Last week, Nikolas Rohrmann and Charlie Pliner, both freshmen at Brown, launched the Brown Sports Network. They saw a need for more preprofessional opportunities in sports on campus and decided to act. This club is the first of its kind at Brown, aimed at helping students explore careers in the sports industry.
The Brown Sports Network will host events featuring guest speakers, offer hands-on projects, and create networking opportunities for members. “Many students dream of working in sports, but few know how to break in,” Pliner shared. “We want to show them what’s possible.”
Their journey started last year with two independent study programs focused on global football and the sports industry. These classes provided students with the chance to meet industry experts, including NFL executives and former Major League Soccer players. Professor Emeritus Barrett Hazeltine noted that these courses helped establish sports management as a serious academic subject at Brown.
With the new club, Rohrmann and Pliner hope to expand on what they started. They want to invite influential guest speakers and use their growing network to help students. Last year, they connected with 65 speakers from around the world. “We built a global network of Brown alumni,” Pliner said.
Brando Babini, a vice president of the club, emphasized the value of their connections. “These alumni are willing to share their contacts, which is a huge asset for us,” he said.
The club will also provide hands-on projects with leading sports firms, allowing students to develop skills in design, content creation, and analytics. “What sets us apart is this opportunity to work on real projects,” Rohrmann explained. They are currently forming partnerships with both local and international organizations.
Babini pointed out that these projects benefit both students and companies. “We offer unique insights as young, aspiring sports professionals,” he said. “We bring a fresh perspective that can really help these organizations.”
Additionally, the club will organize field trips to major sports companies. Last year’s study programs visited places like New Balance and the Boston Red Sox. Rohrmann and Pliner want to expand these experiences. “Visiting these facilities can ignite our dreams in ways that a Zoom call just can’t,” Pliner said.
The club’s leadership includes a four-member executive board and four faculty sponsors. Hazeltine emphasized that understanding sports is essential to understanding our society.
To support the club’s initiatives, eight student directors will oversee various aspects, such as athlete relations and business development. They also have an advisory committee of 21 alumni in senior positions within the sports world. This group, which includes professionals from teams like the Los Angeles Rams and ESPN, helps guide the club’s efforts.
Pliner believes connecting students with alumni will foster a strong network for sports careers. “We’re starting something exciting here at Brown,” he said.
