“As I sit here at my desk, in my own office, with my own nameplate outside my door, I trace my steps back to how I arrived at the University of Maryland to become the Director of Sports Marketing. It has been an incredible journey over the last two years and a wonderful experience that I will cherish for a lifetime. But I would not have gotten here if it wasn't for the guidance, leadership and expertise that the VCU SportsCenter provided me.”
Chrystie Klar ('00)
Director of Sports Marketing
University of Maryland
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“I can't thank you and your staff enough for providing one of the most rewarding years of my professional life. I participated in your Distance Learning program, attended two one-week seminars on campus, had an internship with a sports marketing firm in New York and traveled abroad to study the European Model of Sport...what a year! The curriculum in the Sport Leadership program was exciting and challenging. The instructors were superb. The classes were full of interesting people of all ages, occupations and backgrounds from across the country...I can't imagine that there is a better program of its kind in the country.”
Kevin Bannon ('02)
Former Head Basketball Coach
Rutgers University
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“Due to the experiences and knowledge I gained through the VCU SportsCenter, I am currently managing my own sports marketing and event management company. The VCU SportsCenter has provided me with invaluable, hands-on experience and opened doors of opportunity to develop our business. As a VCU SportsCenter graduate, I am very grateful for my experiences and the knowledge gained from an extremely dedicated faculty”
Johnathan Mayo ('01)
President
Avail Sports Group
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“The education and experience I gained as a student in and out of the classroom was invaluable to me since my path to the world of college athletic administration was more unusual than most students. The guidance the program gave me was very important when I decided to leave the 'real world' after four years to head back to school and make a career change...The program you created from the ground up was very important to me, and it wasn't until I left Richmond that I saw how much of an impression it left on me for my career and my personal life. I now see the SportsCenter as more than just a graduate program. The program was more personal than that; it is a place that is designed to help build successful people in all aspects of their lives."
Nate Clayberg ('02)
Assistant Director of Marketing and Promotions
University of Northern Iowa
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“The program was outstanding; it gave me an opportunity to learn while receiving valuable hands on experience. Through my internship, class projects, presentations and lectures, I have made life long business connections and friendships...The SportsCenter program empowers students with the tools to become successful. What you do with the tools is up to you. Without the SportsCenter program I would not be working at UNLV. I continue to endorse the SportsCenter program, and I am proof that if you apply yourself to your internship and devote yourself to the SportsCenter program, you will get the job you want."
Mike Croft ('03)
Program Coodinator of Intramurals
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
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“The classroom education I received at the SportsCenter has been invaluable. As a full time membert of our athletic department at Methodist, I am able to apply the things I have learned from the SportsCenter everyday. However, I feel my most valuable SportsCenter experience was the invovlement I had in the VCU athletic department. Our class projects were carried out through the athletic department. I gained priceless experience working with the full time staff in the VCU athletic department planning and coordinating various events."
Kevin Allingham ('02)
Assistant Baseball Coach
Methodist College
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“I would not have been able to get where I am today without the experiences and leadership traits I worked under and acquired while being affiliated with the VCU staff...All of the experiences and positions I encountered while attending the SportsCenter prepared me for the daily challenges I face in my present position. Since leaving the SportsCenter I have continued to develop the leadership skills that I gained under your tutelage. As I encounter situations within my daily tasks I often ask myself how this would have been handled if it happened at VCU."
Chris Thomasson ('05)
Director of Compliance & Championships
Charlotte Athletics
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“The VCU SportsCenter staff and faculty believed in my ability and displayed confidence in me when my self-confidence faltered. Knowing that the VCU SportsCenter gave me a strong foundation on which to build, I was able to enter the conference room for my job interview with my head held high...My current position is remarkable and a testament to the VCU SportsCenter program. To this day, I know I can call the VCU SportsCenter for advice and/or guidance."
Karen Brown ('03)
Director, Maine Center for Sport and Coaching
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“The curriculum is exciting, cutting edge, ever changing, and hands-on. Textbooks, papers, and reports are all part of the program but getting in the trenches and actually doing is an even bigger part. The program is small enough that you are an individual and every professor is closely involved with your development and is willing to offer assistance. You will be exposed to people, places, and things through the connections that the staff has. If you are on the fence about enrolling, trust the program, participate fully, and your life can change."
Tina Andes ('05)
Central Section Director
Special Olympics Virginia
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“To say my experience in the VCU SportsCenter program was a great and successful one would be an understatement. It not only gave me the knowledge and skills for a job, but it prepared me with a solid foundation to make a difference and truly succeed in the arena of college athletics. Throughout my life, sports have enhanced my life in so many ways, and now I am prepared to give back to athletics and the student-athletes I interact with daily. I could not be in this position without Dr. Richard Sander, the VCU SportsCenter program, the VCU Athletic Department and all its faculty and staff. I am proud to say these individuals are my mentors, friends and now my colleagues."
Michelle Meadows ('03)
Assistant Athletic Director
Longwood University
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“The VCU SportsCenter provided me with the vision required to achieve my goal of becoming a successful Division 1 Men’s Soccer Head Coach. The wealth of knowledge passed on in the classroom and through personal experiences has been a major factor in my success as a coach. Leadership is something I always look for in a player. The VCU SportCenter is the leader in Sports Management education."
Rob McCourt ('04)
Head Men's Soccer Coach
Monmouth University
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