Recently, the Rice University Sport Business Alliance (RUSBA) hosted Callye Dannheim ’07 as part of its monthly breakfast speaker series. Former Director of Lone Star Sports and Entertainment, Dannheim triple majored in Sport Management, Economics, and Managerial Studies at Rice University.
The breakfast was particularly notable because Dannheim was one of the founding members of RUSBA during her time at Rice. Dannheim spoke of the original purpose of the club, which began with only five members.
“We all knew we wanted some kind of organization for Sport Management that was complimentary to what the program was already doing,” Dannheim said. “I think what we really tried to do was…lay some basic groundwork for something that could hopefully last beyond us – and it has, which is awesome!”
Similar to the current breakfast speaker series, the original RUSBA threw pizza parties to speak with professionals from the sports industry. One of the first major events RUSBA hosted was a panel featuring owners of local professional sports teams.
“Callye and this group organized the biggest Speaker’s Series event we’ve ever hosted which included the owners of the Houston Astros and Houston Rockets,” Dr. Clark Haptonstall, Chair of the Department of Sport Management, said. “They were a very motivated group which set the tone for future students in RUSBA.”
In addition to forming RUSBA, Dannheim interned in both the Houston Texans President’s Office and at Lone Star Sports and Entertainment (LSSE) during her time at Rice. She rejoined LSSE after her graduation and spent eight years with the organization. Beginning as a Marketing Services Coordinator, Dannheim was promoted to Event and Client Service Manager and then to Assistant Director. Last June, she accepted the position of Director of LSSE, overseeing all operations of the organization.
Dannheim emphasized that her enthusiasm for her work played a direct role in her promotions.
“I think it’s about finding little opportunities or things that interest you, and if you’re enjoying what you’re doing, you won’t feel like working,” Dannheim said. “And chances are, if you’re doing a good job, people will notice that and they will just keep promoting you – that’s kind of what has happened with me. I figure as long as I’m doing something that I enjoy and I feel good about it, then that’s a win.”
The Rice University Sport Business Alliance is a student-run organization whose mission is to create awareness and valuable opportunities for the students of the Department of Sport Management at Rice University. Some of its goals include establishing relationships with members of the sport industry and planning and executing events that result in school-wide recognition.
Molly Mohr, a junior from San Antonio, is double majoring in Sport Management and English and minoring in Business.