California Lutheran University’s Business of Sports Club started as a small idea a few years ago, but has grown into one of the most hands-on and career-driven organizations on campus.
For students like junior Uriel Velazquez-Leon, vice president of operations for BOSC, being a part of this club has become a way to find purpose through real experience.
“When I came to Cal Lutheran, I was undecided between business and sports management,” Velazquez-Leon said. “Once I took my first sports management class, I fell in love with it right away.”
That first semester led him to discover BOSC, a space that gives students access to the professional side of the sports industry.
“We’re providing opportunities to connect with people in the sports world, gain experience before graduating and build things for our resumes,” Velazquez-Leon said.
At the center of it all is the club’s faculty adviser, Mark Orlando, who is an assistant professor and director of Cal Lutheran’s sports management program. Orlando said he helped start the club about five years ago when he joined the university as an adjunct professor. Back then, it was a small project tied to the new sports management program.
“We wanted to enhance the student experience by not just learning in the classroom, but applying that knowledge outside of it,” Orlando said.
As the club evolved, Orlando said he developed what he calls “the three P’s”: purpose, preparation and proficiency.
“Purpose is about showing students that sports business isn’t just about being a [general manager] or agent. It’s everything from youth recreation to nonprofit work,” Orlando said.
Orlando said the goal of the club has always been to blend real-world exposure with student-led initiative.
“Preparation means giving them real experience volunteering at events like the Super Bowl, March Madness or PGA tournaments,” Orlando said. “Proficiency is about building skills that lead to real portfolios and professional confidence.”
Hannah Burnworth, the club’s president, said she has been a BOSC member for three years and has witnessed the program transform.
“I think the most rewarding part is seeing the club grow,” Burnworth said. “This year, we added a lot more. We finally did our San Diego trip that’s been in the works for years,.”
Velazquez-Leon, who helped organize the San Diego trip, said it was a highlight for many students.
“We talked with executives from the [San Diego] Padres and San Diego FC, and even toured the stadium,” Velazquez-Leon said. “It was cool seeing two completely different sides. The Padres are a legacy team, and San Diego FC is brand new. You get to see how both operate behind the scenes.”
BOSC also traveled to the University of Southern California in November, where Cal Lutheran students met with USC Athletics Department executives, attended a panel and stayed to watch the Trojans’ football game against Northwestern University.
Burnworth said opportunities like these are what make the club unique.
“We call it experiential learning,” Burnworth said. “You can read about sports management in class, but it’s different when you’re standing in a stadium, watching the game day staff do their jobs and talking with people who do it every day.”
Madison Shaver, another executive member, said these experiences have been eye-opening.
“I got to volunteer at the U.S. Women’s National [Soccer] Team game at SoFi Stadium,” Shaver said. “It’s crazy seeing how many moving pieces go into putting on something that big. It really opened my eyes to all the different paths people take to get there.”
Shaver, who is also a sports management major, said the club helped her figure out what she wants to do career-wise, after graduation.
“I’ve learned that I want to work in game day operations,” Shaver said. “Getting to go to games, meet executives, and volunteer behind the scenes really confirmed that for me.”
That kind of clarity is exactly what Orlando said he hopes for. Orlando said the club’s mission isn’t just about networking, but helping students discover what actually fits them.
“Not every student knows exactly where they belong in sports,” Orlando said. “Some are extroverted, others are analytical and some are creative. The club gives them the exposure to see where their strengths match the industry.”
Velazquez-Leon said student participation in BOSC is stronger than ever.
“Seeing all the students show up and want to be part of it is the most rewarding thing,” Velazquez-Leon said. “When we see people reposting our events on LinkedIn and saying it was such a great experience, it makes all the effort worth it.”
Orlando said this year’s group has been the strongest yet, in terms of passion and participation.
“The Business of Sports Club’s intent is to bring in the most passionate, most dedicated individuals who want to make their mark,” Orlando said. “When everyone’s pushing each other to operate atthat level, that’s when you build something special.”
Looking ahead, Velasquez-Leon said the club hopes to expand its reach both on and off campus. Plans are already in motion for future trips to Las Vegas and the Bay Area, as well as collaborations with local organizations for fundraisers and career fairs.
Burnworth said she envisions the club as something students can stay connected to even after graduation.
“I want it to be a club where people can come back ten years later and reconnect,” Burnworth said.
Orlando said he would like to see the club continue to grow and attract new members.
“The bigger the club gets, the more impact we make as a university,” Orlando said. “I want this to be the premier place to learn about the sports industry in Southern California.”
From volunteering to planning logistics in spreadsheets to networking with professional sports executives, Cal Lutheran’s BOSC is teaching students what it really means to work in sports, not just as fans, but as professionals.
“It’s not just about what you do in college, it’s about building a network that lasts,” Orlando said.
