David Moreno ’20, sitting on a bus on his way to the L.A. Coliseum, was excited to see a familiar stadium in a whole new light.
It’s where countless college football clashes have erupted. It’s been the home of the Chargers, the Raiders, and the Rams. It’s where the Dodgers won the 1959 World Series. It’s where the Olympics were held—twice, something no other stadium can claim. In 2028, it’ll become the only stadium in the world to host the Olympic Games three times.
But on a Thursday in late January, the Coliseum was Moreno’s classroom.
In Associate Professor of Kinesiology Kathy Barlow’s course, Great Sports Shrines of L.A., about two dozen Whittier College students learned the ins and outs of the industry by visiting some of the many great sports venues surrounding Whittier, including the home of the LA Galaxy and the headquarters of the Big West Conference, to name only a few.
The course exposed students to a wide variety of sports management career opportunities, from communications to sales, from community outreach to event management. Through Barlow’s course, one of the unique classes offered during Whittier’s January Term, students explore the venues and picked the brains of the professionals who work there—including Whittier College alumni.
“It definitely gives me a better understanding of where I can go and the avenues I can take to get there,” said Moreno, who’s designing his own major in communications, with a sports information emphasis, through the Whittier Scholars Program. He hopes to work in sports broadcasting, or to manage a sports team’s social media accounts—a subject he had the opportunity to hear professionals speak directly about.
“With 13 major sports right outside our door from Whittier, in the greater L.A. area, it’s just a shame not to give the students the opportunity to experience those,” Barlow said.
Not only does the course show students the endless opportunities available to them in the industry, it also affords them valuable face time with potential employers. Students walked away with their business cards, email addresses, and in at least the case of the L.A. Coliseum, an offer for future part-time opportunities.
Many students in Barlow’s class are well on their way to a career. During a question-and-answer panel at the L.A. Coliseum, the professor asked any students who have internships to stand up. Almost everyone did.
