Zachary Hurst

Sport Management Alumnus

Many of life’s most important lessons come from sports. Coaches are teachers who inspire their athletes to lead teams, stay positive, overcome adversity, and achieve goals.

Indiana State University alumnus Zachary Hurst, ‘13, understands these lessons – because sports has always played a crucial role in his life. Now, the Sycamore leads and influences others as the Assistant Commissioner for External Relations with the Missouri Valley Conference.

When Hurst first arrived at Indiana State, he was a student in the professional aviation flight technology program and a cadet in the Air Force ROTC program. However, after becoming involved in campus organizations involving athletics, including serving as a basketball manager for the women’s basketball team, Hurst changed his major to sport management.

“Sports has always been a big part of my life. I’ve had coaches who mentored me. I’ve seen what sports can do for people. I knew this was the career I wanted to pursue,” Hurst says.

Hurst at the 2022 AFC South Division Championship with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Students in Indiana State’s sport management program study and practice the organizational and management side of athletics at every level, including training in event planning, sports administration, marketing and revenue generation, leadership, team management, sports law, finance, and more. Faculty help students find professional connections through internships and other hands-on learning opportunities.

“Indiana State offered a perfect balance between size, academics, and community involvement. My professors truly cared about their students, and they did a great job of plugging me into the community and tying in experiential learning as part of the curriculum. They had great perspectives and they wanted me to get involved in volunteer work,” says Hurst.

The Sycamore volunteered in the community as a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He also participated in Indiana State’s Nonprofit Leadership Alliance student organization and with the Office of Residential Life.

“Being involved in a variety of groups on campus allowed me to diversify myself and my connections,” he says. “I was able to learn something different from each group to become a more well-rounded individual.”

Indiana State’s sport management program requires students to complete multiple internships. In addition to working as a basketball manager for the women’s basketball team, Hurst completed internships as an assistant tournament director for Special Olympics Indiana, where he planned opening ceremonies, oversaw 51 teams, and coordinated the recruitment, training, and scheduling of more than 200 volunteers.

He also completed an internship with the Indiana State University Foundation as an athletic development assistant. Hurst cultivated relationships with donors, fundraised through special events with athletic booster clubs, and assisted with the development of financial plans.

“These opportunities gave me direct experience in coordinating volunteers, fundraising strategies, and event management. Having these experiences made me more knowledgeable in my industry,” Hurst explains.

A highlight of his internship with the Indiana State University Foundation was working with the Larry Legend Foundation – an organization comprised of Indiana State students who wanted to show their appreciation and respect for legendary Sycamore and NBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird. Along with their advisors, Hurst and his Sycamore peers assisted in 2013 during the installation of the 17-foot Larry Bird statue that stands outside Indiana State’s Hulman Center basketball arena. During the installation and dedication, which Bird attended, Hurst was able to meet the sports icon.

“As an Indiana native and a fan of basketball, it was a great experience to have worked with him. Not only is Larry Bird one of the greatest athletes of all time, but he has done so much for the sports industry in a number of other capacities,” Hurst says.

Following graduation, Hurst’s career took him to many exciting sports organizations, including time spent with the Indianapolis Colts, the Indiana High School Athletic Association, the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, Ashland University, and Stetson University. Most recently, he supervised fan experiences at Jacksonville Jaguars home games and worked as the Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Daytona Tortugas baseball team, a minor league Single-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

“It’s important for sports professionals to understand a variety of levels in sports administration. That’s why my career has taken me all over. You learn different perspectives depending on the sport you’re working for,” Hurst explains.

But now he is settled in his current role as Assistant Commissioner of External Relations for the Missouri Valley Conference. Hurst works with marketing and sales staff to generate revenue, fulfill sponsorships, and create the best student-athlete experiences possible.

“My goals are to maintain and build new relationships in each of our championship-site communities while continuing to increase revenue,” Hurst remarks.

Hurst (second from left) at the Missouri Valley Conference Arch Madness basketball tournament.

The Missouri Valley Conference resembles Indiana State, Hurst says. It is the perfect size for a top-tier mid-major collegiate athletic conference, serving and impacting 12 institutions. For this Sycamore, it feels like his career has come full circle as he represents the athletic conference to which his alma mater belongs.

“It feels like home. I get to create memorable experiences that bring together people of diverse backgrounds close to Indiana State and across the Midwest. This feels natural to me,” he says.

Hurst enjoys being involved in college athletics across the Missouri Valley and says he will always take the opportunity to cheer for Indiana State. “Go Sycamores!”