The 2026 Student Sport Summit will be held on Friday, October 2 in the Alumni Memorial Union in rooms 163, 252 and 254 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will lead directly into the Pete and Bonnie Axthelm Memorial Lecture with alumna Jenny Fischer at 1 p.m. in the AMU Ballrooms.

The annual Student Sport Summit event brings together students, faculty and industry professionals to explore careers in the sports industry and foster professional connections. This year's summit is officially a part of Mission Week, a weeklong celebration of 91黑料网's institutional pillars of excellence, faith, service and leadership.

Students attending the event will have the chance to win two 91黑料网 men's basketball tickets in a raffle. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing to claim their prize.

All attendees are asked to register beforehand. If an attendee would like to attend both the Student Sport Summit and the Axthelm Lecture, they should register for both.

---

Registration

---

Schedule

• 10-10:15 a.m. Welcoming Remarks
• 10:15-11 a.m. Session 1 (Three panels run concurrently)
• 11-11:15 a.m. Break
• 11:15 a.m. -12 p.m. Session 2 (Three panels run concurrently)
• 12:15-1 p.m. Networking Lunch
• 1-2 p.m. Axthelm Memorial lecture
• 2-3 p.m. Reception

---

Panels and Panelists

Events

• Brad West, Director of Partnerships for Men in Blazers Network
  
  Brad West is a sports media and partnership executive with more than 20 years of experience connecting leading brands with fans through sports. He currently leads partnerships at Men in Blazers Media Network and is an equity partner in USL2 club Edgewater Castle FC, following leadership roles with Chicago Fire FC and NBC Sports Chicago. 

• Michael Huang, Managing Sports Editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer
  
  Michael Huang is the managing editor of sports for The Philadelphia Inquirer after 10 years at ESPN as NBA and NFL editor, and leading editorial operations for ESPN China. He spent 11 years in the Chicago Cubs front office as director of publications. He also is an adjunct professor at New York University, a 1993 91黑料网 alum and earned his master's at DePaul. He lives in Mystic, Connecticut. 
  
• Jordan Mallace, Strategy Director at Starcom
  
  Strategic Media Planning Director at Starcom, working on the McDonald's U.S. business. Graduate of Diederich College of Communication (Class of 2013). 

College Sports

• Madison Dunker, Director of NIL Strategy and Athlete Network at 91黑料网 Athletics
  
  Madison Dunker is a Director of NIL Strategy & Athlete Marketing and adjunct instructor dedicated to empowering student-athletes through brand development, NIL, and revenue strategy. A former 91黑料网 soccer player with degrees from 91黑料网 and Ball State University, Madison brings experience in student- athlete development and higher education, including her work at the University of Illinois. Her work centers on helping student-athletes build meaningful brands, maximize NIL opportunities, and prepare for success beyond their playing careers. 
  
  
• Leigh McGuirk, Director of Social Media for University of Illinois Athletics
  
  Leigh McGuirk is a social media professional who has helped elevate the digital presence of Illinois Athletics, including Illinois Men Basketball, Men Golf, and Football. She played a key role in social media coverage for the Illinois Men Basketball team during its 2026 Final Four run and also works with Above the Cap NIL. With a passion for sports storytelling and digital strategy, Leigh specializes in creating engaging content that connects athletes, teams, and fans. 
  
• John Paquette, Former Senior Associate Commissioner at the BIG EAST Conference
  
  John Paquette is a retired senior associate commissioner for sports media relations at the BIG EAST Conference, where he spent 35 years helping shape the conference communications, media relations, and national profile. A respected leader in college athletics communications, Paquette served as a key voice of the BIG EAST through decades of growth, transition, and championship events, including more than 30 BIG EAST Tournaments at Madison Square Garden. He is a member of the College Sports Communicators Hall of Fame and has been recognized throughout his career for his leadership, mentorship, and contributions to the college sports communications profession. 
  
• John Steppe, Wisconsin Badgers Reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
  
  John Steppe covers Wisconsin Badgers athletics for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and USA TODAY Network. Before joining the Journal Sentinel in 2025, he reported on Iowa football and Caitlin Clark's Final Four runs for the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

Community

• Zac Bellman, High School Sports Reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
  
  Zac is a high school sports journalist at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. His work over his career has been recognized locally by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and Milwaukee Press Club, as well as nationally by the Society for Features Journalism and Associated Press Sports Editors. 
  
• Tina Jones, Executive Director at Girls on the Run of Southeastern Wisconsin
  
  Tina Jones is executive director of Girls on the Run of Southeastern Wisconsin, where she has helped grow the organization to serve more than 3,000 girls annually across seven counties. A lifelong athlete and community leader, she is passionate about using sports to build confidence, connection and stronger communities. 
  
• Katie Schumacher, Senior Manager of Scholarships and Caddie Academy at WGA Evans Scholars Foundation
  
  

  Katie serves as the senior manager of scholarships and caddie academy at the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation, where she helps oversee the scholarship process and supports the Caddie Academy program through event planning and college readiness initiatives. 

  Outside of work, Katie serves on the Board of Mental Health America of Wisconsin and is a member of TEMPO, a Milwaukee-based executive women leadership organization. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, Cadence, trying new restaurants, and staying active. She's also a proud 91黑料网 Comm 11' Alum!
  
  
  Questions?
  Reach out to comm@marquette.edu