Sports MBA ’26 Hosts San Diego Gulls Mixer for TECHO Fundraising

The Sports MBA Class of 2026 brought together alumni, faculty, students, and supporters for a networking mixer ahead of a San Diego Gulls game at Pechanga Arena, marking the cohort’s first major fundraising event of the spring semester.

More than 60 attendees joined the event, with all ticket proceeds supporting the cohort’s fundraising efforts for its partnership with TECHO. During the program’s study abroad trip to the Dominican Republic, students will work with the organization to help build homes for families in need.

The mixer was organized with support from SMBA alumnus Bill Foltz (SMBA ’22) through the Gulls. SMBA ’26 students Valerie Castillo, Connor Virjee, and Kate Gladheim led the planning and coordination of the event, helping create an evening centered around connection, community, and support for the cohort’s project.

I’m incredibly grateful for the strong turnout we had. It was especially meaningful to see so many people show up after all the hard work that went into making this event happen, and to see so many familiar faces there made it even more special. Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and support. Together, we made a real impact for a great cause, and I truly appreciate everyone who helped bring this event to life. - Valerie Castillo

Fundraising preparation has also been integrated into the classroom this semester. The cohort welcomed Serenity Steward (SMBA ’23) from Central Washington University, who listened to students pitch fundraising ideas and provided feedback on messaging and donor engagement strategies.

Students also heard from Joseph Lynch, Director of Development for the Fowler College of Business, who shared insights on effective fundraising and building authentic relationships with supporters.

Additional initiatives have included a raffle for tickets to the Farmers Insurance Open, helping the cohort build momentum toward its $15,000 fundraising goal. The class has currently raised $4,607.

The next fundraising event will take place on March 19 at Eureka!, where 20% of food sales will be donated to the project. The evening will also feature sports trivia and a silent auction as the cohort continues working toward its goal before traveling to the Dominican Republic this spring.

A special thank you to Bill Foltz and the entire San Diego Gulls team for their support in making the mixer possible!