From Denver to Portland and beyond, this month's newsletter is packed with powerful stories of connection, celebration, and opportunity. Catch the energy from Basecamp Outdoor and the Outside Summit and Festival in Denver, dive into a decade of impact with industry trailblazer Steve Holmberg, and discover how YOU can shape the future of sports product innovation by hosting an intern or joining our next cohort this fall. Plus, don't miss the SPM Voices spotlight featuring Maddie Haden, as well as highlights from the grand opening of our UO Portland campus.
Jennifer Nolfi
Director, UO Sports Product Management Program
UO Sports Product Management
June Newsletter
Denver Highlights: Building Community and Careers
Last week, we proudly served as the headline sponsor of the Gather Basecamp Outdoor Career Networking Event, kicking off the Outside Summit and Festival in Denver, Colorado and connecting with more than 1,000 outdoor pros, job seekers, innovators, and alumni. Huge thanks to Basecamp Outdoors for hosting such an impactful gathering!
10 Years of SPM: Meet the Industry Leaders Behind Our Legacy
We're keeping the celebration going with the next feature in our SPM Instructor Series: Steve Holmberg, our consumer insights instructor. Steve is an industry leader who exemplifies the insight and strategy we embed into every corner of our program and recently led our student trip to Seattle, Washington.
Steve brings a deep passion for sport and the outdoors, paired with years of experience driving strategy at the highest level. During his more than 16 years at Nike, he served in multiple roles, most recently as global director of consumer insights and strategy, in which he led efforts to understand what drives consumers, tracked brand equity, and translated insights into impactful brand strategy.
As we gear up for summer 2025, we're looking for internship and project opportunities for our Sports Product Management master's students. These hands-on experiences typically span 10–12 weeks, from mid-June to late August, and offer a unique chance for students to apply their product-specific knowledge and skills while gaining real-world, industry-specific experience.
By partnering with us, you'll gain access to passionate, innovative talent and play a key role in shaping the next generation of industry leaders.
If you are interested in hosting an intern, contact Lesley Hollon, senior associate director of industry relationships and engagement.
Only a few openings remain to join the incoming class of 2027 this fall! Don't miss the chance to start your 18-month journey with this global cohort of passionate, diverse individuals as you work toward your master's in Sports Product Management right here in Portland, Oregon—the global sports and outdoor product industry hub. From hands-on learning in our 1,200 sq. ft. innovation lab to real-world projects with such brands as Nike and adidas, this is where future industry leaders are made. Learn directly from industry instructors, mentors, and guest speakers who are shaping the field, and graduate ready to lead with purpose, innovation, and impact.
Please get in touch with Daisy or Andrew, our admissions team members, who are eager to answer any of your questions.
This week's SPM Voices is a special edition featuring Maddie Haden, current Class of 2026 student, fresh from the Outside Summit and Gather events in Colorado.
On May 29, the University of Oregon in Portland marked the start of a new era. More than 500 supporters gathered at a sunny, grassy amphitheater, surrounded by a sea of green and yellow, to celebrate a milestone: the grand opening of the newly renovated UO Portland campus.
