At Newman University, the sports media & promotion degree is more than just a program — it’s a launchpad for student-athletes with big dreams.
From international recruits to Kansas natives, these 2025 Newman graduates are turning their passion for sports into promising careers. Read on to discover how hands-on experiences and mentorships have prepared them for the field.
Nicolo Lai: From Italy to impact
For Nicolo Lai, soccer isn’t just a game — it’s a way of life.
The Italy native came to the U.S. to pursue his passion for the sport and found more than he expected at Newman University. After transferring from William Carey University, Lai spent two seasons on the Newman men’s soccer team and graduated in May with a degree in sports media & promotion.
“I’m really far from home,” Lai said. “I’m glad my family pushed me to where I am now.”
Lai said he chose his major because sports have always brought him joy, and he wants that to continue into his professional life.
“Sports are my life; they’re everything that always brings me joy,” he said.
He credited Newman, and specifically Head Men’s Soccer Coach Victor Domingues, with shaping his experience both on and off the field.
“I found a new family here,” Lai said. “Being on a team helps forge your character, and it’s going to be good for my new job.”
That next step is just around the corner. Lai plans to begin graduate assistant work at Southwestern College, just an hour from Newman, where he’ll continue working in the sports setting while building his communication and leadership skills.
Reflecting on his time at Newman, Lai hopes to be remembered not just as a student-athlete, but as someone who contributed to change.
“I want to be remembered for helping change the soccer program,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for anything more from my experience here.”
Colby Wilson: Baseball, business and bouncing back
Colby Wilson, a Houston native and member of the 2025 graduating class at Newman University, found his stride as both a student and athlete during his time in the sports media & promotion program.
As a pitcher on the Newman baseball team, Wilson said the program gave him the tools to pursue his longtime dream of working in sports and, ultimately, coaching.
“I’ve always wanted to work in sports,” Wilson said. “Growing up a baseball fan, I was fascinated by how marketing and fan engagement worked. I chose this major because I wanted to be a part of that and eventually go into coaching.”
His college years were shaped by balancing academics with practices, travel and weight training. Wilson said the routine helped him grow as both a student and a leader. He also credits the program for helping him overcome a personal obstacle: a fear of public speaking.
“We had to learn how to talk to people professionally,” he said. “I had a fear of public speaking, and I’ve completely outgrown that. That’s the biggest thing I’ve gotten out of the program.”
Wilson’s journey wasn’t without adversity. After sustaining a brain injury when he was hit by a baseball, he returned to the mound his sophomore year and was honored at the Jetspys with the Comeback Player of the Year award.
“It meant a lot and showed kind of what I battled through to get back on the field,” he said.
He also found lasting support in Newman’s community. Associate Professor of Accounting Patrick Nance, who taught Wilson his freshman year, became a loyal fan and mentor.
“Even in just one class, he’s been absolutely supportive of me and the team,” Wilson said. “He always came out to watch us play.”
Wilson plans to stay at Newman to pursue a master’s degree in business administration with a focus on data analytics, all while stepping into a new role as a coach on the baseball team.
“It’s a new chapter,” he said, “and I’m excited to venture into it.”
Hayley Bonython: Softball sparked career in media
Originally from Australia, 2025 graduate Hayley Bonython came to the U.S. to play softball, but her time at Newman University gave her far more than just time on the field.
The sports media & promotion major said her experience at Newman helped her grow as a person and opened doors she never expected.
“I think it’s definitely been a lot of character building,” Bonython said. “I’ve learned more about my career path, built more on my personal goals and I’ve grown a lot as a person.”
As a transfer student, Bonython made the most of her time at Newman. She played softball, was a student worker in multiple areas of campus, including the Mabee Dining Center, the business office and athletics department, and completed an internship with Newman athletics. She also served in student leadership through the Residence Life Association, giving her the chance to connect beyond the circle of her teammates.
Bonython said she was surprised by how much she came to love the behind-the-scenes side of sports promotion.
“I knew I wanted to go into sports, but the past couple of years led me into taking more photos and videos and I’ve really enjoyed that — especially the social media side, which definitely scared me a lot before I started it,” she said.
That hands-on experience and encouragement from faculty helped shape her future. Bonython will begin her Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in leadership and serve as a graduate assistant at Newman in August, further deepening her involvement in athletics and media.
She encourages future students, particularly international ones like herself, to take that same leap of faith.
“It is daunting going off to college, especially coming internationally, but Newman definitely felt like a home away from home,” she said. “Smaller classes, you know your professors, your classmates and your teammates. It’s very family orientated and that made all the difference.”
Ani Zeikidze: Tennis led to transformative journey
Ani Zeikidze’s path to a degree at Newman University wasn’t an easy one.
Originally from the country of Georgia in eastern Europe, Zeikidze moved across the world to pursue her education and play for the Newman Jets women’s tennis team.
“It was obviously so difficult for me to adjust and study in a different language because English is not my first language,” Zeikidze said. “I had difficulties with language barriers and cultural stuff. But as we went through the years, I got better and better.”
That growth was fueled by the support of those around her. Zeikidze credited her coaches, professors and teammates for helping her feel at home in a foreign place.
“Everybody here is like a family,” she said. “That helped me to feel like home.”
Zeikidze majored in sports media & promotion, and her time at Newman left her with memories beyond the classroom and court. Her favorite professor, adjunct and Web Technology Specialist Daniel Murphy, “was the best,” she said with a laugh. Her retired tennis coach, Shella Augspurger, made a lasting impact.
“She was the reason why I came here,” Zeikidze said. “She’s a very special person for me, and I’m hoping we’re going to be in touch forever.”
Now that she’s officially an alumna of Newman, Zeikidze plans to start her career as a tennis coach at the Courtside Tennis Club in Annandale, New Jersey, where she previously interned. Her long-term goals may still be evolving, perhaps even into sports journalism. But for now, she’s looking forward to helping others through coaching.
Andrew Hudson: Clarity comes during college
Andrew Hudson of Haslet, Texas, said college started with uncertainty but ended with clarity, thanks to a student job that helped him discover his passion.
The sports media & promotion major didn’t initially know what direction to take, but found his path after being hired as a student worker for Newman University athletics during his sophomore year.
“I fell in love with that,” Hudson said. “That’s when I declared that major and decided to go forward with it.”
Hudson became a sports information assistant, contributing to various aspects of athletics communication. His role gave him hands-on experience in the field, ranging from behind-the-scenes operations to social media promotion. At the same time, he balanced his duties with a full commitment to Newman’s baseball team, where he formed lifelong friendships.
“Baseball definitely helped me with work ethic and accountability,” he said. “It also gave me a lot of friends that had my back throughout the process. Even when somebody was down, we’d have others to pick each other up.”
Hudson, who graduated a semester early, is now working toward an MBA in organizational leadership at Newman.
“I wasn’t always a high academic guy, so I never thought I’d take a fifth year of school, but here we are,” he said with a smile. “I’m fired up to get that done.”
His experience wouldn’t have been the same without the mentors and friends who supported him along the way. He credits his boss in the athletic department, Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Communication Zachary Brake, for playing a pivotal role in his growth.
“We’ve become really close over the years,” Hudson said. “He’s made a big difference.”
As Hudson prepares for one more season with the baseball team while continuing his graduate studies and work in athletics, he is eager for what’s next.
“I’m excited to get this next chapter started,” he said. “Get closer to the MBA and then finally be done with school.”
Citlaly Campa: Finding peace and purpose
Citlaly Campa didn’t always know she would end up in sports media & promotion. In fact, she started her college career as a biology major.
“I think deciding to move away from biology and choose what I actually wanted to do instead of what other people wanted me to do made a big difference,” Campa said.
Her passion for sports helped guide her into the right field.
“I love sports. I would talk about it every day to my friends,” she said. “So I thought, ‘I should do something with sports.’”
The transfer student from Salina, Kansas, found her footing as a student at Newman University.
“I found peace and hope to finish a degree here,” she said. “It required a lot of growing. I changed physically and mentally a lot these four years.”
Campa especially appreciated the close-knit learning environment. This was a selling point for Campa’s little sister, who will enter Newman as a first-year student in August.
“I told her, ‘Small classes, small campus, but big city — if you want to explore, but you can also stay in your area,’” Campa said.
She credits her academic advisor and Assistant Dean for Arts and Sciences Audrey Hane, Ph.D., for making a significant impact. Campa said she could approach Hane with any question and always left feeling cared for.
In the future, Campa plans to pursue a master’s degree in communication and would love to one day work in marketing with a professional women’s sports team.
“I want to help with fan engagement and all that,” she said. “That’s the dream.”
Earn a degree in sports media & promotion
Students in this cross-disciplinary program have the option of selecting a concentration in either media or entertainment and promotion.
