Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Meet the Class - Patty


One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.

Name: Patricia Flaherty

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL

Undergraduate School & Major: University of Florida - Finance

Past Sports Industry Experiences: I volunteered for 3 semesters with the University of Florida UAA Compliance department and completed a Practicum with Gator Boosters, Inc.

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: Graduate Assistant, UCF Finance Department

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: I chose the DeVos program not only because it incorporates practical knowledge of a specific industry with what I have already studied in my undergraduate career, but it also provides numerous community service opportunities in the Orlando area as well as in New Orleans, LA.

Future Career Ambitions: I hope to pursue a career in the Action Sports industry and my ultimate goal would be to plan a major event such as the AST Dew Tour or the Vans Warped Tour.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose and why? I would definitely choose teleportation because I love visiting different places but hate driving and flying.

If you had the opportunity to interview anyone dead or alive, who would you choose and what would you most want to know?
I would interview Kevin Lyman, the producer and creator of the Vans Warped Tour, the longest running music and action sports tour in North America. I would ask him where exactly he sees Warped Tour going in the future, and if he sees himself incorporating more or less action sports into the festival in the coming years.

Meet the Class - Simone


One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.

Name: Simone Jackson

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Undergraduate School & Major: The University of Texas at Dallas; BS & MS in Accounting and Information Management

Past Sports Industry Experiences: National Basketball Association NBA All-Star Jam Session Volunteer, Mountain View Community College Basketball Camp Director, Skyhawks Basketball Camp Director, DiversityInPromotions, LLC Marketing and Sales Intern, Dallas Basketball Officials Association Official, Dallas Fury of The National Women's Basketball League Support Group member, Women’s Pro-Am Semi-Professional Basketball Player

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) and Orlando Magic Interactive Marketing team member

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: I want to be a part of a program that shares the same values and vision that I do. The DeVos program focuses the necessary attention on social issues, diversity and ethics while highlighting the link between these factors and the sports industry. The education and experience received will provide me with the playbook to further advance my dream.

Future Career Ambitions: I want to create a program where student-athletes and non student-athletes can take sports skills and lessons that they have learned and transfer them in to every aspect of their lives. My dream for this program is to be able to show people how sports and business relate to every aspect of their life, while simultaneously, enhancing all aspects of their life.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose and why? I would choose not to have a superpower. I believe that we are given all the power that we need in order to fulfill our purpose here in this world. We already have the power we just need to know how to access it.

If you had the opportunity to interview anyone dead or alive, who would you choose and what would you most want to know? I would want to meet my great grandmothers and have the opportunity to just sit at their feet and absorb as much as you can.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Meet the Class - Amanda


One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.

Name: Amanda Barton

Hometown: Gray, Maine

Undergraduate School & Major: University of Southern Maine, Major: Business Administration, Minor: Accounting
Past Sports Industry Experiences:
Maine Red Claws Intern in Corporate Partnerships and Operations
Portland Pirates Intern in Communications and Public Relations
Oxford Plains Speedway Intern in Operations and Web 2.0 Marketing

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: N/A (Currently looking for either or both ☺).

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: I chose the DeVos program because it gave me the opportunity to earn a dual degree in business administration and in sports business management. The DeVos program has also allowed me to experience levels of diversity I otherwise wouldn’t been able to in the state of Maine.

Future Career Ambitions: I would like to see myself working for the Olympic Committee.
If you could have any superpower what would you choose and why? Teleportation! That way I could see the world in the most efficient and least expensive way!

If you had the opportunity to interview anyone dead or alive, who would you choose and what would you most want to know? Reba McEntire; how it was for her growing up as a red head?

Meet the Class - Chris M.


One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.

Name: Chris Moran

Hometown: Tustin, California

Undergraduate School & Major: University of Arizona, Accounting

Past Sports Industry Experiences: Colorado Rockies Spring Training Staff Member (3 years), Tucson Toros Promotions Intern, ESPN Production Crew Intern.
Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: Dr. Harrison GA

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: The opportunities, the fact that sport is seen as a tool for social change, and the dual degree option.

Future Career Ambitions: To be the Director of Fan Experience for a professional sports team.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose and why? Telekinesis.

If you had the opportunity to interview anyone dead or alive, who would you choose and what would you most want to know? Donald Trump.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Meet the Class - Anna


One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.


Name: Anna Florzak

Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri

Undergraduate School & Major: Iowa State University Major: Marketing & Minor: Textiles and Clothing

Past Sports Industry Experiences: Iowa State University Basketball 2006-2010, Iowa State University Cross Country 2009,
Marketing Intern Kansas City Chiefs 2009, Special Events Athletic Intern Iowa State University 2009-2010

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: Graduate Assistant, The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport
Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: When I first read about the DeVos Program, it was difficult to believe that such a program existed. My head told me it might just be a tremendous job of internal marketing; my heart wanted to believe such a program really existed. When I had the opportunity to interview last spring between the 1st and 2nd round of the NCAA tournament, I had the opportunity to experience not only the authenticity of the program but also experience the incredible leadership that makes it that way. I will never forget how much joy I felt after my interview, and I prayed that becoming part of the DeVos family was in God’s plan for me.

Future Career Ambitions: I have two ambitions: to be an Athletic Director at a Division 1 school and to write a book on my experiences as an athlete.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose and why? I would want the power to look into the future to see where the journey of my life will take me.

If you had the opportunity to interview anyone dead or alive, who would you choose and what would you most want to know? I would interview Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, a champion of human rights. Everything she ever said and everything she ever did was worth understanding and remembering. I would ask her where she got her energy, passion, and stamina to always do the right thing for the right reason. I would also ask her what she thought about at night right before she went to sleep.