Florida State University is helping to train the next generation of professional baseball players from Central America and the Caribbean through a partnership with the Mariano Rivera Baseball Stadium and High-Performance Training Center in the Republic of Panama.
FSU Panama plans to offer English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to young athletes participating in the programs of the Center. The partnership will also explore how the FSU College of Education, Health and Human Sciences will offer support for the Center’s management, resulting in research, internship and job opportunities for FSU students.
“This partnership with the Mariano Rivera Center will open a window of opportunities for students and faculty from Tallahassee and Panama, allowing them to participate as key players in projects related to the advancement of the young Panamanians who aspire to become professional baseball players,” said Carlos Langoni, rector of FSU Panama.
The partnership was finalized with the signing of a memorandum of understanding during the inauguration ceremony of the facilities on June 21, 2024. A delegation from FSU Panama attended the ceremony, which included remarks from Mariano Rivera and Laurentino Cortizo, who was serving as the 38th President of Panama at the time.
Rivera is a Panamanian American former professional baseball pitcher who played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, from 1995 to 2013. He was born and raised in Puerto Caimito, a modest fishing village in Panama that’s now home to the Mariano Rivera Center. In addition to being a 13-time All-Star and five-time World series champion, Rivera earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, for his philanthropy efforts in 2019.
FSU has operated an international branch campus in the Republic of Panama for over 50 years. Students can earn several undergraduate degrees at FSU Panama, but most transfer after two years through the 2+2 scholarship program, which allows students who are citizens of a Latin American or Caribbean country to complete up to two years of undergraduate studies at the main campus in Tallahassee paying in-state tuition.
The partnership marks the beginning of the Sport Management Program’s presence in Panama.
“The goals and vision for the Mariano Rivera Stadium and High-Performance Training Center align well with the expertise present in our highly ranked sport science programs in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences,” said Damon Andrew, dean of the college. “Consequently, the initiative serves as an ideal opportunity to deepen our college’s relationship with the FSU Panama campus and the country of Panama.”
The Sport Management Program at FSU provides students with a comprehensive education in key areas of sport management. Through this partnership, students can apply their knowledge in practical settings through internships and work experiences at the Mariano Rivera Center.
“The Sport Management program at Florida State University is thrilled about the potential for our students to apply their expertise in marketing, analytics, operations, and other key areas at the Mariano Rivera Stadium and High-Performance Training Center,” said Jason Pappas, teaching professor and experiential learning coordinator in the Department of Sport Management.
“This partnership offers significant benefits, including practical experience, career development, and international exposure. Faculty will also gain from innovative research opportunities and collaborative projects, enhancing their academic work and the program’s reputation. Together, we can bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application, driving success for our students and the Center.”
The Center includes the Mariano Rivera Baseball Stadium, which serves as the official stadium of the West Panama province team and has a capacity of about 13,000.
For more information about FSU Panama, visit panama.fsu.edu. To learn more about the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, visit cehhs.fsu.edu.
