Connecting students, industry, and innovation through experiential learning
The UNE Center for Sport and Outdoor Business is an interdisciplinary hub connecting education, industry, and experiential learning across the business of sport and the outdoor economy. The center brings students together with industry leaders, organizations, and community partners to explore emerging opportunities, solve real-world challenges, and build the skills and professional networks needed to lead in these dynamic industries. Through applied projects, research, events, partnerships, and immersive experiences, the Center for Sport and Outdoor Business bridges the classroom and the workplace while strengthening UNE’s role in Maine and beyond.
Ways for Students to Engage with the Center
The Center for Sport and Outdoor Business gives UNE students opportunities to move beyond the classroom and into the field, learning directly from the people, organizations, and events shaping today’s sport and outdoor industries. Students gain practical experience, build professional networks, and apply what they’re learning to real business challenges.
The center also connects students with partners such as Maine Outdoor Brands and the State of Maine Outdoor Recreation Office, creating opportunities to engage with the state’s growing outdoor economy while building relationships that lead to internships, mentorship, research, and careers.
Industry Projects and Partnerships
Engage in industry-related projects with tangible outcomes.
Professional Networking
Connect with professionals and expand your network.
Immersive Experiential Learning
Build practical skills through high-impact experiences.
I want to give kudos to UNE because we build our college rosters, and now, with the partnership we have with (their sports center), they’re able to provide us with analytics and identify the players who are impactful in college and can help us here.”
— Terrence Wallin, Former Maine Mariners (ECHL) Head Coach
Meet The Team
Center for Sport and Outdoor Business Director, Aimee Vlachos
Dr. Aimee Vlachos brings extensive experience in sport management, outdoor business, experiential education, and industry partnership development to the center. A teaching professor in UNE’s College of Business and program director for Outdoor Business and Innovation, she has developed and led hands-on learning opportunities that connect students with major sporting events, outdoor industry organizations, and employers. Her work includes student experiences at the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, and international NFL games, as well as partnerships with Maine Outdoor Brands and organizations across Maine’s outdoor economy. As director of the Center for Sport and Outdoor Business, Vlachos focuses on expanding industry relationships, creating meaningful experiential opportunities, and positioning UNE students for leadership in the business of sport and outdoor recreation.
Industry Advisory Network
The Center for Sport and Outdoor Business is developing an industry advisory network that brings together leaders from sport, outdoor recreation, tourism, entrepreneurship, marketing, events, and related fields. Advisors will help inform programming, identify emerging industry needs, create connections for students, and strengthen collaboration between UNE and sport and outdoor business communities.
Are you looking to Partner with The Center for Sport and Outdoor Business?
The center welcomes partnerships with sport organizations, teams, outdoor brands, recreation and tourism organizations, public agencies, nonprofits, and other businesses. Partners can collaborate with UNE students and faculty on applied projects, research, events, internships, and experiential learning opportunities. These partnerships help organizations address real challenges while developing relationships with the next generation of sport and outdoor business leaders.
We’d love to hear from you. Email Amy Vlachos to contact the center and start the conversation.
Center Priorities
- Experiential learning at major sport and outdoor industry events
- Industry-sponsored projects, research, and innovation
- Career connections, mentoring, internships, and networking
- Partnerships that support Maine’s outdoor economy and sport sector
- Events, speakers, and programming that connect campus with industry