At the University of Iowa, sport and rec management major Nate Harbert found a welcoming community and hands-on experiences that helped him land a full-time job with ties to the Hawkeyes.
Story: Christopher Clair
Photography: Tim Schoon
Videography: David Scrivner
Published: Dec. 10, 2025
Sports brought Nate Harbert from Colorado to the University of Iowa — he was a member of the cross-country and track and field squads during his early undergraduate years — but it’s the degree he’ll receive in sport and recreation management that will keep him in the Hawkeye State.
Harbert, who will graduate in December with a Bachelor of Science in the aforementioned field, will start a full-time position with Learfield. As an account executive for the University of Iowa, he’ll handle things such as group ticket sales and donations for all ticketed sporting events at the university.
“It’s pretty special to be part of the Hawkeye environment — the University of Iowa really brings people together,” Harbert says. “That’s true whether we’re talking about sports, graduations, or creative writing events. That tie that everyone has to the University of Iowa is really cool.”
Initially interested in sport studies coursework, Harbert learned about the sport and rec management program during his first year and decided to take some classes in that area to learn what comes with a career in sports that doesn’t involve suiting up for the game.
“Most fans don’t realize everything that happens behind the scenes,” Harbert says. “Learning about the operations side, with all the events and production that take place during a game, got me hooked on sport management.”
Beyond the logistics of putting on a sporting event, Harbert got to experience sport as a cultural phenomenon, as Caitlin Clark was shattering basketball records and her team was the hottest ticket in the country.
“My most memorable moment was when Caitlin Clark broke the scoring record — I was at the game, and some friends and I went down to the tunnel during halftime,” Harbert says. “We got to see Caitlin, of course, but we also saw Travis Scott walk by, and ‘Jake from State Farm.’ Seeing the celebrities at that game was cool, sure, but seeing the crowds coming to support the Hawkeyes all year long was really something.”
Nate Harbert
Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Degree: BS, sport and recreation management
What’s next: Start a job as an account executive for the University of Iowa with Learfield, a media and technology company in college athletics.
As Harbert prepares for another trip to Carver-Hawkeye Arena — this time, to walk the stage and receive his diploma — he took some time to talk about valuable experiences as a student, offer advice to future Hawkeyes, and give a shoutout to those who have supported him.
What are some of your earliest memories as a Hawkeye?
Coming from out of state was kind of daunting, as I didn’t know a lot of people coming in. But moving into the residence hall and meeting new friends was actually quite amazing. So many people were nice and friendly, which contributed to a welcoming environment. I have great memories from my entire first year of going to the dining hall with these new friends, knowing that I had found my community.
Another early memory is the weather, the snow in particular. In Colorado, we would get snow, but back there, you could get dumped on and have it melt away shortly afterward. It doesn’t seem to leave as quickly in the Midwest!
What are some of your proudest accomplishments at Iowa?
I co-founded the Iowa chapter of Mu Sigma Lambda with a close friend, Taylor Ciabatti. We wanted to create an organization that focused more on professional development and preparing students for careers in the sports industry. We meet once a week and run workshops, host guest speaker panels, and take part in philanthropy events. The goal is to create a professional environment and help students know what to expect when working in sports.
Being a founding leader was very exciting — and a lot of work. One of my biggest responsibilities has been planning a professional trip to Milwaukee. It has been a fun experience, if not stressful at times! It was all worth it: Through this role, I have learned a lot about leadership, planning, and communication.
Speaking of leadership, you also played a prominent role with Hawkeye Sports Business Association. What was that all about?
Yeah, I served as vice president. In this role, I help create and organize specific interest groups such as sales, marketing, analytics, and operations. I make sure students are involved in the group that best fits their interests. These groups allow students to learn more about the career paths they are most interested in.
SBA does a great job of bringing sport and rec management students together, especially through the annual symposium. Each year, SBA brings in leaders from across the sports industry for panels, networking, food, and interview opportunities. It is an event that most SRM students want to attend. This symposium is also where I met my current boss and later earned my role with Learfield.
What would you tell a prospective sport and recreation management (SRM) student — or any future Iowa student?
I believe the most important thing for SRM students is to take advantage of every opportunity available. This includes practicums, workshops, and club events. These experiences are extremely valuable, and you never know who you might meet or where one opportunity could lead. This advice truly applies to all majors, not just SRM.
As graduation draws near, is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I would like to thank my parents and my sister for their constant support. In terms of mentors, Packy Moran has played a big role in my involvement. He is constantly encouraging students to get involved and grow. He introduced me to the Cleveland Sales Workshop, where I discovered my interest in sales. He also continues to support both Mu Sigma Lambda and the Hawkeye Sports Business Association. Honestly, the insights from the professors in the sport and rec management program have been huge for my professional growth and landing my job here.
Oh, one more thing: I really appreciated the therapy dogs on campus. I don’t get to see my dogs back in Colorado very often, so being able to take a break from things, get some rest, and hang out with dogs? That’s always nice!
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