McCormack Department of Sport Management Year in Review 2025
Message from the Department Chair
Hello McCormack Community,
What an incredible 2025 for the Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management!
As I reflect on the past year across our network of students, faculty, alumni, and friends, one word comes to mind: celebration. And there was plenty to celebrate.
McCormack alumni gathered in Boston around the National Sports Forum, with additional reunions at the NFL Combine, NASSM, and NACDA. It’s always special to see our community come together to celebrate. We hope to see everyone at upcoming events!
Paul Kavanaugh ’07 was celebrated not once but twice! He was honored as a Sport Business Journal Forty Under 40 recipient and then returned to campus as the keynote speaker for the 2025 McCormack Sales Summit. Congratulations and thank you, Paul.
Our graduate students traveled to England over spring break with Program Director Will Norton, visiting iconic venues including Wimbledon, Anfield, Emirates Stadium, and Lord’s, and taking in a Fulham match…not a bad week!
In May, we celebrated Janet Fink’s remarkable career and retirement. A former department chair and associate dean, Janet’s impact on McCormack and Isenberg was honored throughout the spring despite her best efforts to ignore the spotlight.
At our annual Awards Banquet, we recognized our VanderZwaag Distinguished Alumni, Alumni on the Rise, and 10 outstanding Top Seniors. The Class of 2025 continues to raise the bar, launching careers across the industry at organizations such as the NHL, FSM, BSE, and more. Special congratulations as well to Jibrael Harrell ’25, named a 21st Century Leader by the UMass Alumni Association.
McCormack faculty earned multiple Isenberg awards for excellence in research and teaching, with Professors Elizabeth Delia and Katie Sveinson also receiving faculty fellowships. Each award reflects a well-deserved recognition for their contributions.
Our alumni continued to shine. Karina Herold ‘08MS/MBA was named to Sport Business Journal’s Game Changers Class of 2025, and Jeff Twiss ’81 received the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. We’re also grateful to the many alumni who returned to campus, joined classes, and hosted students on networking trips. It was great welcoming alums like Sheila Meagher ’13, Al Tylis ’96, Li Li Leung ‘03MS/MBA, and Maddie Witte ’23 back to campus. Keep those visits coming!
The McCormack Scholars program and Executive-in-Residence series brought outstanding leaders to campus, including NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who spent two days engaging with students despite a snowstorm. Commissioner Bettman’s fireside chat with Brian Burke left everyone with great insights, lessons, and laughs.
We closed the year by celebrating Professor Steve McKelvey’s extraordinary career with the first of two retirement events, with McKelveyFest continuing in 2026. His legacy will remain a visible part of our department—right down to a commemorative McKelvey bobblehead now residing in the conference room.
And one more highlight: McCormack claimed the UMassGives Championship trophy for the most unique donors at Isenberg during UMassGives. Thank you to our alumni and friends for making that possible.
As I complete my first year as department chair, I’m continually inspired by the strength, generosity, and impact of this community. Thank you to everyone for giving us so many reasons to celebrate the McCormack community.
Matthew Katz
Department Chair
Dean's Research Faculty Fellow
Associate Professor of Sport Management
Jibrael Harrell Selected as a 21st Century Leader
Jibrael Harrell ’25 was selected as one of ten undergraduate recipients of the 21st Century Leaders Award at UMass Amherst’s 2025 Commencement ceremonies. Chosen in recognition of his strong academic record and exemplary achievements, Harrell was recognized for the intellectual accomplishments, honor, and prestige that he brought to UMass. During his time as an undergraduate, he co-chaired the McCormack Career Fair and served as a resident advisor, a McCormack research assistant, a new student orientation leader, and a student admissions representative. After graduating, Harrell accepted a role as a partnership sales associate at Fenway Sports Management, primarily working with Liverpool Football Club.
Karina Herold Named an SBJ Game Changer
This past September, Karina Herold ’08MS/MBA was honored as one of Sports Business Journal’s 2025 class of Game Changers. Herold currently serves as the COO of the Bay Area Host Committee, managing a group that works to bring top-tier sporting events to the Bay Area.
Herold's inclusion marks the fifth year in a row that one or more McCormack alumnae have received this recognition. Celebrating its 15th year, the Game Changers program recognizes and elevates impactful women in the sports industry.
Paul Kavanaugh ’07 was named to the Sports Business Journal’s 2025 Class of Forty Under 40 this past spring. Paul is the executive vice president of ticketing for BSE Global and is a frequent mentor for McCormack students. He served as the keynote speaker for the 2024 McCormack Sales Summit and as a resource for the McCormack Student Leaders Club.
Jeff Price ’89MS was named to the newly created position of chief executive officer of the Heisman Trophy Trust in October. Price will steward the legacy of the Heisman Trophy while spearheading a new chapter of commercial growth and philanthropic impact. Price joins the trust from the PGA of America, where he served as chief commercial and philanthropy officer, overseeing enterprise-wide initiatives that align revenue, brand, and purpose.
Jeff Twiss ’81, longtime public relations director for the Boston Celtics, was the 2025 recipient of the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award, the most prestigious recognition from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame outside of enshrinement. The award honors coaches, players, and contributors whose accomplishments have impacted the game of basketball at any level. Only three other Celtics have earned the award: Satch Sanders in 2007, Bob Cousy in 1983, and Red Auerbach in 1980, the year before Auerbach hired Twiss full time.
Glenn Wong, professor emeritus, was named to Sports Business Journal’s 2025 Honor Roll: Leaders in Sport Business Academics. A pioneer in the sport management field, Wong held various roles in the McCormack Department of Sport Management and mentored countless students. He also created his own career in sport law, serving as outside counsel for several MLB teams.
I always like to start this update by thanking the many dedicated alumni who make our graduate program what it is today. Our alumni empower our success and create a unique and aspirational culture on campus, wherein students look outward into industry and not only envision a career in sports, but also understand the road map of how to get there and the people who will support them along the way. And that is across every function of our business: marketing/sponsorship, sales, event management, business intelligence and analytics, corporate consulting, player development, and more. This unwavering community support across every corner of our industry is an immense source of pride.
We had another action-packed and enriching year in 2025 for our top-ranked graduate program. As a testament to our rich history, the 999th student to come through the program graduated in May! There will be more to come on how we get to #1,000 and beyond, and some ways alumni can help celebrate the history of McCormack. In August, we finished third globally in the alumni survey portion of the SportBusiness post-graduate program rankings, and #1 globally in the peer choice portion (how other sport management institutions rank us). Across more than 40 measurement metrics, McCormack remains best-in-class. Measurements such as faculty expertise, exit salary, female-to-male student ratio, return on investment, research, and job placement are distinct areas of strength. This ranking is a function of our amazing ‘McCormack Family,’ and we could not accomplish this without the unwavering and unbelievable support of our faculty, staff, and alumni.
Gary Bettman, commissioner of the National Hockey League (NHL), brought his three decades of experience leading one of North America’s largest sports leagues to Amherst on Dec. 2, when he served as the 2025 Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management executive-in-residence.
Read more about his visit here, and view photos and video below.
Gary Bettman EIR Fireside Chat
Gary Bettman, commissioner of the NHL, was honored as the Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management's 2025 Executive in Residence. As part of his visit to campus, he reflected on his career and the sport management industry in a fireside conversation with hockey executive Brian Burke.
The Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management is proud to announce our 2025 class of alumni award recipients. The class includes four alumni who received the program’s highest honor, the Harold J. VanderZwaag Distinguished Alumnus Award; five alumni who received the program’s Steve McKelvey Alumni on the Rise award; and one alumnus who received the Service to McCormack Award.
Harold J. VanderZwaag Distinguished Alumnus Award
In 1993, the McCormack Department of Sport Management established the Harold J. VanderZwaag Distinguished Alumnus Award in honor of Dr. VanderZwaag’s unwavering dedication and commitment to the department. The award is given for professional excellence, outstanding achievement in the sports industry, and dedication to the McCormack Department of Sport Management. Pictured left to right, our 2025 awardees are:
- Karen Peters ’94MS – Deputy Athletic Director – University of Portland
- Mark Schultz ’01 – Vice President, Partnership Marketing, National Hockey League
- Joshua Rattet ’94 – Vice President, Team Sports Division – Under Armour
- Michelle Duff ’01MS – Senior Director, Brands – Wasserman
Steve McKelvey Alumni on the Rise Award
Launched in 2013, this award recognizes alumni who have graduated within the last five to ten years and have demonstrated exceptional achievement within the sports industry while also giving back to the McCormack Department of Sport Management at Isenberg through their time and resources. Our 2025 awardees, some of whom are pictured to the right, are:
- Brittany Green ’16 – Director of Business Solutions and Strategy – Los Angeles Lakers
- Jake Krantz ’14 - Senior Director, Partnership Development – PLL
- Robert Hanlon ’14 - Co-Founder & Brand Partnerships - Far Outtt
- Brittany Jeanis ’15 - Vice President, Golf – Intersport
- Dom Macklin ’14MS – Head of Fan Journey – Manchester City Football Club
Exceptional Service to McCormack Award
The Exceptional Service to McCormack Award recognizes an individual who has provided exceptional service and support over many years to the success of the McCormack Department of Sport Management at Isenberg. Pictured to the left with his family, our 2025 awardee is Takehiko Nakamura '04MS.
We're also excited to share our 2025 class of student award recipients. The class includes exceptional students from all four years, and we're honored to share their achievements.
Senior Academic & Leadership Awards
Meghan Horan '25 (left) received the Senior Academic Award, honoring her for her exceptional scholarly achievements.
Jibrael Harrell '25 (right) received the Senior Leadership Award, honoring him for his contributions as a leader of the McCormack student community.
2025 Top Seniors
Every year, we choose 10 exceptional members of McCormack's graduating class and honor them as our Top Seniors. This year's winners, pictured left to right, are:
- Wade Miller '25
- Sam Kinches '25
- Eli Siltanen '25
- Michelle Levin '25
- Allie Currie '25
- Alexa Potack '25
- Jibrael Harrell '25
- Meghan Horan '25
- Drew Stahl '25
- Emily Wilson '25
Other Awards
McCormack also bestows several other honors to students at our annual awards banquet. Details on these awards and their recipients can be found below.
Club Leadership Recognition
This award honors students who have made a strong impact through their leadership positions in McCormack student organizations.
- Gianna Verna '25, president of McCormack Student Leaders
- Tom Ryan '25MSBA, director of the McCormack Sales Summit
McCormack Student Service Award
This award honors a student that goes above and beyond in their dedication to the department while maintaining academic excellence and integrity.
- Oleg Sheahan '25
2025 Student Scholarship Recipients
Every year, we award our students with a variety of scholarships, many of which are made possible by our generous alumni community and network of industry partners. This year's recipients are:
- Joan and Ed Barr Scholarship: Carolina Benitez ’27 & Jillian Nguyen ‘27
- Kristian J. Rose, Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Jenny Pizza ‘28
- Marilyn & Richie Tannenbaum Scholarship: Maria Turner ‘28
- Sport for Social Change Award: Erin Zafian ‘26
- Erik K.M. Kjeldsen Scholarship: Lilah Casey ‘26
- ‘47 Brand Scholarship: Benjamin Mansell ‘26
- Glenn M. Wong Sport Law Scholarship: Harvey Phillip James ‘25
- Alumni Scholarship: Skyler Ellis ‘27 & Daniel Murray ’26
- McCormack Center Scholarship: Andreas Burgess ’27 & Peter Sullivan ‘27
- Harold J. VanderZwaag Internship Scholarship: Kate Bulger ‘26
- Joe & Mary McEacharn Yard Goats Scholarship: Genevieve Johnston ‘26
- Tokio Marine HCC Scholarship: Jibrael Harrell ’25, Belinda Jayaprakash ’25MBA/MS, Wade Miller ’25, Felipe Ramos ‘25MBA/MS, Elexa Reiss ’25
- OVG Scholarship Winners: Adam Greene ‘26 & Grace O’Leary ’25
The 2025 edition of Leaders of Impact, Isenberg's marquee annual alumni event, was a special treat for members of the McCormack community, with Isenberg alumnus and current commissioner of the PGA TOUR Jay Monahan '96MS serving as the night's featured speaker.
Read more about the event and his speech here, and view selected photos from the festivities below.
In early December, McCormack faculty and staff gathered with others in the Isenberg community to celebrate Professor Steve McKelvey upon his retirement. A 1986 alumnus of the MS in Sport Management program, McKelvey has spent decades enriching students’ lives and bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry experience. The Burke and McKelvey families have established a scholarship fund in his name, so the McKelvey legacy lives on for future McCormack students. This scholarship will support students who aspire to build careers in professional baseball, just as McKelvey did prior to teaching.
To learn more about the scholarship, please click here.
The department’s unrivaled alumni database can unlock the true power of your McCormack network.
Email us to retrieve your alumni ID and set up your account. Registering your information is quick and will set you up for life. Spread the word to your classmates and be sure to select the field of specialty (your industry segment) where you’re currently employed. Capitalize on the value of your sport management degree and help keep the McCormack database strong!
Class of 2025 Top Seniors Allie Currie ‘25 and Jibrael Harrell ‘25 on their first day of work at Fenway Sports Management in summer 2025.
Alumnus Shripal Shah with faculty members Anne Dietrich, PhD, David Tyler, PhD, Will Norton, and Yiran Su, PhD, following a seminar he delivered on AI to sport management students.
