Everything Nac

The 2025 NCAA men’s basketball Final Four earlier this month in San Antonio’s Alamodome served up a few nail-biting games. It also served as a backdrop for learning for 10 Stephen F. Austin State University sports business and media and communication students who volunteered for the Final Four University Student Program.

The program offers students a chance to gain valuable experience in large-scale event management, from directing thousands of fans to educating attendees about environmentally friendly behaviors, said Dr. Robert McDermand, senior lecturer in the Nelson Rusche College of Business’ sports business program.

“Experiential learning opportunities provide students with invaluable hands-on experiences that bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world,” he said. “There’s no bigger stage in college sports than the men’s Final Four, where students can immerse themselves in the excitement and complexity of managing a world-class event. It’s a unique chance to gain practical skills and insights that will shape their futures in the sports industry.”

The students who represented SFA as volunteers at the tournament were Katelyn Bolt, junior media and communication major from Houston; Laci Cannon, senior sports business major from Pearland; Roman Castaneda, first-year broadcast journalism major from Frisco; Christopher Delaney, sophomore media and communication major from Houston; Michael Goldman, junior media and communication major from Oakland, California; Sadie Hinz, senior sports business major from Italy, Texas; Hayden Humphries, senior sports business major from Buffalo Gap; Jayden McGee, sophomore sports business major from Conroe; Ian Padilla, first-year sports business major from Austin; and Tyler Tawney, graduate student in business from Wylie.

The student volunteers served in different roles at the various events during the tournament, including Final Four Fan Fest; March Madness Music Fest featuring Ravyn Lenae, Grammy-winner Doechii and Pitbull; Tip-Off Tailgate; and the national semifinal and championship games. They also got to hear from professionals working behind the scenes, including JoAn Scott, vice president of Men’s Basketball for the NCAA, and San Antonio Local Organizing Committee officials.

Cannon said her favorite part of her volunteer stint was her Green Team shifts.

“We were actively encouraging people to recycle bottles and cans, and everyone was receptive,” she said. “And some would not have recycled if we had not said anything. We truly made a difference. On top of that, we got to see Doechii and Pitbull while working!”

Cannon added that despite the hundreds of volunteers, the tournament’s events ran smoothly.

“Our shifts were only four hours long, but because of how many volunteers there were, everything was covered and handled,” she said. “Also, having good communication and resources was extremely helpful because we could connect with anyone who may have needed help.”

Delaney said watching all the behind-the-scenes action in person and learning how much planning goes into an event of this scale helped him “grow as a student of sport.” The amount of branding and advertising work at the event and “how hard companies pushed with all of the events happening” also made an impact on him.

Padilla said his volunteer experience was “surreal,” from “seeing all these celebrities and athletes in person up close to helping run an event that I only thought was possible to watch as a fan growing up.”

Experiencing the electric atmosphere of the semifinal game between Auburn University and the University of Florida from so many different perspectives was Padilla’s favorite part of his volunteer experience.

“I learned there are multiple angles or viewpoints when watching a game, such as the crew behind it,” he said. “There are so many behind-the-scene contributors at this event working together to give the fans and the players the best experience possible.”

Hinz said she also had some surreal moments.

“There were times, like when I was in the stadium watching the University of Houston versus Auburn University game, that I couldn’t believe my eyes,” she said. “We were so close to the game and surrounded by super excited fans. One key takeaway for me was gaining a deeper understanding of just how loyal and passionate fans can be. The energy and dedication in the crowd were undeniable.”

Hinz said the amount of money fans were willing to spend to be a part of the Final Four experience made a big impression.

“They were selling Chick-fil-A sandwiches for $30 each, and people were still buying them non-stop,” she said. “This reminded me of how strong emotional ties to a team can influence consumer behavior. Being able to recognize and understand the unique wants and behaviors of such a diverse fan base — from families with young kids to alumni grabbing another beer to father-son duos to stylish wives in designer team sweaters — really helped me think more critically.”

To explore more real-world opportunities in SFA’s sports business and media and communication programs, visit sfasu.edu/mgtmkt and sfasu.edu/media-communication, respectively.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, 11 residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

From generating life in animated characters to tracking fungal species in Nacogdoches County, the research of seven students from Stephen F. Austin State University and Tyler Junior College earned top scholar awards at SFA’s Undergraduate Research Conference April 15.

“We celebrate the best of student research and their mentors,” said Dr. Leslie Cecil, director of the SFA Center for Student Research and Creative Discovery, which hosts the conference. “For many faculty members, undergraduate research is what drives our enthusiasm to keep involving students in research.”

Since 2009, representatives from each of SFA’s six colleges have selected outstanding undergraduate student research from the previous calendar year. The best individual or group research project within each college and one from a non-SFA institution is awarded the top scholar title; SFA top scholars receive $500, while the non-SFA top scholar receives a scholarship to SFA. Additional outstanding student research projects are selected per college, and these finalists present during the conference’s poster session.

In 2012, the conference expanded to include regional colleges. Students from Lone Star College-North Harris, Tyler Junior College and The University of Texas at Tyler have participated in the conference.

The 2025 top scholar award recipients and their faculty mentors are:

• Kaytie-Jane Ballard, College of Liberal and Applied Arts, “Crossing Conversations: Using Social Media to Advocate for Immigrants at the Texas/Mexico Border,” faculty sponsor: Dr. Ghanem Elhersh, assistant professor of media and communication at SFA

• Lauren Duckworth, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts, “In the Blink of an Animated Eye,” faculty sponsor: Benjamin Anderson, assistant professor of animation at SFA, and Rick Shepardson, associate professor of filmmaking at SFA

• Jules Fields, James I. Perkins College of Education, “Pathways and Burnout: Investigating Rates of Burnout between Alternatively Prepared Teachers and Traditionally Prepared Teachers,” faculty sponsor: Dr. Amanda M. Rudolph, professor of education studies at SFA

• Kaitlyn Martin, Tyler Junior College, “Traditional vs. Artistic Athletes: Comparison of Injury Rehabilitations in Dancers and Standard Athletes,” faculty sponsor: Dr. Andrea Hathcote, professor of learning framework at TJC

• Cari Mitchell, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, “A Survey of Fruiting Parasitic and Saprotrophic Fungi Species during the Fall Season in Nacogdoches County, Texas,” faculty sponsor: Dr. David Kulhavy, professor of environmental science at SFA

• Hadley Watts, College of Sciences and Mathematics, “Redox Cooperativity Analysis with Computational Chemistry: Interplay Between Energy Matching and Geometric Arrangement in Redox Non-Innocent Systems,” faculty sponsor: Dr. John Brannon Gary, assistant professor of chemistry at SFA

• Zola Westmoreland, Nelson Rusche College of Business, “What Are The Main Drivers of State Solar Generation?” faculty sponsor: Dr. Rebecca Davis, assistant professor of economics at SFA

A Faculty Mentor of the Year also is honored at the conference. This year, Kulhavy received the award and $500 for demonstrating a commitment to undergraduate research by sponsoring students who have been selected as top scholars and finalists.

Following the top scholar presentations, a poster session featuring more than 50 finalists was held in the student center’s Twilight Ballroom.

The Undergraduate Research Conference gives students the opportunity to gain poster and oral presentation skills as well as connect with experts who may help them with their future educational and professional goals, Cecil said.

“They present their research to a general audience that includes many people both inside and outside SFA,” she said. “This helps them with entrance to graduate schools or job-related critical thinking and research skills.”

The Center for Student Research and Creative Discovery was established in SFA’s Office of Research and Graduate Studies to promote, support and showcase the research, discovery and creative efforts of SFA’s undergraduate students. It does this by connecting students with faculty mentors and research opportunities and by offering resources, such as funding to present projects at conferences.

To learn more about how research can impact your SFA experience, visit sfasu.edu/csrcd. View a list of finalists at sfasu.edu/urc.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, 11 residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications