Students in the Advanced Sports and Entertainment Marketing course at Cal State San Bernardino will bring classroom learning to life through the 17th Annual Spring Classic Golf Tournament, set for May 1 at Dos Lagos Golf Course.

Led by Ari Kim, professor in the Department of Marketing in the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration, the course emphasizes experiential learning, with students taking full responsibility for planning, marketing and executing a large-scale community event.

Throughout the semester, students work in specialized teams focused on sponsorship development, marketing communications, operations and budgeting, mirroring real-world industry structure. The project offers hands-on experience that prepares students for careers in sports marketing, event management and related fields.

Building on the success of previous student-led events, including a fall semester comedy show that raised more than $7,500 in support of the program, this year’s golf tournament continues the course’s focus on applied learning and community impact.

“This event is more than just a tournament,” said Kim. “It’s an opportunity for students to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world setting while creating meaningful impact beyond the classroom.”

Proceeds from the golf tournament will support the CSUSB Sports and Entertainment Marketing Scholarship, helping expand access to similar experiential opportunities for future students. The initiative reflects the university’s commitment to connecting academic programs with community engagement and career readiness.

The tournament will begin with check-in and breakfast at 7 a.m., followed by an 8 a.m. shotgun start, and will conclude with an awards banquet in the early afternoon.

Community members, alumni and supporters are encouraged to participate as players, sponsors or donors. Contributions, including in-kind donations such as gift cards or raffle items, will help enhance the student experience and grow scholarship support.

More information, including registration and sponsorship opportunities, is available at the event website.