a future in sports entertainment

Switching majors can be scary. But worth it.

When Lizzie Childers, ’26, first arrived at University of Idaho, she enrolled in athletic training classes. But a class in sports management — and a hands-on experience helping with March Madness events in Spokane — diverted her into a different aspect of sports.

Childers is a recent graduate in recreation, sport and tourism management, which encompasses the business and operational sides of sports.

“Having come into the major a little late, I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity I could,” she said. “Sports management is all about getting your name out there.”

In Spring 2026, Childers, along with two other undergraduates and two faculty members, traveled to Denver, Colorado, for the Sports Sale Workshop and Job Fair, an event designed to give undergraduate students hands-on experience in one of the industry’s most competitive fields. The trip combined professional development workshops, networking opportunities and a couple of sports outings.

For Childers, the experience helped her feel more secure about her future.

“I went into it feeling nervous,” she said. “But it was one of the best experiences I’ve had. Doing something like this shows you there’s so much more out there — and that you’re more ready than you think.”

The entertaining side of sports

To start, the U of I group toured Empower Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos — an experience that surprised even Childers, who grew up nearby and had visited before.

“I thought I knew everything about it,” she said. “But they showed us so many exciting behind-the-scenes details, it made me even more confident in my choice to go into sports entertainment.”

When Childers talks about entertainment in the sports industry, she’s referring to the “extras” that make a sporting event memorable for fans.

“Sports are not a need, they’re a want,” Childers said. “You have to make it fun and memorable, so fans buy the experience.”

Several examples of sports entertainment in the Broncos stadium impressed Childers. For example, a stadium bar has a window that peers into the media room where journalists broadcast.

“You can sit there after the games and watch the media, which is a completely awesome idea for enhancing the fan experience and pulling people into the bar,” she said.

For Melody Alanis, an assistant professor of movement science who accompanied the students on the trip, it was important that the student made the most of their Denver trip.  

“I wanted to expose these students to the diversity of the sport industry, not just sports sales, which is the basis of the conference,” Alanis said. “That’s why I reached out. When we visited the Denver Broncos, we talked to someone in the marketing department and game day operation. I was thrilled.”

Leaning into your talents

The workshop focused on the business side of sports, specifically sales.

Students practiced pitching ticket packages, conducting mock sales calls and learning how to connect with potential customers. Industry professionals from organizations like the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team, the Colorado Rapids soccer team and the San Jose Sharks hockey team worked directly with students, offering examples and insight.

“This is a conference combined with a workshop. You’re not only hearing about what the day-to-day is like in sports sales, but you’re also networking and even interviewing for jobs,” Alanis said.  “It’s a good opportunity for our juniors and seniors.”

Beyond the technical skills and industry exposure, Childers received direct feedback from industry professionals, including advice about identifying her strengths.

“The manager for the Cleveland Browns told me I had a lot of energy, and that’s something I needed to hear,” she said. “It helped me realize I don’t have to be perfect at everything. I just need to lean into what I’m good at.”

Swinging for the fences

By the end of the trip, the nerves Childers felt at the beginning had transformed into confidence.

She attributes much of that change in self-assurance to the support of her professors.

“Walking into the conference, I was super nervous about whether I would be ready,” Childers said. “But the professors did a lot of extra work with us to make sure we were prepared and comfortable.”

Alanis and co-leader Brian Fowler, clinical assistant professor in movement science and sport and recreation management program coordinator, walked the students through targeted resume development, practiced elevator speeches and provided networking tips.

“Lizzie was a superstar,” Alanis said. “I know at the beginning of the conference she was a little shy, but toward the end you could see that she grew tremendously. She was in the activities, asking questions and networking. It was great to see the students realize this is something they might want to do in the future.”

The conference helped Childers feel certain that she had made the right decisions for her future.

“It definitely made me feel more excited to graduate,” Childers said. “I made the right decision changing my major and I’m excited to finish my degree and see what else is out there.”

In Summer 2026, the recreation, sport and tourism management degree was renamed sport and recreation management to better reflect the program’s focus and industry alignment.