SDSU Student Business Organization Spotlight: Sports Business Initiative
Matthew Sealy, President of Sports Business Initiative
The Fowler College of Business’ student organizations have continued to operate effectively, host professional events, and engage with the community through virtual platforms, despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic. This semester, Sports Business Initiative (SBI) is hosting weekly virtual meetings with guest speakers in the sports industry, virtual game night social events, and its annual SBI Summit, an opportunity for members to network with accomplished sports professionals over Zoom. Matthew Sealy (Junior, Finance), President of SBI, describes the organization’s virtual opportunities, shares why students interested in sports should join, and how SBI has impacted his leadership experience. Sealy also describes his time in SBI while offering advice to current students.
About Sports Business Initiative (SBI):
Q: What events, gatherings, and activities does your organization host?
We host weekly meetings where we usually bring in guest speakers who work in sports so our members can learn about what they do and make connections with professionals. We also do social events for our members and intramural sports when we are in person. Finally, we have an annual SBI Summit, usually held at Petco Park, which is a great opportunity for our members to talk with some of the more prominent names in the sports industry.
Q: What virtual events has your organization organized since the pandemic began?
So far, we have held multiple game night social events, as well as a resume/LinkedIn workshop with a LinkedIn specialist. We are also in the process of planning our annual SBI Summit, which will be held on April 10th over Zoom.
Q: How does SBI connect with the community outside of SDSU?
In the past, SBI has done community service to help prepare local baseball fields for youth games. We are also connected with a charity called the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which helps those who are physically disabled find ways to play sports.
Q: Why should students join SBI?
If you are interested in working in sports, SBI is the place for you! We are all massive sports fans and it’s nice to have a community of like-minded individuals who are all looking to achieve the same goal. Through our club, we allow our members to make connections with individuals who have the ability to help them reach the dream of working in sports.
Q: How can a student get involved with SBI?
We host Zoom meetings every Wednesday at 7 pm, so stop by if you are interested in joining! We post updates primarily through our Instagram (@sbisdsu) and on our website (sbisdsu.org). The Zoom code for our meetings can be found on both platforms.
Q & A with the Sports Business Initiative President, Matthew Sealy
Name: Matthew Sealy
Major ( and minors): Finance with minors in Accounting and Statistics
Campus affiliations / organizations: Sports Business Initiative
Sealy, other SBI execs and members visit Blast Motion Inc., a baseball technology company.
Q: As a student leader involved with an organization at SDSU, can you share why you got involved and what your experience has been like so far?
I got involved with SBI after my freshman year. I was one of the more regular members of the club and really wanted to get involved on the exec board because it seemed like something that would be good for my resume. It has turned out to be a lot of fun and I have really enjoyed my past two years on the exec board.
Q: What experience with your organization has been the most impactful?
My most impactful experience would have to be when I went to SBI Summit my freshman year. It was an awesome event, and I got some great advice and information from the speakers. I got to hear from a wide variety of individuals including the owner of the Padres, Peter Seidler. They gave the attendees a lot of helpful advice about how we can get into the sports industry, as well as some attributes and skills that teams and companies look for in potential employees. This opened my eyes to the wide variety of roles that the sports industry offers and helped me figure out what I want to do in sports.
Q: What has been your favorite SDSU memory so far?
Going to in-person classes. I really miss walking through our beautiful campus and just enjoying the freedom of being outside the house.
Q: If you could go back to your freshman year, what advice would you give yourself?
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there because you don’t want to have any regrets about your past decisions.
Q: What is the best advice you have received during your time at SDSU?
It might be a bit cliché, but if you do what you are passionate about, you will never work a day in your life.
Sealy, SBI execs and members visit the San Diego Seals lacrosse team.
Q: What career aspirations do you have following your time at SDSU?
My goal is to work for either a professional baseball or football team, preferably in player personnel.
Q: Cats or Dogs? Dogs
Q: Instagram or TikTok? Instagram
Q: Morning or Night? Mornings
Q: Shopping - In store or online? In store
Q: Panchos or Trujillos? Panchos (they have better beans)
Q: Favorite show to binge-watch? Psych or Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Q: Hidden Talent? Spikeball
*Group photos were taken before March 2020
