Meet the Class - Kara

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: Kara M. Adams

Hometown: San Leandro, CA /Ashburn, Va

Undergraduate School & Major: Howard University, Sport Management

Past Sports Industry Experiences:
*Intern-NASCAR Diversity Department
*Intern-NASCAR Kinetics
*Intern- Washington Wizards
*Student Worker-Howard University Athletics
*Intern-Progressive Sports and Entertainment Alliance

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job:
*Hope For Stanley Alliance-G.A
*Will Call- Orlando Magic
*Intern- UCF Athletics (AD of External Operations)


Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program:
I prefer to attend the DeVos program over others because of the experience I will gain outside the classroom in addition to the classroom knowledge I will be gaining. After doing my research I understand that I will be volunteering my efforts in many ways throughout the Orlando area. Upon my visit to the campus I loved the atmosphere of the location of the campus as well as the warmth I felt upon the arrival to the DeVos office.


Future Career Ambitions (1 to 2 sentences):
I would like to work at the collegiate level in athletics, eventually taking on the role of Senior Woman Administrator in addition to a position that will allow me to mentor and work with our student athletes.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose and why?
If I could have any superpower I would choose the power to make everyone kind hearted :). It’s almost as cliché as world peace but I think I put my own twist on it!!! I want everyone to be happy, giving, kind hearted and as loving as I believe I am. Kind hearts=beautiful/kind world!


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 Harry Edwards. He is alive and a friend of Dr. Harrison’s so this may not be a far fetch idea! I would like to know how it feels to be a well known African American mentor to sports figures? How it feels to know you personally and single handedly affected one of the most talked about moments in sports (Tommy Smith and John Carlos-Olympics stance).

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Meet the Class - Michael

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: Michael Kuhn

Hometown: Franklin, Tennessee

Undergraduate School & Major: University of Florida, Marketing

Past Sports Industry Experiences:
*Sales Team Member – UCF Athletics
*Intern - Bill Carr & Associates
*Intern – University of Florida Athletic Association (Marketing, Boosters, Football, and Operations)

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job:
*Graduate Assistant – The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES)
*Box Office Representative – Orlando Magic


Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program:
DeVos stuck out to me because of the high level of ethics and morals that are built into the curriculum – not only that, but the directors practice what they preach. The industry opportunities and connections are as good as you’ll find anywhere else and the family atmosphere was something that I couldn’t pass up.

Future Career Ambitions (1 to 2 sentences):
I want to use my Marketing background and my interpersonal skills to work for a sports marketing agency or consulting firm. Down the line, I would love to start my own marketing firm and eventually end up back in the classroom teaching the next generation of leaders.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose and why?
This is a ridiculous question for 2 reasons:
1. It’s not relevant at all.
2. Anyone who lived a childhood would tell you that they want to be able to fly, so why even ask the question?!? I would choose flying - no doubt in my mind.


If you had the opportunity to interview anyone dead or alive, who would you choose and what would you most want to know?
Charles Barkley – because life is short, so why not laugh a little?

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Meet the Class - Djuan

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: Djuan Bragg

Hometown: Pensacola, FL

Undergraduate School & Major: University of West Florida, Communications/Public Relations

Past Sports Industry Experiences:
Student Athlete (Baseball), Huntingdon College, Montgomery, AL.

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: Graduate Research Assistant for The Institute of Diversity and Ethics in Sports.

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: I chose DeVos because it is one of the top 5 sport business management programs in the nation, led by Drs. Lapchick, Harrison and Sutton, who are the most respected and well known in the field and for the opportunity to earn an MBA concurrently with a MSBM.

Future Career Ambitions (1 to 2 sentences): I would like to work for a national sports franchise in public relations, community affairs or sales with a focus on upper management positions.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose and why? Flying: Because I love to travel but I hate to fly.

If you had the opportunity to interview anyone dead or alive, who would you choose and what would you most want to know? Muhammad Ali, because he is the only professional athlete who never let me down and I would like to know how he remained courageous and persevered in spite of failure.

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Meet the Class - Cori

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: Cori Pinkett

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Undergraduate School & Major: University of Georgia; Marketing and Sport Management Double Major

Past Sports Industry Experiences:
*University of Georgia Athletics Association Intern for Promotions
*University of Georgia Football Game Day Host
*Atlanta Falcons Logistics Intern
*Atlanta Falcons Ticket Sales and Marketing Volunteer
*2010 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Volunteer
*ESPN College Gameday Volunteer
*2009 NCAA Gymnastics Championship Volunteer

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: Marketing Internship Coordinator for UCF's Marketing Department

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: I chose the DeVos Sport Management Program for its ability to cultivate students that can tackle social issues through the avenue of sport and its inherent family atmosphere. The directors make themselves very accessible and are committed to our success.

Future Career Ambitions (1 to 2 sentences): My ultimate goal is to be the Director of Community Relations for the Atlanta Falcons or the Atlanta Hawks. I also want to start my own business that uses sport to provide a positive after school alternative for children living in poverty stricken and lower income areas.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose and why? I would have the power of duplication so that I would be able to be more than one place at the same time and never run into the issue of stretching myself too thin.

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 Martin Luther King Jr. My questions would be: At this point in time, do you feel that your dream from the “I Have a Dream” speech has been filled? If not, how much more progression needs to be made before this dream can be realized?

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Meet the Class - Kelly

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: Kelly Higgins

Hometown: Port St. Lucie, FL

Undergraduate School & Major: Florida Southern College ‘10- Sports Management Major, Communications Minor

Past Sports Industry Experiences:
*New York/St. Lucie Mets- Administrative Assistant ’03-‘10
*IMG Academies- Performance Institute- Intern ‘09
*Lakeland Thunderbolts Indoor Football- Intern ’06-‘07
*Various volunteer experiences- ESPN, Superbowl, MLB, NCAA

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: Dr. Sutton’s G.A.

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: I chose the DeVos program because I fell in love with its initiatives. I wanted a program that was very hands-on and DeVos provided that and so much more! I was initially attracted to the Dual-Degree but once I did some further research, I knew that with the community service, team-based approach, and the esteemed directors, I had to be in this program to get where I want to be in my career.

Future Career Ambitions (1 to 2 sentences): As of right now, I hope to pursue a career with a professional team in the community relations or special events department. Plan B- work for a sports related non-profit.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose and why? Fly! I love traveling and seeing the world!

If you had the opportunity to interview anyone dead or alive, who would you choose and what would you most want to know? Oprah Winfrey, I would want to know the top 5 most life changing experiences she has had.

Meet the Class - Kaley

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: Kaley Pendley

Hometown: Orlando, FL

Undergraduate School & Major: University of Florida, Sport Management major, Business Administration minor.

Past Sports Industry Experiences:
* Intern at Orlando Titans in Orlando, FL (Summer 2010).
* Intern at Gainesville Sports Commission in Gainesville, FL (Fall 2009).
* Intern at Under Armour Headquarters in Baltimore, MD (Summer 2008). Product Line Manager Intern.

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: I first heard of the DeVos Program from a previous graduate. I was intrigued by all the opportunities offered, the intense curriculum to earn a dual masters, and the emphasis on community service all tied together through sports.

Future Career Ambitions (1 to 2 sentences): I would love to work with a professional team or organization in the Marketing Department, but the DeVos Program could open my eyes up to new ambitions. I am looking forward to that aspect.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose and why? I would love to fly. Skydiving was probably the closest I have ever come to flying and it is an amazing and peaceful feeling.

Meet the Class - Liz

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: Elizabeth Schulz

Hometown: Little Falls, MN

Undergraduate School & Major: Concordia College – Moorhead, MN. Economics-Finance

Past Sports Industry Experiences: Internships with the Fargo Force (a Junior A, Tier I hockey team out of Fargo, ND) and the Alexandria Blizzard (a Junior A, Tier II hockey team out of Alexandria, MN).

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: G.A. position with The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports.

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: The option for a dual degree, the community service aspect, and the opportunity to live in a different part of the country.

Future Career Ambitions: To work with college athletics.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose and why? Be able to teleport so I would be able to see my family and friends in Minnesota more often.

If you had the opportunity to interview anyone dead or alive, who would you choose and what would you most want to know? John Wooden. I’d want to talk to him about everything; basketball, faith, leadership, the pyramid of success, and learn more about him as a person.

Meet the Class - Kristian

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: Kristian Vazquez

Hometown: Bayamon, Puerto Rico

Undergraduate School & Major: Political Science - University of Puerto Rico

Past Sports Industry Experiences: Amateur soccer website

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: TIDES Graduate Assistant

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: The service focus of the program

Future Career Ambitions: GM of a professional soccer team and later on working with international soccer NGOs.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose and why? Mind reading

If you had the opportunity to interview anyone dead or alive, who would you choose and what would you most want to know? Winston Churchill, and I would most like to know what was his source of strength during the darkest days of WWII.