August 27, 2025 - A dozen business students from Stephen F. Austin State University’s Nelson Rusche College of Business wrapped up their management course by exploring sports business, entrepreneurship and innovation in Canada Aug. 11-19.
“During this study abroad trip, students experienced not only Canadian culture but also how Canadians innovate, launch businesses and celebrate sport,” said Dr. Jason Reese, interim dean of the Rusche College of Business, who led the trip with Dr. Robert McDermand, senior lecturer of sports business and management at SFA.
“Canada’s traditions are so beloved — from hockey to maple syrup to Niagara Falls — that the students immediately embraced them,” Reese said. “But they also learned important lessons like how to navigate the streets of Toronto and Montreal through public transit. Experiences like these build their confidence for future adventures abroad.”
In Toronto, students visited the waterfront, the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Royal Ontario Museum before heading up the CN Tower for a bird’s-eye view of the city and Lake Ontario. They also took the famous Maid of the Mist boat tour to see Niagara Falls up close.
“Niagara Falls is one of the highlights of the trip because it was something that I probably would have never done or had the opportunity to do without the study abroad trip,” said Erin Banks, sports business senior from Georgetown. “As we got closer to the falls, I had to close my eyes from all the water spraying on my face, and all I could do was laugh because I couldn’t believe that I was in this place with these people experiencing such a special adventure.”
Next, students mastered the “OK Blue Jays” dance with help from passionate baseball fans during the seventh-inning stretch of a Toronto Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre.
“Seeing Xander [Bogaerts] celebrating with strangers and everyone being united by their love for their Blue Jays was unforgettable,” said Dayanira Flores, sports business sophomore from Mission. “That moment made me realize that sports are powerful connectors, bringing people together in shared joy. I remember thinking this was the highlight of my trip because it made me feel alive — part of something bigger than myself.”
In Montreal, students learned about the 2020 launch of SportsAi, a sports analytics startup that uses artificial intelligence to automate data collection and analysis for soccer players and coaches to help them improve players’ performance.
Tarik Agday, co-founder and CEO of SportsAi, shared his story of combining his experience as a former MLS prospect for CF Montreal with his AI specialization at Polytechnique Montreal to provide real-time analysis for soccer teams.
“Tarik also told us how he overcame the challenges of introducing new technologies in an industry full of traditionalists,” McDermand said. “This showed our students how innovation, perseverance and the entrepreneurial spirit can lead to a successful business supporting a sport they love.”
The CF Montreal theme continued with a soccer match between the team and DC United, which offered some students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I’m a huge soccer fan, so getting to watch CF Montreal play against DC United was amazing,” said Modesto Martinez, kinesiology first-year student from Mission. “For me, going to a live soccer game and seeing the action in person was a dream come true, and I hope one day I can do it again.”
Despite their packed agenda, the students had time to enjoy some delicious meals. They returned home with a few new favorite foods.
“Trying poutine for the first time was messy but delicious, and BeaverTail pastries instantly became the best thing I’ve ever eaten,” said Madison Zaccardo, Master of Business Administration student from Lubbock.
Helena Easey, entrepreneurship senior from Cypress, said the traveling group’s small size allowed her to bond with every student on the trip.
“I learned to expand my interests into areas I never thought I would,” she said. “I’m so grateful to the Rusche College of Business for supporting its students in academic ventures such as this one.”
Reed O’Grady, management senior from Weatherford, also saw benefits to traveling with his business classmates.
“One of the convenient things about doing a study abroad with the Rusche College of Business is that you are traveling with your peers the entire trip,” he said. “I was able to not only talk with my classmates but relate on a deeper level because we were all in the same season of life, going through the same classes, and a few of us will be in the same classes in the fall.”
Ella Hollis, marketing senior from Tyler, said learning outside the classroom helped her learn more about herself.
“After coming home from this trip, I feel that I have more confidence as an individual to go out and do more in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people, whether it is for personal or business matters,” she said. “This trip created many opportunities to learn and better myself as an individual in moments that made learning more fun and enjoyable than what it could have been in just a regular classroom experience.”
For more information on SFA’s Rusche College of Business and its study abroad opportunities, visit sfasu.edu/cob.
