Ph.D. Candidate Represents Seton Hall at Sport Management Conference

Alex Requena, a doctoral student in the Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management and Policy program within the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media, participated in the 2025 North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) Conference in San Diego throughout the final week of May.

This annual conference brings together leading scholars, industry professionals and students to explore the evolving landscape of sport management through cutting-edge research and dialogue.

There, Requena joined peers and faculty from across North America to present and discuss developments related to the NCAA and Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) policies — a topic that closely aligns with his doctoral research examining the global impact of sports on international college athletics.

“Being part of this conference allowed me to contribute to ongoing discussions that are shaping the future of collegiate athletics,” Requena said. This was his first time attending an academic conference since moving to the United States from Paris in January. “Connecting with fellow researchers in the same field was an invaluable learning experience.” 

“The formal sessions were interesting, but it was really the conversation outside the room, over coffee or during informal meetups that made the experience memorable,” he added.

Requena, originally from Valencia, Spain, has obtained extensive international experience from roles with the French professional football club Olympique de Marseille, Paris Basketball under the EuroLeague and a recent endeavor supporting the NFL’s first-ever flag football tournament in Cairo, Egypt.

He said staying in Africa during his tenure as head of events and operations for the NBA’s Basketball African League (BAL) helped shape his current “global” perspective on sports.

“Living there for two years gave me unique insight into emerging sports markets, an area now central to my dissertation,” Requena said. “This allowed me to approach the NASSM conference with a practical lens, bridging academic research with real-world application.”

“I believe that kind of integration is key to making our work impactful beyond academia,” he added.

According to data from the NCAA, over 3,100 first year Division I athletes were international students, accounting for 12.8 percent of first-year athletes. Requena said that as the NCAA appeals to a wider audience every year, he wants to explore new policies that impact other countries who may lose talent to the U.S.

Requena said completing his Ph.D. would ensure he is rightfully prepared to work within a professional franchise someday, and returning to academia felt like a “natural step” since he continues to work for other sports organizations in New York City. He said choosing Seton Hall specifically came down to a mentorship with Daniel Ladik, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the department of marketing in the Stillman School of Business.

“Dr. Ladik [has] been an excellent academic advisor while I was teaching in France, and his guidance played a big role in my decision,” Requena said. “Seton Hall is a strong institution with great faculty, and the program really fit both my academic and professional goals.”

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say that getting out of the city and enjoying some fresh air in South Orange has also been a nice bonus,” he added.

Requena said growing up and starting his career in Europe shaped his passion for sports even despite the unique career challenges. Since moving to the U.S., he said submersing himself into a different sports culture and system was crucial to his future plans.

“Unlike in the U.S., Europe doesn’t have a strong high school and college sports system, and professional leagues aren’t structured like the NBA or NFL, making career paths less straightforward,” Requena said. “I often share this reality with my students in Europe, who come into the industry full of dreams and hopes, only to realize it’s not always that easy.” 

“This broader perspective is invaluable, and I hope to eventually return home to contribute to the growth and development of the sports industry in Europe,” he added.

Requena’s active engagement in these conversations highlighted both his dedication to advancing the field and Seton Hall’s commitment to scholarship grounded in real-world application. He encouraged students to always remain optimistic even if their plans might not start out exactly as they envisioned.

“Those experiences teach you the foundation you need — stay curious and opening to learning as this field is always changing,” Requena said. “And be patient: sports management careers aren’t always straightforward, but if you stay passionate and persistent, you’ll find your way.

About the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media
Seton Hall’s College of Human Development, Culture, and Media (CHDCM) embodies the University’s commitment to pedagogical innovation, intellectual ferment and community engagement. Uniting scholars and students from four dynamic departments — Communication, Media, and the Arts; Education Leadership, Management, and Policy; Educational Studies; and Professional Psychology and Family Therapy — the College is the new home of cutting-edge, transdisciplinary inquiry into the stickiest problems of our time.

The faculty, staff and students of the College seek to improve the human condition by collaborating across distinct fields that uniquely complement one another, thereby preparing the next generation of dynamic leaders poised to tackle contemporary social challenges and opportunities. Expression underpins all facets of the integrated College’s portfolio — media as a form of education and artistic expression; teaching and learning as modes of creative expression; expression and expressibility as critical to counseling and therapeutic treatment; and self-expression as a vehicle of social agency.

Categories: Athletics, Education