The UConn Sport Management Program would like to congratulate undergraduate student Theus McBee on receiving Honorable Mention in the 2015 UConn Intern of the Year Awards!
McBee, a senior in UConn’s Sport Management Program, interned with the National Basketball Association at their headquarters in New York City in the summer of 2015. Click here for more details on his ten week experience with the NBA!
The University of Connecticut Sport Management program seeks to foster personal and professional growth in our students. Undergraduate and graduate students engage in thought provoking discussions in their classrooms. At the conclusion of the Fall 2014 semester, our graduate students had the desire to further such conversations to a space outside of the classroom setting. They wanted open dialogue with a wider audience. On December 9 the program launched its first discussion of the Issues in Sport series where we created a forum to talk about social issues and their impact on sports.
Approximately 30 students, faculty and staff members attended the Issues in Sport discussions series to discuss the relationship between sports and academic achievement in schools. Through a WebEx conversation, UConn alumnae Anne McKernan and Karissa Niehoff spoke to the audience about the role, positive and negative, that sports play in a student’s academic life. The key theme of the discussion was creating and maintaining balance for student athletes, After hearing from the guest speakers, attendants engaged in small group conversations about an article posted in The Atlantic entitled “High-School Sports Aren’t Killing Academics”.
Overall, the event served as a way for the community to express ideas and concerns about the current state of academics and sports. There was a great turnout by fellow sport management students and faculty; however, representatives attended the event from the Rainbow Center, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources as well. With such diverse backgrounds, there was much opportunity for versatile discussions and continuous networking.
The Issues in Sport discussion series will continue in Spring 2016. Dates and topics are to be determined.
Guest Speakers:
Anne McKernan (2011), the Director of Leadership Development for the CT State Department of Education and a former chief academic officer for the Enfield Public Schools and school principal at CREC’s Metropolitan Learning Center.
Karissa Niehoff (2010), the Executive Director of Connecticut Association of Schools-Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CAS-CIAC).
The North American Society for the Sociology of Sport holds an annual conference in varying locations. This year the conference was a held in the delightful town of Santa Fe and took the thematic approach of Sports at / on the Borderlands: Translations, Transitions, and Transgressions. From November 4th through the 7th sport sociologists gathered to share ideas, see old friends, and make new connections. Every year the conference plays host to a number of young scholars and well-seasoned faculty members to congregate and share ideas ranging from Environmental, racial, gender, youth, violence, current events, and new / old media the conference provides something of interest for everyone.
Representing from the University of Connecticut’s Sport Management program we had Dr. Joseph Cooper and first year masters student Charles Macaulay. Charles and Dr. Cooper collaborated and presented a piece discussing the challenges and processes researchers face and should use when working with racially similar and dissimilar ethnic groups. Using poststructuralist theory to examine the socially constructed nature of racial identities we posed an approach for disengaging institutionally imposed racial identities with the hopes of providing participants an opportunity to articulate their own identities in academic research.
In addition, Dr. Cooper presented two pieces discussing the prominence and downfall of the Negro Leagues and gave a presentation on Collective Uplift. Every presentation was well attended and received ensuring UConn was once again well represented. Hopefully in the coming years we can increase our presence at NASSS as it is a wonderful opportunity to expand networks and share ideas that are pertinent across the athletic world.
On Wednesday, October 21, 2015, students in Legal Aspects of Sport were engaged in a Moot Court oral argument assignment.
For this assignment, students were divided into four groups with three students in each group. Each group was assigned to represent the plaintiff or defendant in a hypothetical sport-related litigation scenario where they were asked to use legal concepts, theories, statistics, personal experiences, and creative/independent thinking to successfully research and develop their affirmative advocacy position in a written legal brief. On October 21, the groups orally presented and argued the positions expressed in their written submissions.
Denise Zamore, who has practiced law for 15 years and currently serves as a Senior Associate General Counsel at United Healthcare, presided over the oral arguments as the judge. Her active questioning and challenging of the students’ positions created a context and atmosphere that provided students with the opportunity to think on their feet and apply legal concepts and public policy considerations through a real-world advocacy exercise.
The Moot Court exercise was a success, and students were able to apply the theoretical knowledge they acquired thus far from the course to real life experiences (practical) and situations. Overall, students did an excellent job presenting their arguments. After the conclusion of the Moot Court exercise, Ms. Zamore provided students with useful feedback to consider in their future endeavors, involving sports law.
Seeking advice, stories of inspiration and the opportunity to network with industry professionals, more than 60 UConn undergraduate students flocked to “A Career in Sports Night” on October 19, an event featuring networking opportunities and interactive discussions with more than 20 UConn alumni currently working in the sport 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 make the most of such events, as students who came through UConn 10 years ago never had such great interactive opportunities.
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.
A huge thanks to all of our UConn alumni who participated in the event!
Alyssa Budkofsky: Assistant Athletic Director for Men’s Basketball Academic Support at Quinnipiac University
Billy Haubrich: ESPN Multimedia Sales Research Manager
Brent Colborne: Associate Manager at ESPN
Danielle Upham: Assistant Director of Event Management at UConn
Dave Longo: Athletic Facilities and Operations Manager at Brown University
Jenny Gobin: Motion Graphics Operator at ESPN
Joel Satin: WWE Marketing and Business Operations Executive in Media and Sports
Kate Mainelli: NBC Olympic Sales Marketing Manager
Kirsten Britton: Assistant Director of Athletics/Event Management at UConn
Leigh Michaud: ESPN Remote Production Operations
Lindsey Lemoine: Assistant Director of Video Services at UConn
Lisa Misipeka: UConn Track Assistant Coach/Director of Operations (3x Olympian)
Meg Angeletti: Section Marketing Strategist at USTA
Meg Culmo: Director of Major Gifts at UConn
Meredith Scarlata: Associate Athletic Director/Finance at Brown University
Ronnie Balzano: Digital Client Services Coordinator at Major League Baseball
Sarah Griffin: Sales Coordinator, Affiliates Sales and Marketing at ESPN
Taylor Whiting: Tournament Assistant at Travelers Championship PGA Tour Event
Zack Wainwright: Assistant Ticket Office Manager at Brown University
Aaron Watson: Supervisor at ESPN in Broadcast Media
Julie Purcell: Assistant Director of Compliance at UConn
Thank you to everyone from the UConn Sport Management family that joined us on Saturday for the UConn-USF pre-game tailgate! We loved having you there and hope you all enjoyed the sunny morning together!
This past summer, I was fortunate enough to intern with the National Basketball Association at their headquarters in New York City. As a senior Sport Management major, I was thrilled to join such a well-known organization in my desired field of interest. After submitting my application in the fall and going through a couple of interviews, I was granted the opportunity to work alongside one of the greatest sports leagues in the world. When I first received the offer from the HR Department, I was ecstatic and could not believe that it was really happening. So many positive emotions ran through my body and I happily accepted.
Over the course of the ten week program, I primarily spent my time working with the social media department, where I was able to get a deeper look on how popular social media platforms are used throughout the industry. Some of the biggest events that I got to take part in were the NBA Draft, a NBA Cares event, and the NBA Rookie Photo Shoot. Lending a hand in all three of these events really opened up my eyes to see how certain operations take place in the grand scheme of things. I’ve watched a countless number of NBA games on television and have even been able to attend a few games live, but seeing the behind-the-scenes aspect of it all, really made me appreciate it even more.
From an organizational standpoint, the employees that I worked with at the NBA were extremely helpful at all times and provided me with a terrific amount of guidance. Being an intern can be intimidating in some instances at particular organizations, but this was not the case. The people there were always willing to speak with me, whether it was giving me advice on life after college or simply telling me about their road to where they are now. They understood where I was coming from and they treated me with respect. The concept of “family” is truly portrayed at the NBA’s league offices.
There is no doubt in my mind that I would not have made it this far had it not been for the University of Connecticut’s Sport Management Program. The faculty, the students, and the overall staff have all played a huge role in getting me into the position that I’m in today. From spending time as President of the UConn Sport Business Association to being a manager for the men’s basketball team, UConn has definitely been a benefit to my overall success. The beauty of this great university and Sport Management program is that students are able to receive an enriching curriculum regarding business in the sports world, while still having the luxurious opportunity of getting quality experience at such a top notch athletic institution. The combination of learning in the classroom and being able to apply that knowledge right here on campus, is tough to beat.
Recently featured with a video profile highlighting her goal-scoring prowess on UConn Today’s website, UConn women’s soccer standout Rachel Hill – who has opened the season with six goals in six victories to start the season – is learning to master the delicate balance required in order to play elite-level soccer and achieve academic success at the same time.
The Rollinsford, N.H. native arrived at UConn in 2013 with ambitions to achieve at the highest levels of women’s soccer and receive a high-quality education at an institution that was close enough to home, yet far enough to foster her independent spirit. Successful on both of those fronts, Rachel, according to USsoccer.com, “played a key role out of the midfield in helping the USA earn a berth to Canada (the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014)” and recently matriculated into UConn’s Sport Management Program this fall.
“I came to UConn undecided what major to study,” she said. “Nothing struck an interest until one of my teammates recommended I look in to the Sport Management program here, because she enjoyed it so much”. Once she looked into the program and spoke with faculty about what it could offer her now and in the future, it was an easy choice for her considering her passion for sport and post-graduation goal of involvement in the industry.
“Of course I would love to go pro, but I would also be interested in working in sport facility and event management – it is something that is really hands on and keeps you on your toes – you have to get it right each time.”
But how does she find time to keep up with her studies while her athletic skills take her all across the nation for training camps with US Soccer’s U-20 women’s national team (not to mention international tournaments in the Cayman Islands and Canada), in addition to UConn’s rigorous soccer season?
It is challenging, yes, but with focus and diligence, support from her instructors, class resources posted online and encouragement from family and friends, Rachel has hardly missed a beat – and in fact continues her upward trajectory, both on and off the field of play.
UConn’s Sport Management faculty, together with alumni, current/new graduate students and friends of the Sport Management Program, kicked off the 2015-2016 academic year with an evening networking event in downtown Hartford.
“Never underestimate the power of networking,” one alumni noted. “My first two jobs in the industry were a direct result of the relationships I had developed with people as a part of UConn’s Sport Management Program. You never know where a conversation may lead!”
It was a beautiful and warm evening, enjoyed by all who attended – many thanks to everyone who supported this event. Please contact sport-management-alumni@uconn.edu to be notified of future UConn SMP Alumni events.
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).
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).