Eight Shenandoah University students, including seven members of SU’s men’s basketball program, gained real-world professional experience when they traveled to Indianapolis for the 2024 Indy Classic, an NCAA Division I men’s basketball event that took place in Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Dec. 14.
The event featured two games – Texas A&M vs. Purdue and Butler vs. Wisconsin – and provided a professional development opportunity for SU’s students, who participated in a VIP reception during which they networked with CEOs, presidents and leaders from various industries; an exclusive Q&A session with Purdue head coach Matt Painter; and event production with the Indiana Pacers’ production team, Indiana Sports Corp, and Russ Potts Productions, Inc.
Throughout the event, SU’s students played pivotal roles in sponsorship activations, prize parachute drops, and fan engagement and logistics while contributing to the overall success of the event, according to Shenandoah men’s basketball coach Nick Doyle, and who led the trip alongside assistant coach Isaac Blue and Fritz Polite, Ph.D., MPA, the men’s basketball program’s director of academic success and experiential learning.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students to gain real-world experience while building invaluable professional connections. Their work ethic, adaptability, and enthusiasm made a real impression on everyone involved. These exclusive opportunities are what makes SU a special place.”
Nick Doyle, Shenandoah University men’s basketball coach
Students who traveled to Indianapolis included men’s basketball players Prince-Binwi Bihai ’25, Dorian Davis ’26, Jordan Durham ’28, Joshua Randolph ’28, Davion Roberts ’23, Shamir Taylor ’28 and Ellis Wright ’28, and sport management student Kara Mondrone ’27, as well as alum and former women’s basketball player Kayla Maxson ’23.
