What can sport accomplish beyond competition?
In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, Marcus Filipsson speaks with Rita Finkel, Co-President of the Armory Foundation and Director of Armory College Prep in New York City.
The Armory may be known as one of the fastest and busiest indoor tracks in the world, but its impact stretches far beyond athletics.
Rita explains how the organization uses sport as a gateway to education, opportunity and community—helping underserved young people prepare for college, placing students into meaningful paid internships, creating programs for seniors and bringing together one of New York City's most diverse communities.
We also discuss whether college degrees still matter in the age of AI, why internships are so important, what sports can teach us about life, Rita's career in fencing and track & field, and the leadership lessons she's learned over more than two decades at the Armory.
In this episode:
• How the Armory combines sport and education
• 11 years of 100% college admission for Armory College Prep seniors
• Why college still matters in the age of AI
• The importance of internships and career exposure
• How sport can support underserved communities
• Tackling isolation and inactivity among older adults
• Leadership lessons from Dr. Norbert Sander
• Rita's advice for building a meaningful career
• The history and future of the Millrose Games
Time stamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:19 Inside the Armory Foundation
01:47 Using Sports to Support Education
02:36 100% College Admission for 11 Years
03:04 How Armory College Prep Works
04:56 Finding Scholarships and Financial Aid
06:05 Do College Degrees Still Matter in the Age of AI?
08:31 Why College Fit Matters
09:22 The Power of Paid Internships
11:31 Why Critical Thinking Still Matters
12:27 From Fencing to Track & Field
14:43 Why Track & Field Is Different in the United States
16:59 The 2026 World Cup in New York
17:40 Rita's Journey Into Sports
18:45 Helping Seniors Through Sport
21:07 Why Community Matters
23:25 Rita's Career Advice
25:31 The Leadership Lesson That Changed Her Thinking
26:48 Why Great Leaders Change Their Minds
26:54 Career Setbacks and Resilience
30:09 The Armory's Community Impact
31:33 Inside the Millrose Games
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