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Mercyhurst University recognized sports business management associate professor Dr. John Parente with the Outstanding Faculty Award and fourth-year student Colby Leandro with the Outstanding Student Award at the Pennsylvania Sports Business Association's recent Case Study Competition and Conference. He was an excellent representative, winning awards. Additionally, the university also ranked first in case presentations.
In addition to Leandro, Abigail Cain and Alyssa Schakowsky also participated in the presentation of the award-winning case entitled “A New Era for Pembriar.”
Leandro is a double major in Sports Business Management and Data Science. He also received the Frank Barry Leadership Award and is one of the top recipients of the 2024 Mercyhurst Graduation Award.
“We are tasked with developing an innovative strategy aimed at revitalizing the Pembriar Sports and Fitness Complex and re-establishing it as the ultimate fitness and recreation hub for Erie's vibrant community. ” explained Leandro. “Our proposals, which focus on expanding our cardio room class offering, introducing a cafe and integrating a technology room, all tie together seamlessly, emphasizing the need for modern marketing and social media tactics. , designed to resonate with people aged 18 to 50 years of age while ensuring a return on investment.This experience allows each of us to put the knowledge gained in the classroom into practice. I was able to use it in case studies and further develop my research, business, sales and marketing skills.”
Parente, on the other hand, described Colby as “steady as ever.” He embodies everything we want in our students. He pushed himself, looked for a different path, and is the best example of a servant leader I've seen from a young person. ”
A total of six Mercyhurst students participated in the case study event held on April 12th at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In addition to Leandro, Kane and Schachowski, there was also Megan McKay, Corey Scurll and Roman Cerminara. Students John Krahe and Avik Agrawal joined their classmates at a subsequent meeting.
“I'm proud of all of them,” Parente said. “They've done a great job. The bigger story here is that they've created different pathways to achieve the same goal. 'You can get there from here' is depicted.” I like that.”
Peter Zohos, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Applied Business, was pleased with the university's excellent performance at the annual event. “Dr. Parente has built a remarkable program,” he said. “He takes great care to ensure that all of his students are ready for the real world, as evidenced by the jobs they get and the competitions they participate in. Program curriculum that students relate to By gaining the business core fundamentals combined with this, our students are well-prepared for great careers.”
Photo: (LR) Jay Perkins, owner of Pembriar Sports & Fitness Complex, joins case study winners Abigail Kane, Alyssa Schakowsky and Colby Leandro.
