2025 Sport Business Conference Main Speakers and Internship Luncheon Attendees

Jay Paterno is an accomplished author, coach, and commentator, with deep roots in the world of college football. As the son of legendary coach Joe Paterno, Jay grew up immersed in the culture of the sport and went on to build an impressive career of his own. He served as a coach for over two decades, including 17 years at Penn State, where he helped develop championship-caliber teams and mentored countless athletes both on and off the field.

A passionate advocate for the game, Paterno’s career has expanded beyond coaching. He is the author of several books, including Paterno Legacy: Enduring Lessons from the Life and Death of My Father, which offers personal insights into his family’s legacy and the values his father instilled in the sport. His latest work, BLITZED! The All-Out Pressure of College Football’s New Era, delves into the challenges and pressures of modern-day college football, a fast-changing landscape driven by big money, transfers, and NIL deals.

In addition to his writing, Paterno is a sought-after speaker and media commentator. His eulogy for his father is listed among American Rhetoric’s Top American Speeches of the 21st Century. His expertise in leadership, the evolution of college athletics, and the impact of social and cultural shifts in sports have made him a respected voice in the industry. He regularly appears on major media outlets, offering his analysis and unique perspective on the future of football.

Off the field, Paterno is also known for his work as a philanthropist and advocate for causes he is passionate about, including education, health, and social justice. Through his multifaceted career, Jay Paterno continues to leave a lasting impact on college football and beyond. 

BJ Bertges has been with the United States Collegiate Athletic Association since 2019, and in July of 2021 was named the Chief Operating Officer following the departure of Matthew Simms, former CEO and Executive Director of the Association.  

Ms. Bertges began her tenure with the USCAA as the Director of Championships and Development overseeing planning for all championship events, ensuring tournament guidelines and sponsorship contracts.  She worked to develop and implement ongoing strategic plans aimed at enhancing the association’s championship events and publicity efforts.

BJ was one of the most experienced hires when it comes to history with the USCAA.  She has history working the Fall Championships Week, Basketball National Championships, and the Small College World Series.  “BJ has both the knowledge and experience with working USCAA championship events and we are more than excited to welcome her into the position” states former USCAA Executive Director Matthew Simms. “She will be the first female to serve in this role for the USCAA and we are confident that her past experiences make her the right person for the position.  She will improve the quality of our Championships and student-athlete experience.”

Prior to joining the USCAA, Bertges was with member Penn State Beaver, where she was the Assistant Athletic Director and the Head Volleyball Coach.  As the Assistant Athletic Director on campus, Bertges managed the Wellness Center, ran Intramural programs, oversaw the athletic website and social media and was the advisor of the Varsity Clubs on campus. She also served as the Head Volleyball Coach for eight seasons.  During her time at the Head Coach level, she led her team to six consecutive post-season appearances.  Bertges held a career record of 102-98 and a conference record of 69-37.

Bertges was a dual sport athlete at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg for four years serving as a captain in both volleyball and softball.  As a volleyball player she earned All-Conference honors her senior season, and was the only player in the program’s history in the top five of the four major statistical categories (kills, blocks, aces and assists).  After completing her undergrad at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, she went on to play for the Pittsburgh Passion, a professional women’s full contact football team.  She was part of the 2007 National Championship team who was also undefeated that year om the NWFL.  BJ received her Master’s Degree in Sports Management from California University of Pennsylvania.

A seasoned venue management executive with over two decades of experience in the live events and entertainment industry, Jim Grafstrom is a District General Manager for Oak View Group (OVG) overseeing the operation of multiple premier venues, including The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA; PPL Center in Allentown, PA; Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton, NJ; and the Crown Complex in Fayetteville, NC.

A graduate of Temple University, Grafstrom developed a strong foundation in venue management and event operations in the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. Following graduation, he began his career at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, one of the busiest arenas in the country, gaining invaluable experience in event execution, facility operations, and guest services.

Grafstrom’s career trajectory led him to play a key role in the construction and first three years of operation at the Kovalchick Complex, a multi-use venue in Indiana, PA on the campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), where he served as the General Manager. His leadership helped establish the complex as a vital part of the community, hosting many concerts, sporting events, and other large-scale gatherings.

Following his time in Indiana, PA, Grafstrom served as the General Manager of the Crown Complex in Fayetteville, NC. During his tenure, he managed the multi-venue complex, which includes an arena, theater, expo center, ballroom, and coliseum, ensuring seamless operations and successful event programming. Under his guidance, the Crown Complex became a cornerstone of entertainment in the region, hosting major concerts, sporting events, and family shows.

Currently, Grafstrom serves as the General Manager of The Liacouras Center at Temple University, his alma mater, where he oversees all aspects of the venue’s operation. His responsibilities include booking, event management, marketing, and facility maintenance, ensuring that the arena remains a top-tier destination for concerts, college basketball, and other live events. In his expanded role as District General Manager for Oak View Group, Grafstrom provides strategic oversight for multiple venues, driving operational excellence and maximizing event programming across four major facilities.

Roger is the Owner and Founder of Spectrum Fudge, a company he and his wife, Erin, launched in 2021 with the purpose of creating meaningful employment for their son, Jake, who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2. Inspired by his son's needs, Roger built Spectrum Fudge not only as a business but as a platform for offering employment opportunities to individuals with special needs. Today, Jake is actively involved, working on weekends, and contributing to the company's mission. The company also partners with 11 different high schools, providing both volunteer and job opportunities for students with special needs.

Spectrum Fudge has expanded beyond just local operations, shipping its products across the country and seeing its chocolates stocked in stores throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio. Roger’s commitment goes beyond the business itself, he regularly advocates for more inclusive job opportunities by meeting with local and state representatives.

Before embarking on this entrepreneurial journey, Roger had a distinguished career in healthcare. He served as the Chief Operating Officer of a hospital, overseeing day-to-day operations and ensuring the efficient management of healthcare services. His background in healthcare began in Human Resources, where he worked his way up to Vice President of Human Resources before transitioning to hospital operations and administration.

Roger's career also has a foundation in hospitality management, where he honed his leadership skills working in various capacities within restaurants, hotels, country clubs, and resorts. He holds an undergraduate degree in Hotel Restaurant Institutional Management and a Master's degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations, both from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Through Spectrum Fudge, Roger combines his passion for social impact, community-building, and business acumen, creating a legacy that not only benefits his family but also enriches the lives of others in his community.

Nathan Holtz is currently an assistant director for facilities and operations at Penn State University for campus recreation. He oversees day-to-day operations for three different facilities that campus recreation has on campus. Aside from daily operations, Nathan oversees student staffing in the facilities, partners with academics and athletics for events in the facilities, and helps oversee operations of the E-Sports Center. Prior to overseeing facilities at Penn State, Nathan worked for the University of Alabama and their University Recreation Department, where he assisted in overseeing operations of their four facilities. Nathan earned his bachelor’s degree in 2018 and master’s degree in 2019 from IUP in sport administration. During this time, he was an intern for the PA Sports Business Conference and then became the graduate assistant for the conference while earning his master’s degree.

William Jones is the Director of Dining Services for Parkhurst Dining, part of Eat'n Park Hospitality Group. Jones has been with Parkhurst Dining for more than 25 years, providing catering and operations expertise to Parkhurst's broad portfolio of contact foodservice clients that include professional sports teams, corporate offices, and private colleges and universities. In addition to his leadership within Parkhurst, Jones partners with Eat'n Park Hospitality Group and Eat'n Park Restaurants to deliver outstanding catering and dining experiences for the company's large scale special events.

In his current role, Jones serves as the Director of Dining Services for Parkhurst Dining at Dollar Bank. He manages four dining locations across Pennsylvania and Ohio, which includes an in-house snack and beverage program, daily breakfast and lunch service at one location, and dozens of high-end catering events each year.

Jones is a native fo Southwestern Pennsylvania who earned his associate's degree from the Chef Apprentice Program at the Community College of Allegheny County and is a graduate of Western Area Vocational Training School. 

Erika currently works as the manager of guest experience with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Acrisure Stadium. Prior to this role, she spent five seasons with the Buffalo Bills, having worked in customer service and guest services. As manager of guest experience, Erika oversees all game-day guest services team members, manages the daily stadium tour operations, and leads a stadium operations intern development program.

She was a Division I athlete at Niagara University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management and an MBA in strategic management. She serves on the Young Professionals Committee for the International Association of Venue Managers. Prior to her time with the Buffalo Bills, Erika worked in various capacities with Syracuse University, the Syracuse Crunch (AHL), and the Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission.

Tim Sweitzer is the Senior Director of Food and Nutrition Services at UPMC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. UPMC is a world-renowned, nonprofit health care provider and insurer, dedicated to delivering exceptional, people-centered care and community services. With over 100,000 employees, UPMC operates 40 hospitals and 800 doctors’ offices and outpatient sites across Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland.

In his critical role at UPMC, Tim Sweitzer directs all facets of food and nutrition services within this extensive medical-surgical referral system, which is also a hub for ongoing research and graduate programs. Overseeing a team of 500 professionals, Sweitzer ensures the provision of high-quality food and clinical nutrition services to employees, patients, and visitors.

Tim  is a graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Academy of Culinary Arts and holds a Bachelor's degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management. Furthering his expertise, he earned an MBA from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

During his 18-year tenure at UPMC, Sweitzer has made significant contributions beyond his primary responsibilities. He has chaired multiple committees aimed at standardizing enterprise-wide policies and procedures, consistently identifying opportunities for improvement. His leadership and expertise have been instrumental in enhancing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of UPMC's food and nutrition services.

Kadeem Washington is a dynamic professional with a solid background in talent acquisition, human resources, and hospitality management. Currently serving as the University Relations Manager at Hyatt Corporation, Kadeem leverages his expertise in relationship building and college recruiting to foster connections and build strong partnerships. With previous roles as a Talent Acquisition Partner at Insomnia Cookies and Aramark, Kadeem has over a decade of experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and remains actively engaged in professional and community organizations and is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Incorporates and serves on the advisory board for the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality and the Virginia State University Hospitality Department.

Fei Yang is the Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office of Chengdu Sport University, and a distinguished expert in sport management and sports journalism, with extensive experience in academia and international education. He holds a Master's degree in Sports Journalism from Chengdu Sport University and a Bachelor's degree in Education from Stanford University. Additionally, he earned a Bachelor's degree in English from Sichuan International Studies University, equipping him with exceptional bilingual communication skills.

Currently serving as an Associate Professor and Master's Supervisor at Chengdu Sport University, Fei Yang also leads the Foreign Languages Department for Sports Programs. His expertise spans over sports communication, education, and international cultural exchange. From 2007 to 2009, he was a government-appointed Chinese language instructor in the United States, where he made significant contributions to cross-cultural education.

Fei Yang's passion for sports is evident in his background as the captain of Sichuan International Studies University's basketball team, earning the title of Best Captain in the 2001 CUBA Chongqing Division. He also served as the Director of the Training Service Office, Competition Department of the Chengdu Universiade Executive Committee in 2021. His commitment to excellence has been recognized through numerous awards, including Outstanding Educator and Distinguished Foreign Teacher honors in both China and the U.S.

With a deep understanding of sports media, sport education, and international collaboration, Fei Yang continues to shape the future of sport management through research, teaching, and leadership.