Several students from the College of Education & Human Development’s sport administration program competed in two case study competitions this fall.
At the 2025 U.S. Soccer Case Study Competition in October, 12 sport administration students joined over 100 student groups across the metro-Atlanta area to showcase their strategies for real-world challenges facing U.S. Soccer.
In the competition’s first round, teams submitted a presentation outlining their case solutions. With over 100 submissions, only 15 groups (representing the top 20 percent of submissions) advanced to the final round at Clark Atlanta on Oct. 15. There, students presented their case solution directly to a panel of three U.S. Soccer representatives.
Among this elite group were sport administration students Danielle Turnier, Madison McCray and Kiongozi Olugbala-Omowale, who were selected to represent Georgia State University at the final presentation. The case challenged students to develop a restructuring plan for the NCAA Men’s College Soccer Tournament, encouraging them to think outside of the box and come up with creative solutions to re-envision the tournament with an emphasis on revenue generation and building sustainable fan support. Their solution focused on creating region-based championships and hosting the NCAA soccer cup final in St. Louis, the original soccer capital of the U.S.
“The process was both challenging and rewarding, pushing me to think critically and collaborate in new ways,” McCray said. “I’m grateful to have shared this experience with my incredible teammates and supportive faculty to represent Georgia State University.”
Case study competitions are an excellent way for students to learn outside the classroom, according to Clinical Assistant Professor Nicholas Swim.
“Case studies push students outside of their comfort zone and allow them to become more developed critical thinkers,” he explained. “The students learned a lot about the interworking of the soccer ecosystem here in the U.S., but also presentation and public speaking skills that will go a long way in their career development.”
Turnier agreed. “This experience has inspired me to continue seeking opportunities that strengthen my leadership and analytical skills in the sport industry,” she said.
Earlier this semester, sport administration students Toah’Rae Diggs, Jayden Howard and Gavin Wynn represented Georgia State in a virtual showcase hosted by Baylor University’s National Collegiate Sports Sales Competition. The event gave students a chance to demonstrate their sport sales knowledge and communication skills in a competitive, real-world format.
Competing against students from Mississippi State University, the Georgia State team participated in four distinct categories: Resume Rumble, where participants reviewed and ranked resumes from 1–3 as sport industry professionals would; Quantum Quiz, a fast-paced test of sport sales knowledge; Inbox Inferno, where participants crafted professional responses to customer service scenarios; and Presentation Pro, a 60-second elevator pitch for an entry-level sport position. While Georgia State ultimately fell short in the match, 4–2, the team stood out in the Presentation Pro category.
This experience serves as valuable preparation for the team’s next challenge, the 2026 National Collegiate Sports Sales Competition, where they will compete in the Sport Sponsorship Sales division.
These case study competition experiences demonstrate Georgia State’s commitment to student success and career readiness. The sport administration program will continue to provide students with these hands-on, professional experiences that will help them make meaningful contributions in their future careers.