NC State Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management

🏒🔥 Let's get loud, Raleigh! 🔥🏒 Tonight, the Stanley Cup Final returns to Lenovo Center as the Carolina Hurricanes take the ice for Game 5! 📣🌪️

Can crowd noise actually impact the game? A recent NC State article explores how fan energy, arena design, and acoustics help create one of the most exciting environments in sports.

For students interested in sport management, event operations, fan engagement, and facility management, it's a fascinating look at the power of the home crowd. 🙌🏟️

Read more: http://ncst.at/NhbT50Z8VH7

Make Some Noise: How Does Crowd Sound Affect the Stanley Cup Final? How does the Lenovo Center’s design make it such a loud venue for hockey games? Does it give the hometown Carolina Hurricanes a psychological edge over opponents? NC State experts weigh in.

♻️🎶 Want to be part of two of the biggest events coming to Carter-Finley Stadium next summer?

NC State's Zero Waste Wolfpack is still seeking volunteers to support sustainability efforts during the upcoming Guns N' Roses and Noah Kahan concerts. Volunteers help educate fans and staff Zero Waste Stations throughout the venue, supporting NC State's goal of diverting 70% of event waste from landfills. 🌎🐺

This is a unique opportunity to gain experience at a large-scale event while contributing to sustainability initiatives that impact thousands of attendees.

⚡ Volunteer spots for the concerts are filling quickly, but post-show sorting opportunities remain widely available!

🔗 Sign up here: http://ncst.at/1WCJ50Z8WlM

☀️ Planning a summer vacation? AI might be able to help — if you know how to ask the right questions. ✈️🤖

New research from NC State University Department of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management professors Duarte Morais and Gene Brothers explores how AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity can be guided toward more community-based, locally rooted travel recommendations instead of only highlighting major tourist hotspots.

Their new “People-First Tourism AI Protocol” encourages AI to recommend experiences that better support local communities, cultures and businesses. 🌎

As more travelers turn to AI for trip planning, this research asks an important question: Can technology help people travel more thoughtfully?

Read more here: http://ncst.at/jvl450YYnXG

Can AI Improve Travel? Yes, With the Right Prompts NC State tourism experts have developed a protocol that redirects AI chatbots to prioritize community-based travel recommendations, with early tests showing promise.

🌿 Counting down to Greater & Greener 2026 🌿

We’re proud to be a sponsor of the 2026 Greater & Greener Conference, hosted by the City Parks Alliance—happening June 13–16 in Austin, TX 🌎

is a conference unlike any other—where urban parks professionals connect, learn, and collaborate in a setting designed to showcase the real impact of parks (with more sessions outside than in) 🌳

As a sponsor, we’re honored to support this one-of-a-kind event and the global network of leaders working to build stronger, more equitable communities through parks.

If you’re planning to attend, we’d love to see you there—and there’s still time to register!

📍 Austin, TX | June 13–16
🔗 http://ncst.at/j5qq50YEY83

⚽ Looking to turn your passion for sports and recreation into a career? The Town of Knightdale is hiring an Athletic Supervisor to help lead community athletic programs, support coaches and participants, coordinate events and schedules, and create a positive experience for local athletes and families.

This full-time role with the Town’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Programs Department offers the chance to make a direct impact in one of the Triangle’s growing communities. Applications are open through June 1.

Apply here:

Athletic Supervisor The Town of Knightdale is seeking an Athletic Supervisor to oversee daily athletic operations, support coaches and participants, and help create a positive and safe environment for all programs and events. This position is responsible for supervising recreational and competitive activities, coordina...

Wait—did you catch this back in March? 👀

NC State’s new men’s basketball head coach, Justin Gainey, is a graduate of NC State’s Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management (PRTM) program.

After nearly 20 years coaching at the collegiate level, he was named head coach—returning to lead the same program where he once played.

A strong example of the range of careers PRTM alumni pursue across the sport industry.

Take a closer look:

NC State’s Newest Man of Intrigue Former Wolfpack point guard and assistant coach Justin Gainey was announced Wednesday as the 22nd head coach in NC State men’s basketball history.

Not doing an internship this summer but still want experience in sport?

The Savannah Bananas are hiring for Summer 2026 roles, offering hands-on experience in areas like game day operations, fan engagement, and media. Known for their unique, fan-first approach, this is a great opportunity to build practical skills in a high-energy environment.

Even better—the team will be touring near North Carolina this season, with stops including:
• Chapel Hill, NC (April 11–12)
• Charleston, SC (April 10–11)
• Savannah, GA (April 18–19)
• Greenville, SC (April 24–26)
• Richmond, VA (May 1–2)
• Charlotte, NC (June 4–6)

If you’re looking to stay engaged in sport this summer and gain meaningful experience, this is an opportunity worth exploring.

🔗 http://ncst.at/9tGl50YIplS

🎓 One more congratulations to our newest graduates!

Last Friday, we celebrated the incredible Class of 2026 at the College of Natural Resources spring commencement ceremony — and we’re still thinking about the outstanding students who crossed the stage. 👏

If you missed it, check out this feature on PRTM sport management graduate Isis Stamm ’26, who was selected as one of the student commencement speakers for the ceremony.

From hands-on experience with NC State Football recruiting operations to leadership roles across campus, Isis built an impressive path through the sport management program and is continuing her journey in collegiate athletics after graduation.

Read more about Isis and her NC State journey here:
http://ncst.at/4TG550YYnST

🎉

A big thank you to our PRTM graduate students, Ann Morgan Hawthorne and Sweta Dixit, for representing the department at last month's NC State Graduate Research Symposium.

They did an outstanding job presenting their research, engaging with attendees, and contributing to a meaningful day of scholarship and connection across campus.

We’re grateful for the time, effort, and dedication they put into their work and for representing PRTM so well. Experiences like this highlight the strength of our graduate students and the impact of their research.

Thank you both—we’re proud of you! ❤️🐺

🎓 Congratulations to our PRTSM graduates!

Your hard work, dedication, and commitment have led you to this incredible milestone. Throughout your time in the program, you’ve developed the skills and experiences that will carry you forward in the tourism, sport, and recreation industries.

We’re excited to see what’s next for each of you—congratulations again and best wishes in your next chapter. ❤️🐺