Christine Clarke
Student Status: M.S., Sport Management
Alma Mater: University of Connecticut
Undergraduate Major: B.A. Psychology and B.A. Sociology
Previous Work Experience: Student Director of Operations, University of Connecticut Women's Volleyball 2003-2007; Facilities and Operations Assistant, University of Connecticut 2007-2009
Career aspirations: To work in the Operations department at a Division 1 college or university
Dream job: Director of Athletics at a Division 1 college or university
Why UMass?: I chose UMass because of the distinguished faculty, extensive alumni network and prime location.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Billie Jean King, because she was instrumental in the push for social change and equality in sports, and because she is an extremely successful businesswomen.
Last book read, non-textbook: The 21 Indispensible Qualities of a Leader, by John C. Maxwell
Ovidiu Cocieru
Student Status: M.S., Sport Management
Alma Mater: Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, 2008
Undergraduate Major: Marketing
Previous Work Experience: Marketing Assistant, Grand Hotel Traian. Project Manager, Synergy Romania (NGO).
Career aspirations: Tennis Club Management. Youth personal development.
Dream job: Event manager in a tennis Grand Slam. Youth trainer. Writer. At different moments in my life.
Why UMass?: Best option in Sport Management 1 year Masters programs. One of the best business schools in USA.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Roger Federer. Because it's all in his head. And he doesn't have and doesn't need a trainer.
Last book read, non-textbook: The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness.
Dan Fisher
Student Status: M.S., Sport Management
Alma Mater: Clarkson '01
Undergraduate Major: Accounting and Management Information Systems
Previous Work Experience: Assistant Director, the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) - August 2005 - Present; Director of Media Relations, Atlantic Hockey Association - August 2004 - July 2005; Assistant Sports Information Director, UMass Lowell - August 2002 - May 2004; IBM Accounts Payable Co-Op - May 1999 - January 2000.
Career aspirations: Director of Athletics or Conference Commissioner at an NCAA Division III member.
Dream job: Director of Athletics, Syracuse University; General Manager, Ottawa Senators.
Why UMass?: The Sport Management program at UMass is renowned within the industry. Many of the individuals I work with have received their degrees from the program and I have been able to see the benefits of their UMass education on a first-hand basis. Also, as a Massachusetts resident, the cost of a graduate degree from UMass is an excellent value.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Roger Penske. He's been a successful racecar driver and team owner, and has also been successful in the world of business with his different ventures.
Last book read, non-textbook: A Farwell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway.
Danielle Grobmyer
Student Status: M.S., Sport Management
Alma Mater: St. Bonaventure University
Undergraduate Major: History
Previous Work Experience: Assistant Swim Coach, UMass
Career aspirations: Working with USOC
Dream job: Whatever makes me happy to wake up and go to work.
Why UMass: The program's historic reputation and longevity in the graduate field allows it to stand apart from other programs in the US, making it a top choice for any student interested in the study of sport but the real reason I choose UMass was the overall fit. The program combines great academic reputation with a highly active alumni population and in-depth relationships with professors, which are the reasons I chose UMass.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Kim Brackin. In an environment that is dominated by men, Kim has broken the molds and stands out as one of the most successful coaches in her field. I had the opportunity to work along side her this summer and it could not have been a more humbling experience.
Last book read, non-textbook: The Kennedy Women, by Laurence Leamer
Jared Hager
Student Status: M.S., Sport Management
Alma Mater: Bryant University '08
Undergraduate Major: Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Marketing
Previous Work Experience: Athletic Communication Assistant at Bryant University (2008-2009), Bay State Games Operations Intern (2008), Assistant Tournament Director, Mass Premier Courts (2005-2008)
Career aspirations: Director of Operations for a Division I school
Dream job: Director of Basketball Operations for the Big East
Why UMass?: UMass has tremendous faculty and staff that I felt would give me the resources to get to where I want to go in the sports industry. The quality of people that I have met through the whole process has been tremendous, and I know that when I walk away with my degree, I will have all the right tools to compete in the sports industry.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Theo Epstein because he had to work from the bottom up to become general manager of the Boston Red Sox. He started as an intern and really showed what hard-work can accomplish in the sports industry.
Last book read, non-textbook: Is This a Great Game, or What? by Tim Kurkjian
John Halas
Student Status: M.S., Sport Management
Alma Mater: Trinity (CT) College
Undergraduate Major: Political Science
Previous Work Experience: Minor League Basketball Player; Rochester RazorSharks
Career aspirations: Front Office in Professional Basketball
Dream job: GM of the New York Knickerbockers or the Chicago Bulls
Why UMass?: Strong Alumni Network, Reputation
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: David Stern, because he has taken the NBA to unprecedented levels.
Last book read, non-textbook: 700 Sundays, by Billy Crystal
David Kerschner
Student Status: M.S., Sport Management
Alma Mater: University of Maine at Farmington
Undergraduate Major: Mathematics / History
Previous Work Experience: UMF Student Athlete Advisory Committee President, Waterville Parks and Recreation Golf and Tennis Instructor
Career aspirations: College Athletics
Dream job: Athletic Director at a successful Division 3 college
Why UMass?: Its reputation, alumni network, and the real world experience the professors bring with them into the classroom.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Dean Smith for being a legendary college basketball coach who developed and mentored some amazing players and coaches. A true winner in every sense of the word.
Last book read, non-textbook: Moneyball, by Michael Lewis
Melissa Maxwell
Student Status: M.S., Sport Management
Alma Mater: Central Michigan University
Undergraduate Major: General Business Administration, Minor: Sport Studies
Previous Work Experience: University of Maryland, Ticket Office; Detroit Ignition, Game Day Operations; Michigan Association of Police, Assistant Research Analyst
Career aspirations: International event management
Dream job: President of the US Olympic Committee
Why UMass?: Established program, experienced faculty, graduate success.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Pat Tillman because he selflessly walked away from his football career and multi-million dollar contract to serve-and sacrifice himself for- his country.
Last book read, non-textbook: Eiger Dreams, by Jon Krakauer
Shaun McNamara
Student Status: M.S., Sport Management
Alma Mater: Brown University class of 2006
Undergraduate Major: Political Science and Public/Private Sector Organizations
Previous Work Experience: Head Baseball Coach - Beaver Country Day School, Chestnut Hill, MA; 8th Grade English Teacher, Worcester Public Schools; Right-Handed Pitcher, Worcester Tornadoes and North Shore Spirit
Career aspirations: Lead, and love what I do.
Dream job: Director of Player Personnel/General Manager of an MLB team or Athletic Director at Brown University
Why UMass?: I chose the MS program in Sport Management at UMass because I wanted the opportunity to learn from the extremely talented industry based professors and to learn with bright, well-rounded students.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: My Uncle, UMass Basketball Hall of Famer, Doug Grutchfield. He was the Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach at Fitchburg (MA) High School for over 30 years. He was named National High School Athletic Director of the Year in 1994. Despite dealing with all of the difficulties that many public high schools in former industrial cities face, he always fought on behalf of his teams, the high school, and the city. He won 588 games as a High School Basketball Coach and was instrumental in getting a new high school building built for Fitchburg. The athletic field house is named after him.
Last book read, non-textbook: Harlot's Ghost, by Norman Mailer
Juancarlos Nunez Ruiz
Student Status: M.S., Sport Management
Alma Mater: University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Undergraduate Major: Speech Communication
Previous Work Experience: Associate Pro Rebsamen Tennis Center
Career aspirations: Event Management for the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP)
Dream job: Tournament Director for a Major Tennis Tournament like the US Open
Why UMass? When it comes to Sport Management Programs, UMass is the place to be. It's a great program that emphasizes the need for diversity and new ideas in sport. It has a faculty that brings a wealth of real-world experience to the classroom and encourages an open debate.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Roger Federer because he is the epitome of what a champion is. Everyone tells him that he is the best, and he is still full of modesty and respect for his fellow players. He is able to raise his level and perform at his best when the stakes are at their highest.
Last book read, non-textbook: Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life, by James Blake
Ryan Pierce
Student Status: M.S., Sport Management
Alma Mater: Syracuse University
Undergraduate Major: Broadcast Journalism
Previous Work Experience: WFXT Boston (Summer Internship); USTA Media Relations, US Open; Communications, Management Sciences for Health; Freelance Sports Writer
Career aspirations: Media Relations/Communications for a Professional Baseball Organization
Dream job: General Manager, Boston Red Sox
Why UMass?: Sports management education starts and ends with UMass. The rich history, the expansive network, the hands-on experience-it all comes together to prepare students better than anywhere else.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: A legend in literature and broadcasting, Dick Schaap completely revolutionized the world of sports journalism. He was one of the greatest storytellers who ever lived and had the ability to deeply connect his audience with the greatest athletes of his era.
Last book read, non-textbook: An Incomplete & Inaccurate History of Sport, by Kenny Mayne
Emmanuel Rohan
Student Status: M.S., Sport Management
Alma Mater: University of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia)
Undergraduate Major: Commerce/Law
Previous Work Experience: Congressional Intern (Rep. Mike Castle), Law Clerk (Australian Government Solicitor).
Career aspirations: To work in professional basketball.
Dream job: Basketball Operations for an NBA team.
Why UMass?: Internationally renowned for its emphasis on the practical side of a career in sports as well as its reputation for maintaining lifelong relationships with its students.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: John O'Neill, an Australian sports administrator who saved two professional leagues with his flair and ingenuity.
Last book read, non-textbook: The Best and the Brightest, by David Halberstam
Tashawn Smithrick
Student Status: M.S., Sport Management
Alma Mater: University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Undergraduate Major: Business Administration (Marketing)
Previous Work Experience: Retail; Teaching Assistant- DC Achievers Program
Career aspirations: To become an agent focusing on athlete representation in professional football and/or basketball
Dream job: To work in the Athletes and Personalities division of Octagon
Why UMass?: Highly respected program, experienced teachers, and extensive alumni network
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Wilma Rudolph. I admire her tenacity. Although she suffered from polio as a child, she did not let it dictate her ability to be successful in the rest of her life. Even after being told by a doctor that she would not walk, she went on to not only walk, but to become a phenomenal track star.
Last book read, non-textbook: Ties That Bind, by Brenda Jackson
