SCC FFL 2024: Sports Marketing Challenge #3 Recap & Scores

Published by Chris Lindauer on

SCC FFL 2024: Sports Marketing Challenge #3 Recap & Scores

Here’s a summary of the top-performing schools and an overview of how teams fared in the third sports marketing challenge. We’ll be recapping the top three entries below.

Halfway through the competition, many teams are within striking distance of the top spot on the leaderboard. The third challenge focused on community relations, crisis management, and publicity, and students impressed us with their thoughtful strategies. Through creative community initiatives, proactive crisis responses, and dynamic publicity plans, teams demonstrated a strong understanding of connecting their franchise with fans and the wider community.

#1 – Grant High School, Oregon (Toronto Monarchs)

A standing ovation for Grant High School students after securing an impressive second place in Challenge #3! The Monarchs’ front office displayed impressive creativity with immersive, fan-centered events like Monarch’s Fright Nights and their Golden Ticket contest, sparking excitement and building strong community connections. Their Crown Care Foundation takes it a step further by supporting causes like youth education and local environmental efforts, solidifying the Monarchs as a franchise that’s all about inclusivity and family-friendly fun. This was just one of many ways they tied strategy to key concepts from their textbook.

Their media strategy was impressively thorough, with the extra touches—like a detailed media guide—really giving them an edge. The report was professional and comprehensive, covering social media outreach and showcasing how prepared students were for crisis management with a well-executed press conference video. This proactive approach made fans feel closer to the team and fostered a solid sense of trust. The Monarchs’ all-around dedication to community engagement, media presence, and unique events earned the highest score in this challenge. Great job, Monarchs!

#2 – Flower Mound High School, Texas (St. Louis Spartans)

Hats (or helmets) off to the St. Louis Spartans for taking the second spot in Challenge #3! The Spartans delivered an impressive community relations plan that connected deeply with their local fans. Their partnerships with The Children’s Charity of Saint Louis and the NFL’s Crucial Catch initiative demonstrated the team’s commitment to resilience and unity in the St. Louis community. The Christmas Carnival event at their stadium was a great idea, featuring family-friendly activities, player meet-and-greets, and a strong focus on charitable giving, making it clear that the Spartans are all about making a positive impact.

The Spartans nailed their communications strategy, using engaging social media updates, in-stadium announcements, and consistent messaging to spotlight the team’s values. When it came to the quarterback contract crisis, they took a thoughtful approach, balancing transparency with respect—a move that reinforced their brand’s commitment to community and teamwork. The student video and team press release showcased proactive planning and really highlighted the effort they put into this challenge. With a mix of creativity, brand alignment, and strong community connections, the Spartans maintained their well-deserved spot at the top of the standings.

Keep up the great work, Flower Mound students!

#3 – Green Run High School, Virginia (Oklahoma Outlaws)

Kudos to Green Run High School students for claiming third place in Challenge #3! The Outlaws’ front office showed excellent recognition of the powerful platform that professional football has. They effectively leveraged that influence with their annual Battle for the Frontier rivalry against the Dallas Cowboys. This event stokes competitive spirit and cleverly channels the excitement of a rivalry game into community impact, with a portion of ticket sales supporting youth sports initiatives in Oklahoma and Texas.

The Outlaws’ community efforts were spot-on for their fan base, with standout events like Cultural Awareness Day, celebrating Native American heritage, and their Pink Out Game for breast cancer awareness. These initiatives were impactful and on-brand, reinforcing the Outlaws’ commitment to diversity, unity, and using their platform to build up the local community.

Their communication strategy had depth, using social media, local media, and game-day experiences to share the team’s story and build a positive community-focused reputation. When it came to crisis management, the Outlaws hit the mark with a respectful, straightforward response that kept fans reassured and reinforced the team’s values.

By tapping into the pride and heart of Oklahoma, the Outlaws really set themselves apart in this challenge, landing a well-deserved top spot.

On to the next one…

Best of luck to all competitors as they gear up for the fourth challenge! Students will present a stadium plan for their franchise with design and a fan experience strategy. This challenge allows students to unleash their creativity, and we can’t wait to see the unique ideas each team brings to their vision!

SCC FFL 2024 STANDINGS AFTER CHALLENGE #3

Categories: Blog

Chris Lindauer

After working for nearly a decade in professional sports, Chris Lindauer, formed Sports Career Consulting to provide unique sports business education opportunities in and out of the classroom. In the twenty years (and counting) that followed, Chris has inspired thousands of students to pursue their passions and explore the career of their dreams.