Opportunities for Universities & Professional Clubs in Sport & Development A Case Study - SDSU in the Dominican Republic Scott Minto Director Sports MBA Program San Diego State University San Diego, California USA
Agenda Dominican Republic / baseball overview Baseball s positive/negative impacts on D.R. society/economics The problem with baseball and development San Diego Padres - San Diego State University partnership Early successes and lessons learned Our next investment: sport and girls in the D.R. Questions
Dominicans & Major League Baseball (MLB) Mid-19th Century origins on the island, brought from Cuba Popular in bateyes, communities built around sugar cane fields/mills 2012-11% of MLB players are Dominican (10m population) 2012-40% of all international players in MLB are from D.R. All 30 MLB teams have academies in the country Dominicans aren t subject to amateur draft, but sign as free agents (age 16)
average GDP per capita $5,545 (< R50,000 ZAR). little economic activity in rural areas. crippling unemployment. broken education system < 2.5 class hours per day.
a nation s obsession, played universally and with one goal in mind...
July 1.
playing baseball every day instead of going to school, many promising young peloteros leave home in their early childhood to live with a buscon.
for young men: chance to escape poverty, provide for family for generations to come. for teams: purely economic advantage to signing players from developing country.
San Diego Padres Dominican Baseball Academy 2008 $9m USD cost.
full cafeteria weight room training room air conditioning wifi computer lab recreation room professional-grade fields 24-hour security
steroid abuse unacceptable facilities age/identity falsification no educational standard lack of follow-up options pressure to succeed % fail
sport is part of the problem.
but baseball clubs can be part of the solution.
universities ideally suited to assist. question the system and passionately support what s right. management case study. strategic, sustainable recommendations. all efforts business related.
at SDSU, have a responsibility to educate future sport managers about the social and economic implications of their decisions, the power of sport to mobilize communities, and the potential sport can have in driving development
int l HR management course broaden horizons of US natives develop global competency service learning component student bonding experience job interview discussion item
the plan:
1. establish club/league partnership.
SDSU Sports MBA s founding partnership with the Padres provided an opportunity to stay at the academy and learn from its management.
Verónica Nogueira (SDSU Sports MBA 09) - San Diego Padres
Peggy Morales (SDSU Sports MBA 11) - Major League Baseball
2. ask the community.
community-driven decision making.
3. part of the curriculum.
when tied to a course and budgeted for, a trip with MBA students provides a sustainable presence. MBAs research the problem and provide strategic solutions for development.
4. be there.
on annual 10-day trip, mix significant class time, reflection sessions, and academic work with community service projects.
safety first!
get the kids involved.
5. raise funds for long-term projects.
6. focus on sustainability.
presents for kids are common, but sparingly give out handouts. with significant funds, make strategic investments for long-term growth.
limit the short-term coats of paint, but make sure the MBAs get their hands dirty working with members of the community.
7. empower students to make decisions.
MLB Fantasy Camp Service Vacations - MBA thesis project Spring 2010
artwork greeting cards decorated baseballs
José Manuel
Alta Gracia Clothing - initiative with San Diego State University Bookstore
Rainbow Sandals - corporate donation program
visit to Playa de Najayo aqueduct to assess water sanitation and availability.
repairs at the Espacio Para Crecer, community needs assessment, pointing at aerial view maps.
Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo - meeting with SDSU Engineers Without Borders graduate students.
Peace Corps volunteer focused on education placed in Playa de Najayo for two-year volunteer stint, starting fall 2011.
Espacios Para Crecer
next steps.
creating opportunity through sport.
The Girl Effect...when a girl in the developing world receives seven years of education, she marries four years later and has 2.2 fewer children. and she ll invest 90% of her income in her family.
a new approach: focus on the girls. entice them with volleyball. meet/play consistently. require them to stay in school. recognize academic progress. celebrate victories.
challenge gender stereotypes. build self-confidence. establish a community. provide a positive role model.
the program: build a volleyball court. hire a Dominican woman to coach. fund project for three years. establish sustainable presence. conduct a baseline study. set defined goals. evaluate progress reports. manage remotely.
questions?