John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation

Madison Curl
Cleveland Cavaliers

Madison Curl

Last summer I was an seasonal account executive intern in the Organizational Business Development Program for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and beginning this June I will be a full time account executive with the Cavaliers.  (It will be an exciting time as it is during the NBA finals.)  My role focused on generating revenue for the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), Cleveland Monsters (AHL), and the Gladiators (Arena Football).

I was allowed to sell full and partial season ticket memberships, suites, and group outings for all properties. Specifically, I prospected over 300 new sales leads within a 6-week period comprised of both businesses and groups; consecutively ranked in the top ten for outgoing calls by completing on average around 100-115 outgoing cold calls per day; displayed excellent time management and organizational skills through managing several appointments, follow-up calls, and emails on a daily basis; and coordinated the most group nights out of all interns estimated at around $3,000 in revenue for the AHL property, Cleveland Monsters.

I really enjoyed that I was able to do everything the full-time new hires could do. I had the opportunity to make sales over the phone and in person. My managers provided us with two weeks of in-depth training followed by coaching daily. I was able to learn from other people on the sales floor and observe their sales styles. Making my first sale was one of the best moments of my life! I want to eventually work in premium suites and sales for a professional sports team. This entry level position in sales is a perfect foundation to build my career upon.

The College of Business taught me so many things. Thanks to COBI I know the importance of networking, asking questions, dressing professionally, getting involved in the community, and developing my personal brand. All of these things will help me not only in my professional life but in sales specifically.

I did not realize that I wanted to go into sports until I was halfway into my freshman year. I am so glad I did not decide to go to another school with a sports-focused major/program. I have gotten to meet so many important sports professionals at UT. My sales degree has proven more relevant to my job than a sports management degree I would have gotten elsewhere.

Ticket to Success Ticket Sales Workshop: This program gathered Sales professionals from teams across the country to come to The University of Toledo and coach students on their sales techniques. I obtained an internship with the Toledo Mud Hens/ Toledo Walleye from this event my sophomore year. My junior year I also attended and was asked by many teams to interview on the spot for internships. It was at this event that I met the professionals from the Cleveland Cavaliers who would later offer me an internship.

This past fall I attended the workshop once again. It has now been moved to Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. It was amazing to see an event that UT started blossom into a huge event held at a brand new arena. I received my full-time offer with the Cavs at this event and interviewed with several other teams from around the country. I definitely have this event to thank for many of my opportunities in sports.

Last Updated: 6/27/22