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Indianapolis, Indiana (May 1, 2024) – Sports & Entertainment Travel, LLC (SET) is thrilled to announce a significant milestone as it celebrates its tenth anniversary of servicing the college athletics donor, fan, and alumni travel industry on May 1, 2024. Over the past decade, SET has established itself as a premier provider of unparalleled travel experiences for passionate fans across the nation.

In commemorating this momentous occasion, SET will embark on a year-long journey of reflection, reminiscing on the countless events and achievements that have shaped its remarkable journey. From humble beginnings to becoming a trusted name in the industry, SET will showcase its evolution through various media outlets and channels, inviting partners, clients, and industry friends to join in the celebration.

“We are immensely grateful to our partners, clients, and industry colleagues for their unwavering support and trust over the past ten years,” said Kyle McDonald, President of SET. “Their collaboration, advice, and camaraderie have been instrumental in our success, and we look forward to honoring this shared journey as we continue to pave the way for exceptional fan experiences in college athletics.”

Throughout the anniversary year, SET remains committed to its core mission of delivering unparalleled service to college athletics donors, fans, and alumni. By staying attuned to the dynamic landscape of both college sports and travel industries, SET pledges to uphold its reputation as a leader in providing bespoke travel solutions that exceed expectations.

As SET looks ahead to the future, the company remains dedicated to innovation and excellence, striving to set new standards in college athletics travel. With a steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction and a passion for creating unforgettable memories, SET is poised to continue its legacy of excellence for many years to come.

Join SET as it celebrates a decade of success and looks forward to a future filled with exciting opportunities and memorable experiences. Follow along as we embark on this journey of reflection, gratitude, and anticipation for what lies ahead.

For media inquiries, further information, or collaboration interest, please contact Todd Crowell, Vice President of Marketing, at todd@sportsandentertainmenttravel.com.

About Sports & Entertainment Travel, LLC

At Sports & Entertainment Travel, LLC (SET), we stand as the authority in delivering unparalleled fan and alumni travel experiences. SET is dedicated to redefining the landscape of sports and entertainment travel. Our passionate team, guided by leaders who have excelled throughout their careers in the sports travel space, shares an unwavering commitment to sports, integrity, and customer service, backed by a track record of enduring success. SET proudly leads the industry in providing transformative travel adventures for college athletics and bucket-list sports enthusiasts. At the heart of SET’s mission is the commitment to curate, market, and activate sports travel, entertainment, event management, and hospitality programs across the nation. We strive to be the driving force that empowers sports and event enthusiasts, offering a spectrum of travel packages tailored to fulfill their desires and requirements. To learn more about SET, please visit SportsAndEntertainmentTravel.com.

Indianapolis, Indiana (February 29, 2024) — Sports & Entertainment Travel, LLC (SET) and D1.relocation are proud to announce a partnership to help provide short-term housing solutions for athletic administrators and coaches who are transitioning to a new job and market.

This collaboration will empower individuals in need of relocation services to access an individualized website separately designed for each NCAA Division I institution. Each website is a white-label platform offering customizable housing options tailored to travelers’ preferences. With features such as flexible date selection, room customization, and discounted rates across a wide range of hotels, this innovative platform promises to streamline the lodging experience for clients when they need it most.

“SET is proud and excited to partner with D1.relocation to provide housing solutions for their clients across the nation,” said Brian Murphy, Vice President of Business Development. As the only relocation service focused solely on collegiate athletics, D1.relocation provides synergy with SET and its expertise in the accommodations space in collegiate markets nationwide.”

“SET is such a trusted name in the collegiate athletics travel industry,” said Daniel Feig, C.O.O. of D1.relocation. “With SET’s expertise in the travel and lodging industry, as well as their ability to provide significant value to our clients in terms of short-term housing, we couldn’t be happier to forge this partnership and ultimately help provide a solution to our friends and colleagues at such a stressful time in their lives.”

Sports and Entertainment Travel, LLC (SET) is a full-service travel and tour management company. SET’s collective experience spans the entire landscape of sports-related programs. SET pooled their expertise and deep industry connections with a common vision: to become the country’s foremost provider of sports-related group travel services. SET is committed to delivering the ultimate fan travel experience by utilizing its travel, hospitality, collegiate athletic, sports marketing, and sales experience to execute custom collegiate sports travel and hospitality programs for its partners. To learn more about SET, go to www.sportsandentertainmenttravel.com or call 1-844-438-8738.

D1.relocation was created to simplify the transition for coaches, administrators and their families in a smooth, fully confidential manner. The organization is the only relocation service that solely focuses on collegiate athletics. If you are interested in learning more about D1.relocation, please visit www.d1relocation.com or send a confidential email to info@d1relocation.com.

Indianapolis, Indiana (November 9, 2023) — Sports and Entertainment Travel, LLC (SET) is proud to announce that they have been selected as the official athletic travel provider for the Penn State Alumni Association, the world’s largest alumni network.

The partnership will allow SET to create custom athletic travel packages for special regular season games, all postseason football games and other athletic events. Additionally, SET will provide specialty travel options for Penn Staters to bucket list events such as the Kentucky Derby, the Masters, and select golf trips, to name a few. These opportunities will range from land-only packages, game-day packages, and à la carte services, to all-inclusive packages with charter air.

“Penn Staters are known as one of the most passionate fan bases in the country” said Paul Clifford, CEO of the Penn State Alumni Association. “We are excited to partner with SET to provide Penn Staters with a premium travel experience while supporting our Nittany Lions wherever they may go.”

“We’re excited to provide our services with fan travel packages to the Penn State Alumni Association and to all their valued alumni, donors, and fans. Our team looks forward to creating and managing an exceptional fan travel experience!” said Kyle McDonald, president of SET.

To learn more about Penn State Alumni Association’s fan travel packages, please visit www.PennStateSportsTours.com or call 833.206.4651.

About the Penn State Alumni Association

To learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association, please visit alumni.psu.edu.

About Sports and Entertainment Travel, LLC

Sports and Entertainment Travel, LLC (SET) is a full-service travel and tour management company. SET’s collective experience spans the entire landscape of sports-related programs. SET pooled their expertise and deep industry connections with a common vision: to become the country’s foremost provider of sports-related group travel services. SET is committed to delivering the ultimate fan travel experience by utilizing its travel, hospitality, collegiate athletic, sports marketing, and sales experience to execute custom collegiate sports travel and hospitality programs for its partners. To learn more about SET, go to sportsandentertainmenttravel.com or call 844-438-8738.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – (September 6, 2023) – Sports & Entertainment Travel, LLC (SET), a leader in fan, donor, and alumni travel experiences in the collegiate marketplace, is pleased to announce that Kyle McDonald has assumed the role of President.

Kyle McDonald brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Presidency of SET, positioning the organization for continued growth and success. With 15 years of accomplished leadership in the sports travel industry, Kyle has a proven track record of driving innovation, fostering relationships, and achieving exceptional results. He has held key leadership roles within SET, where he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the industry landscape.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead SET, a company that prides itself on delivering the best in collegiate fan travel experiences. We are committed to providing our partners a level of customer service that is second to none and I look forward to leading us through the next iteration of these priceless moments.”

SET is dedicated to a core focus of traveling fans, donors, and alumni for its university partners to enhance the institution’s mission while providing memorable experiences. SET exudes a commitment to excellence with a ‘guest-first’ philosophy and a customer-centric approach that has continued to strengthen since its company’s inception.

Founded by Christy Dodds Bruce, SET has seen immense growth and success since its launch in 2014. Bruce has served as SET’s President since founding the company and will turn over those responsibilities to McDonald. Bruce will remain on board to assist McDonald on the transition before shifting over to special projects for SET.

About Sports and Entertainment Travel, LLC
Sports and Entertainment Travel, LLC (SET) is a full-service travel and tour management company. SET’s
collective experience spans the entire landscape of sports-related programs. SET pooled their expertise
and deep industry connections with a common vision: to become the country’s foremost provider of sports-related group travel services. SET is committed to delivering the ultimate fan travel experience by utilizing its travel, hospitality, collegiate athletic, sports marketing, and sales experience to execute custom collegiate sports travel and hospitality programs for its partners.

To learn more about SET, go to sportsandentertainmenttravel.com or call 844-438-8738. To learn more about SET’s sister company Orbridge, please visit www.orbridge.com.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – (AUGUST 25, 2023) – We are thrilled to welcome Brian Murphy to the Sports & Entertainment Travel, LLC (SET) team. As SET continues to expand its presence in the collegiate marketplace nationwide, Brian has joined our sales department as a Vice President of Business Development.

Brian Murphy brings to SET more than a decade of business development experience in the collegiate sports industry, most recently in college athletics development for Vanderbilt University and University of Georgia, and prior to that in sports marketing and ticketing. A graduate of Virginia Tech with a BS in Marketing Management and the dual-degree MBA/MSA program at Ohio University, Brian started his career in New York City working for a few startup sports ventures focused on fan marketing and ticketing. He then enrolled in Ohio University’s top-ranked sports administration program, where he gained experience in athletics development as a graduate assistant at the Ohio Bobcat Club. This experience eventually led to fundraising roles at two SEC institutions: The Georgia Bulldog Club and the National Commodore Club.

Prior to joining SET, Brian excelled as the Director of the National Commodore Club at Vanderbilt University Athletics. He orchestrated the acquisition of over $5.5 million in crucial funding from donors, directing these resources towards athletics/team funds, capital projects, and scholarship endowments.

In his current capacity at SET, Brian assumes a pivotal role in cultivating relationships with our valued university partners and forging new ones. Drawing from his extensive background, he will be instrumental in expanding athletics donor and fan travel programs, further solidifying SET’s position as a leader in sports travel experiences.

We are excited about his role in our team, fortifying our dedication to providing unparalleled customer service to our university partners nationwide.

To learn more about SET, go to sportsandentertainmenttravel.com or call 844-438-8738. To learn more about SET’s sister company Orbridge, please visit www.orbridge.com.

By: Alexa Treon

Sports & Entertainment Travel (SET) recently hosted our annual Kentucky Derby trip welcoming over 100 guests from 13 different college universities to Lexington, Kentucky for 4-days, 3-night immersion into the thoroughbred horse racing and Bourbon distillery industries.

KENTUCKY DERBY

Often referred to as, “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” this race is top of many’s bucket lists, rightfully so! Even for the horse racing novice, this spectacle is an experience unlike any other.

There are endless ways to enjoy your time at Churchill Downs from General Admission in the Infield to Grandstands or Box Seating to the newly-opened First Turn Club. Situated on the iconic first turn of the racetrack, the First Turn Club offers exclusive betting windows, food, and drinks with a front row view of the famous Kentucky Derby Walkover, where contenders and their connections parade along the track from the barn area to the Paddock prior to the big race. With next year being the 150th running, the options are continuing to grow! The best part? All reserved seating includes all-inclusive food and beverage!

THE TOUR

The trip started on Wednesday evening with a Reception to welcome travelers at Harper Hall. Just celebrating their one year anniversary, this venue was a perfect space to host our guests with its open concept and exposed white brick walls. The evening began with a delicious buffet meal paired with entertainment by a BlueGrass Trio. We ended the night with an engaging conversation with longtime SET friend and tour manager at the Kentucky Derby Museum, Barry Northern.

Thursday morning started with a breakfast at the American Saddlebred Museum among the historic artifacts outlining the history of American Saddlebred horses

Next stop was a Tour and Tasting at Buffalo Trace Distillery. Guides took our guests along a tour of the grounds diving deep into the history of bourbon and the journey of how it came to be what it is today. The tour ended with a tasting of multiple of Buffalo Trace’s offerings finished with a Bourbon Cream Root Beer float and chocolate bourbon ball.

Lunch was held at Castle & Key Distillery. Located on historic grounds that date back to the late 1800s, this distillery was restored and reopened in 2014.

Finally, we ended our day at Old Friends Farm, one of the most well known Thoroughbred retirement farms started by Former Boston Globe movie critic, Michael Blowen. With his love for horses and passion for creating a relaxing environment for horses after the breeding sheds and race tracks, Michael is still very much present around the farm. Knowledgeable volunteers will guide you through the current residents and their stories. One of Old Friend’s most famous residents is Silver Charm, the 1997 Kentucky Derby Winner. All animal-lovers alike will enjoy Old Friends, while even having the opportunity to feed the horses a carrot or 2!

Keeneland was our first stop on Friday with a guided tour of the grounds during morning workouts. We had the chance to get up close and personal to watch training at this historic racecourse.

Friday afternoon we visited a variety of horse farms including:

SPY COAST FARM

Spy Coast Farm specializes in the breeding and development of top quality performance horses. They employ an integrated approach to all reproductive, training, competition, and sales efforts and over time have extended this approach to include rehabilitation and fitness services, CEM quarantine, and an Equine Education Center. Our 2 hour tour started at the state-of-the-art medical/rehabilitation facility, where Dr. Julie Vargas told the group about the different treatments available. Farm Tour Guide Lisa Biererman then took us across a majority of the 800 acre property, seeing the vast paddocks, breeding barn along with the newborn foals.

LANE’S END

Lane’s End Thoroughbred Farm has a fascinating history, with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth visiting on multiple occasions and an extraordinary sales record, selling more than 365 stakes winners, including A.P. Indy, Saint Liam, Rags to Riches, Lemon Drop Kid and Flightline. This farm has a true family feel, with several family members of the Farish family involved in all aspects of its operations. A trip to Lane’s End should be on your list during your next venture to Lexington to see some of the world’s leading breeding stallions.

Lunch was provided at Fasig Tipton, North America’s largest Thoroughbred auction house!

THE AREA

ACCOMMODATIONS: We stayed at the Lexington Marriott City Center, situated in the heart of downtown Lexington.There are various restaurants, shops, and activities all within a 10 minute walk. The hotel has courteous staff and many amenities including a lobby bar and daily breakfast options, making it a great choice for our travelers!

RESTAURANTS: Downtown Lexington does not lack amazing cuisine. Our first night in town, we visited Corto Lima. This latin-inspired restaurant offered a welcoming atmosphere with bright lights and courteous staff. The environment, paired with their blue corn or smoked jackfruit empanadas and their signature Prickly Pear Margarita, started our trip out on a high note.

Owned by the same duo as Corto Lima, another great option in the area is Italx. We started out the evening with the Prosciutto di Parma that came dressed with burrata, tomatoes, basil, and fresh toasted focaccia. For our next course, we indulged in the lobster ravioli, which was recommended by our waitress and lived up to the hype! We finished the night with the Tiramisu al Marsala and as if the great meal wasn’t enough, this restaurant is located in the Residence Inn, connected to the Marriott, so we just had a short (covered) walk back to the hotel. This is definitely a popular option, so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time.

Check out some photos from this trip HERE!

Interested in joining us for the 150th Running in 2024? Click here for more information.

If you are interested in customizing a Kentucky Derby package for the 150th running in 2024, email us: corporate@sportsandentertainmenttravel.com.

By: Rachel Nigh

Sports & Entertainment Travel (SET) had the opportunity to bring guests to the heart of baseball country and experience the rich history of American Baseball. The tour brought guests through the Northeast and provided exclusive access to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

HISTORIC BASEBALL

Our five-night tour started in Boston with a welcome event and introduction to our tour by trip host, Professor Michael Raycraft. The following morning brought a private guided tour of the oldest active ballpark in the major league, Fenway Park. Guests were able to take in the magnificent view from the top of the Green Monster, the press box, and their new addition, Fenway Farms. That evening guests experienced Fenway Park come to life with a match-up against the Minnesota Twins. You can’t go to Fenway without the classic Fenway Frank or clam chowder.

Friday morning guests departed for Cooperstown, NY, the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On the journey through New England, travelers had lunch in the Berkshires at the Red Lion Inn. This American classic Inn has been a landmark for hospitality for over 250 years. As guests continued toward Cooperstown, NY they took in the breathtaking views of Otsego Lake. We had an exquisite dinner with oysters, crab legs, and tenderloin with presentations on Cooperstown significance to baseball from Professor Raycraft and National Baseball Hall of Fame Sales Manager, June Dolhun.

The next morning guests had the opportunity to take in all the National Baseball Hall of Fame and explore the quaint nature of the Village of Cooperstown. In the afternoon our guests enjoy swapping stories and asking questions regarding the history of baseball on the Otesaga Resort’s famed back porch and rocking chairs. This provided the opportunity for travelers to mingle amongst the group over an afternoon beverage.

The group woke up the next morning and departed for New York City. Upon arrival in The Big Apple guests were given an in-depth tour of Yankee Stadium. The group was taken through “The House That George Built” in reference to owner George Steinbrenner. After concluding the tour, the group grabbed some Yankee Stadium staple food and sat down for a gorgeous Saturday afternoon game. The group watched the Yankees take a victory over Toronto Blue Jays and conclude the game with Frank Sinatra’s classic “New York, New York.” After the conclusion of the game, the group took the Subway home from the Bronx to the Midtown Refinery Hotel. That evening we said a final farewell to each other at the Refinery Rooftop over cocktails and appetizers.

HOST

We had the pleasure of having Michael Raycraft lead our group for this tour. Dr. Raycraft is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Department of Recreation,

Sport and Tourism, and the recipient of multiple teaching awards at the College and Campus levels. Dr. Raycraft has been actively engaged with the Baseball Hall of Fame for over three decades, published two books on baseball memorabilia, and lectured extensively on the sport’s historical roots, business models, and tourism opportunities. For the last five years, he has led tours of this region and will provide our guests with a unique insider’s perspective of our high-profile baseball sights and locations.

TRANSPORTATION

The travelers primarily walked in the specific cities on this tour or were using motor coach transportation from city to city in the New England area.

In the Big Apple, there were plenty of transportation options from taxis to the intricate NYC subway system. All guests were given a Metro Card, offering them easy access to the entire city. If you are looking for directions, don’t fret, the app, CityMapper, is your public transportation mapping go-to.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Fanwise, you can’t do better than the official hotel of the Boston Red Sox, the ultra-praised Hotel Commonwealth. This unique property has a baseball-dedicated elevator with signatures from some of the greatest players in the major league. The location in the Kenmore neighborhood allows for a less than five-minute walk to Fenway Park.

The Otesaga iconic luxury resort provided historic elegance and charm along the shore of Otsego Lake. This hotel has been open since 1909 and has remained a staple of upstate New York. This hotel is not only breathtaking in its 700 feet of shorefront but also within walking distance of the Baseball Hall of Fame. This made it convenient for guests to leisurely stroll through town and relax at the lakeside.

Located only a few blocks from Bryant Park and Times Square, Refinery Hotel provides the NYC modern and luxurious feel. This hotel is trendsetting with stylish loft rooms and a popular rooftop bar. This location allows guests to easily take a stroll through Central Park, see a Broadway show and much more.

RESTAURANTS

The Bleacher bar is a go-to spot situated beneath the bleachers of Fenway Park’s center field. A huge garage window looks directly into Fenway and has been noted as one of the best sports bars in the country.

In Cooperstown, Mel’s at 22 is in a historic spot along the downtown area. The American classic eatery offers delicious staples and great daily specials. This is an easy walk from the National Hall of Fame following shopping and touring local sites.

Refinery Rooftop Restaurant and Bar has not only great drinks but some of the best views in New York City. You can see through the glass ceiling the top of the Empire State Building and a majority of the fashion district.

MISCELLANEOUS

When you aren’t watching baseball games, we recommend a walk/run through downtown Boston, along Lake Otsego, or through Central Park. All of these cities live up to their historical significance and more.

If you are interested in SET’s collegiate and professional baseball experiences, email us sales@sportsandentertainmenttravel.com

By: Grace Moery

Sports & Entertainment Travel (SET) hosted alumni from 12 different universities and corporate partners at one of golf’s most revered tournaments, The Masters. Guests enjoyed accommodations in the beautiful and historic Savannah, GA, and ventured to Augusta to watch tournament play on Thursday or Friday at Augusta National.

THE MASTERS

Since 1934, the Masters Tournament has been home to some of golf’s greatest moments. Amidst blooming azaleas, towering pines and flowering dogwoods, the first full week of April ushers in a stage unique to golf and to sport. Over four days and 72 holes, the smallest field in major championship golf competes for a chance to capture a place in Masters history. “Patrons”, as they call those in attendance of The Masters, can take a journey down Magnolia Lane or stroll through Amen Corner, and explore the iconic traditions, moments and history of Masters Tournament like never before—past and present.

HOSPITALITY

SET guests also had access to The 1018 Club in Augusta, where they had a Masters experience like no other. The food, the drinks, the service and all the little extras represent the style, sophistication and southern charm for which the tournament is famous. An award-winning celebrity chef is the culinary mastermind behind The 1018 Club’s gourmet menu. From a relaxing massage and a cold towel to a fine cigar, it’s the little things that separate the service from other clubs. They enjoyed the Masters tournament in the heart of the action or back at the Club with their feet up.

SAVANNAH, GA

Savannah, Georgia is a charming Southern escape where art, period architecture, trendy boutiques and haunted stories are all set under a veil of Spanish moss. Savannah is a place where cuisine comes straight from the coast and cocktails are served at every meal. Consistently named one of the “world’s friendliest cities” by Condé Nast Traveler readers, this coastal town has a world-class reputation for hospitality and grace.