Career Exploration Trip Expands Opportunities for Sport Management Major

For sport management major Tatum Codington '25, sports have always been more than just a pastime—they’re a lifelong passion.

And at Hartwick College, she was eager to take advantage of every opportunity to gain real-world work experience. A recent career exploration trip to the Utica Comets in Utica, N.Y., provided exactly that.

Organized by Career Development and Network Engagement staff, the trip gave students a behind-the-scenes look at how a professional sports team operates —from ticket sales to fan engagement. For Codington, this experience reinforced her desire to work in the industry.

"Being immersed in a professional environment gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges and rewards of managing the business side of sports. I also saw firsthand the importance of creating a positive atmosphere for both fans and athletes."

Tatum Codington '25

Sport Management Major

Hartwick College students and staff during Career Exploration Trip to the Utica Comets sports facility

Hartwick College students in Career Exploration Trip to Utica Comets during Women's in Sports Panel Discussion

Hartwick College student Tatum Codington '25 with Courtney Perzan VP, Team Business Services American Hockey League

One of the highlights of the trip was a Women in Sports panel, where Codington heard from leading female executives in the American Hockey League (AHL) and the sports industry. She walked away from the experience feeling inspired by their stories—especially that of Mae Rennick, a player development analyst for the New Jersey Devils.

“What really resonated with me was Rennick’s background in biology, which is far from the typical path for someone in sports,” Codington said. “Her story proved to me that you don’t have to follow the traditional route to break into the industry. After speaking with her, I felt inspired to explore new career possibilities, opening my mind to paths I hadn’t previously considered.”

For this career exploration trip, the Career Development & Network Engagement staff partnered with Head Athletic Trainer Heidi Hofbauer-Buzzy’s “Health Sciences Applied to Coaching” class.

"It’s crucial for Tatum and other students to have the chance to explore potential career paths. The Women in Sports panel expanded students' understanding of the industry, showing them the wide variety of career opportunities within sports. It was especially eye-opening, as women have historically held few leadership roles in the sports field."

Heidi Hofbauer-Buzzy

Hartwick College Head Athletic Trainer

The Utica Comets experience was one of three Spring 2024 Career Exploration Trips. A group visited Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, N.Y. and a third trip took students to Adage Capital Management in Boston, Mass.

March 5, 2025

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