Tristen Ruesch is a graduate of the School of Kinesiology, and so much more. During his tenure with the School of Kinesiology he was President of the student-led Sport Management Association, lead intern for Gopher Sport Marketing, and an honors student. 

Ruesch, though born in Minnesota, grew up in South Dakota. As he got older and closer to college applications, he had decided that he wanted to study sport management. This desire led him to the University of Minnesota. 

“I knew that this was the place for me. All of the connections with a Power 5, Division I athletic department, all of the professional teams in the area, all of the volunteer opportunities, the reputation of the program, and the connections to the Sport Management Association. It was not a hard sell.”

Immediately after beginning his freshman year, Ruesch’s life was abuzz with activity. He credits his advisor, Tracey Hammell, for her assistance in navigating academic life. Certain that he wanted to get involved with some sort of club or student organization, Ruesch was immediately drawn to the Sport Management Association. After his first meeting, he met with SMA board members and applied for a board position. He was accepted and stayed in a board position until graduation.

“My biggest accomplishment was probably helping the group grow from 10 members in the first year back [in-person] from COVID and seeing it grow to 70 members in my senior year. There is no way I would have been able to accomplish it without the best board SMA has ever seen.”

Ruesch recalls fond memories and helpful opportunities during his education, particularly noting the impact of guest speakers and lecturers in his classes. It was one of these speakers that led Ruesch to his first sport-related job, a position at Huntington Bank Stadium. Later, he worked as an intern for Gopher Sports Marketing, eventually becoming Lead Intern.

“I learned so much about how the production of an event happens. Everything from who makes the graphics, who runs the scoreboard, how they get cued, who makes things happen on court, etc.”

Having graduated this spring, 2023, Ruesch’s next move is graduate studies. He will be joining the University of Mississippi’s graduate program seeking a master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications. He has also accepted a position as a marketing assistant in their athletics department. Having just recently relocated to Mississippi, he is spending time acclimating to his new position and surroundings. 

Ruesch enjoys spending time with friends and family, fishing, and water sports. His enthusiasm for sport is not only academic, and he enjoys watching sports in his freetime. A self-described superhero nerd, he is an avid reader of DC, Marvel, and Star Wars comics. 

As for dreams, Ruesch hopes to continue working in sport marketing.

“Hopefully [I will] work my way up to an Assistant Athletic Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement at a Power 5 institution. Perhaps even Athletic Director. Maybe even return to the University of Minnesota, too. Ski-U-Mah!”

His advice to School of Kinesiology students is, “Network as much as you can. It really is who you know more than what you know. So many people have so much good advice and connections that you would never expect. Take advantage of it as much as you can.”

He lives by Bill and Ted’s famous mantra, “Be excellent to each other, and party on dudes!”