There are many paths to success in the world of sport and entertainment management industry, but University of South Carolina alumna Annika Slaby’s may just be unique.

Slaby came to Columbia not to go to college, but to dance: she had signed a contract with Columbia Classical Ballet.

“I grew up homeschooled, actually. I never really thought about college too much. Mainly ballet was the career, that was the aspiration. Eat, sleep, dance, ballet,” she explains.

She was well on her way, but after two years as a professional dancer, she began to question her path. That led her to look into the possibility of earning a college degree.

“USC was right here, and the sport management program is unmatched. And it was definitely something I wanted to do because I wanted to be more hands-on, to find a career where I would not be at a desk all the time,” Slaby says.

She enrolled as a sport and entertainment management major, and used other skills from her pre-college days to help pay the bills. Earlier in her life, Slaby spent summers training in New York for her ballet career. To fund these artistic pursuits, she turned to another of her talents - violin playing. She performed at weddings and as a street musician at Columbia's Soda City Market, eventually using her musical earnings to help pay for her USC tuition.

The Department of Sport and Entertainment Management offered just the kinds of hands-on experiences Slaby wanted. Through required internships and networking opportunities, she gained valuable industry experience, including a stint with the Lexington County Blowfish, thanks to constant support from faculty.

“I'm grateful to have had the opportunity with the Blowfish. Steve Taylor and Matt Dunn helped me out with that one, even though freshman procrastination sunk in and I asked for guidance a little bit later in the semester than I believe I should have,” she says. “I am glad that I did the Blowfish. It helped me learn what doesn't work and what does work. They allowed you to learn by doing, independently. It was more just ‘This is your responsibility, this is your job, go for it.'"

Her classes also led to the launch of her career with the Columbia Fireflies. As a freshman, she took the required Sport and Entertainment Careers course, taught by Steve Taylor. All students in the class are required to connect with sport and entertainment management industry professionals and interview them. She interviewed Fireflies Vice President of Accounting and Baseball Operations Jonathan Mercier.

As a USC senior, looking for her final internship, she applied with the Fireflies and was selected, as numerous Department of Sport and Entertainment Management students are. Starting as a game day staff member, she quickly proved her value and was promoted to full-time intern, then to a permanent staff position, community outreach and reading program coordinator.

“I had also met Fireflies staff at USC College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management Experience Expos. It just was all through networking, but also just coming to USC night at Segra Park and enjoying it,” Slaby says. “I didn’t even remember who we were playing or what the score was, but I remembered the Fly Guys. It's funny because now I know that’s what we preach that we want here. We want it to be fun and entertaining no matter what the score is.” 

Now she's deeply involved in all aspects of the organization, baseball and beyond, including the holiday lights spectacular and other events. Her responsibilities include managing mascot appearances, coordinating donations, overseeing the kids club, and running the team's reading program. The latter often has her up at 6 a.m. making calls to schools, promoting an initiative that rewards young readers with game tickets, discounted parent admission, and concession vouchers.

“I'm working with two departments, both marketing and sales. My director always jokes that I'm the Swiss Army knife. I'm learning so much and they're very, I mean very nurturing and there's always so much knowledge to gather,” she says.

Looking ahead, Slaby envisions a future where she can incorporate her artistic background into her career in sports and entertainment. "I want to bring ballet and violin into my future in sports somehow," she says, noting that her dance background has already proved valuable in working with dance groups on Fireflies projects. Wherever her path leads, she's grateful for the foundation the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management offered her.