In the final semester of the SPAD program students are provided with a capstone experience that allows them to better understand the inner workings of large sports organizations and builds important and highly-relevant skills and knowledge. This provides the student with valuable experience, setting them up for a career in the sports industry.

Beginning in January, small groups of students are given an organization to work with in one specific geographic location. The organization will describe a significant problem with which they are faced and the students are tasked with the responsibility of working with members of the organization, researching industry best practices and trends, analysing the market, and developing recommendations for the organisation.

In March, all fourth year students travel to the host community and deliver their recommendations to the organization’s executives in their board rooms. Often the recommendations provided by the student-consultants are immediately adopted and job opportunities occasionally are offered to top performing students.

Past trips have included Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Vancouver, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and many other world-class sport cities. Partner organisations have included NCAA Division I institutions, NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL, MLS, MLL, and many minor league teams.