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Washington State University
College of Education

Sports Management

Getting to Know You: Matthew Cho


Matthew (far right) with SABR Diamond Dollars Case Study baseball analytics competition teammates: from left, Alex Yano, Dante Ludlow, Reagan Stubb, and Matthew.

Matthew Cho – Sport Management Undergrad


Name: Matthew Cho
Hometown: Bellevue, WA
Year: 2021
Favorite sport: Baseball

What inspired you to study Sport Management?

I have always wanted to work in sports, and I figured this would be the best degree for me. At the end of the day, sports are a business, and I felt that learning as much information about the behind-the-scenes would be beneficial.

What advice do you have for incoming students pursuing this degree?

Something I have always struggled with was creating connections and maintaining them. You never know who can help you in the future so make sure to never burn bridges!

Tell us about your extracurricular activities while at WSU!

I was an assistant coach for the Colfax High School baseball team and helped during the Palouse Summer Series in baseball.

In 2019, you were part of a team that participated in a baseball analytics case study competition. What was the experience like?

This was an eye-opening experience for me. Not only did I represent WSU, but some of the top analytical minds in baseball minds were there and I listened to them speak. It was very humbling and a great learning experience. It helped me realized that just knowing the numbers isn’t enough.

If you could witness any event—past, present, or future—what would it be? Why?

It’s tough to choose but I would probably go back to Game 5 of the 1995 American League Division Series between the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees. This game saved baseball in Seattle, and I would have witnessed Ken Griffey, Jr. and Edgar Martinez in their prime.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

Probably getting my current internship with Seattle University’s baseball team. Being able to influence the game plan, digging into the numbers, and providing support to the coaching staff has been awesome.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Hopefully in a position of influence in terms of game planning, scouting, and analytics for a baseball organization.

Your advice to students coping with the pandemic?

Continue looking for experiences. Organizations look for passion, but writing down you have passion on a resume isn’t enough. Rather than staying home and waiting for an opportunity, you can create a blog or a website and show your passion. However, at the end of the day, life is bigger than just sports, so take care of yourself and spend quality time with your loved ones!

Getting to Know You: Ryan Ngo


Ryan on the sideline of Martin Stadium at the 2018 WSU vs. CAL game as a Marketing and Promotions Intern. 

Ryan Ngo – Sport Management Undergrad

Hometown: Hacienda Heights, CA

Year: Senior 2021

Favorite sport: Football

What inspired you to pursue a degree in Sport Management?

Tabling on Terrell Mall in the fall of my freshman year I saw “Sport Management” on a sign and thought “I like sports” and went over and talked to the previous advisor about what it entailed. I wasn’t sure about it at first, and then in the spring I began my marketing and promotions internship in the athletic department, and I think that is what helped me make my decision.

Where are you currently completing your internship? What are your main duties?

I am with Cal State Fullerton in their athletic department. My duties include graphic design, social media campaigns, developing marketing plans, and game presentation. My big project is to find ways to increase attendance for fall sports and increase the department’s social media presence.

What are your plans after completing this internship?

Attending Ohio University’s dual master’s degree program in business administration (MBA) and sports administration (MSA). Expand my knowledge of business and sport will give me flexibility. Ohio’s dual program is the best in the nation and the networking opportunities will help. Ohio also felt like a family and they really foster a close community even before I committed.

What advice do you have for incoming students pursuing this degree?

Let things happen naturally. Plans change and let your passions drive you.

If you could witness any event—past, present, or future—what would it be? Why?

Fast-forwarding to when society has all-electric vehicles, and we make better use of green energy. I think it is something that could drastically reduce climate change and once the change is made it can be cheaper.

What is an “aha moment” from a sport management course?

In Dr. Rhee’s Sport Marketing class, I started seeing the power of marketing. You do your research and create a plan, but you can be creative. His class confirmed my desire to work in sport marketing.

Your tip to make sport management a more inclusive and welcoming field?

Highlighting the people that are doing great things even when they aren’t in executive roles. Over time people will see that they can fit in the career path and helping people see through the stigmas of some majors. As an Asian-American, I’ve felt pushed to become a doctor but that’s not what I was passionate about. Educating people on the opportunities to work in all kinds of sports can help them get away from where they “think” they should be and get them to where they want to be.

Gordon-Enberg Speaker Series 2017


Former ESPN Reporter to speak about making sports accessible to all children

PULLMAN, Wash. – A former ESPN and Seattle Times reporter will discuss how to make sports accessible to all children.

Tom Farrey will be the guest lecturer on Oct. 20 at 4:00 p.m. in Chinook Student Center 150 in Pullman as part of Washington State University’s Gordon-Enberg Professional Series in Sport Studies.

Farrey is the executive director of the Sports & Society program for the Aspen Institute, an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, D.C. The program engages leaders and stakeholders to address challenges at the intersection of sports and society.

In his lecture, “How to Get a Game On,” he will examine the current landscape of youth sport, now a $15 billion industry dominated by travel teams. He will also discuss ways to sustain children’s interest in physical activity and share lessons on the creation of a movement that addresses a complex social problem in communities.

“Depending on who you talk to, young athletes today are either coddled or burned out,” said Scott Jedlicka, an assistant professor in the College of Education’s Sport Management program. “Tom Farrey’s work transcends that debate by instead emphasizing access to sport opportunities and habitual, lifelong physical activity as the central concerns of youth sport programs.”

Jedlicka said the lecture will appeal to athletes, coaches, parents, and youth sport administrators.

“It will also be geared toward people who are simply committed to helping young people succeed, even outside of sport,” Jedlicka said. “It will be a very inspiring way to kick off Homecoming Weekend in Pullman.”

Farrey’s 2008 book “Game On: The All American Race to Make Champions of Our Children” started a movement that culminated in the creation of Aspen Institute’s Project Play, an initiative that provides stakeholders with tools and opportunities to make sport accessible to all children, regardless of zip code or ability.

Hundreds of organizations, from grassroots providers to foundations to professional leagues, have used Project Play’s framework of eight strategies for the eight sectors touching the lives of children to introduce programs or shape their youth strategies.

Farrey’s broadcasting work earned him the 2014 Alfred I. duPont/Columbia University Award, the 2013 Edward R. Murrow Award, and two Emmy Awards. His reports have appeared on “Outside the Lines,” “SportsCenter,” “E:60,” “Good Morning America,” “ABC World News Tonight,” and “This Week.”

The Carol E. Gordon and Mary Lou Enberg Endowed Professional Series in Sport Studies is an annual public event that features sport industry experts sharing perspectives on their career experiences in an effort to inspire insight and foster dialogue about both recent and longstanding issues in sport.

The event is made possible by the Sport Management program in the College of Education, in cooperation with University Recreation and the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication.

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Contact: Scott Jedlicka – 509-335-0117 – Scott.Jedlicka@wsu.edu