Butler University announces launch of Institute for Sports, Entertainment

INDIANAPOLIS -- As Indianapolis continues to be a successful host of several sports- and entertainment-related events, Butler University announced on Wednesday its launch of an initiative that will help amplify the university's "strengths in athletics, media, business and education."




According to a news release from the university, the Butler Institute for Sports and Entertainment launched on Wednesday to help develop the talent, research and partnerships to help the region's "growing influence" on sports and entertainment. Butler Professor Bob Schultz, who previously worked for Downtown Indy Inc. and Visit Indy, will lead the institute.




Officials said the concept for this new institute came after leaders in the university's College of Communication and Lacy School of Business "recognized an opportunity to better connect the university's academic and co-curricular strengths to the region's rapidly evolving sports and entertainment landscape."

"Butler University has a strong foundation in athletics and arts, and building upon that foundation to make our Midtown campus a destination for sports, arts, and entertainment is a strategic priority as we look toward our own future," Joseph Valenzano, the dean of Butler's College of Communication, said in the release. "..."The institute is going to bring all of those
resources under one roof, giving sports and entertainment organizations a single point
of contact for partnering with the university."




Using the 2050 Vision established by the Indiana Sports Corp, the university said in the release that the institute will cover several areas aligned with industry demands, including:

• Experiential learning





• Media production





• Business analytics





• Fan engagement

Services that the institute will be able to offer to partners include:

• Marketing





• Video production and streaming





• Event data analysis





• Market research





• Kinesiology-related projects

"At Indiana Sports Corp, we believe that shaping the future of sports starts with investing in people-and the launch of the Butler Institute for Sports & Entertainment does exactly that," Sarah Myer, the chief of staff and strategy with the Indiana Sports Corp, said in the release. "This initiative aligns powerfully with our 2050 Vision, especially in our commitment to growing Sports Academia as a pillar of Indiana's long-term sports strategy. By connecting world-class education with real-world experiences, Butler is creating a pipeline of talent that will elevate our region and industry. We're excited to partner with BISE to fuel innovation, develop future leaders, and further solidify Indianapolis as a global destination for sports and entertainment."








The release said that the first partner of the institute will be the Hamilton County Sports Authority. Students and faculty from Butler University will serve on the communication and marketing team for the LIV Golf Indianapolis 2025 tournament in mid-August.




"Our students are going to get practical, real-world experience that will propel them as they start their careers," Craig Caldwell, the dean of Butler University's Lacy School of Business, said in the release. "Additionally, central Indiana sports and entertainment organizations- many of which have limited staff and resources-will benefit from the bench-strength Butler can provide. It's a win-win for all involved."




For more information about the university's new institute, click here.





via: https://fox59.com/indiana-news/butler-university-announces-launch-of-institute-for-sports-entertainment/