By Breana Aquino – Staff Reporter

Law’s FBLA members and business students went on a field trip to watch a Bridgeport Islanders game at Total Mortgage Arena on November 12.

This experience was part of the Bridgeport Islander’s annual School Day, where students from local schools, including Law, got the chance to watch the game during school hours. Students who take business classes, or are enrolled in FBLA had the opportunity to go on the field trip.

The students stayed for the sellout game against the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. The Islanders came up short, losing to the Penguins by a 5-4 shootout victory.

Law Principal Bryan Darcy went on the trip when he was a student at the University of New Haven. He hopes it was a great experience for all who went.

“The trip is meant to showcase how an athletic team or franchise markets their facility and events,” Darcy said. “My hope is that it sparked an idea or passion that students have for Sports Marketing.”

Before the game, the Islanders’ staff put on a sports marketing seminar. They had members of their leadership and business leaders discussing careers and pathways into sports marketing.

The panel of speakers included those from the Bridgeport Islanders, Total Mortgage Arena, Fairfield University, and Sacred Heart University.

Business teacher Mrs. Israelite, went on the trip as a chaperone, along with Mr. Beler, Mr. Batson, and Mr. Barcello.

“This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in sports to learn about careers that combine their love for sports with business,” Israelite said. “They have the chance to learn about the pros and cons of various jobs and the benefits and drawbacks of these career options.”

Law has gone on the trip the last three years, with Israelite hoping to go again in the spring.

Senior Alani Velez went on the trip as a member of FBLA.

“The trip helped me learn about what happens behind the scenes and they explained why it’s so important to do these things in order for things to run smoothly,” Velez said.

Velez ambitions to open up her own therapy clinic in the future, taking the things she learned from the trip into play.

Sophomore Joshua Flores was able to go on the trip by taking two business classes, Principles of Financial Accounting and Business Management.

“This experience helped me see the future I could have in sports management and the experiences the guests faced through their careers,” Flores said.

Flores had already been influenced by his business classes, helping him develop a business mindset.

“The trip only influenced me more and shaped my perspectives to be ready for whatever comes up in my future,” Flores said.

Freshman Jigyansh Gupta went on the trip as a Marketing 1 student.

“I learned about business management, such as the different aspects of running a sports team, and also many of the different situations that an owner is put through,” Gupta said.

Gupta plans to be an entrepreneur, with the experience proving to be really beneficial to him by teaching the background behind the start of the whole company and how many were involved.

“The game was also extremely entertaining and hyped up,” Gupta said.