Alumni

Welcome to the Neighborhood – New Sport Management Graduate Student Orientation

Posted on August 29, 2015March 3, 2026 by

Welcome to the Neighborhood – New Sport Management Graduate Student Orientation

Just a few days before the 2015-2016 academic year kicks off, UConn Sport Management Program (SMP) faculty, current students and alumni put on an orientation event for new graduate students who are entering the SMP this semester.

Who could better provide insight to what it’s really like to be in the program than current and former SMP students? The event kicked off with a panel discussion featuring Ashley Combs (UConn SMP Master’s 2014), Emmanuel Omokaro (UConn SMP BS 2011, Master’s 2012), Danny Buzzell (UConn SMP Master’s 2014), Nellie Schafer (UConn SMP 2nd year Master’s student) and Danielle Upham (UConn SMP 2nd year Master’s student).

The panel participants discussed the strategies and best practices they had developed throughout their time in the SMP, with themes of “make the most of your opportunities”, “the value of networking” and “challenge yourself” ranking high amongst the discussions. Each also shared how they went about deciding to write a thesis, organize a capstone project or internship and take the comprehensive SMP exam.

Faculty also presented to the new graduate students, focusing on how they expect them to approach the program, the ways that courses have been designed to provide engaging learning experiences, and strategies for developing their own unique plan of study with the guidance of their advisor.

For more information on the UConn Sport Management graduate programs, please click here for more information or contact the department head, Dr. Jennifer Bruening (jennifer.bruening@uconn.edu).

Alumni Focus: Alex Friedman – From UConn to WME | IMG

Posted on August 12, 2015 by

Alumni “SportPath”: Alex Friedman – from UConn to WME | IMG

Every UConn Sport Management Program (SMP) alumni has followed a unique path into the sport industry. As a part of an ongoing series, we turn the spotlight on members of the UConn SMP Alumni Community, focusing on the diversity of experience and breadth of knowledge they have gained within the industry. Designed to help current and future SMP students learn to navigate and understand the real-world intricacies of sport management, we thank SMP alumni for their valuable contributions and insight. Today Alex Friedman (B.A. Sport Management, UConn 2008) shares a snapshot of his “SportPath” to working at WME | IMG with the UConn student community:

Alex Friedman (B.A. Sport Management, UConn 2008)

Currently, I work in Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Development at WME | IMG in New York. I work directly with our Global Head of Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Development with a concentrated focus on internal M&A deal sourcing efforts across WME | IMG divisions worldwide. Acting as a proactive, process driven resource for the group who continuously pushes to move things forward, I work to engage with the leaders of the business units to not only relay corporate M&A priorities, but also help with developing a targeting plan for the respective business unit. When we say targeting plan, this is with regards to prospecting companies/organizations/products that are out in the marketplace that WME | IMG would potentially want to acquire that fit well within a respective business of ours or enhance one of our existing product offerings.

Looking back to where it all started, I began my career at College Sports Television (CSTV) as an intern when I was a junior in high school and continued to work there over the course of five summers. It was a great place for me to start as I figured out what I liked and didn’t like working on and made tremendous connections which continue to remain value to me through the current day (my initial introduction to IMG was through one of my strongest connections at CSTV).

After my last summer at CSTV, my next venture was to Stockholm, Sweden to work for Sport Business Nordic (a small boutique talent marketing sport agency) between semesters during my Senior Year at UConn. It was a great experience for me, again to network, but also to see how business works internationally between different cultures (I would suggest this to every student should they have the opportunity as it makes them a more knowledgeable, well-rounded executive).

Following graduation from UConn, I headed out to Los Angeles, California to do an internship at William Morris Agency. This was my most meaningful experience to date. Working in the Hollywood agency culture was something that I had never experienced before and I really took to it. I knew working at an agency was something that I really wanted to pursue and reinforced the prior vision I had for myself. I met great network contacts and friends during my time there and came back to New York with personal confidence and momentum moving forward onto the next step of my career.

Luckily upon returning to the East Coast, the U.S. Business Development group at IMG was looking for an entry level employee to assist in supporting the team. Utilizing my strong connection(s) at CSTV, I was able to secure an interview and at the end of the process was fortunate enough to have been selected for the position. Timing and networking are everything in today’s world.

Following a year in USBD, I made a move over to IMG’s Fashion Division where I eventually created a role for myself working with our Vice Presidents to oversee the day-to-day operation of the division’s Global Business Affairs, including the internal monitoring of sales and sponsorship revenue across all IMG Fashion events globally and the full facilitation of contractual agreements on a worldwide basis (i.e. sponsorship agreements, designer agreements, etc.) Although I had been progressing well within my role in Fashion at IMG, upon the announcement that IMG was to be acquired by William Morris Endeavor in December of 2013, I knew something bigger was in store. Everything had come full circle… a sense of fate was in the air.

Having worked at both William Morris and IMG, I had a good grasp of how both types of firms operated and the scopes of their respective businesses… I had and continue to expand on an incredible internal executive network at a high level across both companies… Over the course of my time at IMG, I had worked across a number of different groups in a number of different capacities… I knew I had something to offer that was unique. I knew I could be of help to the firm in some capacity with regards to fostering the communication across divisions that senior management was looking to create. I knew I could be of tremendous value to the new organization. I approached IMG’s Human Resources department about the new prospective role I had envisioned, continued to run with it up the WME ladder and months later find myself in my current new position.

A final piece of advice for students – no one can sell yourself better than you can. Be confident in yourself, be confident in your story and GO FOR IT. Throughout every chapter of your story, be proactive, pay attention to the details, treat every single person you meet with respect and don’t be outworked. The results will come.

SMP Alumni Community Happy Hour in NYC

Posted on August 3, 2015 by

SMP Alumni Community Happy Hour in NYC

New York area members of the UConn Sport Management Alumni Community gathered on June 30 for a happy hour event in New York City.

The event kicked off a summer of multiple alumni events for the program. Professionals from various sport management backgrounds and careers connected and networked while enjoying picturesque views of the New York City skyline.

Many thanks to all who attended, and a special thanks to alumnus Alex Friedman for graciously hosting the event!

For more information on upcoming UCONN Sport Management Alumni events please contact Jennifer Bruening (jennifer.bruening@uconn.edu).

UConn’s Sport Management Program Class of 2011 – Four Years On

Posted on May 22, 2015May 22, 2015 by

UConn’s SMP Class of 2011 – Four Years On

As the celebration quiets down for the Class of 2015, the UConn Sport Management Alumni Community takes a moment to check in with a group of its former graduates – this time, turning the clock four years back and focusing on the UConn Sport Management Program Class of 2011.

Are they continuing to pursue their sporting ambitions in a sports industry that is as competitive as it is diverse? If so, where are they now and what are they doing? Did their Sport Management degree from UConn help prepare them for the work they are doing? More importantly – are they enjoying it?

The answer from the Class of 2011 has been a resounding “Yes!”

Abe Colwell – Director of Adult Hockey at Ann Arbor Ice Cube (Ann Arbor, MI)
- “The best part of my job is the freedom to make business/strategic decisions for the adult hockey program. I also like being able to connect with people over sports on a daily basis. I think the Sport Management internship requirements at UConn forced me to get hands-on industry experience as well as some great networking connections.”
Jason Cvercko – Director of Football Operations, Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY)
- “It’s the people that I met through the program, and who the program put me in contact with. In the Football world it’s not just who you know, but who knows you and will go to bat for you. It may seem hard now, but networking is key to success in any business – that is my biggest advice to anyone trying to get into football. Don’t be afraid to try and meet/learn from people in the industry, especially because UConn has a big Alumni base in the profession.”
Lauren Gunning – Assistant Lacrosse Coach, UConn (Storrs, CT)
- “I love that I get to be at UConn every day and work for the athletic department that gave so much to me as a student athlete. I am able to create an environment for my student-athletes similar to one I was able to experience. I am able to use my passion for the university each day. Being able to relate to my student-athletes from an athletic and academic standpoint makes it fun and exciting to come to work everyday!”
Sara LaMont – Tulane University Law School Student, Contributor to “The Sports Lawyer” (New Orleans, LA)
Emily Mattson – Office Manager University of Oklahoma Women’s Basketball (Norman, OK)
- “The UConn sport management program introduced me to the many moving parts of the sport industry, and emphasized the importance of coordinating those parts effectively in order to have success in the field.”
Libby McCormick – Partner Services Coordinator at IMG College UConn (Hartford, CT)
Greg Mihailides – Admissions Counselor at 2U, Inc. for the MBA@UNC Program, UNC (Chapel Hill, NC)
- “My academic training from UConn SPM helps me each and every day. In my job, I wear many hats, sales, marketing, customer service, project management, etc. Classes like Sport Marketing, Sports Law, and Sports Psychology provided me with great insight into many different fields and perspectives in the work place.”
Emmanuel Omokaro – Master Control Operator at ESPN (Bristol, CT)
Matt Sych – Manager, Sponsorship Consulting at Team Epic (Norwalk, CT)
- “Our senior project was to develop a marketing plan to help the CT Whale (now the Hartford Wolfpack) increase ticket sales amongst college students. The entire process – from ideation to final client presentation – served as a great introduction to brand marketing. I love working with major sports properties such as the NFL and MLS, and helping drive sponsorship strategy for iconic brands like AT&T, Wells Fargo and FedEx. Free Super Bowl tickets are pretty great too….”
Jon Sazo – Assistant Football Coach, Stonehill College (Easton, MA)

Thank you to the Class of 2011 for sharing with the UConn Sport Management Alumni Community!

Sport Management Alum Marcus Easley Overcomes, Inspires

Posted on April 24, 2015November 26, 2024 by

Alumni Focus: Marcus Easley – Buffalo Bills’ Ed Block Courage Award winner

Screen Shot 2015-04-23 at 1.47.24 PM — Photo Courtesy of BuffaloBills.com

UConn Sport Management Alumnus Marcus Easley (Class of 2008) has seen his share of adversity on the road toward a career as a professional football player for the Buffalo Bills of the NFL. But every time a roadblock has been put up, Marcus has remained focused, risen above, persevered, and in doing so, inspired countless others through his conduct both on and off the field.

Marcus has never taken anything for granted. Nor was he ever simply handed success. All of his achievements have been a result of hard work, patience and diligence. And on March 16, 2015, Marcus was honored for these qualities by his fellow teammates by being selected as the Buffalo Bills’ Ed Block Courage Award winner – a special award for NFL players who exemplify “a commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage” and “symbolize professionalism, great strength, dedication and serve as a community role model for others.” (Click here for more information on the Ed Block Courage Award.)

Photo Courtesy of UConn/BuffaloBills.com — Photo Courtesy of BuffaloBills.com

The awards gala honored Marcus and 31 other NFL team representatives who were chosen by their peers for displaying courage both on and off the playing field. As highlighted on Buffalo Bills’ press release, “the award is named for Ed Block, the former Head Athletic Trainer of the Baltimore Colts from 1954 through 1977 and continued to serve the team until his death in 1983. Block, a WWII veteran, cared for his player’s physical health as well as for the well being of countless children. The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation promotes the prevention of child abuse by raising awareness of the epidemic and assisting agencies who provide for the care and treatment of abused children in communities throughout the National Football League (NFL).”

Marcus has on multiple occasions recovered from injuries, health issues and setbacks to become a highly respected member of the Bills special teams unit, facing down the NFL’s best defenders on a weekly basis. Off the field, he has been an inspiration to local Connecticut youth football players through hosting the annual E.A.S.Y. (Excellence, Achievement, Striving, Youthful) Summer Camp, giving back to the community from which he came.

UConn and the Sport Management Department are proud to count Marcus among its distinguished alumni, and thank him for being an inspiration to us all.

For more details on Marcus’ story, please see the Buffalo Bills’ article “Marcus Easley’s career anything but easy“.

Alumni Focus: Leigh Michaud – ESPN Remote Operations

Posted on April 23, 2015 by

Alumni Focus: Leigh Michaud – ESPN Remote Operations

UConn Alumna Leigh Michaud (B.A. in Sociology, 2009; M.S in Sport Management, 2012) is an excellent example of determination and perseverance for UConn students looking to break into the sports industry. Having set her sights in college on getting one of the highly-sought after jobs at ESPN after graduation, she never gave up, though there were periods where job prospects at the leading sport and entertainment broadcaster in Bristol, CT appeared to be bleak.

Without a doubt, her tenacity paid dividends, as today she holds a key role in planning the logistical and technical operations of ESPN College Football. So what did she do when her contacts and calls to ESPN failed to result in any job offers? She went to a local temporary job agency to get that all-important “foot in the door” opportunity – a temporary minimum wage job in the mailroom of the organization.

“The temp agency said that I probably wouldn’t be interested in taking the mailroom position, as I was overqualified for the job,” said Michaud, “But I jumped at the opportunity!” She was in good company starting in the mailroom, as number of other successful ESPN employees broke in to the organization through it as well. One prime example: former ESPN President George Bodenheimer.

It turned out to be a fantastic job for her, as it gave her unfettered access to all divisions and departments across the ESPN campus – which then allowed her to put her networking skills to great use. She got to know key people throughout the company, was able to learn details of all the different types of jobs at ESPN and find out what role was the perfect fit for her interests and ambitions. In two months she was hired out of the mailroom for a part-time job in ESPN3 Operations. Six months after that, she was offered a full-time position in College Football Operations.

She recently spoke to Dr. Joseph Cooper’s Sport Marketing class, sharing her experiences in the industry and advice for persevering in one’s attempts to break in to the industry. Leigh’s advice to students? “Don’t be afraid to apply for entry-level and part-time positions,” she said. “Apply for all sorts of different opportunities… be open, be honest, be yourself… and don’t ever give up!”

Alumni Focus: ESPN’s first college intern – VP Mike Soltys

Posted on April 5, 2015April 5, 2015 by

Alumni Focus: Mike Soltys – ESPN Vice President, Corporate Communications

As a part of a new series, we turn the spotlight on members of the UConn Sport Management Program (SMP) Alumni Community, focusing on the diversity of experience and breadth of knowledge they have gained within the industry. Designed to help current and future SMP students learn to navigate and understand the real-world intricacies of sport management, we thank SMP alumni for their valuable contributions and insight. Today, the focus is on UConn alumnus Mike Soltys (Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, 1981), who now serves as Vice President, Corporate Communications at ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, CT.

On Monday, March 31, ESPN Vice President of Communications Mike Soltys came to UConn to speak with the university’s Marketing Club about his job. Soltys, an alumnus of UConn’s communications program, graduated in 1981 and has been working at ESPN for 35 years.

Soltys’ professional career started before he even left UConn. As a student, an ESPN representative came to speak and talk about internships, which led to his first opportunity with the company.

“I am the first and last unpaid intern,” Soltys joked.

Such dedication and tenure to the company has brought Soltys much success throughout his career. In his current position, he is in charge of public relations for television and radio outlets associated with ESPN, along with conducting research on viewer and listener ratings and interests.

However, things have changed a bit since he started. The advent of social media has made the industry even more fast-paced. Because of this, he claimed, handling public relations effectively and efficiently remains a priority. Nowadays, his operation uses Facebook, Twitter, and ESPN’s Media Zone , which was developed strictly for press relations, for branding and public relations purposes.

In all, though, Soltys praised the emergence of Twitter, claiming it is one of the best engines to connect the ESPN brand to a large audience.

“It is extremely important to have good relations with fans,” Soltys said.

Having been a recipient of networking from his days at UConn, Soltys was glad to come back to campus, share his wisdom, and serve as a fellow resource for the Husky community. Did he expect to be in this position 35 years ago? Not at all. But, similar to the sport product, life is certainly unpredictable.

“You have to be ready,” Soltys said.

Alumni Focus: Allison Cantor – ESPN Legal Department

Posted on March 17, 2015 by

Alumni Focus: Allison Cantor – ESPN Legal Department

“I love the fact that here’s no such thing as a ‘typical day’ when working within the legal department at ESPN,” said UConn alumna Allison Cantor during a recent visit to UConn’s campus to speak to Dr. Joseph Cooper’s Sport Marketing class. “One day it’s cable and satellite affiliate contracts, and the next it’s a consumer product licensing deal,” she continued, “I learn something new every day and get to work with all sorts of different people through a broad array of projects.”

February was a very good month for sport management students interested in an insider’s view of legal work at one of the world’s leading sport and entertainment broadcasters around the world. Allison has made several trips back to Storrs throughout the month to share her insights and experiences from her career at ESPN, most recently at the “Career Night in Sports”, hosted at the UConn Alumni center on February 26.

What key skill does she highlight to current students looking to break into the industry? Networking. It is a skill that can take time to develop and requires practice – so she encourages students should be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to network when they can. To Allison, networking was a skill that was as important during her role as the UConn women’s basketball team manager as it was when she was completing her law degree… and it continues to be extremely valuable today in her job at ESPN.

Alumni Focus: UConn to ESPN – Three Alumni Pay It Forward

Posted on March 6, 2015 by

Alumni Focus: UConn to ESPN – Three Alumni Pay It Forward

As a part of a new series, we turn the spotlight on members of the UConn Sport Management Program (SMP) Alumni Community, focusing on the diversity of experience and breadth of knowledge they have gained within the industry. Designed to help current and future SMP students learn to navigate and understand the real-world intricacies of sport management, we thank SMP alumni for their valuable contributions and insight. This week, we highlight three UConn alumni currently working at ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, CT who came back to Storrs to speak to students about their experiences in the sport industry: Allison Cantor (B.A. in Political Science, 2004, J.D. in Law, 2010), Brent Colborne (B.S. in Business Administration, a Major in Business Management, Minor in Sport Management, 2005) and Leigh Michaud (B.A. in Sociology, 2009, M.S. in Sport Management, 2012).

ESPN’s tagline says it all: “The Worldwide Leader in Sports” – and for any sport management student, it would be a dream come true to be able to work there. For Allison Cantor, Brent Colborne and Leigh Michaud, that dream is a daily reality and recently the three UConn alumni returned to Storrs to visit Dr. Joseph Cooper’s undergraduate and graduate sport marketing classes to share stories with current Sport Management students about how they made the jump from UConn’s campus to ESPN’s campus in Bristol, CT.

Each plays a unique role in the organization – Allison is a lawyer responsible for licensing and affiliate contract drafting and negotiation, Brent works in programming, negotiating the broadcast deals that put intercollegiate sports on the air, and Leigh holds a key role in planning the logistical and technical operations of ESPN College Football. Despite the different kinds of work they do for ESPN, they all share three important characteristics: a love for sports, a UConn education and a desire to “pay it forward”, to help current UConn students pursue their sporting dreams.

The ESPN crew took turns telling the students about their backgrounds, what they studied at UConn, what challenges they faced entering the sport industry workforce, all about the internships and jobs they held prior to their current positions – and shared their own personal recommendations and strategies for students hoping to break into the sports industry.

For Colborne, visiting Dr. Cooper’s classes was a little like coming full circle – when he was a student, three alumni who worked at ESPN visited one of his classes to share their experiences at the organization. The connections he made in that class inspired him to pursue a job at ESPN – and guess what? The position he holds today is virtually the same as those who visited his class years ago. Now he stands on the other side of the classroom, and the time and insight he, Allison and Leigh share with current students will no doubt give a helping hand to the next generation of UConn students on their way to a career in sports. It is a great illustration of how the UConn experience connects all Huskies – past, present and future.

A Career in Sports Night

Posted on March 4, 2015March 4, 2015 by

More than 150 Students Attend “A Career in Sports Night” at UConn Alumni Center

Seeking advice, stories of inspiration and the opportunity to network with industry professionals, more than 150 UConn students flocked to “A Career in Sports Night” on February 26, an event featuring breakout sessions and interactive discussions with 16 UConn alumni currently working in the sports industry.

Organized and hosted jointly by UConn’s Center for Career Development, Alumni Association and Sport Management Program, the event was opened by UConn’s Director of Major Gifts, Meg Culmo (’92), who encouraged the students to not ever put limits on what they might do in the future.

Screen Shot 2015-03-04 at 8.29.02 AM — UConn’s “A Career in Sports Night”, Feb. 26, 2015

Speaking from experience, the UConn communications major, UConn women’s basketball captain and NCAA championship-winning assistant coach never thought her career in broadcasting could lead to a job as a political lobbyist or her current position at UConn focusing on fundraising efforts for capital projects and engaging former UConn student-athletes. Doing her best in each of the roles she performed opened up unexpected doors and networking opportunities with a people in a wide array of industries over the years that has led her to her current job, which she loves passionately as it is full of great people, challenges, and great reward in supporting the institution that helped provide much of the infrastructure of her own success.

Screen Shot 2015-03-04 at 8.29.29 AM — UConn’s “A Career in Sports Night”, Feb. 26, 2015

After introductions, student divided into four breakout sessions – Finding a Career in Sports, Sports in Education & the Community, Broadcasting & Journalism, and Women Working in Sports. Each breakout session featured 3-4 UConn alumni who are experts in the session topic and shared their personal stories of how they got their jobs, what challenges they faced as they tried to break into the sports industry workforce, how the job has changed since they were students and what recommendations or advice they would give to students as they enter the market.

UConn's "A Career in Sports Night", Feb. 26, 2015 — UConn’s “A Career in Sports Night”, Feb. 26, 2015

Rotating to a second group session at the evening’s halfway point, students had the opportunity to learn from a whole new group of alumni. At the end of the evening, all students and alumni participated in an open networking session – giving the opportunity for personal exchanges of information and laying the groundwork for future contact between current students and the alumni team.

A huge thanks to all of our UConn alumni who participated in the event!

Meg Culmo, Brent Colborne, Alyssa Davanzo, Billy Haubrich, Allison Cantor, Paul Gagnon, Kristen Hargis, David Longo, Kirsten Britton, Chris Stasaitis, Danielle DeRosa, Dennis Moynihan, Alexandra Badalucco, Kate Mainelli and Julie Purcell.