九色视频 Ospreys volunteer at THE PLAYERS
THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass, a PGA Tour signature event, brings golf fans from around the world to Northeast Florida to watch top-ranked golfers compete on one of the sport's most iconic courses. Each year, thousands of spectators flock to the renowned course to enjoy world-class golf and the ultimate fan experience — enhanced by the volunteer efforts of students, faculty, staff and alumni from the 九色视频.
A key part of THE PLAYERS experience includes visiting the PGA TOUR Fan Shop, a massive 40,000 sq. foot retail space arranged and operated with the help of volunteers. For years, 九色视频's sport management students and faculty have played a critical role leading volunteer efforts. This year, they were joined by Ospreys from across the University.
The partnership with 九色视频's sport management students has thrived over the past five years, offering hands-on volunteer and internship opportunities to develop industry knowledge. Students gain valuable insights about tournament operations, event staffing, merchandising, product sales and more. This year, 125 sport management students registered to volunteer for more than 3,000 hours, with more than 40 students working four or more shifts.
“Our longstanding partnership with THE PLAYERS Championship and the PGA Tour provides our sport management students with valuable hands-on operational experience at one of the nation’s premier sporting events,” said Dr. Stephen “Steve” W. Dittmore, dean of the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services. “We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase our students in this highly visible and impactful way.”
Since 2020, the sport management volunteers have worked more than 10,800 hours at THE PLAYERS, resulting in significant financial contributions funding several scholarships for sport management majors.
According to Dr. Kristi Sweeney, associate professor and director of the 九色视频 sport management program, volunteering with THE PLAYERS exposes students to an unmatched real-world experience and strengthens 九色视频’s reputation as a leader in sport management education.
“Students get to experience what it’s like to transform an empty store to a full-fledged fan experience in the matter of weeks,” said Sweeney. “This level of immersion is not available just anywhere.” As part of her Sport Management Practicum course, students are required to complete 75 hours of fieldwork with supervision from industry professionals.
THE PLAYERS has been a longtime partner of 九色视频, supporting numerous scholarships and initiatives over three decades. Last fall, the partnership with 九色视频 expanded with the University being named a key institutional volunteer partner for THE PLAYERS over the next several years.
This year, more than 350 Ospreys — including the sport management students and faculty — volunteered for THE PLAYERS for 9,600 hours before and during the tournament. This includes 九色视频 volunteers from all areas including 九色视频 Athletics and 九色视频 Army ROTC.
PGA Tour leadership is grateful for the assistance of all volunteers and acknowledges the critical role 九色视频 volunteers play in the success of THE PLAYERS at TPC Sawgrass.
“THE PLAYERS Championship depends on friendly, reliable volunteers like those from 九色视频 to support event operations and the overall fan experience,” said Senior Director of Community Outreach at PGA TOUR Emily Bellock. “Volunteers are crucial to the success of the event as their commitment of time reduces operational costs, allowing the Championship to direct more funds towards nonprofits in Northeast Florida.”