WSU SMGT Alumni
(B.A. 2017; M.Ed. 2019)
Social Media Specialist
Visit Frisco
WSU Sport Management Alumni Highlight:
Hayley Ribordy
What is your current position and can you give us a brief overview?
Currently, I am the Social Media Coordinator for Visit Frisco TX. In my position,
I oversee all of our social media channels, creating content, raising awareness for
our city, and promoting all the fun things to see, do, and experience here! I also
work with our many sporting teams here.
Was this career path on your radar since you graduated? If not, speak on how you came across this position.
Being an athlete my entire life and throughout college, I knew I wanted to be a part of the sports world. Ultimately, I knew I wanted to be in a fast-paced environment in my career - whether that be for a sports organization or something that ties in or has much of the same speed. In my professional career, I’ve always worked in Marketing and much of my focus and interest has been in Social Media, and I really wanted to be in a field where I had both an interest and a skillset. Read More
Dr. Mark Vermillion and
Dr. Mike Ross present at
COSMA 2023 Conference
Dr. Bobby Berry
COSMA 2023
WSU Sport Management Well Represented at the 2023 COSMA Conference
WSU Sport Management was well represented at this year’s 2023 Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) Conference. Dr. Mark Vermillion, Dr. Clay Stoldt, Dr. Mike Ross and Dr. Bobby Berry were among the presenters, and panel members discussing current issues of sport management.
Dr. Vermillion and Dr. Berry presented on “College Basketball Players Perceptions of Self-Esteem, Team Climate, and Coaching Support” which looked at how these factors impact individual and team performance. Dr. Ross presented on “College Esports Student-Athletes’ Perceptions of Life Stress” and “High school athletic directors: Secondary educational leaders’ perceptions”. Dr. Clay Stoldt participated on a panel to discuss “Serving as an Interim Administrator: The Good, the Bad and Sometimes the Temporary”.
WSU Sport Management was among the first programs to be accredited by COSMA. Dr. Vermillion states, “WSU has been a leader in sport management accreditation since the beginning of COSMA, and we continue that involvement annually. Our SMGT faculty serve on COSMA boards, collaborate on COSMA research projects (such as industry salary surveys), present timely and impactful research at conferences and symposia, and continue to network with both sport management educators and practitioners every year. I am proud of our faculty’s involvement and look forward to what is next!”
College of Applied Studies
College of Applied Studies Names New Dean
In January, Dr. Friend took over her new position as Dean of WSU’s College of Applied Studies. Prior to her position at WSU Dr. Friend served as the associate provost for Academic Affairs and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for Rockhurst University. In her new role, Dr. Friend will focus on supporting culturally responsive learning, research, and community engagement, emphasizing diversity, integrity, collaboration, discovery, and leadership.
“The College of Applied Studies is uniquely positioned to have a significant impact on enhancing student access and success, promoting innovations in inclusive digital learning and interdisciplinary academic programs, and advancing funded research that is co-constructed with industry and community partners,” says Friend.
“Dr. Friend’s experience and vision align perfectly with the goals of CAS, namely to advance the academic quality and profile of the college through visionary leadership, strategic planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical governance, and skillful human and financial resource management,” says Dr. Shirley Lefever, WSU executive vice president and provost.
WSU Varsity Esports will be hosting an Open House to show off their new facility on
March 6th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Originally housed in the Heskett Center, Esports will
be relocating to Corbin Connect Room 156A. Travis Yang took over varsity esports in
December 2021 after Wichita State impressed him with the resources committed to the
program. Yang also wanted to highlight the variety of students and majors in the program.
“Our students are spread across all of the colleges,” he said. “Esports should be
interdisciplinary. It should be reflected in our students, and it should be reflected
in how we work across campus.”
