Indianapolis Trip Recap Article


The IUSMA returned from yet another impressive visit to Indianapolis last Friday, and the members on the trip brought back with them memorabilia, advice, motivation, and an experience unlike any other.  Our visit started with the NCAA headquarters, where we met with IU alumnus and Senior VP of Basketball and Business Strategies, Greg Shaheen.  Just to have the opportunity to sit down and talk to Greg was a monumental privilege, as he travels around 300 days a year.  Greg’s 11 years experience with the NCAA provided our group with a totally unique and in depth perspective on the sports industry, from a major regulatory body viewpoint. 

Greg became one of the most coveted figures in all of sports by what he called, “Quietly outworking everybody else.”  He admitted to us that he didn’t get into sports by traditional means, starting off as an 18 year veteran in an electrical contractors business, but he commented that it was that nontraditional path that set him apart.  He said, “Be your own person, make your own path. If you are dedicated to what truly interests you, it will work out.”  I think I speak for the rest of the group present at the meeting when I say that Greg was one of the most compassionate, personable people you could ever meet, but all for all of his character strengths, he doubles in career talent (Greg lead the largest television negotiation deal in history with the NCAA basketball tournament contract).

Our next visit was with the Indianapolis Colts, where we met with VP of Sponsorship Sales, Jay Souers.  Also and IU alum, Jay started his career as a life insurance salesman before ultimately landing a job with the Colts, to which he attributed to strategic luck, saying, “It’s all timing.”  Jay mirrored Greg Shaheen with his charisma and creativity, and he mentioned that working in sports is unlike any career.  He said, “It’s been a lifestyle, not a job.”  Jay told us some great stories about selling sponsorships; including how he won over Lucas Oil as the naming rights to the stadium (I encourage everyone to ask one of the group members about this story).  By making sponsors feel “a part of the stadium and a part of the fan experience,” Jay has helped the Colts’ stadium earn the title of “Sports facility of the year” by the SportsBusiness Journal for two consecutive years.  Jay stressed the importance of having passion for what you do, and building an organization on more than just winning.  Jay told us, “Creative ideas are the difference between good and great,” and the entire group beamed in awe of some of Jay’s ideas that helped the Colts reach the success they enjoy today.

Our final visit was to the non-profit-organization, Indiana Sports Corporation.  There, we met with Mike Karnuta and Chris Brelage who offered us yet another totally unique perspective on the sports industry.  The Indiana Sports Corporation (ISC) helps the city of Indianapolis to bid for sporting events to be hosted there, in order to promote city pride, tourist income, and to increase the national profile of Indianapolis.  ISC was integral in getting the men’s basketball Final Four to come to Indy, as well as solidifying the city as the home of Super Bowl 2012.  Mike and Chris spoke to us about what it takes to get into the industry and how we can set ourselves apart.  They said, “Your network is your net worth,” a concept that all of us in the IUSMA strive to expand upon.  They said, “It’s all about getting it done,” emphasizing that we must constantly look for ways to expand our knowledge and to take every interaction as an opportunity to make an impression.  They mentioned how their work ethic serves the purpose of making Indy a premier destination for sports events and conventions, and having been distinguished as “The amateur sports capitol of the world,” I think they’re succeeding at it.

This trip provided, in my opinion, the most dynamic perspective on the sports industry than any other we have been on this year.  We heard from a renowned regulatory body, a storied franchise, and a non-profit-organization dedicated to social impact through sport.  The individuals from these organizations that we were honored to meet with, were some of the most easy-going, personable people to connect with and I know that the entire group will forever benefit from the knowledge they imparted on us.