In this episode, Trine Center for Sports Studies Director, Zander Atwood, talks with Dave Serowka, College Instructor of Sport Management at Northern Illinois University. Dave’s personality and experience in athletics and recreation and sport management have allowed him to excel in his career in numerous opportunities, from working in game day staff with the Schaumburg Boomers and the Chicago Bears, to working with campus recreation at Northern Illinois University and Northwestern University, to now serving in his current role in college education. His passion for connecting classroom concepts to real-world applications have allowed him to foster professional growth and develop the next generation of sports industry leaders. Dave discusses his role at Northern Illinois University, the growth of sport management as a career field over the past few decades, the importance of applied learning as a critical venture for students and young professionals, the skills and abilities required for college students to excel in the industry, and his favorite memories of working in sports and academics.