CPaCE News

The Sport Management program at CSULB—recognizable to college sports fans as Long Beach State—is a transformative pathway for students and alumni to enter dynamic careers in the athletics industry. From scoring internships with teams like the L.A. Clippers and Ontario Reign to earning leadership positions in student athletics, these young professionals have gained the real-world skills, invaluable connections, and sense of community that are lifting them towards their goals.

“Without the Sport Management program, I would not be in the position I am today,” said Didier Chalfoun, who graduated in 2023 and quickly rose from a Sales Account Executive for the minor league Ontario Reign to the NHL's L.A. Kings hockey team. “I chose CSULB's program because it had the connections I needed to get started within the sports industry. It really drove me to pursue a career and take on new challenges.” 

The program’s flexible schedule and instructor mentorships helped Didier attend classes while working full-time. He interned with the L.A. Clippers’ membership services department and worked part-time with the L.A. Dodgers before securing his current position with the L.A. Kings. A typical day consists of finding new business opportunities and driving revenue for the team by selling from a menu of ticketing options.

Fellow 2023 graduate Adrian Beunder benefited from four different internships including at the Special Olympics of Southern California and Long Beach City College, where he handled gameday activities and events management. His final internship with ABSOLUT Sport, a multinational sports travel agency, led to a full-time job as marketing director for the company, where he works on global campaigns. 

“My career improved tremendously because of the network I have, the skills I learned, and the understanding of what it takes to make it in this industry,” Adrian said. “The more well-rounded you become, the more likely you are to create opportunities and succeed.”

Adrian appreciated the program’s focus on real-world experience from instructors who are working professionals in their field. Current student Asha Hinton also expressed a similar admiration for the valuable mentorships she received.

“I was impressed by how attentive [program director] Dr. Stephen Hawn was during the application process,” said Asha, who is on track to graduate in 2025. “He solidified my belief that CSULB was the right place for me to pursue my goals.” 

“Andy Roundtree was particularly impactful,” Asha continued, describing the Sport Finance teacher who was previously CFO of both the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Anaheim Angels. “He pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and think creatively when planning large-scale events or managing organizations. This has been essential in understanding financial planning within the sports industry.” 

In addition to her classes, Asha is a graduate assistant who provides administrative support to faculty and students. Through a connection with a classmate, she also became the Assistant Skills Academy Coordinator at Oasis Volleyball Club and secured another summer internship at UCLA through CSULB’s Career Link platform.

Like many of her classmates, Asha stays busy—balancing school and work, expanding her professional network, and building her skill set. She is now employed as a personal trainer, operations manager, and marketing coordinator at Fuerza Gym. 

“The Sport Management program has significantly enhanced my current job by equipping me with the tools needed to grow my small business in alignment with my larger ambitions,” Asha continued. “The program inspired me to revisit business strategies and introduce new ideas to strengthen my operations.”

The operations of Long Beach State Athletics have been strengthened by the presence of Sport Management alum Cameron Cecil, who experienced a seamless transition from her classes and internships to become a full-time Student Athlete Development Coordinator. Playing softball as an undergrad while majoring in Communications, Cameron was on track to graduate in four years, but her coach suggested taking a fifth year to earn a master’s degree that combined her interests. She had already secured an internship with the campus athletics department and was planning to be an assistant softball coach. 

“For me, the internship was a no brainer,” Cameron explained. “It meant more to me because I was an active student athlete who was now serving the athletes as an intern. That allowed me to gain a whole new appreciation and gratitude for the ability to play college softball.”

When she wasn’t working or playing, Cameron studied alongside her Sport Management learning team (LT), a tight group of classmates who supported each other through the year-and-a-half program. In the beginning, instructors invited organizations to present internship opportunities to the students. Only two years later, Cameron was on the other side, showcasing what the athletics department had to offer for the new LT. 

“That was a full circle moment,” she said, “just how monumental the opportunity was for me, not only in professional development but as a student athlete.”

Cameron is now thriving at the center of campus athletics in her office near the gleaming landmark of the Walter Pyramid. Her dream job is connected to career development, leadership training, and community engagement—and she even makes time to drop in on softball practices. Those connections have eased her transition away from being a full-time student athlete. 

“When you play at a level like this for so many years, it can get hard for people when they exit their sport, they don't really know what to do,” Cameron said. “I'm grateful for my experience here because I'm still around it. For young athletes who may be going through that, there's a place for them in the Sport Management program. We're all one community, so we're here for you and we will support you.”

“There's so many new things that are happening right now in college athletics,” she added, “and navigating that now is just the coolest thing ever!” 

Learn more about the Master of Arts in Sport Management graduate program, which now offers classes fully online.