Current Masters Student's Testimonials

 

KOLE HUANG

 

"As an international student, I weighed  many factors. However, several were very important to me. First is the number of professional teams located in Massachusetts, including the Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and New England Revolution. I felt I would get to better discover the sport culture by being surrounded by so many successful pro teams. Another factor was UMass' affordable tuition and cost of living. As a public institution, UMass is very affordable.  Further, as someone with no connections to the U.S. sport industry, I was very attracted by the Graduate Mentor Program."

Mike Matt

 

"I chose UMass over every other graduate sport management program in the country for one reason - the alumni. I simply couldn't find another school with close to the same quality of alumni network. Everyone in the sports world knows how important it is to have someone in your corner, and at UMass, the sport management alumni are lining up to help students get started down the path to success.

 

 

In addition to the alumni network, I chose UMass because of the valuable MBA/MS in Sport Management dual degree option. Given how hypercompetitive the sports industry is, having the right skills for the job is more important than ever. Combining the two degree paths allows me to take the best from both programs and apply it towards reaching my future goals.  Having access to the myriad of career and professional development resources in each program is another bonus, and it gives me a huge competitive advantage over graduates from other programs"

 

 

Cameron O'Toole

 

"I chose UMass because, quite simply, it is the best Sport Management graduate program in the country.  The reputation of the program is further enhanced through its association with Mark McCormack as well as being housed in the Isenberg School of Management.  UMass does not boast of job opportunities in ticket sales, but instead uses its extensive alumni network to put their graduates in the best position to succeed in the industry."

 

Joe Pace

 

"Since undergrad I wanted to be in the UMass dual-degree program because it offered an education in sports management from the best in the field. I remember reading about the extensive resources and opportunities offered through the program -- my experience thus far confirms it all. Since enrolling and taking classes, I have learned that it is the dedication and commitment of the faculty that make this program great. I feel very lucky to have people of such high caliber supporting me.

 

Emily Rawdon

 

"After figuring out that art grad school was not the match for me, I decided to return to working in the sports industry. Though I worked full-time for Victoria's Secret, I applied to both jobs and grad schools in the industry. After a few interviews (all in sports communications) I began applications to NYU, Northwestern, Ohio State, and Georgetown. UMASS was a long shot for acceptance in my mind - and at the last minute I decided to go for it. Everything I wanted was there - an exceptional network of industry-proven alumni, courses that interested me, and the option to get an MBA alongside my sport studies. Despite everything I even remotely had going for me - I honestly did not think I would be accepted. UMASS offered the top program in the nation: it was out of my league.

Then I received an email to interview. People talk about knowing when something is the right "fit" for them. I knew immediately from my first experiences on campus that this was the place for me. The blend between students and faculty was especially crucial. The more professors I met, the more I wanted to take classes with! I felt valued and wanted as a prospective student - not something I expected to encounter. After I received my acceptance there were, in my eyes, no other options. I did not even apply to another program; UMASS was where I wanted and needed to be.

Jess Fadale

"One of the reason's I chose UMass was because of the professors' and alumni desire to see students succeed.  Between the department's placement in the business school as well as the extensive alumni network that is constantly interacting with the sport department, there are various outlets for students to utilize these resources for professional development.  The door is always open - it is just up to the student to walk through!