Student Status: First Year Dual Degree
Brandon Allett
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Alma Mater: Brigham Young University
Undergraduate Major: Psychology (Minor: Business Management)
Previous Work Experience: 2 Years with BYU
Career aspirations: Business Operations with a professional franchise, preferably football or basketball
Dream job: Team President, Utah Jazz
Why UMass?: UMass offers the real-world experience and networking opportunities I need to make an impact in Pro Sports.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Bill Simmons. He shows you can take sports seriously while still having a good time doing it.
Last book read, non-textbook: The Education of a Coach, by David Halberstam
Karin Brown
Alma Mater: University of Maryland
Undergraduate Major: General Business
Previous Work Experience: Intern in Ticket Office and Academic Support Center at University of Maryland
Career aspirations: College Athletics
Dream job: Athletic Director at a small university or college
Why UMass?: Nationally recognized program with the top faculty and alumni network
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Kay Yow who has persevered despite having multiple bouts with breast cancer while coaching her women's basketball team at NC State
Last book read, non-textbook: Mistaken Identity.
Amy Coleman
Student Status: First Year Dual Degree
Alma Mater: Boston College
Undergraduate Major: Marketing
Previous Work Experience: 3 years as Sports Club for Kids Programs Manager with the Boston Sports Clubs
Career aspirations: Work in collegiate athletics administration or in development with USA Rugby
Dream job: Athletic Director at a Division I program
Why UMass?: The overall reputation of the sport management program as one of the leaders in the field, which is built on the high number of dedicated faculty, as well as the extensive alumni network. Additionally, the opportunity to earn not only a Masters in Sport Management, but also an MBA, was highly appealing.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Mark Herzlich. Not only is he approaching his cancer as something he will definitely beat, but he has no doubts he will return to competitive action, which is an incredible testament to his will and character. Throughout his cancer treatment, Herzlich has approached it and his new role within the BC football team with the same passion and drive that he showed on the field.
Last book read, non-textbook: Playing the Enemy, by John Carlin
Dan Hatman
Student Status: First Year Dual Degree
Alma Mater: University at Albany
Undergraduate Major: Psychology
Previous Work Experience: New York Giants
Career aspirations: Personnel Manager / Contract Negotiator for NFL Franchise
Dream job: General Manager of NFL Franchise
Why UMass?: UMass was the only school to embrace my career aspirations and will provide a solid foundation for my career in or out of sports.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Jerry Reese, GM of the New York Giants, has, along with the ownership and coaching staff, built a solid franchise of good character individuals who work hard to be successful people on and off the field. I admire that characteristic in a sports world that focuses on the win/loss column more than any other statistic.
Last book read, non-textbook: The Physics of Football by Timothy Gay. It was an interesting read and gave a unique perspective on the game.
Nikki Jost
Alma Mater: Temple University
Undergraduate Major: Sport & Recreation Management; Minor in Business Administration
Previous Work Experience: Operations Department at the United States Olympic Committee; US Teams Coordinator at US Figure Skating; and National Teams Manager at USA Water Polo
Career aspirations: Event Management or Game Day Operations at the professional or collegiate level
Dream job: Director of Events for MLB
Why UMass?: Dual degree in MBA/MS, reputation, alumni network, location, faculty
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: The 1999 Women's US World Cup Soccer Team for all they did for the sport in the US.
Last book read, non-textbook: My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult
Steve Le
Alma Mater: Oberlin College
Undergraduate Major: Economics
Previous Work Experience: Morgan Stanley and Co.
Career aspirations: To work in an NFL front office
Dream job: GM of the Detroit Lions
Why UMass?: The opportunity to get a dual degree in two years
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Bill Belichick, because he takes no prisoners.
Last book read, non-textbook: Kafka on the Shore, by Haruki Murakami
Michael McCarthy
Student Status: First Year Dual Degree
Alma Mater: Harvard University
Undergraduate Major: Applied Mathematics
Previous Work Experience: Financial Analyst at L-1 Identity Solutions
Career aspirations: Stats or Finance for an NBA team
Dream job: GM of the Boston Celtics
Why UMass?: I chose UMass because the high quality combination of business and sports management is something no other program could offer.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Larry Bird, not only because of his talent, but also for the way he carries himself on and off the court.
Last book read, non-textbook: The Watchmen
Brad Swanson
Alma Mater: Valparaiso University
Undergraduate Major: Marketing and Sports Management
Previous Work Experience: Marketing Assistant at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI
Career aspirations: Division I Athletic Director
Dream job: GM of the Chicago Cubs or AD at Stanford
Why UMass?: Outstanding faculty, opportunity to earn a high quality MBA in addition to MS, history of program, and depth of alumni network
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: John McDonough, President of the Chicago Blackhawks and former President of the Chicago Cubs. He is a mastermind marketer who joined the Cubs in 1983 when they were drawing an average of 18,000 fans per game. As a result of his marketing efforts, the Cubs now have one of the most loyal fan bases in all of sports and regularly sell out Wrigley Field. After joining the Blackhawks two years ago, he appears to be orchestrating a similar turnaround there.
Last book read, non-textbook: Customers for Life, by Carl Sewell and Moneyball, by Michael Lewis
Adam Telian
Alma Mater: Tufts University
Undergraduate Major: American Studies w/ a focus on Media
Previous Work Experience: Baseball Education Instructor
Career aspirations: Athlete representation
Dream job: Agent for MLB Players
Why UMass?: The dual degree option, real world experience of the professors, and the extensive alumni network.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Robert Kraft because he is a great businessman and he has shown continuous dedication to the community.
Last book read, non-textbook: Rich Dad, Poor Dad
Ariel Weisman
Alma Mater: UMass Amherst
Undergraduate Major: Animal Science, minor in Economics
Previous Work Experience: Manager of a Performance Horse Facility in Wellington, FL
Career aspirations: International Event Management/Marketing
Dream job: International Event Management with the FEI or IOC.
Why UMass?: Out of the schools I applied to, UMass had by far the most to offer, and is the only program based out of a business school. Also, UMass provides an extensive alumni network and experienced faculty.
Last book read, non-textbook: Into Thin Air, by Jon Krakauer
