Sport management students in the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics recently spent three weeks in London and Paris during a winter session study abroad sport business program trip with Instructor of Sports Management John Allgood. During the first half of the trip, the group toured the London Olympic Stadium, Lord’s Cricket Arena, Craven Cottage (home of Fulham FC), Wembley Stadium, Wimbledon, and Stamford Bridge (home of Chelsea FC), while also attending presentations at some of the venues. In Paris they visited UNESCO headquarters, Paris 2024 Olympic Stadium, and Roland-Garros Stadium, in addition to attending various lectures. The students also had time for sightseeing in both cities.
Bailey Crone, a senior sport management major with a business analytics minor, and Audrey Lyons, a junior sport management major with a professional sales minor, discussed their key takeaways and lessons from the trip.
Lerner: What was your favorite part of the trip?
Crone: My favorite part of the trip wasn’t necessarily a tour, lecture, or event but the relationships I built with my fellow classmates. It was a great bonding experience through the highs and the lows.
Lyons: My favorite part of the trip was meeting and getting to know my classmates who were also studying abroad. When I applied for this program, I only knew three people. After spending three weeks together, I can confidently say that they are some of the most hardworking and creative individuals I have ever met. The experience not only deepened my appreciation for sports management but also allowed me to build lasting friendships.
Lerner: The group toured numerous sports venues in both cities – which did you enjoy the most? What did you learn during the tours?
Crone: I enjoyed our tour of Wembley Stadium the best. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, and the tour has a lot of fun add-ons like walking out to the pitch like the players and shouting loud enough as a group so we could hear our echo throughout the stadium. The ground has such a rich history, and it was on display all over the venue via photos, paintings, and video. During the tours, we typically were enriched in each of the home team’s histories while also being educated on certain aspects of the stadiums like seating areas, unorthodox features, and the business aspects behind hosting large scale events.
Lyons: The London stadium, Wembley, was my favorite stadium during the time we were away. The stadium’s history and overwhelming size were remarkable. Seeing it live was made even more memorable by knowing that it has hosted the Olympics, all different championships and finals, and performances by some of the greatest performers in the world.
The tremendous amount of work that goes into running such an excellent venue was one of the tour’s main lessons. Every aspect of the event, from sponsorships to logistics, is carefully planned to provide the fans with an amazing experience for both athletes and fans. The tour served as a reminder that sports stadiums are more than just places to play, they are worldwide gathering places that bring people together from all over the world. Their experience depends on the reputation of the stadium and the company as a whole.
Lerner: In Paris, you attended lectures at the AMOS Sports Business School and Gustave Eiffel University – what were some key points you took away from the presentations?
Crone: At AMOS, we were enriched in the process of hosting the Olympics and how complicated it was for France not only due to the language barrier of all of the incoming countries, but the amount of teams that had to work together just to operate a single Olympic venue, let alone the things that had to be going on at once during the heat of the games. At Gustave Eiffel, we were taught more about the professional athlete structure, more specially about the top-level athlete structure. Athletes that are at the top of their sports must apply for top-level athlete status to be exempt from other scholastic or professional duties. In turn, they are able to put an adequate amount of time into their preparation for international competition. This structure was made after a 0-gold medal showing from France in the 1960 Games in Rome as a way to prioritize international competition and put France back on the map at the Olympics.
Lyons: One of the biggest takeaways from the lectures at AMOS Sports Business School and Gustave Eiffel University was the ongoing responsibility of maintaining Olympic venues long after the games ended. While some venues continue to thrive through tours and other events hosted at the site, many are still seeking ways to maximize their full potential. This highlighted the long-term impact of hosting global sporting events and the importance of sustainable venue management.
Lerner: The class also had plenty of time for sightseeing – what were your favorite activities during your free time?
Crone: During free time, my favorite activity was catching extra Premier League matches when I could. When that wasn’t possible, exploring the cities and the surrounding areas with friends and catching up on sleep were popular ventures for me.
Lyons: Some of my favorite places we visited during our free time were Borough Market, the Eiffel Tower, and the Palace of Versailles. Each of these locations represents the rich culture and history of their respective countries. Experiencing them in person with such amazing people was truly remarkable and an experience I will never forget. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have explored such historic landmarks.
Lerner: How did this trip enhance your Lerner education as a sport management major? Did it solidify your intention of entering the sports field following graduation?
Crone: The trip enhanced my education by exposing me to the differences in sport overseas. The fan experience is unique and more enriched in tradition but at the same time teams fail to make easy engagement in other ways that American sport teams make look easy. I was able to assess these differences and think critically about how I could potentially improve upon them in the future due to my previous experiences within Lerner as a sport management student. My intention to go into sport continues to be solid and this experience emphasized that intent. I’d encourage any of my other classmates to take the leap and study abroad if possible. It was an experience unlike any other.
Lyons: This trip expanded my perspective on the sports management industry. I always knew it was a broad and influential field but visiting world-class stadiums and learning from industry professionals deepened my understanding of the global impact of sports. Seeing firsthand how sports connect people across cultures and industries has validated my passion and love for pursuing a career in this field.