Front Office U

Hosted by Front Office U

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Episodes

250

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

A podcast meant to help college students and young professionals interested in the sports industry learn about networking in sports. Front Office U is hosted by 6 young professionals in the sports industry. Tune in as their experiences and advice will be shared to help navigate others toward their dream career in the sports industry.

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60 recent

October 23, 202641 min

Matt Comand | Director of Performance, Emergent

Front Office U welcomes Matt Comand. Matt Comand is the Founder and Director of Performance at Emergent, a high-performance consulting firm he established in 2019. With over 10 years of coaching experience and a master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Denver, Comand works with athletes, executives, and teams to develop mental performance skills, build systems for performing under pressure, and achieve greater consistency. Comand’s path into performance psychology began with his own experiences playing competitive hockey and baseball and a curiosity about what makes teams successful. After completing his graduate studies at the University of Denver, he spent five years as a professor at Humber College while continuing to work with clients across professional, athletic, and academic settings. His experience also includes performance coaching with organizations such as the Institute of Sport Performance & Wellness and Consistent Elite Performance, as well as a two-year internship with the Niagara IceDogs. In this conversation, Comand shares his journey into sport and performance psychology and the experiences that shaped his approach to coaching. He discusses the importance of self-reflection, self-awareness, and understanding athlete cognition, along with how mental performance skills can help individuals and teams perform more consistently under pressure. Comand also explains the similarities between coaching and teaching, the lessons he learned during his graduate studies, and what it takes to build a high-performance consulting business. He shares insights from his work with athletes, teams, and executives, offering advice for those interested in pursuing careers in coaching and performance psychology. Connect with Matt on LinkedIn

October 16, 202648 min

Sean Lew | Inside Sales Representative, Coachella Valley Firebirds

Front Office U welcomes Sean Lew. Sean Lew is an Inside Sales Representative for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where he works to connect with fans and businesses, build relationships throughout the community, and generate ticket sales for the American Hockey League organization. Born in Palm Springs, California, Lew grew up playing multiple sports, including football, baseball, and soccer. His path into the sports industry included playing football at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University before gaining experience through a two-month internship with Palm Springs Power Baseball in sports marketing and gameday operations. That opportunity helped him build connections and gain valuable experience that contributed to his transition into professional sports. In this conversation, Lew shares his journey into the sports industry and the importance of networking, building relationships, and getting involved in the community. He discusses the day-to-day responsibilities of an inside sales representative, from making calls and setting meetings to giving tours and working with local business owners and schools. Lew also talks about working toward sales quotas, handling objections, and learning to be patient throughout the sales process. He shares the mindset that has guided his career: control what you can control and always be an honest person. Connect with Sean on LinkedIn

October 9, 202644 min

Jeremy Hadler | Recruiting Coordinator, NCSA College Recruiting

Front Office U welcomes Jeremy Hadler. Jeremy Hadler is a Recruiting Coordinator with NCSA College Recruiting, where he works with student-athletes and families navigating the college recruiting process. Through his experience in sports sales and professional sports, Hadler has built a career centered on relationship building, consistency, and creating meaningful connections. Hadler’s journey through the sports industry has included experience with the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Flyers, as well as success in recruiting technology, where he helped achieve a No. 1 ranking on a recruiting platform. His experiences have also taken him to the Super Bowl, where he learned the importance of professionalism and preparation on one of the biggest stages in sports. Along the way, he has developed his approach to sales, set goals around consistent daily outreach, and explored his passion for sports broadcasting through YouTube and other opportunities. In this conversation, Hadler shares his path into the sports industry and how informational interviews, relationship building, and consistent effort have helped him create opportunities throughout his career. He discusses his experiences with the Ravens and Flyers, what it was like working Super Bowl game day, and the lessons he has learned from working in sports sales and recruiting. Hadler also reflects on his early dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player, the sports broadcasters who inspired him, and advice for students and young professionals looking to break into the sports industry. Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn Jeremy's YouTube

October 2, 202644 min

Breanna Field | Group Sales Manager, Vegas Golden Knights

Front Office U welcomes Breanna Field. Breanna Field is the Group Sales Manager for the Vegas Golden Knights, where she helps create memorable experiences for fans, organizations, and corporate partners. Field’s career in professional sports has spanned more than a decade and multiple major sports organizations. After getting her start through internships with the State College Spikes, Penn State Sports Properties, and the Bryce Jordan Center, she began building her career in professional sports sales with the Oakland Athletics and Chicago Cubs. She later spent time with Wayfair before joining the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021, where she has progressed from an Account Executive to Senior Account Executive and now Group Sales Manager. In this conversation, Field shares her journey through the sports industry and how she turned early internships and entry-level opportunities into a career with some of the biggest organizations in professional sports. She discusses the importance of building relationships, learning how to sell, creating memorable experiences for clients and fans, and continuing to grow throughout your career. Field also shares lessons from her time with the Athletics, Cubs, and Golden Knights, how her career has evolved as she has taken on new responsibilities, and advice for students and young professionals looking to break into the sports industry. Connect with Breanna Field on LinkedIn

September 25, 202649 min

Nick Robert Gallo | Director of Scouting, Ontario Jr Reign

Front Office U welcomes Nick Robert Gallo. Nick Robert Gallo is the Director of Scouting for the Ontario Jr. Reign, where he oversees the club’s scouting efforts and works to identify and evaluate talent. Gallo’s path into hockey operations took an unconventional route. After working at the Pasadena Ice Skating Center, coaching and consulting in Southern California youth hockey, and working in hockey operations with Nilson Sports, he continued to build relationships and find opportunities to get involved in the game. His scouting experience includes serving as a Regional Scout for the Prince George Cougars of the WHL, while his coaching background includes stops with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks, Valencia Jr. Flyers, and Santa Clarita Flyers. In this conversation, Gallo shares his journey into hockey operations and the importance of taking chances when opportunities arise. He discusses the mentors who helped open doors in his career, including Craig Johnston, the power of sending a “Hail Mary” email, and how networking and persistence can create opportunities even when the answer is initially no. Gallo also talks about evaluating hockey sense, the different responsibilities that come with scouting, learning from other scouts and general managers, and the importance of thinking outside the box. He shares lessons from his experiences in grassroots hockey, junior hockey, and hockey operations, along with advice for students trying to build a career in sports. Connect with Nick Robert Gallo on LinkedIn Nick's Instagram

September 18, 202655 min

Daniel Triesler | Director of Scouting, Linkoping Hockey Club

Front Office U welcomes Daniel Triesler. Daniel Triesler is the Director of Scouting for Linköping Hockey Club in Sweden, where he oversees the club’s scouting efforts and works to identify and develop talent. Triesler’s path in hockey has taken him from Dover, Delaware, to playing junior hockey and college hockey in the United States before earning an opportunity to play professionally in Sweden. After transitioning into scouting and coaching, he worked with Mora IK in HockeyAllsvenskan, where they developed their own approach to scouting and built an expanded scouting network focused on finding players who could develop into impact players. In this conversation, Triesler shares his journey into hockey, the people who helped shape his career, and the lessons he learned from playing, coaching, and scouting. He discusses his collaboration with their General Manager, the differences between scouting in the SHL and HockeyAllsvenskan, and how Linköping has built its international and Swedish scouting groups. Triesler also shares advice from his mother that has guided his career: do what makes you happy, but go all in. Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn

September 17, 202633 min

Throwback Thursday | Max Peterson

Welcome back Max Peterson, Inside Sales Representative for Minnesota United FC. Peterson originally joined Front Office U in February 2025 while working with the University of Minnesota Athletics Department. Since then, he has transitioned into professional sports with Minnesota United, building on the experience he gained through roles that included Student Assistant, intern, and Intern Coordinator with Minnesota Athletics. During the conversation, Peterson discusses his path from college athletics into professional sports, the application and interview process with Minnesota United, and the skills that helped him stand out during his job search. He also shares what it is like working as an Inside Sales Representative, what he has learned about sales and communication, and the differences he has noticed between working in college athletics and professional sports. Peterson also reflects on the people and experiences that shaped his career, the most important skills for young professionals entering the sports industry, and his advice for students looking to turn an internship into a full-time opportunity. Connect with Max on LinkedIn

September 11, 202649 min

Taylor Horn | Director, Premium Service & Business Operations, New Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland Browns

Front Office U welcomes Taylor Horn. Taylor Horn is the Director, Premium Service & Business Operations for Legends Global, working on the New Huntington Bank Field project, the future home of the Cleveland Browns. In her role, Taylor focuses on premium service, business operations, client experience, and helping build the systems and experiences that will shape the next generation of the Browns’ stadium experience. Taylor’s career in sports has given her experience across premium service, business operations, sales, and customer experience, leading her to her current role with Legends Global and the Cleveland Browns. As part of the New Huntington Bank Field project, Taylor is helping build a world-class premium experience from the ground up while working across a wide range of areas within the business. In this conversation, Taylor shares her journey through the sports industry, the experiences that helped shape her career, and what it is like to work on a project as significant as a brand-new NFL stadium. She discusses the importance of relationships, providing an exceptional customer experience, navigating the business side of sports, and finding opportunities to grow within the industry. For students and young professionals looking to build a career in sports, Taylor offers perspective on building relationships, being willing to learn, and taking advantage of opportunities to get involved and make an impact. Connect with Taylor on LinkedIn

September 4, 202642 min

Frank Butler | Director of Player Personnel, USHL

Front Office U welcomes Frank Butler. Frank Butler is the Director of Player Personnel for the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he focuses on player evaluation, development, and helping shape the next generation of junior hockey talent. Frank’s career in hockey has included stops as a coach and scout with organizations including the Coquitlam Express, Tri-City Storm, and Junior Bulldogs before joining the USHL as a Development Coordinator and eventually moving into his current role as Director of Player Personnel. His work also includes helping run youth hockey events such as the Fall Classic in Chicago, the American Cup in Rochester, the Frosty Cup, and USHL player development camps. In this conversation, Frank shares his journey through hockey, the experiences that helped shape his career, and how he has learned to wear many different hats along the way. He discusses the importance of mentors, finding a path for development within the hockey industry, and the opportunities that come with the continued expansion of the USHL. For students looking to build a career in sports, Frank offers perspective on building relationships, staying adaptable, and taking advantage of opportunities to grow. Connect with Frank on LinkedIn Frank's Email: Butler@USHL.com

August 28, 202652 min

Kyle Waymon | Director, Talent Acquisition & Employee Experience, St. Louis Blues

Front Office U welcomes Kyle Waymon. Kyle Waymon is the Director of Talent Acquisition & Employee Experience for the St. Louis Blues, where he focuses on recruiting, developing, and creating a strong employee experience within the organization. Kyle’s career in sports has included stops with the Tampa Bay Rays and St. Louis Cardinals before joining the Blues, where he has grown through a number of roles spanning group sales, premium sales, ticket sales leadership, and talent acquisition. In this conversation, Kyle shares his journey through the sports industry, what helped him stand out early in his career, and how the people around him have influenced his growth. He also discusses the importance of finding teammates and mentors who challenge and support you, staying open to learning, and creating opportunities to grow within an organization. For students looking to build a career in sports, Kyle offers perspective on the habits, relationships, and mindset that can help accelerate your development. Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn