Fall 2013
Page 19
The “Special Sauce” for SRM is the Alumni If you have not noticed, the image and reputation of the Sport & Recreation Management program at JMU continues to gain both national and international recognition within both the field and the industry. Certainly the synergies created through the merger with hospitality management, integration with the College of Business, and the hiring of a number of excellent young scholars and educators has helped. Current students are finding jobs in a broad range of sectors within the industry. Ask any SRM student at JMU why they like the program and they may say it is because of their interactions with faculty and peers, experientiallearning opportunities, small class sizes, interactive classrooms, opportunities to be involved in a professional organization or to engage in undergraduate research. However, perhaps the greatest asset for the program is their alumni who are reaching out to be part of the program like never before. Nick Daly is the Business Operations and Client Services Coordinator with the Washington Redskins and a graduate of the SRM program. Mr. Daly comments that “so many SRM students have been hired full-time by the Redskins because the work-ethic, dedication, and eagerness of students graduating from the program is unmatched.” Mrs. Alyssa Bosley, who coordinates SRM social media efforts, suggests that social media has been the key to the increased engagement with alumni. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are the most popular forms for reaching the alumni base and connecting them with our current students. Bosley says she hears from a handful of SRM graduates each week. Their correspondence ranges from alumni commenting on current happenings within the program to career updates and providing job opportunities for current students. If you are not currently connected, we would love to hear from you. Below is a partial list of some successful alumni members ranging from recent graduates to more seasoned professionals. Rest assured, there are numerous other successful graduates of the SRM program who are not listed here. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JMUSRM Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JMU_SRM LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/James-Madison-University-Sport-Recreation-1703387/about Michael Allshouse, Director of Football Operations, Indoor Football League Jason Aughey, Senior Director, Tampa Bay Sports Commission Nicki Averso, Manager of Event Presentation, Kansas City Royals Evan Balaber, Customer Service Manager, Vail Resorts Eric Barden, General Manager, Soccer Post DC Keith Baulsir, Manager of Corporate Partnerships, DC United Jason Aughey Elle (Bunn) Lappan Samantha Berg, Regional Marketing Director, Sports International Kevin Bradshaw, Tournament Operations Associate: Junior Sports Corporation Colette Brandt, Events Coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles Elle (Bunn) Lappan, Director of Community Relations, Charlotte Checkers Chad Byers, Wide Receivers Coach: Shepard University Chris Carlin, Guest Service Representative, Madison Square Garden Cody Clifton, Assistant Sports Information Director, Lynchburg College Cody Clifton Bryce Cocke, Ticket Sales Representative, Orlando Magic Nick Daly Nick Daly, Business Operations & Client Services Coordinator, Washington Redskins Chris Darnell, Basketball Operations, Phoenix Suns Allison Forrest, Asst. Coordinator of Career Development for Student Athletes, U. of Florida Jillian Franklin, Superintendant of Sports & Fitness, Fredericksburg Parks & Recreation Josh Gains, Regional Sales Manager, Washington Capitals Donna Jones, Asst. Director of Compliance and SA Services, Colonial Athletic Association Bill Papiernak, General Manager, Richmond Flying Squirrels Allison Forrest Patrick Pelletier, Food & Beverage Manager, Salem Red Sox Erin Parker, Client Services Specialist, Cleveland Indians Krista Rockhill, Integrated Client Marketing Associate, Sports Illustrated Ted Yeschin Reagan Shouldis, Marketing Coordinator, Virginia Beach Sportsplex Mary Kate Thayer, Inside Sales, Washington Nationals Ted Yeschin, Senior Director of Business Development, Wasserman Media Group Photos are courtesy Erin Parker
of LinkedIn profiles