By Amanda Alaniz

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – MARCH 18, 2025 – UTRGV students will have the chance to take their shot at success and gain valuable experience at the second Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship Spurs Career Day.

The event, led by Michael Flores, a lecturer in Marketing, is designed to put students in the game, providing them with invaluable networking opportunities and firsthand exposure to the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment. 

Scheduled for Friday, April 4, Spurs Career Day will transport business students to San Antonio, where they will meet with the Spurs leadership team and visit various business units. Attendees will also have the chance to see the Spurs in action as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“I want students to take away the experience itself,” Flores said. “We’re so busy with work, school and the academic side that we must remember the experiential side of learning.”

The idea for the Spurs Career Day emerged from Flores’s personal connection with a friend who works in digital broadcasting for the Spurs Sports and Entertainment Group (SSE). This discussion led to the unique opportunity for students to engage with industry professionals.

Last year marked the inaugural event, where approximately 50 students visited the Spurs’ facilities and interacted with key figures in the organization. Students participated in a panel discussion featuring members from marketing, operations and leadership, allowing them to network and ask questions before enjoying the basketball game at Frost Bank Center.

“The students really got to see how the layout works and how staff members interact with each other and network with senior members,” Flores said.

With support from Dr. Giorgio Gotti, RCVCOBE dean, this year’s initiative will maintain its focus on networking panels followed by a Spurs game. About 40 students have already registered, leaving a few spots available.

Flores said he is also considering adding a behind-the-scenes business tour of another venue, such as the Tobin Performing Arts Center. As a professor, Flores said he recognizes how impactful these opportunities can be for students. 

“There is no way that most of our students would have access to all these people in the same room,” he said. “These opportunities not only enhance students’ professional networks but also inspire them to purse ambitious career paths.”

Flores hopes initiatives like this will continue to be offered to UTRGV students, providing them with opportunities for professional development and the tools needed for successful futures.

For more information about the Spurs Career Day, contact michael.c.flores01@utrgv.edu.