10/26/2026
For some SUNY Cortland students, this year’s Cortaca Jug weekend brings more than a famous football rivalry at Yankee Stadium.
That’s because sport management and musical theatre majors will benefit from career-based experiences at two events leading up to the 67th Cortaca Jug game presented by Visions Federal Credit Union.
The first-ever SUNY Cortland Sport Industry Summit will be hosted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the SUNY Global Center in Manhattan on Friday, Nov. 13. That evening, four musical theatre majors will perform at a special event hosted at the Empire State Building.
The summit will help sport management students network and learn from alumni succeeding in the field, while the Empire State Building event will showcase student vocal talents for longtime supporters of SUNY Cortland.
Selma Fabregas, Sidney Humes-James, Ezzie Rudenko and Jenevieve Young will perform a 20-minute musical program for guests as they arrive. The next day at Yankee Stadium, Young will perform the national anthem ahead of the Cortaca Jug’s kickoff.
All four students have earned scholarships made possible through the generosity of SUNY Cortland donors and were chosen for the event based on their artistic achievement, academic success and leadership.
Lynn Craver, instructor in the Performing Arts Department, coordinated the performance’s planning and rehearsals. She noted that the experience offers students a chance to serve as ambassadors for both the musical theatre program and the university as a whole.
“This event is a wonderful opportunity for our students to represent SUNY Cortland while sharing their talents with alumni and supporters,” Craver said. “We are excited to celebrate their accomplishments and the many opportunities made possible through donor generosity.”
The SUNY Cortland Sport Industry Summit is organized by the university’s Sport Management Advisory Board Committee and the students enrolled in Cortland’s Mega-Event Practicum class. Primarily alumni panelists will explore key topics in the sport management field, sharing authentic insight and networking opportunities for graduate, undergraduate, and alumni students to take into their future careers.
Following the summit, 20 sport management majors will work at Yankee Stadium in various roles providing hands-on experience in event management.
Funding for the summit comes from The Haines Fund, The Provost’s Foundation Fund, and the Sport Management Department. Registration is discounted for Cortland students and alumni.
Panel sessions at the summit include:
- “Behind the Action — The Future of Sport and Event Operations” with Shane Beardsley ’97, industry executive; and Paige Hammond ’13, senior event manager at Legends Global.
- “Women’s Sports – From Growth Story to Big Business” with Ameena Dye ’15, senior manager, WNBA partnerships and Sport Management Advisory Board member; and Gabriella Cuevas, pro soccer player, Dominican Republic National Team and founder of The Players Network.
- “Influencer Workshop” with Corin Chesterson ’10, influencer marketing associate; and Layton Lassiter, co-founder at Gray Wolf Agency.
- “Sports Without Borders: Delivering a Global Experience” with Debbie Fales ’99, CEO at Event Transport Solutions; and Katie Keenan ’06, M ’10, executive vice president and general manager of Olympic and Paralympic hospitality for On Location.
- “From Intern to Indispensable: Your First Five Years in Sport” with Joshua Kun ’17, director of communications of PrizePicks; and Javier Roman M ’14, senior manager for Spanish social editorial with MLB and Sport Management Advisory Board member.
- “Managing Up” with Rob Rademacher ’92, executive senior associate athletic director and chief operating officer at the University of Michigan and Sport Management Advisory Board member; and Keith Quarta ’15, senior manager, premium sales for the New York Giants.
“I’m looking forward to participating in a summit that brings together industry professionals and the next generation of leaders,” Beardsley said.
“Opportunities like this allow students to connect what they’re learning in the classroom with real-world experiences, hear different perspectives from industry leaders, and begin building the relationships that can help shape their careers,” he added. “I’m excited to share some of the lessons I’ve learned throughout my career in sports, entertainment and venue management, while also learning from the students and fellow panelists.”