Two students from Syracuse University's David B. Falk College of Sport, Kate Bradley ’26 and Jake Stoll ’26, were recently honored as recipients of the 14th annual BIG Initiative Award at the 2025 Michigan Sport Business Conference (MSBC).
MSBC, which took place on Oct. 17-18 at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology, is recognized as one of the nation's leading gatherings for students and professionals in the sport industry. Launched in 2013, the BIG Initiative Award is an annual honor recognizing outstanding student leaders across the United States who have achieved an exceptional level of success and demonstrated immense potential in sports business. The five winners, who were selected from top applicants across the country, attended the conference and an awards reception, gaining valuable, high-level networking access with industry professionals.
Kate Bradley
"I am so thankful to have attended the Michigan Sport Business Conference as a BIG Initiative Award winner,” Bradley says. “It was such a unique and meaningful opportunity to not only network with industry professionals but also to listen and learn from an incredible lineup of speakers and panels covering a wide range of topics across the sports industry.”
Bradley, a senior sport management major with a minor in emerging sport enterprises, was selected for her diverse experience. She has held internships with several organizations, including Wasserman, the Premier Lacrosse League, and ISlide, where she gained valuable experience in brand strategy, partnerships, and event marketing. On campus, Bradley has demonstrated consistent leadership and commitment. She served as the public relations chair for the record-breaking 20th Annual Charity Sports Auction, vice president of community service for the Sport Management Club, and communications chair for the Women in Sports and Events Club.
Jake Stoll
Stoll is a senior pursuing a bachelor of science degree in sport management with abusiness minor. He was recognized for gaining hands-on experience across multiple sectors of the sport business industry, including internships with the Brooklyn Football Club, Premiere Athlete Agency, TGI Sport, and the Orange Bowl Committee. His leadership on campus includes serving as vice president of events for the Syracuse Sport Business Conference and being an active member of ‘Cuse Crew.
"Attending the Michigan Sport Business Conference was an incredible experience. I connected and learned from some of the most innovative minds in sports, which reminded me why I fell in love with this industry in the first place,” Stoll says. “Being selected as a BIG Initiative Award recipient is a true honor. The conference pushed me to think bigger, stay curious, and continue building toward a career where I can make a real impact in sports, and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to attend."
Elena Randolph ’24 was the previous sport management student from Falk College to receive a BIG Initiative Award in 2022. Randolph is now a team development associate for the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans.
The students spent the day immersed in the conference's insightful programming, which featured an inspiring lineup of speakers and panels. The honorees and attendees heard from leading figures such as NBA legend Grant Hill, who delivered a keynote address, and entrepreneur and Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian. The agenda was packed with discussions and structured networking opportunities designed to offer a 360-degree view of the modern sport landscape.
The five recipients of the 2025 BIG Initiative Award were, from left to right, Nyauni Crowelle (University of Florida), Jake Stoll (Syracuse University), Sophia Bartolo (University of Southern California), Kate Bradley (Syracuse University), and Marley Buchwald (University of Wisconsin-Madison).
“One of my favorite sessions was the panel on experiential marketing,” Bradley says. “It was fascinating to hear insights from leaders representing brands, properties, and agencies, each offering a different perspective on how to create impactful fan experiences. I left feeling inspired and more confident in my path within the sports industry with new ideas and connections."
Key sessions included a deep dive into the legal field with the panel "Navigating the Field: Becoming a Sports Lawyer in a Law Firm," presented by Latham & Watkins, and a conversation centered on "Leveraging Athletes as Investors." The global impact of soccer was explored in the panel "Beyond the Pitch: How World Cup 2026 Could Transform Soccer in America," which featured representatives from the FIFA World Cup 2026. Attendees also had the opportunity to attend workshops focusing on careers in experiential marketing. The conference concluded with structured networking and a career fair, giving Bradley and Stoll the opportunity to connect directly with professionals from organizations such as the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and FOX Sports.
Visit the Falk College of Sport website to learn more about Department of Sport Management academic programs, internships, and immersion trips.
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