RyanLevineHawkenProject2022

 Since I started my project, the Rubberducks are 12 and 3, first place in their division, and have a two-game lead. It also seems like they are always having a lot of fun. Even the visiting team when they were losing. I noticed that when we were doing our in-game promotions, like sumo fighting or racing, they were all enjoying it no matter how the game was going. When we were waiting to go out in the dugout, the visiting team would all look at us in our costumes, curious and laugh. Baseball is unique because you are not expected to win every single game, so there is less pressure, and I think they can enjoy it more. The end of the week was less eventful because it was me working by myself. I was able to schedule in some more time at the ballpark next week since there is an event going on during the day. I may be going to another game as well. I finalized my promotions calendar and got it ready to send to Mr. Babby. I then started working on my final presentation. I took a lot of vi...

 This week is a much busier week for me since the team is in town. Monday, I met with Brian Lobban, the manager of corporate partnerships and special events, and Sam Dankoff, the vice president of premium experience. I learned about their roles with the events side, and they also explained that during the games, they take on different jobs. Canal Park hosts dinners, 5Ks, and high school games. This allows them to bring in revenue all year. The ballpark isn't winterized, so they only use the Duck Club in the off-season. It is an upstairs space in the corner of right field. They have to work with the operations staff and finance office to make sure every aspect is ready for the event. I also asked them about all of the time spent working. In season they work all day and even late into the night with games. They also often have weekend games. They explained the importance of loving your job when working in sports because your work is much more than 40 hours a week. Tuesday, I spent th...

 Now I don’t want to jinx anything, but ever since my project started, the Rubberducks have been on a hot streak. I shouldn’t even be talking about the results on the field because that is not what the business side is about, but if the Guardians need any help, I am available. To end the week, I created my own promotional calendar. This took a lot longer than expected. I started copying and pasting every promotion from this year into a document. I then highlighted the ones I liked and would include in mine. It was about 25. 45 more to go. I then did a lot of research on what other teams were doing. I found some good articles online with some past promotions from years ago. Most of them were very creative and were themed around the team names and locations. This prompted me to research what Akron is known for. I learned about the Akron Goodyear Wingfoots, a pro basketball team started in 1918. I also learned about the Soap Box Derby World Championship, held in Akron every year. I ma...

 The start of my second week was a little slow. Akron plays away this week, and I am working virtually. They are one game behind first in their division and have been playing well recently. I started this week off by working on my notes from the game last week for Mr. Babby. I gave feedback from my experience being at the ballpark for the first time and gave some suggestions. I appreciate his desire to hear my opinion. I expanded on my notes, so I could just send him the document and wouldn’t need to take up time with a meeting to explain everything. I also met with Kyle Hixenbaugh, the director of marketing and promotions. I learned about his role and all of the planning that goes into the promotions schedule. They have a new promotion every night, so that means every game, there is new media they need to create for the games. He is one of the only full-time employees that work in this department, but he has many interns that work on game days. I was tasked with creating my own pr...

While Wednesday morning was supposed to be the start of Hawken Projects, mine did not start until 6:35 pm. The time for the first pitch of the Akron Rubberducks vs the Erie Seawolves. Akron came in on a four-game win streak, and I was very excited for my first time at Canal Park. The start of my project was delayed because I had the sectional tournament for tennis. From there, I drove to the game to meet my mentor, Ken Babby, the owner of the Rubberducks along with Jim Pfander, the general manager. We met to plan out my project and decide what exactly I would be working on. I then went with Mr. Babby to the Champions Club, an exclusive restaurant for select ticket holders, to get food. He was very curious to hear my input as someone at a game for the first time. We then sat right behind home plate to watch the game. He left me on my own after a bit to explore. I talked to a family about their experience at the games as well as someone who worked there. They recommended the street corn,...

 For my senior project, I am working with the Akron Rubberducks. They are the AA affiliate with the Guardians. My mentor is Ken Babby, the owner of the team. I have always had an interest in working in business and sports, and this project combines the two. I will get an inside look at how a team operates. This experience will give me a better idea of what I would want to do in sports business and will help me confirm what I want to explore in college. I am going to shadow various departments such as marketing, promotions, and operations. I will learn a lot from them over the three weeks, and hopefully, I can contribute to their work. I also hope to attend some games to get a better feel for the organization. This project will be a nice challenge for me to listen but also learn how to assert myself with people older than me. I am not sure how much I will be in person or not yet since driving there every day will take up time. I am very excited to get my project started.