#CollegeSeries Business of Sports Media, Marketing & Partnerships Night

Sponsored by Temple University's Fox School of Business

On Tuesday, April 25, college students, recent graduates and professors are invited to go behind the scenes in the business of baseball with Phillies sports media, communications and marketing executives and special guests - as well as receive career advice - at this exclusive #CollegeSeries pregame event at Citizens Bank Park.

Event Details

  • Learn from Phillies media, communications and marketing executives, along with special guests, during a moderated question-and-answer session in the Media Room at Citizens Bank Park. Panelists will provide excellent insight into the business of sports media, communications and marketing, as well as share their experiences and career advice for working in this fast-paced industry (which includes highlights from the Phillies recent World Series run). Speakers (subject to change) include:
    • Ruben Amaro, Jr., On-air Analyst, Phillies Broadcast Team
    • John Brazer, Director of Marketing Relationships, The Phillies (moderator)
    • Carol Dooling, Vice President, Brand and Strategic Marketing, Telemundo62, NBC10 and NBC Sports Philadelphia
    • Kevin Gregg, Vice President, Baseball Communications, The Phillies
    • Michael Harris, Vice President, Marketing & New Media, The Phillies
    • Jeffrey Halikman, Senior Producer, Phillies Baseball for NBC Sports Philadelphia
  • Practice networking with Phillies executives and 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.
  • Meet and take photos with 1993 National League Champions Mickey Morandini and Milt Thompson (also a coach for the 2008 World Champion Phillies).
  • Take photos with the 2022 National League Champion Trophy, and 2008 and 1980 World Series Trophies.
  • Meet members of Temple University’s Fox School of Business, who will be on-site to share information about their graduate programs.
  • Cheer on the Phillies with a ticket to that night’s 6:40 p.m. game against the Seattle Mariners, also a Hatfield Phillies Franks Dollar Dog Night. Your game ticket also includes a $12 concession credit.

Additional Details

  • Check-in begins at 4 p.m. and features a Networking Hour, along with the chance to take photos with 1993 NL Champs Mickey Morandini and Milt Thomson and the 2022 National League and 2008/1980 World Series Trophies.
  • The panel portion of the program officially starts at 5 p.m. and continues until 6:15 p.m.
  • The event is limited to 120 students. Interested students, professors, recent graduates, and parents of students are welcome to attend.
  • Dress is business casual or casual.
  • Students are urged to ask questions throughout the program.

Program cost: $25. In addition to the above networking hour and panel, the program cost includes a game ticket to that night’s 6:40 p.m. matchup against the Seattle Mariners (also a Hatfield Phillies Franks Dollar Dog Night), as well as a $12 concession credit.

Speaker Bios & Special Guests

Ruben Amaro, Jr., On-air Analyst, Phillies Broadcast Team

Ruben Amaro, Jr.

Over the past four decades, Ruben Amaro Jr. has held several positions with the Phillies – general manager, assistant general manager, player, bat boy and now color analyst. Ruben joined the broadcast team in 2020 for select Phillies telecasts and had his role expanded for the 2021 season. In addition, he joined MLB Network as an on-air analyst in March 2022.

A Philadelphia native, Ruben was a batboy for the Phillies from 1980-83 when his father, Ruben Sr., a former shortstop with the club, was first base coach. He is a 1983 graduate of the William Penn Charter School, where he played both baseball and soccer. In 1987, he earned a bachelor’s degree in human biology from Stanford University and was a member of the NCAA championship baseball team.

After being selected by the Angels in the 11th round of the June 1987 draft, Ruben made his major league debut with the club in 1991. Following that season, he was traded to his hometown Phillies, where he spent five of his final seven big league seasons (1992-93, 96-98). His only time away was 1994-95, when he played for Cleveland. Ruben played for two league champions – the pennant-winning 1993 Phillies and the 1995 Cleveland club that captured the AL crown. In 1996, he ranked third among National League pinch-hitters with a .387 average.

At the conclusion of the 1998 season, Ruben moved into the Phillies front office as assistant general manager and held that position through 2008 under both Ed Wade and future Hall of Famer Pat Gillick. After the Phillies’ World Series win in 2008, Gillick transitioned into a new role and Ruben succeeded him as GM.

In his first year as GM, the Phillies won the NL pennant, making it to the seventh World Series in club history, and the team’s 93 wins were the most in 16 years (97 wins in 1993). Following the season, Ruben was named Executive of the Year by the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association (PSWA) and the Phillies were honored as both the Team of the Year by the PSWA and Organization of the Year by Baseball America. Over a two-year span (2010-11), he constructed a team that had the best records (97-65 and 102-60, respectively) in the major leagues. Prior to 2010, the Phillies had never posted the best record over the course of a major league season.

Ruben left the Phillies toward the end of the 2015 season and spent the next three years as first base coach and outfield instructor for the Boston Red Sox (2016-17) and New York Mets (2018). He worked as a scout for the Mets in 2019.

Ruben lives in Philadelphia with his partner Lori and has two daughters, Andrea and Sophia.

Carol Dooling, Vice President, Brand and Strategic Marketing, Telemundo62, NBC10 and NBC Sports Philadelphia

Carol Dooling

Carol Dooling is a results-oriented sales and marketing leader with over 25 years of experience in B2B/B2C integrated marketing strategy and audience development for nationally respected media brands including NBC Universal, USA TODAY and The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and philly.com. She is a passionate and creative thinker who identifies and forges strategic partnerships in media, sports, and entertainment.

In her current role as Vice-President, Brand and Strategic Marketing, she leads the marketing and creative teams for NBC10, Telemundo62 and NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Carol is a proud graduate of Saint Joseph’s University. She currently lives in Collegeville, PA and has been known to follow Bruce Springsteen around the country whenever he is on tour.

Kevin Gregg, Vice President, Baseball Communications, The Phillies

Kevin Gregg

Kevin Gregg rejoined the Phillies in the newly created position of vice president, baseball communications on Jan. 3, 2022. In this role, the veteran of 16 seasons in Major League Baseball oversees media relations initiatives and strategy for the team’s baseball operations department, as well as club publications. In December 2022, he was named the recipient of Major League Baseball’s Robert O. Fishel Award for public relations excellence.

Kevin began his career in baseball with the Phillies in 2003, completing two years of internships in the merchandising and media relations departments.

He concurrently interned for the Philadelphia 76ers from 2002-05, before joining them full time for two seasons as public relations coordinator. He returned to the Phillies in 2007 and spent six seasons in the media relations department, where he assisted in the staff’s operations for the club’s string of five consecutive National League East division titles from 2007-11, highlighted by the 2008 World Series championship. Following the 2012 season, he joined the Boston Red Sox as director of media relations in January 2013, and was promoted to vice president, media relations five years later. Over his nine years in Boston, he was responsible for all baseball-related communications for the team, including the world championship clubs in 2013 and 2018.

A 1998 graduate of the Episcopal Academy, Kevin earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sport management from James Madison University in 2003. The Philadelphia native is the son of the late Eric Gregg, who worked 23 years as a National League umpire.

Kevin, his wife Stephanie and their sons Oliver and Samuel live in Media, Pa.

Michael Harris, Vice President, Marketing & New Media, The Phillies

Michael Harris was promoted to vice president, marketing & new media, in August 2017. His department focuses on the organization’s brand and consumer marketing through traditional strategies and emerging media. Areas of responsibility include marketing content, social & digital media, advertising, branding campaigns and the implementation of various fan engagement technologies. He also assists with aspects of government affairs.

A member of the organization since 1995, Michael also held titles of ticket office representative, development & financial specialist and director of marketing & special projects. He previously assisted on a wide range of matters related to the development of Citizens Bank Park, including financing efforts, securing city and state approvals and the organization’s overall transition out of Veterans Stadium.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Michael has a BA in political science from the University of Michigan and an MBA in both marketing and finance from Drexel University. Michael currently serves on the board of PHL Sports, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau; Phillies Charities, Inc., the organization’s charitable foundation; and is board president of the Sports Complex Special Services District, which coordinates efforts between elected officials, venue operators and the surrounding community. He is also a former board member of the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, one of the first urban environmental education centers in the country.

Michael and his wife Joy live in Center City with their cocker spaniel, Miso.

Jeffrey Halikman, Senior Producer, Phillies Baseball for NBC Sports Philadelphia

As the senior Phillies baseball producer, Jeff is responsible for the planning, format, content and execution of Phillies live TV broadcasts on NBC Sports Philadelphia, for all home and away games. Jeff works closely with the television broadcast team, director and production crew, overseeing all pre-production, broadcast format and storylines. He also coordinates and works with the Phillies pre-game and postgame shows for NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Jeff is entering his 26th season overall working on Phillies broadcasts, and 18th season as a producer. Prior to this, Jeff was an Associate Producer for Phillies broadcasts for eight seasons. His longtime career with NBC Sports Philadelphia (formerly Comcast SportsNet) began in 1997, which was also the inception of the company.

Jeff’s extensive experience includes working on Phillies, Flyers and 76ers broadcasts at PRISM Sports in Philadelphia, which is where his television production career was launched in 1996.

In addition, Jeff has been honored with multiple regional Emmy awards and nominations for Phillies baseball, 76ERS basketball and college basketball productions.

Jeff is a 1994 graduate from Kutztown University with a B.A. degree in Telecommunications, where he also received an Early Career Excellence Award in 1996. He also holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Telecommunications from Bucks County Community College.

A native of Bristol, Pa., Jeff resides in Newtown, Pa. with his wife, Karin and three children, Noelle (20), Charles (17) and James (15).

John Brazer, Director of Marketing Relationships, Phillies (moderator)

John has been with the Phillies marketing department since 1994, serving as the team’s promotion director, publicist, and director of publicity, where was the marketing spokesperson for the media.

Known throughout the region as the “Director of Fun & Games,” John’s responsibilities have included generating publicity with the local and national media and creating and organizing promotional events on an annual basis, as well as negotiating barter deals for advertising and sponsorship purposes. John can also be heard on virtually every major radio station in the Philadelphia market and can be seen regularly on many local, regional and national television programs.

John graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in religious studies and minor in history.

Special Networking Hour Guest: Mickey Morandini, 1993 National League Champion and Phillies Club Ambassador

Mickey Morandini transitioned to his role as club ambassador in 2018. He had spent the previous two years with the team as first base coach and baserunning instructor.

Prior to joining the major league staff, Mickey spent five years in the Phillies minor league system as a coach for triple-A Lehigh Valley and double-A Reading and manager for single-A Lakewood and single-A Williamsport. He also spent four years as head coach for the Valparaiso High School varsity baseball team.

A 1995 National League All-Star, Mickey played nine of his 11 major league seasons (1990-2000) with the Phillies and was a member of the 1993 NL champions. He ranks fourth in Phillies history in most games played at second base (926) and was the recipient of the Paul Owens Award in 1989 as the best player in the Phillies minor league system. Mickey was originally selected by the Phillies in the fifth round of the June 1988 draft out of Indiana University. As an amateur, he won a gold medal as a member of the 1988 Olympic baseball team.

Born in Leechburg, Pa., Mickey and his wife Peg currently live in Glen Mills, Pa. They have three sons: Jordan, Griffin and Braydon.

Special Guest - Milt Thompson, 1993 National League Champion, Coach for the World Champion Phillies and Phillies Club Ambassador

An outfielder for the 1993 National League champs and hitting coach for the 2008 World Series champions, Milt Thompson returned to the Phillies organization as a community club ambassador in March 2022. In this role, he serves as a club resource for community outreach with an emphasis on youth baseball and softball development, working with the Phillies RBI program and the Phillies Urban Youth Academy.

Milt previously served the Phillies as major league hitting coach (2005-10) following one season as first base coach (2004). From 2005-09, Milt guided Phillies hitters to the National League lead in home runs, RBI, runs, extra-base hits and total bases. He also served as a coach on the NL All-Star team in 2009.

Originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves out of Howard University in 1979, Milt played 18 years of professional baseball, including 13 seasons in the majors with the Braves (1984-85), Phillies (1986, 1993-94), St. Louis Cardinals (1989-92), Houston Astros (1994-95), Los Angeles Dodgers (1996) and Colorado Rockies (1996). He hit .313 with six RBI in 1993 World Series and set a Phillies record with five RBI in Game 4 at Veterans Stadium.

Milt began his coaching career in 1997 as minor league outfield/baserunning coordinator for Tampa Bay before joining the Phillies minor league system as a coach at Reading (1998-99) and outfield/baserunning coordinator (2001-03).

Born in Washington, D.C., Milt lives in Sewell, N.J. with his wife Carole. He has four daughters: Torri, Jennifer, Courtney and Alyssa.

Networking Hour Participants

Check back for updates.

Group 1

  • Carol Dooling, Vice President, Brand and Strategic Marketing, Telemundo62, NBC10 and NBC Sports Philadelphia

    • B.A., Saint Joseph’s University

  • Rob MacPherson, Director, Partnership Sales & Corporate Marketing, The Phillies

  • Martin Otremsky, Director, Video Engineering, Phillies

  • Carolyn Saveri, Director, Brand Marketing, Phillies

    • B.S. Pennsylvania State University, Marketing, 2010

Group 2

  • Kevin Gregg, Vice President, Baseball Communications, Phillies

    • B.S., James Madison University, Kinesiology with a concentration in sport management, 2003

  • Kevin Beale, Senior Director, Business Development and Suite Sales, Phillies

    • B.A. Randolph Macon College, English, 1999

  • Mark DiNardo, Director, Broadcasting & Video Services, Phillies

  • Christa Linzey, Manager, Ownership, Phillies

    • Recreation Education, The Ohio State University, 1992

Group 3

  • Michael Harris, Vice President, Marketing & New Media, Phillies

    • B.A., University of Michigan, Political Science

    • MBA, Drexel University, Marketing & Finance

  • Valerie Bendas, Broadcast Technology Coordinator, Phillies

    • A.A.S. Luzerne County Community College, Audio/Video Communications, 2013

    • B.S. Kutztown University, Electronic Media, 2015

  • Rob Brooks, Manager, Broadcasting, Phillies

  • Temple University, Radio, Television and Film

  • Krissy Kaighn, Coordinator, Client Solutions, Phillies

    • B.A. West Chester University, Communications, 2017

    • M.S. Temple University Fox School of Business and the Klein College of Media and Communication, 2021

Group 4

  • Jeffrey Halikman, Senior Producer, Phillies Baseball for NBC Sports Philadelphia

    • B.A., Kutztown University, Telecommunications, 1994

    • Associates Degree, Bucks County Community College, Telecommunications, 1992

  • Michael Licisyn, Video Content Manager, Phillies

  • Scott Nickle, Director, Corporate Sales, Phillies

    • West Virginia University

  • Lauren Testa, Coordinator, Communications, Phillies

    • B.A. Rider University, Communications, 2014

2023 Phillies Spring #CollegeSeries Sessions

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.
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