Unlocking College and Career Pathways by Preparing Our Future Sports Business Leaders
Sports Industry Academy - Overview
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The Sports Industry Academy (SIA), a program of the Center for Sports, Culture & Innovation (CSCI), works closely with leading sports executives, corporations, and educational institutions to prepare the next generation of sports industry leaders.
Through innovative educational experiences, executive engagement, mentorship, career exploration, and professional development, SIA works to democratize access to the business of sports by introducing scholars from diverse backgrounds to college and career pathways and the wide range of opportunities across the sports industry.
The Sports Industry Academy serves high school, community college, and four-year college and university scholars.
A Few of Our Partners
The Mission
The Sports Industry Academy (SIA), a program of the Center for Sports, Culture & Innovation (CSCI), develops the academic, professional, leadership, and life skills of scholars and scholar-athletes from diverse backgrounds through exposure to and preparation for college, careers, and the wide range of opportunities within the sports industry.
Through education, mentorship, executive engagement, experiential learning, and career exploration, SIA works to democratize access to the business of sports and prepare the next generation of leaders.
Our Vision:
We envision a future where every scholar has access to transformative educational and career opportunities within the sports industry, regardless of background or circumstance. SIA seeks to break down barriers, expand access, and cultivate a diverse community of future leaders equipped with the knowledge, skills, relationships, and confidence to succeed in sports and beyond.
The sports industry has historically presented significant barriers to entry for individuals from underrepresented and underserved communities. SIA helps address those barriers by connecting high school, community college, and four-year college and university scholars with education, mentorship, professional development, industry leaders, and real-world experiences.
By creating meaningful pathways from education to opportunity, SIA is helping develop the next generation of sports industry leaders while contributing to a more diverse, inclusive, and innovative sports industry.
2027 SIA Summer Program
University of California, Santa Barbara
Dates and Registration Coming Soon!
The Sports Industry Academy Summer Program , hosted at UC Santa Barbara, provides an introduction to the $600 + billion sports industry to mature and highly talented California community college, high school and university scholars from diverse backgrounds. Prominent sports executives will guide scholars on the inner-workings of the sports industry.
Sports Industry Academy at a Glance
Started in 2015
Over 400 Scholars have participated in the Sports Industry Academy
·Overall, 80% of participants have been accepted to 4-year colleges or universities
100% of California Community College participants have transferred to a 4-year college or university
Scholars have graduated from some of the top college and universities, including, UCLA, Stanford, Michigan, Howard, CSU Channel Islands, CSU Sacramento, UC Santa Barbara, USC, UC Berkeley and the University of Oregon.
Over 40% of scholars that participated in the Sports Industry Academy and graduated from a university have secured a position in the sports industry
Testimonial
“I’ve known and worked with Walter Boggan for over 30 years. His passion for the business of sports and for education is incredible. It is truly a pleasure to be a part of the Sports Industry Academy and I look forward to sharing my experience and perspective with the Scholars.”
Damon Jones,
Vice President, Assistant G.M.
Los Angeles Dodgers Founding Advisor, Sports Industry Academy
SIA Scholar presenting her final project
SIA Scholars tuned in...
Eddie Maisonet of ESPN
SIA Scholars reviewing a MLB contract
SIA at Dodger Stadium
SIA scholars having a great discussion on the GEM of the Day.
Angela LaChica of LaChica Sports & Entertainment
The 2024 SIA Cohort!
Last Day Vibes!
Deep in thought...SIA 2024
Deep in thought...SIA 2015
Morris Thomas of the Southern California Golf Association
The Ladies...SIA 2024
Locked In!
SIA at Wasserman
Alanna Hernandez of Wasserman and the SIA Scholars
Kristen Keller of USC Athletics
Eddie Maisonet of ESPN
Brandon James of C2R Productions
Kat Calderon of the Los Angeles Clippers
Marty Gorsich, CEO of the Farmers Insurance Open (PGA)
Some of the 2022 Squad!
SIA 2025 scholars doing some sports business research.
SIA 2025 scholars working on their final cohort presentations.
Morris Thomas of the Souther California Golf Association
The Wasserman Crew!
SIA 2025 scholars visiting Wasserman
Another pic of 2025 Scholars visiting Wasserman.
The Wasserman Panel: Alexa Ramos, Delaney McNulty and Alanna Hernandez.
Angela LaChica of LaChica Sports & Entertainment
Alexa Ramos, Delaney McNulty and Alanna Hernandez of Wasserman
SIA 2025 Scholars tuning into the fabulous team at Wasserman
Ivan Hudson of the Chicago Bulls
2025 SIA Scholar sharing a "Gem of the Day"...Identifying a sports business topic and leading a group discussion/debate.
Angela LaChica, CEO of LaChica Sports & Entertainment presenting her work in Marketing, Branding and Community Relations.
Angela LaChica
2025 SIA Scholars gathering in their cohort...having a good time.
2025 SIA Cohort!
A SIA Cohort preparing to negotiate a multi-million dollar marketing agreement.
Another SIA Cohort preparing for their negotiation battle.
SIA Scholars deep into negotiations.
“The Sports Industry Academy has been incredible. I was extremely inspired to pursue my goals in sports management and team operations. Seeing and interacting with these professional executives showed me that it is truly possible for me to achieve my dream job. It was amazing to hear the insightful and deep advice that all of the speakers gave. Thank you so much for planning an amazing experience. ”
““This program changed my life completely. It changed my mindset, it changed my hustle, and it gave me hope!””
“Our partnership with the Sports Industry Academy (SIA) here at Oxnard College has been amazing. Our students have shared with us the impact the summer program had on their career and educational planning. We have been fortunate to have the support of our College Foundation and Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) to help us fund this great opportunity for our students to learn about preparing for college and the wide range/diverse career options in the sports industry. We look forward to our continued collaboration with SIA and to increasing our number of participants.”
“The Sports Industry Academy not only connected me to valuable resources and people, but I also changed the way I see my future. Instead of just chasing money and success, I know see a realistic path to succeed...not only in sports but in life. Thank you, Walter Boggan, for this amazing opportunity. I hope many more people get to experience what I did. ”
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