Phillies #CollegeSeries Finance Night

Sponsored by Temple University's Fox School of Business

On Tuesday, April 21, college students and recent graduates are invited to go behind the scenes in the business of baseball with top finance/accounting executives from the Phillies, Citizens Bank and KPMG at this exclusive #CollegeSeries pre-game event!

Event Details

  • Learn from top finance executives from the Phillies, Citizens Bank and KPMG during a moderated question and answer session in the Phillies Media Room. Panelists will provide excellent insight into the business of baseball as it pertains to the finance, accounting and audit industries, as well as share their career experience and advice. Speakers include John Nickolas, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer for the Phillies; Daniel Astolfi, SVP Middle Market Regional Executive Mid-Atlantic Region, Citizens Bank; and Kevin Murphy, Partner, KPMG LLP.
  • Practice networking with Phillies executives and other special guests during a Phillies Networking Hour. Meet informally with front office personnel from various departments, as well as those who spearhead the Phillies intern and Phillies Ballgirls programs. Attendees are invited to bring their resumes. Also meet with representatives from the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accounts (PICPA) - the second oldest CPA organization in the United States - who will have information on career opportunities, as well as membership and industry events. Appetizers will be provided, compliments of PICPA.
  • Cheer on the Phillies with a ticket to that day's game against the Texas Rangers with seating in Sections 241-245.

Additional Details

  • Check-in begins at 4 p.m. and features a Networking Hour and #selfies with the World Series Trophies until 5 p.m.
  • The panel portion of the program officially starts at 5 p.m., followed by the Phillies-Rangers game at 7:05 p.m.
  • The event is limited to 200 students. Interested professors, recent graduates, and parents of students are welcome to attend.
  • Dress is casual to business casual.
  • Students are urged to ask questions throughout the program, as well as in advance, to @Phillies using #CollegeSeries
  • Cost: $30. Includes (in addition to the above networking and panel) a game ticket sections 241-245 ($30 value), as well as $12 worth of concession credit that can be redeemed throughout the ballpark for food, beverage and/or merchandise.
  • The evening is also a Hatfield Phillies Franks Dollar Dog Night.

Speaker Bios

John Nickolas - Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, The Phillies

John Nickolas joined the Phillies organization in July 2003 and was named senior vice president and chief financial officer on July 1, 2017. John oversees all financial aspects of the club’s operations as well as business analytics, Florida operations at BayCare Ballpark and minor league franchise business operations. In addition, he currently serves as a trustee of Major League Baseball’s Non-Uniformed Personnel Pension Plan and chairs the MLB Eastern Region Finance group.

A 1985 graduate of Archbishop Ryan High School in Northeast Philadelphia, John graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from West Chester University in 1990. He has served as a member of West Chester University’s Business School Advisory Council and a trustee of the university’s foundation. John has been a guest speaker for various organizations and universities in the Philadelphia area.

Prior to joining the Phillies, John served in a variety of financial and operational roles for Internet Capital Group, Inc., Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. and KPMG LLP. He is a member of the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.

John and his wife Pam reside in Newtown Square, Pa., with the family’s two Shih Tzus, Daisey and Duke. They have two adult sons, John and Michael.

Daniel Astolfi - SVP Middle Market Regional Executive Mid-Atlantic Region, Citizens Bank

Daniel Astolfi (EVP) is the Eastern Mid-Atlantic Region Market Executive responsible for all Corporate Banking and Not for Profit Banking for Citizens Bank. The Eastern Mid-Atlantic Region includes the following geographies: Pennsylvania (East of Harrisburg), Central New Jersey and South, the State of Delaware and the Greater Baltimore, MD region. Clients served include Corporate and Commercial banking companies with revenues ranging from $25 Million to $500 Million (Commercial Banking) and Mid-Corporate clients with revenues ranging from $500 Million to $2.5 Billion. Additionally, Dan has responsibility for the Region’s Not for Profit business—which includes Human Service organizations, Higher Education, Retirement Communities, and Not for Profit Healthcare. He also manages the Bank’s Foreign Corporate and Professionals Banking groups. Dan has over 35 years of banking industry experience, with the last 17 years at Citizens Bank.

Responsibilities include managing various teams whose primary responsibility is servicing, building and growing relationships with a network of clients in varied industries, including Manufacturing, Distribution, Service, Transportation and Logistics, Chemical, Higher Education, Retirement Communities, etc. In addition to client coverage, Dan is also responsible for growing market share and adding value to each client relationship by introducing information and products of value and providing financing solutions to help clients achieve their strategic objectives.

Dan maintains offices in both Fort Washington, PA as well as Philadelphia, PA.

Dan is active in the community, and serves as a volunteer board member for the Mural Arts Program (Executive Management Committee and head of Development Committee) and Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS) - Scholarship Committee, and the Executive Leadership Team for the American Heart Association.

Dan earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Widener University and earned his MBA from Drexel University. He passed the CPA Exam in 2001 and holds Series 69 and 73 licenses.

He has lived and worked in the Philadelphia metropolitan area his entire life, growing up in Delaware County and now residing in Chester County, where he lives (Phoenixville, PA) with his wife Helena and their three daughters - Isabella, Grace and Leila.

Kevin Murphy - Partner, KPMG LLP

Bio to come.

Networking Hour Participants

Check back soon for Networking Hour participants.

2020 Spring Semester

The 2024 spring #CollegeSeries sessions will be held from 4 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., followed by the 6:40 p.m. Phillies game, on the below dates:

The Phillies will also be hosting summer and fall sessions for the #CollegeSeries sponsored by Temple University’s Fox School of Business, with session details and on-sale dates to be announced later this spring.

  • The 2024 summer #CollegeSeries session will be held on August 13.
  • The 2024 fall #CollegeSeries sessions will be held on September 10-11 and September 23-24.

2020 Summer Semester

2020 Fall Semester

  • Monday, August 21 (rescheduled from August 8) - Business of Sports Night for business, sport management, operations, and management students
  • Thursday, September 21 - Finance & Accounting Night for finance/accounting, business, economics, math & sport management students
  • Tuesday, September 26 - Business of Sports Night for business, sport management, operations, and management students
  • Wednesday, September 27 - Baseball Analytics Night for business intelligence/analytics, economics, MIS/information technology/computer science, marketing, business & sport management students
  • Thursday, September 28 - Sports Digital Media & Marketing Night for communications, journalism, broadcasting, advertising, marketing/digital marketing, TV production, social media, business & sport management students

Testimonials

"The #CollegeSeries was an excellent opportunity to learn the trade of sports marketing and communications, while also giving students an opportunity to have fun rooting for the Phillies. The panel of Phillies personnel shared excellent insight and advice to us students for what to expect in the professional world of baseball." - Sander, University of Scranton

"The overall experience was amazing. Getting to meet executives and employees that know how the daily activities of the Phillies operate, and being able to pick their brains on baseball and about their job experiences is a great tool for anyone wanting to work in sports." - Jason, Penn State Brandywine

"One of the best events I have ever attended as a student. Learned so much about how my major can be used in sports and made a lot of great connections!" - Trevor, East Stroudsburg University

"This event served as a great opportunity to network, get advice from professionals, and link with peers from other universities in similar programs." Patrick, West Chester University

"This was such an amazing experience for me, and I feel like I am more prepared and know the steps to work in the sports industry because of it. Go Phils!" - Giana, Stockton University

"The Women in Sports Business Night gave me an excellent opportunity to meet women that have worked and excelled in the sports field as well as hear the firsthand experiences of these extraordinary women! Plus, I got to attend a Phillies game!" - Olivia, Haverford College

"An amazing and one-of-a-kind experience. I would encourage everyone to seize the opportunity and attend one of these events. The Phillies organization does an excellent job in welcoming and sharing knowledge with students!" - Jonathan, Clarkson University

"The College Series experience is one that I would recommend to any students interested in learning how they can best pursue their career aspirations, specifically within the context of the MLB. The opportunity to meet former Philadelphia Phillies, network with individuals within the Phillies organization, and learn about the inner workings of one of baseball's most accomplished franchises is one that ought to be taken advantage of." - Lucien, University of Pennsylvania

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