Students in Judson High School’s Sports Entertainment Marketing and Business Practicum classes are learning far beyond the pages of a textbook. Their best lessons come through real experiences. For their most recent project, an NBA 2 Ball competition, students planned and ran the entire event from the opening buzzer to the final shot.
Teachers Debra Diaz and Diana Salazar believe that this hands‑on approach not only engages students more effectively but also gives them experience they can take into the real world.
“Before I became a teacher, I was job shadowing a director at the City of San Antonio, and he told me that individuals come to work with business degrees but no experience. I want that to be different for our students here at Judson High School,” Diaz explained.
Through NBA 2 Ball, students put everything they learn into action. They handle every part of the event, including logistics, funding, marketing, research, surveys, and identifying target audiences. These skills are valuable in any career, especially in today’s job market.
And best of all, the students are excited to do the work.
“If you told me last year, oh, you're going to learn how to make a website, and oh, you're going to learn to talk to people, I wouldn't have believed you. But Ms. Diaz encourages me. She's just taught me so much,” sophomore Omar Hernandez said.
Senior Chris Garza shared how the class has pushed him both academically and personally.
“This class is teaching me a lot about how to communicate with people in the outside world. I feel like this might be one of the most impactful classes I've had throughout my four years. I come into this class and I'm going to do work. I'm excited. I go home, and I think of more ideas. I do research on how I can improve,” Garza said.
The long-term value of the class is also clear to junior Andrew Aviles Pena.
“I feel like most of the things I'm learning here, I can use after I graduate. It’s not just one thing, like making a website. I could do so many things with that. Even writing an email. I never knew you had to learn how to write an email, but you do. It’s really teaching me life skills,” Aviles Pena said.
NBA 2 Ball also drew strong community support, including sponsorship from Raising Cane’s, which provided prizes for winners and set up games for spectators. Through outreach by teachers and students, the class built a connection with the San Antonio Spurs. As a result, Morgan Wuebben from the Spurs Community Engagement Team attended the event to observe and offer feedback, giving students a firsthand look at how sports marketing works beyond the classroom.
While the event itself was a success, the real story lies in the growth and learning that took place along the way. Some students may pursue marketing or business in the future and some may not, but every student leaves with real, transferable skills.
“I want my students to think outside the box. I always tell them, life is a color box, so go out there and color. Don’t stay inside the lines. That’s why I teach beyond the pages. I learned through hands‑on experiences, and I believe it’s one of the best ways. Kids are sponges, and they need the chance to get messy, make mistakes, and get back up,” Diaz said.