One of the new extracurricular clubs offered in the 2024-2025 school year is the Sports Management Club, created by students Jake Forrest ‘27 and Chase Rathet ‘27.
Sports management is a business profession that involves managing and planning all things sports and athletics.
Rathet came up with the initial idea for the Sports Management Club and is President alongside Forrest, the club’s Vice President. “I thought of creating this club because I felt that there needed to be a space where people with a shared interest in sports management could meet and be informed on how to either engage in sports management related issues or how to pursue sports management further in life, possibly as a career opportunity,” said Rathet.
Several members joined the Sports Management Club for an opportunity to expand their interests in sports. Gabe Morris ‘27 sees the club as a chance “to get a better understanding of the analytics within sports and to bond over sports conversations with people who share the same interests.”
For Samuel Ellis ‘27, the club allows him to enjoy multiple aspects of sports. “I enjoy talking, playing and watching all kinds of sports, so I thought this club would be a good fit for me.”
The club plans to continue learning how to become sports managers and to influence the next generation of sports agents and managers. “We plan to get into contact and attempt to interview Trent Baalke, the current Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager who has been with the organization for almost four years, and maybe even the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp general manager,” added Rathet. “But most importantly, we would like to continue having one of the most active club communities in Bolles.”
In the first meeting, the club held leadership elections and went over their plans and mission. In other meetings they have discussed real sports management problems, such as working around load management. The consensus response is that the NBA teams should schedule built-in rest days to plan around so fans get the full experience when attending games.
Currently, they do not have any outside of school activities planned. “But I know that as the club grows, we will create off-campus opportunities for the members,” said Rathet.
Leo Petrucelli ‘26 serves as Co-Vice President because “I enjoy discussing sports topics and I wanted to learn more about what sports management really means.”
Baseball Coach Mike Boswell sponsors the club. “Chase and Jake came to me and asked me to sponsor their club because I have been in the sports industry for a long time,” he said. “I read their write-up and liked what they were proposing. It was intriguing to me. I’m looking forward to helping them guide this club for the next several years.”