San Jose State Hosting Sports Summit and “Insider Luncheon” Nov. 3
SAN JOSE, CA (October 16) – Tom Fox, President of the San Jose Earthquakes, steps to the podium Friday, Nov. 3 to provide the closing keynote remarks to San Jose State’s “Powering Silicon Valley” STEAM sports summit.
Fox, who was named President of the MLS club earlier this year, will provide perspective on the changing face of the sports and entertainment industry, emphasizing the types of career opportunities that will be available to young people and current students.
“The Earthquakes are excited to be a part of the upcoming ‘Powering Silicon Valley’ STEAM-focused sports summit,” said Earthquakes President Tom Fox. “This market is incredibly talent-rich but also highly competitive so it’s vital that we encourage the next generation of graduates to consider the sports industry as a viable career path. I’m confident that this event, with top level speakers and support from the San Jose sports community, can help achieve that.”
Fox, a graduate of the Miami University (OH), came to the Earthquakes after serving as Chief Executive Officer at Aston Villa following executive positions as Arsenal FC (EPL), PepsiCo, Nike and the NBA. Throughout his career, Fox has held leadership roles in Asia, Europe and North America. As the Chief Commercial Officer at Arsenal, he oversaw the club’s sponsorship, media and marketing teams and negotiated two of the largest sponsorship contracts in world soccer at the time.
The “Powering Silicon Valley” Summit, in its inaugural year, focuses on workforce development and opportunities for students with backgrounds that touch science, technology, engineering, arts and math. With 80% of jobs by 2025 requiring some sort of STEAM background, SJSU wants to emphasize the opportunities available with corporations, teams and special events within Silicon Valley and the Bay Area.
Corporate executives from leading and entrepreneurial Silicon Valley companies and professional sports organizations will speak and serve as panelists. The full lineup of speakers will be announced shortly. Announced to date has been a panel comprised of Bill Schlough (SF Giants), Ned Tabatabaie (SJ Sharks), Mounir Zok (USOC) along with moderator Keith Bruce who headed the Bay Area’s 5uper Bowl 50 host organization.
The Summit, created and managed by STEAM Sports Group, is open is open to any organization that touches sports or entertainment or wishes to learn more about developments in that area. Students from San Jose State as well as local high school students will have the chance to visit with corporations at a targeted luncheon that follows and concludes the “Powering Silicon Valley” STEAM Sports Summit.