Patrick Gotimer, Wolfpack Athletics Champion

One month after starting the Jenkins MMA program, Patrick Gotimer was promoted to NC State Athletics director of ticket sales. Today, he’s using what he’s learning in the classroom to redefine the fan experience and support student-athletes.

Get to know Patrick

Program: Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA)
Start date: August 2024
Anticipated graduation date: May 2027
Current location: Raleigh, NC

Life before Jenkins

Work experience: 10
Industry: Athletics
Roles: Group Events Manager, Ticket Sales Representative, Account Executive, Manager of Account Acquisitions, Director of Ticket Sales
Fields: Events, Marketing, Sales
Undergraduate education: B.S. in Sport and Recreation Management, James Madison University

Career goals

Patrick is a mission-driven professional focused on working smarter to help organizations succeed. “At NC State Athletics, I’m passionate about supporting student-athletes, especially those from smaller programs. I love our Wolfpack volleyball team, which competes at the same time as football. If I can sell football tickets in advance, I free up time to focus on Olympic sports.”To achieve this, Patrick is honing skills to boost attendance and revenue while enhancing the fan experience. “We can lean into data to guide decisions. I may have a gut instinct, but I’d rather follow the data and make informed choices.”

Why Jenkins?

Before NC State, Patrick worked in George Mason University’s athletic department. He sought a larger program with football and growth potential. “Going back for a graduate degree after 10 years was tough, but the Jenkins MMA program stood out. It helps me use data not just as a tool, but to refine what I already do. I’m not necessarily shifting to a career in data analytics, but I love applying what I learn in real time to my work in athletics.”

“…I love applying what I learn in real time to my work in athletics.”

Daily life

With late nights reserved for schoolwork, Patrick credits his wife’s support for his ability to balance it all. “She’s an incredible partner, which gives me the flexibility to get everything done.”

What makes it great

The program’s connections – with both faculty and classmates –have been invaluable. “Most of my coursework is asynchronous, but working on projects has led to amazing relationships. Some classmates have even bought tickets to support me at games. Meeting people I’ve only interacted with online and feeling an instant connection is incredible.”

Faculty support has also been key. “Dr. Hale answers all my questions and encourages me to think critically. Right now, our unit is focused on AI and machine learning, which is stretching me, but having support as I navigate it is awesome. I love the discovery process.”

“Right now, our unit is focused on AI and machine learning, which is stretching me, but having support as I navigate it is awesome.”

Career impact 

Patrick saw an immediate career impact. A month into the MMA program, he was promoted to NC State’s director of ticket sales. Now, he applies what he learns to support broader efforts. “We use Salesforce as our CRM, and I’m working on a project to optimize our system, setting my team up for future success. I’m looking at everything through a data and automation lens to make sales more effective.”

Final thoughts

Patrick says naturally curious individuals will thrive in the MMA program. “If you’re hungry for information and enjoy the process of discovery, you’ll get a lot out of it. I’ve found that every question I ask sparks more questions. A desire to continue learning is key.”

Get in touch

Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn or at pwgotime@ncsu.edu.

Learn more

To learn more about the Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA) program, including tuition, curriculum, career opportunities and more, please submit the form below.