Brent Rossi

A 2001 graduate of Brock’s Bachelor of Sport Management program has earned a senior position with the Buffalo Sabres.

Brent Rossi was recently named Vice-President of Brand Strategy and Marketing. He’ll be visiting Brock on Monday, March 5 for a talk in Academic South 204.

Rossi is a hockey enthusiast whose career goal has been to work for the Buffalo Sabres.

“The best marketers are the people that believe in their product,” he said. “If you don’t believe in the particular brand, then you’re not 100 per cent passionate about it. The fact that I am a fan lends itself very well to this job.”

Rossi was a member of the second honours-graduating class in Sport Management.

“I knew I wanted to work in sport, which is what really propelled me to apply to Brock in the first place,” Rossi said. “When I went into a class, I would determine my interest level and mold my expectations for my future based on this.”

The Sport management program prepared him for the business of sport, and the small classes helped him develop an objective thought process, he said.

“These concepts are things I still go back to now.”

After graduation, Rossi continued his education at Old Dominion, where he attained his first job working at a new venue on campus. The venue was built for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, but needed a targeted marketing strategy for family and community events.

Recently, Rossi was vice-president of marketing for the Harlem Globetrotters. His background also includes World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the Philadelphia 76ers and the Comcast-Spectator.

Rossi advised students to get involved with internships, which are “the gateway to connections,” he said. Networking is important at every level.

The event is free and everyone is welcome. Rossi will speak from 5 to 6:30 p.m.