Continuing to apply their classroom learning at some of the largest sporting events in the country, students from Slippery Rock University’s sport management program worked at the 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four basketball games, April 5-7, in San Antonio, Texas.
Students who attended included:
- Kylee Copley, a sophomore sport management major from Oil City (Oil City HS).
- Zoie Smith, a sophomore sport management major from Big Run (First Baptist Academy HS).

- John Del Vecchio, a sophomore sport management major from Gibsonia (Pine-Richland HS).
- Tyree Johnson, a junior sport management major from Philadelphia (Lincoln HS)

They were accompanied by Robert Zullo, assistant professor of sport management.
SRU students supported several aspects of the Final Four, including the sponsorship activities like the Tip-Off Tailgate, a service project in which more than 1,000 children received a free basketball and dribbled in the streets of San Antonio at Fan Fest, and, on the day of the championship game, the students were inside the Alamodome as part of the Green Team, promoting recycling and sustainability.
Through these experiences, the students expanded their knowledge about sponsorship, promotions, risk management, public relations, facility and event management at a national event.
Earlier this year, SRU students worked at the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in Atlanta and the NFL’s Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. More information about sport management at SRU is available on the program’s webpage.