The Oakland A's will welcome its first class to The CORE on Tuesday, June 5. The innovative sports business development academy aims to introduce recent college graduates to the sports business and develop well-rounded sports business professionals. The program's name is based on its four pillars: Culture, Opportunity, Results, and Education.
 
Members of The CORE will have the opportunity to learn sales fundamentals, while also developing diverse and practical skills across a number of functional areas, including Communications, Corporate Partnerships, Marketing, Strategy, and Community Engagement. 
 
"What differentiates our program is our focus on providing a platform to explore sports career opportunities and ultimately launch a career in sports. The exposure and educational components are just as important as the sales skill development. We want graduates of The CORE academy to go on to successful sports business careers in whatever area they choose," said A's COO Chris Giles.
 
Below is a list of the 18 members who make up The CORE's inaugural class, including 10 females and eight males with a diverse background of experience:
· Adam Watts -- Dayton, Ohio. Ohio University
· Brian Wulf -- Grayslake, Ill. Loras College
· Casey Van Camp -- Napa, Calif. California State University San Marcos
· Courtney Oliver -- Burlingame, Calif. San Diego State
· Curtis Hinkle -- Santa Rosa, Calif. University of California, Santa Barbara
· Jasmine Hamilton -- Laguna Hills, Calif. Long Beach State
· Jory Zemanek -- San Francisco, Calif. University of Alabama
· Kaitlyn Welsh -- Concord, Calif. University of Pikeville
· Kayla Taylor -- Concord, Calif. Chico State
· Kerwin Ferrette -- San Francisco, Calif. Xavier University
· Kristin Chaney -- Burlingame, Calif. University of Hawaii
· Laura Leap -- Thousand Oaks, Calif. Cal Berkeley
· Lisa Dano -- Naperville, Ill. Hiram College
· Michael Edwards -- Wake Forest, N.C. East Carolina University
· Sabrina Blackwell -- San Jose, Calif. Cal Berkeley
· Sean MacDuffee -- Santa Barbara, Calif. Ohio University
· Spencer Wilson -- Milford, Ohio. Ohio University
· Taylor Smith -- Ramsey, N.J. Auburn University