Kinesiology Alumnus ’10 graduate Eric Manuta.

College of Applied Sciences and Arts Kinesiology (KIN) alumnus Eric Manuta has been putting his Sports Management degree to work receiving a recent promotion for the San José Sharks Ticket Sales department. Manuta graduated fall 2010 and has been working with the Sharks for 7 years.

Manuta started as a ticket sales intern for the SAP Open Tennis Tournament in November 2008. He later earned a full-time position in 2011 with the Arena Group Sales department after he graduated. Manuta built a reputation within group sales working on major events such as Disney on Ice, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the 2012 United States Olympic Gymnastics Trials which led to him being promoted to manager.

Promotions didn’t slow down for this KIN graduate. Manuta’s hard work and leadership skills paid off as he moved from Arena Group Sales to an Account Sales Manager for the Sharks Ticket Sales department in 2014. He now holds the rank as Senior Sales Manager for his department with a focus in selling Sharks season tickets, partial plans, and premium group ticket packages.

Sharks pregame entrance.

Working in sports was pre-determined during his high school and junior college days. As he set foot on SJSU’s campus he found that the department of Kinesiology was a great fit for him. “One month into my KIN 70 (Introduction to Kinesiology) class, I grew a strong interest in Sports Management and never looked back,” said Manuta in describing how that course set the stage for where he is now.

Manuta said that he remembers his professor’s discussions about fieldwork, volunteering and applying for internship hours. It’s what he learned in the classroom and in the field that helped him move forward throughout his professional career.

“I found that constantly networking and having proven work in the field definitely pays off in the long run,” said Manuta.

Manuta is continuously setting new goals for himself as the Sharks Ticket Sales department continues to grow. He plans to build relationships with local schools to create more internship programs and, in particular, he wants to give back to his alma mater through internships.

“Things are constantly changing and I love setting new goals for myself to strive for,” said Manuta.

Aside from professional hockey games, the SAP Center gets little rest with concerts, shows and sporting events year-round. Manuta enjoys the fast paced environment of working for a professional sports franchise in one of the busiest buildings in the business.

Eric Manuta and Dean Schutten pose for a photo prior to the San José Sharks versus Minnesota Wild game. Sharks won 4-3.