The Dr. Julius Gundersheim Guest Speakers Program

The Sport Management Program offers a series of speakers who are experts in their field and offer advice and first-hand knowledge of the sport industry to our sport management majors.

The speakers come from all areas of the industry, and, in many cases, are our own alumni. They discuss their own work experiences and impart practical suggestions about employment and staying on "top of your game".

Many speakers are able to conduct small, informal group sessions after the presentations for students with interests in a particular area. Our Guest Speaker Program has inspired many of our students to find and choose their niche in the sport management industry.

Dr. Julius Gundersheim is a retired Professor from the Sport Management Department. After 37 years of teaching at UMass, Dr. Gundersheim retired in 1998.

The Dr. Julius Gundersheim Distinguished Lecturer Award

This Departmental Award is presented to a person who exhibits excellence and innovation in the spectator sport industry. In 2000, the first award was given to David Stern, the commissioner of the National Basketball Association for his unparalled stature in turning a sports league into an international entertainment phenomenon.
In 2004 the Award went to Jeffrey Lurie and Joseph Banner, owners of the Philadelphia Eagles and this year to Dr. Bernie Mullin, CEO of the Atlanta Spirit. (See right side of page)