Alumni Voices: Montclair Grad Scores Role at MSG During Knicks’ Championship Season

From classroom to career. Our “Alumni Voices” series spotlights Montclair alumni making their mark across industries, sharing how their time at the University helped build the skills, confidence and connections that shaped their professional journeys.

Meet the alum

Name: Emily Swedelson ‘25
Majored in / Degree in: Business Administration and Management
Current role: Membership Service Representative at Madison Square Garden Sports

Career highlights

When the New York Knicks captured the 2026 NBA Championship, millions of fans celebrated a historic moment for the franchise. For recent graduate Emily Swedelson, the championship was more than a milestone — it was the beginning of her career with Madison Square Garden Sports during one of the most exciting seasons in team history.

“It’s honestly been incredible,” Swedelson says. “Being a fan of the Knicks my whole life and then starting my career with MSG and experiencing a championship season so early has been something I’ll never forget.”

Building a Foundation at Montclair

Swedelson chose Montclair State University because it gave her the opportunity to live on campus while staying close to home. Once she arrived, she found a campus community that helped prepare her for a career in professional sports.

One of the biggest influences on her college experience came from inside the classroom. Many of Swedelson’s professors were adjunct faculty who were actively working in their industries, bringing current business practices and real-world experiences into every lesson.

“That made the classes feel much more real because they were sharing current experiences and examples from their own careers.”

Learning from professionals who were actively working in the field gave Swedelson a deeper understanding of the business world and helped prepare her for a career centered on communication, relationship management and creating exceptional experiences for others.

From Classroom to Madison Square Garden Sports

After graduating, Swedelson expanded the role she had held with a youth sports organization throughout college. As her responsibilities grew, so did her experience in sales, operations, customer service and relationship management. Working closely with athletes, families, coaches and organizational leaders gave her a strong foundation in building trust, solving problems and creating positive experiences.

Those skills led her to Madison Square Garden Sports, where she now serves as a Membership Service Representative supporting approximately 800 New York Knicks and New York Rangers season ticket members. Throughout the year, she helps members with everything from ticket requests and membership questions to exclusive experiences, serving as a trusted resource before, during and after the season.

“Those experiences gave me a strong foundation and ultimately led me to my current role, where I continue to build relationships and deliver exceptional experiences for our season ticket members,” she says.

The Knicks’ championship run made her first season with the organization especially memorable. As excitement built throughout the playoffs, Swedelson had the opportunity to help season ticket members experience one of the most significant moments in franchise history, making an already rewarding role even more meaningful.

Advice for Others

Looking back, Swedelson hopes current Business Administration and Management students embrace opportunities to learn both inside and outside the classroom. She believes building relationships, asking questions and remaining open to new experiences can make all the difference when starting a career.

“Ask questions and start networking early. You never know where one conversation or one connection can lead,” she says. “You don’t have to have all the answers — you just have to be willing to learn. That mindset has helped me throughout my career and opened doors I never expected.”

For Swedelson, that willingness to learn helped turn a lifelong passion for sports into a career with one of the world’s most recognizable sports and entertainment organizations. From the classrooms at Montclair to Madison Square Garden, her journey is a reminder that meaningful relationships, real-world experience and a curiosity to keep learning can open doors in ways you never expect.

Learn More About Our Programs

Prospective Student / Parent: Learn more about the Business Administration program, plan a visit to campus and take the first step in applying to become a Red Hawk!