Inside Baseball: Fairfield Students Learn From Alumni at MLB

Fairfield students sitting at a large, rectangular meeting table as they participate in a presentation.
Fairfield Dolan students met with alumni professionals at Major League Baseball (MLB) headquarters on Dec. 3, 2025.
By Bella Podgorski, Samantha Marshall ’27
Fairfield students in a media room filled with monitors and screens.
Behind the scenes: Fairfield Dolan students get an inside look at MLB’s production operations.

Fairfield University students in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business and the John Charles Meditz College of Arts & Sciences visited Major League Baseball’s New York City headquarters on Dec. 3, 2025, for an inside look at how MLB operates.

During the visit, students met with six Fairfield alumni: Courtney Coppotelli ’02, vice president, partnership activation; Patrick Lawler ’18, account executive, sponsorship & media sales; Bryan Wrabel ’12, account executive; Dan Weber ’11, manager, strategic planning (sponsorship); Brielle Nesto ’20, senior coordinator, partnership activation; and Martin Montalto ’01, senior coordinating producer, MLB Network.

The Fairfield alumni provided a detailed look at how their teams collaborate to bring MLB initiatives to life, from building and managing corporate partnerships to shaping long-term league strategy, developing new business opportunities, and creating content that reaches fans worldwide in a data-driven world.

“Hearing Fairfield alumni speak so openly about their work in partnerships, activation, strategy, and production gave us such an authentic look into the industry,” said Gianna Greco, a senior marketing and finance major.

The alumni walked students through the fast-paced decision-making that drives major campaigns, underscoring the importance of cross-functional communication. They were candid about what it takes to thrive in the industry, citing adaptability, curiosity, and the confidence to tackle unfamiliar challenges. Each recounted how their own careers rarely followed a straight line—shifting departments, seizing unexpected opportunities, and learning entirely new skill sets along the way. They emphasized that persistence matters as much as skill, and that relationships built through initiative and personal connection can open doors just as readily as degrees or internships.

“The MLB NYC Headquarters visit was an incredibly valuable experience," said Greco. "It made the different career paths within the MLB feel both exciting and achievable, and really showcased the strength of the Stag network."

The trip was part of Fairfield Dolan’s Professional Pathways Program and Fairfield Meditz's Stags in the City Program, both designed to provide students with on-site exposure to companies and direct access to leaders and alumni across various professional fields.

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