In February, Ashley Livaccari spent Super Bowl week working on exclusive experiences for partners, clients, and influencers tied to the New Orleans Saints.
As the corporate partnership project coordinator for both the Saints and Pelicans, she’s at the center of high-profile partnerships that bring the action to life.
But Livaccari almost missed her path to game-day glamour. When she applied to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Livaccari had hoped to pursue another kinesiology concentration. When that program wasn’t available, she had to pivot.
“I didn’t really know what sport management was, to be completely honest. But I’d grown up around sports and was intrigued, so I just hopped in. I fell in love with the program almost immediately.”
That program, B.S. in Kinesiology, Sport Management, laid the foundation for a thriving career in professional sports.
Learning and Living Sport Management
Though Livaccari was no stranger to sports, the business side of things was a new world. UL Lafayette’s sport management program became her gateway to understanding how everything fit together.
“I loved learning about all the different sides of the industry — operations, law, marketing, management — and getting to explore which path felt right for me,” she says.
But Livaccari wasn’t content with just learning in the classroom. She knew real experience would make the difference.
So, she went beyond the books, cold calling the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Department to secure an internship. It paid off as she worked behind the scenes for three years, learning the ins and outs of the operational, marketing, and business aspects of sports.
“Getting those hours in the field was really helpful in applying what I was learning,” says Livaccari.
Equally as valuable were the connections she made along the way.
“My favorite part about the program was that it wasn't a huge school or huge classes, so you kind of get to build relationships with everybody,” she says. “You get to learn who they are and follow them through their careers. You keep those connections throughout the industry.”
From College Intern to Corporate Partnership Coordinator
Livaccari credits her instructors for playing a major role in her transition from student to professional.
“The faculty were very hands-on and helpful throughout; some put me in contact with a lot of people when I was applying for jobs,” she says. “They helped with interviews, applications, and things like that.”
Her instructors also understood the demands of her internships, allowing her to balance her work in athletics with her coursework.
“I was working in athletics, so sometimes games conflicted with class,” she explains. “But my instructors knew I was pursuing a career in the field, so they worked with my schedule.”
Livaccari’s advice to future sport management students is simple: Get out there.
“Apply what you’re learning. Do an internship. See which departments you like best,” she says. “Just get out in the field and gain the experience.”
Ready to turn your passion for sports into a fulfilling career? Learn more about the sport management program 100% online.
