Tri-State Sport Management (TSSM) 2026 Annual Summit

Dr. Hongyoung Kim, Professor Jason Henderson, and undergraduate Sport Management students, Yumin Chung, Lucas Curry, Chanyong Kim, Samantha McKinney, Sofia Raroque, Zachary Schulz, Yongje "Tyler" Son, Carson Weiner, attended the Tri-State Sport Management (TSSM) 2026 Annual Summit in Hackensack, NJ, where students showcased research, connected with industry professionals, and advanced opportunities for academic and professional growth.

The following undergraduate research projects were presented at the TSSM 2026 Annual Summit:

Chanyong Kim & Yumin Chung - "The 2026 FIFA World Cup as a catalyst for sport tourism and soccer industry growth in the United States"
Lucas Curry - "Evaluating the relationship between key performance metrics and team success in the National Football League"
Samantha McKinney - "Offensive performance trends in Big XII softball 2021-2025"
Sofia Raroque - "Driving distance and world ranking in professional golf"
Zachary Schulz - "An analysis of NFL quarterback trends"
Tyler Son - "Not just athletes: How the U.S. system prepares student-athletes for life after sports"
Carson Weiner - "Visualizing offensive production among elite NHL players"

Drawing on concepts and analytical skills developed in Sport Analytics class (01:955:485), students presented faculty-mentored independent research projects under the guidance of Dr. Kim. Their work reflected the strength of undergraduate research in the program and the department's commitment to experiential learning, research, and professional development.

Dr. Kim also served on the organizing committee for the TSSM 2026 Annual Summit, helping expand research and networking opportunities for Sport Management students. In addition, Professor Henderson represented Rutgers University-New Brunswick at the event by leading a promotional booth for the Global Sports Business M.S. Program and connecting with prospective graduate students. The summit was a meaningful success for Rutgers students and faculty, reflecting the core values of the Department of Kinesiology and Health through scholarship, mentorship, and professional development. A special congratulations goes to Sofia who earned second place in the Poster Competition.