SPORT UNITED CONFERENCE

Links:
Registration
Call for Proposals 2024
Preliminary List of Speakers

Keynote Speaker for 2024:

PAUL RABIL

Paul is a former professional lacrosse player and co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) – a professional league launched in October 2018 with more than 100 of the best players in the world. He has influenced the sport at every level, winning championships and MVP twice in the NCAA, and multiple times in professional outdoor and indoor lacrosse, in addition to becoming a two-time World Lacrosse Champion with Team USA.

In 2011, Paul founded the Paul Rabil Foundation (PRF), with the mission of helping children with learning differences, by creating programs and partnerships through sport and scholarship. Having grown up with Auditory Processing Disorder and ADHD, Paul looked to sports to help build confidence and interpersonal skills, saying “the crossover between athletics and academics was critical to my growth and broader achievement.” Paul graduated from John Hopkins University, where he played championship lacrosse, in 2008.

AIMS AND SCOPE:

The Policy Studies Organization, in cooperation with the Department of Sport Management & Esport at American Public University System, present a Sport Management and Esport conference that brings together stakeholders from across the game, including academics, students, industry professionals, athletes, and parents. The two-day inaugural conference will convene November 7-8th, 2024 to allow for interactive presentations and discussions regarding the present-day trends impacting the Sport and Esport industries.  

Sport continues to evolve at a rapid rate with the redistribution of conferences, redefinition of amateurism, expansion/development of leagues, and the influence of technology/AI. This conference provides an opportunity for stakeholder groups to come together to share knowledge/data, challenge norms, and contribute their unique perspectives to the management of Sport & Esport as we work together to move these industries forward. Presentations that involve participants and foster conversation are encouraged!

TRACKS:

  1. NIL & Amateurism : This track focuses on all aspects of NIL and amateurism. Submissions to this strand should address topics such as dealmaking, player relations, ethical & legal concerns, brand building, athlete/parent preparation, esport scholarships/earnings, and institutional stakeholders (governing bodies, leagues, universities, teams). 
  2. Innovation – Technology and AI: This strand focuses on innovation in the Sport and Esport sectors. Technology and AI are reshaping the way that we view, participate, and engage with sport. Submissions to this track should address topics such as using technology/AI for performance enhancement, innovation in equipment, virtual/augmented reality, and predictive analytics. 
  3. Coaching & Athlete Development: This strand focuses on management practices in sport and Esport. Submissions to this track should address topics such as training, well-being, leadership, recruitment and retention of athletes, and athlete development. 

TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL:

Please include a title, abstract, and a 500-word overview. Follow current APA style. Please indicate your intended (1) track and (2) presentation format. Describe interactive elements that will be included in your presentation along with connections to the track and overall impacts for the audience. 

Please email a written proposal (1-2 pages) or a topic you would like to discuss to the PSO Executive Director Daniel Gutierrez at [email protected]. Short videos are also accepted in lieu of a written proposal.

Accepted formats:

Format 1: Traditional Presentation – 25 minutes – to include 20 minutes of the presentation time (consider interactive elements) with 5 minutes allotted for interactive discussion and Q&A. 

Format 2: Panel Structure – 45 minutes – to include approximately 30 minutes of panel presentations that are interactive with a minimum of three panelists. Panelists should have strong subject matter expertise in the topic(s) and invite critical dialogue among participants. While a PowerPoint is not needed, some type of visual representation should be included to support the key points of the panelists’ discussion. There should be approximately 15 minutes for open discussion between panelists and audience members. 

Format 3Poster Presentation– 25 minutes – to include an interactive multimedia poster, animated graphic/video, a series of images with or without sound. Presenters should interact with participants throughout the session. This should be lively and fun!

Format 4: Training Session or Demo – 45 minutes – This format provides an opportunity to apply academic or industry research/experience to a training session and provide actionable insights for audience members. This should be a highly interactive session and may include the demonstration of a product or software.