Jackson Richert, ’23, Turns College Experiences into Career

Jackson Richert's love of sports helped him to define his college and career trajectory, leading him to a job in college athletics.

The Springville, N.Y., native enrolled at Niagara University because of its Division I athletics program and small campus environment. His initial interest in hospitality evolved into a focus in sports management after taking a sports broadcasting class the spring semester of his freshman year and working as a student assistant for the athletics communications office.

"It was important to me to go somewhere where there was a good competitive sports program," he said. "I didn't really expect that I'd be working at the games, but that's what I ended up finding a passion for."

Jackson's on-campus experience with game day operations and broadcasting for the Purple Eagles was complemented by field opportunities at several large-scale sporting events, including Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Ariz., coordinated through the university's College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management.

"Going to the Super Bowl was an amazing experience," he said. "To be actually working and doing guest relations up in the suites was super cool for me."

A member of CoHST's Club Management Association of America student chapter, recently recognized for the 13^th time as the top medium-sized chapter in the country, Jackson had the unique opportunity to work for the prestigiousBohemian Club in San Francisco. The elite invitation-only social club, whose notable members have included Clint Eastwood, Henry Kissinger, Walter Cronkite, Ronald Reagan, Charles Schwab, Mark Twain, and Jack London, is known for its annual two-week Midsummer Encampments in the Bohemian Grove in the redwood forest of California's Sonoma county. Jackson spent two months at the downtown San Francisco location and worked at both summer retreats.

"While I was there, I got a lot of bar management experience, which was invaluable," he said. "I had to manage inventory, I had to hire and schedule and supervise 40 employees. It was a huge workload, and I was working really long hours, but it was a great learning experience for me."

Jackson's strong work ethic was obvious during his time on campus, as well. In addition to his position in athletics and his membership in CMAA, he played volleyball, was a member of the university's cheer team, and founded the Sports Entertainment Club, which provided opportunities for its members to get together for watch parties and excursions to local sporting events. His efforts were recognized when he was named Sports Management Graduate of the Year.

"I was very honored to get that," he said. " I think it's just a testament to how hard I worked. I love sports, and I took every kind of experimental learning opportunity they offered to me."

Jackson graduated in December 2022 and began looking for a position in college athletics. He was offered a job as operations specialist with Gulf Coast State College Athletics in Panama City, Fla. In this role, he manages all aspects of game day operations and oversees the department's administrative work, including travel arrangements for the coaches and teams and eligibility requirements for players.

He chose college athletics, he said, because it gives him an opportunity to work with several different sports and to get to know the student-athletes.

"That's really what I like about college athletics," he said. "It's a high level of competition, but it's more personable and more about the sport, in my opinion, than professional sports, which is more business oriented."

This fall, Jackson will begin taking classes toward his master's degree in digital media management and plans to move into the communication side of college athletics, hoping for a position within an NCAA Division I school.

"That's what I did at Niagara as a student assistant, and I think that's something that I want to get more into," he said.

While Jackson's hands-on experience and hard work prepared him for success in his profession, he also credits his professors for their mentorship and advice.

"The professors at Niagara University really helped me with every aspect of my career," he said. "I really appreciate that the staff was dedicated not only to learning, but to helping further students in their careers."

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