Students from Samford University’s School of Health Professions earned top recognition at the Dr. Samantha Roberts Case Study Competitions during the 2026 Applied Sport Management Association Conference. Held Feb. 11-13 at Temple University in Philadelphia, the conference brought together faculty, students and industry leaders from across the country to share research and applied sport management practices.
Samford students competed against programs from universities nationwide and earned first and second place in their respective divisions. Patrick Marsh, associate professor of kinesiology, accompanied the students as their faculty adviser and guided their preparation leading up to the national competition.
“This gives our students the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned throughout the program,” Marsh said. “Their presentations reflect ideas that could be used in real business practice.”
In the undergraduate division, students were assigned a variety of tasks that would support a new business plan for the redevelopment of the Cobbs Creek Golf Course, one of Philadelphia’s most historic public golf courses. Teams were asked to develop an executive summary for a business plan for the golf campus prior to it becoming fully open and operational. The plan focused on the golf course, pro shop and practice facility and required teams to include a position strategy, market analysis, sales plan and a three-year revenue and expense analysis. Teams submitted their executive summary ahead of the competition and later presented their proposals to judges during the conference.
In the Rocky Balboa Division, Samford was represented by Meg Coleman, Grayson Dykes, Violet Mackinson and Grace Schultz. Teams in this division analyzed a comprehensive sport management case and presented strategic, research-supported solutions before a panel of judges. Each student had a specific role and presented it on the day of the competition.
“My role for our presentation was organizing a sales plan for Cobbs Creek, highlighting the different revenue streams and how they impact its opportunities and amenities,” said sophomore Grace Schultz.
The team presentation featured a detailed case analysis and demonstrated the team’s ability to evaluate a complex industry challenge while offering practical recommendations grounded in current sport management principles.
“Dr. Marsh prepared us with problem solving assignments that required teamwork and real-world analysis,” Schultz said. “His feedback helped us present our ideas clearly and confidently.”
Samford’s team in the Liberty Bell Division earned second-place. Abbie Batch, Callie Chapman, Elizabeth Powell and Maile White were also required to assess a real-world sport management issue, develop an actionable strategy, and defend their recommendations during a formal presentation.
“I was proud of the hard work we put in and the experience we gained,” said junior Abbie Bateh. “Having our professors guide us with practice presentations and feedback really helped us feel confident before presenting to the judges.”
In addition to the competition, students toured historic locations across Philadelphia, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. They also toured Cobb Creek and the TGR Learning Lab. These experiences, along with the conference, allowed students to connect classroom learning with current industry practices while engaging with professionals, researchers and faculty from other institutions.
“This whole experience strengthened my problem-solving skills, helping me gain real industry exposure, and it's tremendously improved my teamwork in a professional environment,” said Schultz. “It strengthened my education by turning theories and advice from my courses and professors into hands-on experience. It began to prepare me for real-life experiences in the future.”
Participation in the ASMA Conference reflects Samford’s commitment to integrating classroom learning with real-world application. Like Samford’s ranking as No. 7 nationally for colleges with the strongest learning opportunities in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. list, opportunities to apply knowledge through case analysis, strategic presentations and engagement with industry professionals help students move beyond theory and into practice, preparing them to enter the sport industry with confidence and experience.
“I’m proud of our students for their work and how they presented their case study,” said Marsh. “They represented Samford University with professionalism and excellence. I look forward to returning to continue our record of excellence.”
