SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The College of Business Administration at San Diego State University (SDSU) announced today that Tom Garfinkel, president and chief operating officer of the San Diego Padres, will be the keynote speaker during the Sports Business M.B.A. commencement ceremonies.
Garfinkel has been instrumental in the pending sale of the Padres and has recently assumed the duties of the interim chief executive officer during the process. Prior to joining the Padres, Garfinkel was the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks and had previously spent five years with Chip Ganassi Racing Teams as executive vice president.
SDSU’s Sports Business M.B.A. program, now in its eighth year, features an intensive, accelerated curriculum focused entirely on the business of international sports. The program was founded in partnership with the Padres and was one of the first sports business educational programs to be launched in conjunction with a professional sports organization.
“It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Tom Garfinkel as this year’s Sports Business M.B.A. keynote speaker,” said Dr. Michael Cunningham, dean of the SDSU College of Business Administration. “Mr. Garfinkel’s willingness to share his vast knowledge and experience in the world of sports business has been, and will continue to be, a guiding inspiration to our students, who hope to follow in his footsteps.”
“It is a great honor to have the opportunity to deliver this year’s commencement keynote speech and I look forward to sharing my experiences with the class of 2012,” said Garfinkel. “As a founding partner of the SDSU Sports Business MBA program and an employer to several of the program’s graduates, the Padres are dedicated to fostering the educational endeavors of the sports business leaders of tomorrow.”
The Sports Business M.B.A. graduation ceremony will be held at the Aztec Hall of Fame on the SDSU campus at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 9, 2012.
About the College of Business Administration
With nearly 5,000 students, SDSU’s College of Business Administration is one of the largest business schools in the U.S. For over 50 years, the College has produced some of the most successful and influential business leaders in the world. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu/business.
About SDSU
San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 85 areas, master’s degrees in 76 areas and doctorates in 21 areas. SDSU’s approximately 31,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.