April 11, 2018

Sports marketing pro William A. Sutton will deliver keynote at seventh annual event

Well known sports marketing practitioner William A. Sutton will deliver the keynote address at Centenary University’s seventh annual Sports Management Conference on Friday, April 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the David and Carol Lackland Center. The conference brings industry professionals together with high school and college students to build knowledge and skills through workshops, panel discussions, roundtables and interviews for internships and other employment opportunities. 

Sutton has earned a reputation as an industry expert whose professional experiences blend his savvy business acumen with significant university credentials. He is the founder and principal of Bill Sutton & Associates, a consulting firm specializing in strategic marketing, revenue enhancement and organizational chemistry, and former vice president of team marketing and business operations for the NBA. Sutton’s consulting clients have included the NBA and NFL, as well as the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia 76ers, Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Mets. At the University of South Florida, where he is the founding director and professor at the Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management Program, Sutton has an extensive track record of placing students in careers in the sports industry.

Each year, Centenary University’s sports management majors organize the conference, providing invaluable opportunities to network with industry professionals, according to David Perricone, associate professor of sports management. “It’s about taking the classroom out of the classroom,” he explained. “It takes what the students are learning in theory and applying it to the real world. This event also gives the students the opportunity to network with industry leaders, alumni and students from other universities.”

In addition to the conference, sports management majors at Centenary gain practical experience through internships with professional sports organizations. They have also traveled internationally to develop a broad perspective of the sports management field around the world. 

For more information, contact Amber Sporer at sporera@centenaryuniversity.edu. Purchase tickets online at alumni2.centenaryuniversity.edu/SportsConference2018.

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary University’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix provides an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world. The University’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township. The Centenary University School of Professional Studies offers degree programs at two locations, Parsippany and Edison, as well as online and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.

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Contact: Kristen Volkland, (201) 960-3102