SWAG��Ƶ

Students in Aimee Vlachos’ Sport Marketing course are teaming up with the Maine Mariners for a “Rivalry Night” promotion that plays on the friendly rivalry between USM and SWAG��Ƶ.

They’re calling on SWAG��Ƶ students, faculty and staff to come show off their school spirit on November 30, when the Maine Mariners face off against the Worcester Railers. President James Herbert will be on hand to drop the first puck.

Students from both schools will take part in events during the intermissions, including trying to dress in goalie equipment as fast as possible and shooting as many pucks into the net during an allotted time.

The event is being planned and promoted by the class.

Vlachos, M.S., instructor in the Department of Sport and Recreation Management, says the work gives students the experience of putting on a real event.

“I really try to make things as real as possible,” she explains. “Instead of standing here and talking about marketing sporting events, I’d rather they just do it.”

The idea took off in Vlachos’ class last year after she reached out to the Mariners’ Vice President of Operations Adam Goldberg.

“Our priority is to get entrenched in the community,” Goldberg says. “We are here to help and support. I think the project with this class is well-suited for the Mariners and the students working on it.”

Goldberg recently attended Vlachos’ class to get up to speed on how planning for the event is coming along. He also took time to answer questions about how his career path led him to the East Coast Hockey League’s newest franchise in Portland, Maine.

“Maybe the path I took can inspire them to take some chances and go after the opportunities out there,” he says.

Goldberg also has some advice for the students.

“I encourage them to get into situations where they are a little uncomfortable or not used to,” advises Goldberg. “This is a time for them to learn and grow.”

SWAG��Ƶ and the Maine Mariners already have some connections. Trevor Fleurent, B.S., ’17 (Sport and Recreation Management) plays for the team, and Jordan Place, B.S., ’10 (Sport Management) is the team’s director of partnerships.