Next Up in the Spotlight: Dr. Lisa Delpy Neirotti
Let’s meet GW’s Director of Sport Management programs, Dr. Neirotti!
By: Ethan Cuccarese
Q: What is your role within the Sport Management program at GW?
A: I am the Director of Sport Management programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. We offer a BBA & MBA with a concentration in sport management as well as a MS in Sport Management plus two non-degree Certificates in Sport Philanthropy and Sport Management.
Q: What motivated you to want to work in the sports industry?
A: Sport touches all of society through its heart and wallets. I find the mix of passion and business to be extremely interesting and everyday there is something new to learn and discuss. I try to be at the forefront of new developments in sport and introduced students early on to sport tourism, social media, data analytics, sport technology, and now esports. All of these areas did not exist when I started GW's sport management program in 1991.
Q: What are some of your favorite professional experiences in the sports industry?
A: Sharing the Olympic or World Cup experience with students is one of my favorite moments as well as working with students on career development and following their success after graduating. I remain in contact with students from my first year teaching, 30 years ago!
Q: How would you describe your journey in the sports industry and how you got where you are today?
A: As a swimmer I dreamed of competing in the Olympic Games but when I realized the probability of that happening, I turned my sights on working in the business of sport. I interned for the US Olympic Committee (now US Olympic and Paralympic Committee) and then ProServ, which was one of only two sport marketing agencies at the time. I regularly volunteered for events and offered to conduct research and through this developed a strong network around the world. I always said "YES" and figured it out. I continue to follow this principle and I encourage others to do the same.
Q: Other than not having in person classes to teach, how has the COVID-19 Pandemic affected your work? What have you been up to during this unique summer?
A: As many students know, I typically travel frequently but this obviously halted. The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Course was moved online and I taught the Business of Esports course as well this summer. I also hosted and attended many webinars and was interviewed frequently by the media regarding the cancelation of sports and its impact, Redskins name change, and Black Lives Matter. I also spent time helping sport based youth non-profits adapt to moving programs online so youth continue to have a support network.
Q: What would you suggest to an undergraduate or graduate student at GW pursuing a career in the sports industry post COVID-19?
A: Although the sport industry is not looking so promising right now, I believe it will come back stronger than ever. I continue to remember that last pandemic in 1918 and how the Roaring 20s followed. Stay positive and stay informed on current industry news and trends.
Q: How can GW students best take advantage of this virtual learning period?
A: READ free industry newsletters and stay current (see suggested list below). Participate in as many free webinars as possible and follow-up with the speakers via linkedin and email. Industry professionals have never been more open to speaking with students than now. Think about new products or services that will help sport recover from the pandemic. Become a problem solver and you will have a job post COVID-19. Take this time to learn a technical skill set like Photoshop, Illustrator, excel, R, Python, Tableau or learn a second language. Through GW you have access to Lynda and Linkedin Learning and other free online courses.
*SportTechie https://www.sporttechie.com/
* Frontofficesports https://frntofficesport.com/newsletters/
* Sportico https://pages.email.sportico.com/signup/
* Insidethegames https://www.insidethegames.biz/subscribe
* Sports Marketing & PR Roundup http://joefavorito.com/contact-me/newsletter-signup/
Q: What is one thing people should definitely know about you?
A: I expect students to go above and beyond as this is the expectation in the industry. Those students who get involved in SBA, SINC, attend events/webinars, and actively apply for internships, as well as perform in class are the ones that I can endorse most. I am more than willing to assist but you need to first demonstrate that you have done your homework (e.g. don't ask for an email address before first trying to figure it out yourself; don't ask to be connected to alums who work at the NFL without first going on LinkedIn and doing a search "National Football League + George Washington University").