Currently in its second successful year, the Carolina RailHawks and UNC Chapel Hill’s Sports Administration department have enjoyed a creative partnership that provides real-life work experience for UNC students. Students in Dr. Richard Southall’s Sales and Revenue Production class have had the opportunity to significantly increase their sales skills through this unique partnership. The students apply their classroom learning through the real-world opportunity to work with and learn from sales executives from the Carolina RailHawks.
Dr. Southall sees tremendous value in the partnership: “The educational philosophy of the sales and revenue production seminar is ‘bridging the gap between sales theory and real-world practice.’ Our partnership with the RailHawks provides this vital link for our students. It is the proverbial ‘win-win’ situation.”
A portion of every ticket sold by the UNC students was donated by the RailHawks back to the class. The class has in turn chosen to donate the money raised to a charity of their choice. The most recent class of 15 students sold over 300 RailHawks tickets as part of its month-long summer seminar class, and has chosen to donate the $1,000 raised to the UNC Children’s Hospital.
“I want to thank Dr. Southall and his students for their work on behalf of the RailHawks. Through this program we have identified a number of students with a strong interest in working in professional sports. In addition to providing real-world practice for students, it familiarizes them with the RailHawks professional soccer organization, opens doors to internship opportunities here and down the line for full-time employment.”
The check will be presented by the UNC students to Chris Ellington, Executive Vice President and CFO of UNC Health Care, at halftime of the RailHawks final regular-season home game this Saturday, September 24.
