News Article

Dr. Claudia Benavides-Espinoza is an assistant professor of sports management. Let’s get to know Dr. Benavides-Espinoza.

Dr. Claudia Benavides-Espinoza

Place of birth?

Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. Mexico

Why did you choose A-State?

A-State has solid sport management graduate and undergraduate programs. The teacher to student ratio speaks of the university’s commitment to academics and student development; and living in a traditional town is comforting and a great place to raise a family.

What makes for a good student?

Time management is essential. Our busy students have great learning opportunities when they have to prioritize and manage their day-to-day activities. I also feel like those who take advantage of the academic resources available to them, such as the library, the writing center, the computer labs, the multicultural center, and in our case the sport management club, grow at a faster and more steady pace into the professionals we hope to see them become in the near future.

Your philosophy on education in seven words:

Learning by doing what others just read.

Only my friends know I...

crashed Emmitt Smith’s party at Super Bowl XLIX! ;)

If you could teach another field, which one and why?

I am a natural manager, so I would enjoy teaching management. Being able to teach sport management classes is just the cherry on top of a brownie covered in ice cream, caramel, chocolate and any other delicious goodies.

My favorite trip was...

Taking students to volunteer at Super Bowl XLIX in Phoenix.

If I could travel anywhere it would be...

To the Olympic games in Brazil in 2016.

What is the one thing you wish you could teach everyone about your field?

Sport managers don’t just sell tickets. We are everywhere there is sport: Youth-sport, fitness and recreational facilities, interscholastic, intercollegiate, and professional sports, rehabilitation centers, sport facilities that house other types of entertainment, etc. If there are sports, we are needed there.

Four people I’d take to coffee...

Johnny Football, Michael Sam, Becky Hammon, and Tim Tebow. I think that would be a really good time. =)

My pro sports team is...

I prefer college sports. Go RedWolves!... And Gig’em!

A perfect day is...

today!

Dinner or supper?

Dinner

I wish I could...

Teleport.

What music is playing in your car?

Arrepentios Pecadores by Willie Rosario

What is your favorite podcast?

Dave Ramsey

The last book I read for fun was...

Integrity by Henry Cloud

My favorite saying is...

"Be the change you want to see in the world" - Gandhi