Uncategorized

My Experience With CrossFit New England

Written by: Chris Judson

Kettle bellsMy name is Chris Judson and I have had the amazing opportunity to intern with CrossFit New England in Natick, MA, for the past three months.  I have learned so much and have had the opportunity to improve my coaching skills and better my fitness levels by working with some of the best trainers in the sport, which has been a humbling experience. I have met many amazing people and have learned a lot about the business side of what it takes to run a gym.

My special project of the summer was to put on a watch party event for the CrossFit games in August so that all of our members would get a chance to watch and cheer on the athletes that were competing from our area. This project taught me a lot about marketing strategies which granted me insight into how CrossFit competitions are designed.

 

Crossfit of New England athletes

This internship has taught me a lot about how to structure an event and market that event around the local area. I hope that these skills will translate into a great career in the future within the sport industry.

 

A Marketing Internship With The ASPIRE Group

Written by: Merlin Neal

A view of Gampel Pavilion on April 29, 2015. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

My name is Merlin Neal and this summer I had the opportunity to intern with the Aspire Group at the University of Connecticut, in  Storrs, CT. For the duration of this internship I worked out of Gampel Pavillion as a ticket sales and service intern, where I developed and practiced sales skills and provided professional service and support to UConn sport fans. Using my connections as a marketing assistant with the department of athletics, I was able to secure this full time internship for the summer.

In this role, I covered specific subgroups of sales and marketing for a delegated period of time. One of the main tasks I worked on throughout this internship, and will continue to work on, are my sales skills. This skill developed by going over the structured sales call method outlined in the Aspire employee playbook in addition to role playing with employees from other Aspire calling centers across the country. These calls yielded valuable feedback and identified the things I need to improve on with my sales pitch. I also worked on data entry, which included updating and entering information into the daily call logs that the full time staff use to record their data and track their work. This organizational structure allowed me to learn how the Aspire UConn Fan Relationship Management Center (FRMC) uses the data to track progess once it's been sent to the headquarters in Atlanta, GA.

The main takeaway I acquired from this role is that sales is a tough industry. Learning to intelligently, naturally, and confidently speak to clients takes practice and working on those sales skills is the only way to get better. Right now I am aiming to pursue a career in marketing in the sport industry. This internship has taught me the value in selling your crafted pitch and being able to effectively communicate with clients and other partners, both of which is an important component of being successful in the sport business industry.

Kelli Bates Interns With USA Rugby

Written by: Kelli Bates

My name is Kelli Bates and this summer I worked as an Event Management and Marketing Intern for USA Rugby, which was based in Lafayette, CO.Kelli Bates

This internship consisted of a wide range of responsibilities and opportunities; including but not limited to, creating marketing ideas and strategies to promote and plan international events while building relationships for future sponsorships. I've had the opportunity to travel throughout Colorado, attending different events while documenting and learning what goes on behind the scenes. I was able to assist in the growth of rugby through clinics and social media promotions.

This internship has taught me a lot about non-profit organizations which includes both positive and negative aspects, but ultimately, it helped me identify that working for a non-profit is a great experience because it allows you to focus on the expansion and growth of the company which creates a plethora of opportunities for everyone. This experience allowed me to expand my skill set in both event management and marketing, and in turn develop new skills that I can use as I continue my undergraduate degree with the Sport Management Program.

Maximizing the SPM Student Experience

Getting INvolved

Tatianna Montalvo, 2018 SPM Graduate
Photo credit: Courtesy of Tatianna Montalvo

Tatianna Montalvo knew before starting her college career she was passionate about sports. This passion grew stronger in her role as a team manager for her high school varsity football team; an experience that inspired her to apply to colleges and universities that offered football opportunities. Her determination led her to UConn and as an incoming freshman, she had the initiative to call the Director of Football Operations and inquire about any open positions. Three months later, she received a call asking her to join the football team and within two days, she moved to campus to begin her journey at the University of Connecticut.

Montalvo entered UConn with enough transferable credits from high school which made her eligible to apply to the Sport Management Program a year early and this past month, she graduated the Sport Management Program with a Bachelor’s in Science, just three short years. The Sport Management Program recognized Montalvo’s dedication to her academics and professional growth early on.  Dr. Laura Burton recalled,

“It was clear that she was committed to being both a contributing and engaged member of our Sport Management Program and to stay involved in all of her leadership positions across UConn. I remember thinking, “Tatianna is exactly the type of student we hope to have as part of the Sport Management Program.” She has lived up to and really exceed those expectations.”

Her on campus involvement extended beyond her passion for sports. She was an active member of the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center she served as President of B.A.I.L.E. (Bringing Awareness Into Latino Ethnicity) and a peer-mentor for M.E.T.A.S. (Mentoring, Educating, and Training for Academic Success). She’s contributed to the Department of Educational Leadership’s Higher Education of Student Affairs (HESA) Program as their Event Coordinator for their annual interview day selection process.

Tatianna Montalvo, 2018 SPM Graduate
Photo credit: Courtesy of Tatianna Montalvo

Through the lens of sport, she made the most of her experience at UConn. She’s coordinated a ‘Women in Sports Panel, served as a TME (The Major Experience) Mentor, and was involved with the Sport Business Association and Husky Sport program - all of which make her a well-rounded young professional in the field. One of her fondest memories was when she helped coordinate the ‘Women in Sports Panel’ with Dr. Burton. Montalvo said, “We were able to talk about our experiences and tell students that there is a place for women in this industry, because it could be intimidating when you try and enter a field where you know that there is a whole bunch of men just doubting your experiences and what you know. Representation is so important.”

 

Montalvo is a highly celebrated student who was recently awarded the Outstanding Senior Women Academic Achievement Award for the Neag School of Education through the Women’s Center. Each year, this award is given to a student who has excelled academically and has demonstrated high achievement in both service and research. She embodies these qualities through her leadership and involvement on campus as well as her research focus for her minor degree in Latino/a Caribbean and Latin American Studies. Through her research, she is investigating the effects of the lack of representation of students of color who are interested in sport and how that influences career choices. Montalvo’s strong academic skills have teamed up with her experience as a leader both in and outside of the classroom, making her accelerated experience at UConn a success.

 

Husky Sport

In her first year in the program, she took a Sport-Based Youth Development course which pairs student-volunteers from the Husky Sport Program with youth in Hartford.  The relationships engage at in-school and after-school programs to reinforce and introduce a variety of physical activities, healthy nutrition, and academic excellence. The course requires each student to complete 40 hours of service in Hartford, a number she quickly surpassed which left her hungry for more.  “I loved it, so even when those 40 hours were done I kept going back to Hartford because the kids were great! I asked [Dr. Evanovich], how can I still be involved?”

Not only did she stayed involved, the program hired her on staff and was appointed Club President, which allowed her to take on an even greater role, fundraising. This opportunity allowed for Montalvo to spearhead the Ignite crowd-fundraising competition, on behalf of Husky Sport and the Leadership in Diversity student groups.  She was able to apply what she learned in class to a real life experience. Her ideas and strategies led the joint team to win the top prize in the competition, yielding over 308 donations from current students and young alumni which generated more than $11,600.

Dr. Justin Evanovich, Husky Sport’s Managing Director worked closely with Montalvo throughout the Ignite campaign and he stated, “Tatianna brought high levels of enthusiasm and competitive spirit that were contagious amongst her student peers. She was a strong and collaborative leader that drove big parts of our success throughout the campaign.”

 

The Next Chapter

Next month, Montalvo will further her sport experiences through F.L.A.M.E. (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere). The program works with U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes as well as the National Governing Body to empower and foster connections for people of color to pursue careers in the sports industry.

“I like how it is geared towards minority students. I like how they are emphasizing that they are trying to make leaders out of us; it’s an opportunity for us to grow. Especially in sports, since we [minorities] are so underrepresented,” said Montalvo.

Throughout the eight day program, she will tour Olympic facilities, meet athletes and other professionals, and attend numerous workshops discussing issues of diversity in the field. F.L.A.M.E. participants must work in groups and propose ideas to solve issues of diversity in the sport industry. She stated, “I hope to learn from the whole experience. The group project definitely sounds interesting. It’s something that will cause me to problem solve and use my mind. A challenge is always good!”

Montalvo credits Dr. Laura Burton for encouraging her to apply to F.L.A.M.E., “Dr. Burton has been an important person in this whole process. Every opportunity that I bring up she encourages me and wants to help me out, in any way.” Montalvo continues to credit all of the professors in the program and notes how intentional they are when working with students,

“They emphasize relationship building and how it’s important to network. They have been so supportive; they’re a good support system.”

So as Montalvo graduates and prepares for her next chapter in life, we asked how her experiences with at UConn helped her, she explained, “The program has definitely shaped me in a way that I think that I will be able to handle going to a new environment, meet new people, and put out the best project.”

The Sport Management Program is proud of Tatianna and wish her the best of luck!

Neag Student Groups Team Up for Ignite Fundraising Campaign

LID students at 2017 NAME Conference
LID students attended the National Association for Multicultural Education Conference in 2017.

Today begins the final week of HuskyDrive’s sixth annual Ignite fundraising campaign, which is a crowdsourcing competition that brings together students and recent alumni to raise money for their favorite UConn organizations. The 32 groups in the 2018 competition are not only raising money for their causes, but also competing to win an additional $20,000 in prizes by having the highest number of current student and GOLD (graduates of the last decade) alumni donors. Groups may also earn additional prize money through a series of fundraising, creative, and social media challenges throughout the competition.

This year, two student groups in the Neag School of Education, Husky Sport and Leadership In Diversity (LID) are teaming up for the campaign. With a shared goal of supporting Neag students in their pursuit of excellence towards equity and justice, the two organizations are excited to be partnered for the competition.

“I think it is awesome that LID and Husky Sport are able to partner for the Ignite fundraising campaign. I believe that LID and Husky Sport are both committed to making sure that students of color in K-12 schools receive an equitable education by providing resources to the teachers and schools they attend,” remarked Neag School of Education Academic Advisor and LID's Program Adivsor, Mia Hines, on the partnership.

Husky Sport students in a Classroom doing Push-ups
Husky Sport pairs UConn students with Hartford youth while utilizing the power of sport to build relationships.

Husky Sport is a community-campus partnership that utilizes the power of sport to build relationships, engage in shared learning, and empower stakeholders within the North End Hartford and University of Connecticut communities. Current IB/M Teacher Preparation Program student and Husky Sport Student-Staff Leader, Bricherland Quinones, elaborates on the importance of supporting Hartford students saying,

“Husky Sport matters because the program supports a community that has exhibited needs with enhanced exposure to a college, education, physical activity, and nutrition. There’s a need to support healthy lifestyles and holistic development, while opening relevant pathways in which members of the community can access.”

Not only is Husky Sport important to the population it serves, but UConn students involved benefit immensely as it gives them a unique opportunity for involvement in communities similar to those that they may someday be working in. “The way the organization trains and helps to professionally develop each [UConn] student is amazing because they try to be as accurate as they can by informing each participant on the historical and structural realities that exist while also working alongside this population,” adds Quinones on Husky Sport’s commitment to college student development.

Leadership In Diversity is a mentoring program that helps maintain and encourage confidence and success in students of color pursuing careers in the fields of elementary, secondary and higher education. As research demonstrates, there is an important relationship between the representation of teachers of color and academic achievement of students of color. LID hosts panels, workshops, and conferences that build on the foundations of the Neag School of Education's IB/M program and provides opportunities to learn outside the classroom. Kimberly Duhart, the current secretary of LID, explains, “Not only has LID been a support system, but I have also learned so much from the opportunities that we receive both on the state and national level. With LID, I have been able to travel to the National Association for Multicultural Education conference in Utah this past semester, as well as host our own Multicultural conference for professionals and students.”

Symone James teaching a child
Husky Sport and LID alumna, Symone James is currently a 5th grade teacher who uses her experiences from UConn and applies them to her teaching philosophy.

Neag Alumna, Symone James, who is currently a 5th grade teacher at Roger Sherman Elementary in Meriden, CT, was thrilled to hear of the partnership for this campaign. As a former president of LID and Student-Staff Leader with Husky Sport, James has a strong connection with both programs. On this joint opportunity she commented,

“So much of what I learned and my beliefs regarding race, equity and privilege came from my experiences through LID and Husky Sport. There’s so much potential and opportunities for new pathways through this partnership.”

Separately, Husky Sport and LID are both strong programs that mean a lot for the professional development and support of Neag students involved. However, the collaboration will help both programs grow and expand the reach of Neag students in providing equitable opportunities for education and outreach while they are at UConn and beyond. “I was so pleased when I heard the idea for the fundraising collaboration from (Husky Sport Managing Director) Dr. Justin Evanovich.  Husky Sport has benefited greatly from its participation in Ignite in the past, and it makes great sense to join with LID. Both programs share common missions and have made positive impacts in the lives of Neag students, and students throughout the state of Connecticut. I am excited for this year, and hopefully other collaborations in the future,” commented Dr. Jennie McGarry, department head in Educational Leadership and Husky Sport founder.

"Both programs share common missions and have made positive impacts in the lives of Neag students, and students throughout the state of Connecticut." - Jennie McGarry

Husky Sport staff photo, 2017
Husky Sport's team of leaders meet regularly to discuss relevant and important topics around equity and education.

Financial support generated during the 2018 Ignite campaign will fund scholarships, conferences, professional development opportunities, sustained community engagement, K-12 school partnerships and projects, and student-faculty research collaborations for Neag students in both programs. This is the beginning of a new relationship within Neag student-led programs which support students who are invested in equity and social justice issues.

“With additional funding, I can see students being supported to continue building their skills and preparedness in their educational leadership roles beyond their time at UConn. Students will have the means to attend professional development opportunities, aid their efforts within K-12 school settings, and create new and transformational actions around their passions in education,” explains Dominique Battle-Lawson, an Academic Advisor in the Neag School of Education and LID Program Advisor.  

To support, Husky Sport and LID in the 2018 Ignite campaign, make a donation by clicking DONATE below.

Blue banner with white lettering encouraging folks to DONATE

Rebecca Day Interns with the CT Sports Management Group, Inc.

Written By: Rebecca Day

My name is Rebecca Day and I am from Cheshire, Conn. This summer, I had the opportunity to work with the CT Sports Management Group, Inc., a company that administers the Nutmeg State Games (the only amateur Olympic-style sports festival in the state) and the CT Master’s Games (Olympic-style sports festival for older residents of the state). Based out of Middletown, Conn., we work closely with other local towns and venues to put on the Nutmeg State Games and the CT Master’s Games. I applied for this internship online, quickly heard back about scheduling an interview, and the rest is history.

I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of different tasks this summer. Some examples might be social media outreach, marketing, recruitment of individual athletes and teams, communicating with sponsors and the Board of Directors (BoD) and acting as a Site Director for the Games themselves. My special assignment as part of my internship was to put together the program, which was published in the New Britain Herald before the start of the Games, provide newsletters to the BoD updating them on the progress of the Games and compile a press kit for the local media. Through my work with NSG, I have been able to travel around the state and work with people from all different backgrounds. I have learned that working in the sport industry is a grueling, often tiresome job, but the feeling of accomplishment after a great event makes it all worthwhile.

My internship with the CT Sports Management Group, Inc. has really helped me learn more about event operations in the sport industry and all of the work that goes into putting on a successful tournament. Though I may not want to pursue a career in event operations, this internship has given me valuable, hands-on experience with recruitment, marketing and sponsorships, and community outreach; all areas which will be helpful in any future career. I hope that I will be able to utilize the relationships and knowledge I have built over the past four years to help propel me into a career in athletic administration or sport law.

Patricia Bellamy and Jenna Stone: 2017 Provost’s Award Recipients for Excellence in Public Engagement

Two representatives frPatti Bellamy and jenna Stone pose with their plaques after receiving their awards at the ceremony.om the Neag School of Education at UConn, Patricia Bellamy and Jenna Stone, were awarded the 2017 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Public Engagement. The reception for the award winners was held on Nov. 14 to recognize these individuals for their exceptional dedication and significant contributions.

Patricia Bellamy, Assistant Director for Programs and Partnerships for Husky Sport, recently received the 2017 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Public Engagement in a full-time staff position.

Patti began volunteering for Husky Sport, a program established through the Department of Educational Leadership in the Neag School of Education, during her undergraduate career in 2009. She said that her initial passion for working with Husky Sport, and the relationships that she built in doing so, ultimately led her to switch her career focus and pursue a Master’s Degree in social work.

In working with students similar to and different from her, Patti learned that to truly connect with someone, one must be willing to understand where and who they are, without forgetting about his or her personal experience.Patti Bellamy with her award during the 2017 Provost's Award for Public Engagement ceremony.

“Meeting people where they are is a social work term that I think more and more industries are grasping, but it’s understanding where people are, learning from them, not trying to be the expert of their career paths and their history, just letting people lead, listening and understanding from that and growing from that,” Patti said.

After receiving the award, Patti said that she was so proud that her experiences are being recognized, especially because she is normally shy when it comes to sharing her own accomplishments.

“I smiled like crazy but I couldn’t believe it, it seriously had not even been on my mind,” she said.

Justin Evanovich, Managing Director of Husky Sport, said that the people and partners of Husky Sport benefit greatly from Patricia’s sustained leadership, caring support and positive energy.

“She shines in this work through both her ability to foster meaningful relationships, and her facilitation of effective systems in collaborative partnerships,” he said. “Patricia continues to positively empower others as part of her impactful leadership throughout all facets of Husky Sport.”

When asked about where she would like to see herself working in the future, Patti said that a few years ago she might have said that she would like to have her own program but Husky Sport seems to have changed that path for her.

“Everything for me starts with an experience, a relationship and connections, building connections with people and I don’t want just anything, I want to really enjoy it,” she said. “The next thing is going to have to be ten times more awesome, twenty times more awesome, for me to even consider.”

Jenna Stone, a senior Elementary Education major in the Neag School of Education, was awarded the 2017 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Public Engagement as an undergraduate student.

Jenna currently serves as the coordinator for Jumpstart within Community Outreach, but has volunteered with the program since her freshman year at UConn. One of her primary focuses in this position is to decrease the achievement gap in early childhood education while acting as a liaison between team leaders and student leaders in Community Outreach.

Jenna Stone with her award during the 2017 Provost's Award for Public Engagement ceremony.Jenna has learned while working with Jumpstart that she can act as a leader not only for preschool students, but for college students as well. After receiving the award this year, she said that she was more excited to share her experiences than to receive the recognition.

“Any time I get to share about the programs I’m involved with, I get excited,” Jenna said. “Service isn’t about the need to be recognized, but when you are it puts a big smile on your face.”

Not only is Jenna involved with Jumpstart, but she also serves as a volunteer for Husky Sport. Justin Evanovich said that Jenna possesses an extreme work ethic and a mature approach to managing her many endeavors.

“I’ve been fortunate to learn from Jenna about her work with Jumpstart, as well as her peer-and-programmatic leadership roles with Husky Sport, the Office of Community Outreach and the IB/M Neag Teacher Prep Program, to name only a few,” he said. “In her everyday life, Jenna impacts many as an active citizen. We at Husky Sport are excited to support her next steps at UConn and beyond.”

Upon graduation, Jenna said that she hopes to be working in either a first or third grade classroom or as a fifth or sixth grade math teacher. She said that ultimately, she hopes to find a school that is diverse and that encourages students to raise the bar every day.

Jenna mentioned that during her freshman year, she would have never expected to hold the Jumpstart coordinator position, or even serve as a volunteer coordinator as she did last year.

“I think when you’re passionate about a topic, and a program, you truly do give your everything and you love every minute of it,” she said. “That’s how Jumpstart makes me feel.”

Kyle Caron and Maddy Hooper team up as interns at The First Tee in Connecticut

Kyle Cooper during his internship experience, golfing summer 2017Written by: Kyle Caron

My name is Kyle Caron and I am a recent graduate of the University of Connecticut, having received my Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management. This past summer, I interned with The First Tee of Connecticut in Cromwell, Conn., this region’s chapter of the international First Tee organization. The First Tee is an organization that focuses on teaching the game of golf and instilling important life skills in young players. During my time there, I was able to gain experience in many aspects of running a non-profit organization such as marketing, financial development and community outreach.

For the first half of my internship, I worked in several community outreach efforts. This included going to different golf courses to teach clinics to children who may have not had access to the game otherwise as well as attending networking and marketing fairs to organize demo stations for kids to play in while I explained to their parents what The First Tee is all about. I also spent time volunteering at various tournaments throughout the state, as a representative of the organization, to help foster relationships with local golf clubs to attempt to spread the word about our programs and attract new students. I spent the second half of my internship working as a counselor for our Summer Camp program where I supervised campers and taught them ways and techniques to improve their game.

My time spent with The First Tee of Connecticut allowed me to learn more about what it takes to run a golf and youth development organization, specifically a non-profit one. As a non-profit organization targeted at kids who want to learn the game, I saw how creating relationships with other organizations in the community could be just as beneficial to an organization’s reputation as a large marketing campaign. I also saw the impact that sports can have on the development of a child’s life by teaching them ethics and values to live by such as respect, perseverance and integrity. Many of the kids who came up through The First Tee program are now successful college students with plenty of accolades and scholarships that reflect the character that our programs assisted in building. Because of the effects I saw due to children’s involvement with The First Tee, I would like to further pursue a career in sport-based youth development and try to make that same difference in the lives of future generations. Working with The First Tee of Connecticut was a valuable and enriching experience, and I am very grateful for the opportunity.

Written by: Maddy Hooper

My name is Maddy Hooper and I am from West Hartford, Conn. I did my summer internship at The First Tee of Connecticut, which is located in Cromwell on the grounds of TPC River Highlands. I first saw the position of Community Outreach Intern for this summer in one of the Sport Management weekly newsletters. I noticed it one day over Christmas break and immediately emailed Mark, my boss from this summer, and sent in my application. I interviewed for the position at the end of March and found out a week later that I gotten the position.

Golfer on a beautiful day during summer 2017 internship experienceI did a lot of different things this summer. In my first few weeks before the kids came for the summer, we worked with children after school and completed tasks around the office. A few of the big projects that I completed during this time were reorganizing all of the closets and storage spaces in our building. The week before school got out was the week of the Travelers Championship. This was truly the busiest week of my life. We ran a ton of events that week and worked all over the course during the pro-am and tournament. This week was really cool for me because I met tons of important people in the golf world including the president of the PGA Paul Levy, and many professional golfers, such as Rory Mclroy and Paul Casey. Once school got out, I really began the work that I did this summer. For the remainder of the summer, I spent most of my time at different summer camps all over the state giving golf lessons. I went to places like Camp Courant, Channel 3 Kids Camp and Boys and Girls Club of New Haven.

My main takeaway from this summer is that it’s important to be helpful in every way possible. I became really close with everyone that I worked with and the full-time employees called me “the best intern ever.” I think they called me this because I was willing to do anything they asked me to do and did everything to the best of my ability, even if some days this was just sorting golf balls and moving cases of water. You can really leave your mark in a place by doing more then what is asked of you and making positive and friendly impressions. I hope to use the skills that I learned this summer and bring them with me as I pursue a career in non-profit youth development. The First Tee or any organization similar is where I would love to end up after graduation.

Title IX Celebrates its 45th Anniversary – Here’s How UConn’s Sport Management Program Celebrated

While Title IX celebrated its 45th anniversary last week, members of the UConn Sport Management program publicly acknowledged what its passing, almost five decades ago, has allowed them to accomplish in their personal careers in sport.

Students, alumni, professors, colleagues, teammates, coaches and mentors all joined in on the campaign to honor this milestone, sharing how Title IX has provided them with opportunities to achieve success, and will continue to do so in the future. Check out some of their responses to the prompted statement, "BecauseOfTitleIX..." BecauseoftitleIX campaign word cloud

‪"I'm able to travel the country representing my school & able to pursue a career in the sport industry!”

‪"I've hydrated some of the best athletes, mentored, coached & am inspired daily by incredible women."

‪"I have a spot on the field, a seat at the table, and the opportunity to make an impact"

‪"I'm the first college grad in my family & continue to share my passion for sports w/ student-athletes daily"

‪“I built relationships that'll last a lifetime, learned valuable lessons & can have a career in athletics!”

‪"I have seen female athletes achieve success at the highest level."

‪"I get to promote women in a sport that I have been playing since I was four years old."

‪“I've the opportunity to play the sport I love, surrounded by incredible women whose talents are limitless”

‪"I've had the opportunity to be not only a student-athlete but a college coach, & now Dir of Athletic Development!"

‪“I was able to pole vault in the State of Connecticut as an official track and field event, not an exhibition event, my senior year in high school.  Which set me up to earn the CT state women’s record and later the University of Connecticut’s school record.  It helped me earn a track scholarship, bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in sport management.”

"I found my passion and have been able to travel and meet to many inspirational people"

‪"I am able to fulfill my lifelong dream of playing Division I athletics, as an ice hockey player."

‪“I played the sport I love at a D1 level, have opportunities to learn & lead along side some of the strongest women I know.”

‪"I was seen as equal within my role as graduate head manager for an elite Division 1 Men's Team”

‪"I have the ability to travel to various sporting events and pursue a career that I love!”

‪"My professional/athletics careers are possible. I wouldn't be where I am if not for the women who came before me"

‪"I can dream."

‪"I was able to travel to Dallas to cover the Women's Final Four, and have pursued a career in athletics"

‪"I played. I coached. I studied. And now I teach, I learn and I lead."

‪"I get to work with Rhett at Fenway Park!!"

‪"I'm able to pursue a career in the sport industry & use it as a platform to advocate for female athletes"

“I’m a 7x All-American w/2 Master's, a career in athletics, making a difference in the lives of student-athletes”

"I was able to be a Division I Softball Student-Athlete!"

“Opportunities are endless and the best relationships are made.”

For more Tweets and Instagram posts or to engage in the dialogue, check out #BecauseOfTitleIX and #TitleIXat45.  Let's continue sharing each of our success and promote equality for all.

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 to the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Sport Management Program sends graduates on their way in first annual commemorative event

The University of Connecticut Sport Management program held its first annual Send-Off event on April 26 to congratulate and celebrate the students who would graduate from the university this spring.

Both undergraduate and graduate students attended the inaugural event, as did many of the programs’ faculty and alumni. The soon-to-be graduates were given the opportunity to network with past Sport Management students and discuss their future plans and aspirations with the professors who watched them grow during their time in the program.

Aaron Ryley represented the undergraduate graduating class at the event, giving a brief speech about the impact that his professors and fellow classmates had on his time at UConn. Sofia Read, the graduate class speaker, discussed how she knew that UConn was the right place for her from the first moment she arrived on campus.

The Sport Management graduate students received their Master’s Degrees on Saturday, May 6 in Gampel Pavilion, while the undergraduate students received their Bachelors of Science on Sunday, May 7 in the Jorgensen Center for Performing Arts.