Sean Burns

I am an aspiring Sport Management student in the Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management at Isenberg School of Management with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. I have a passion to someday work with either a professional sports team or the PGA. My interest in Sport Management began in middle school when my uncle, who works with the Boston Celtics, opened up my mind to the possibilities of making a career out of sports. Since then I have seen first hand how rewarding it can be to work in such a diverse industry. I have spent time working with the Pond Hockey Classic, Worcester Sharks and many other on campus projects relating to sport which has motivated me to be as successful as possible in the industry.

One of my proudest projects that I am currently working on is The Western Massachusetts Junior Golf Classic. We are a second year junior golf tournament that was created and is run solely by UMASS Sport Management students. In our first year we were fairly successful, bringing in 17 golfers, which was just enough to make a profit, the main objective when producing events like this. This year we have big goals to bring in about 48 golfers, which we know is very possible. As the Marketing Director for the event, it is my responsibility to make sure we obtain these numbers. Even though at times it can be a lot of hard work, it is always satisfying to see the whole thing come together in the spring.

Outside of the professional world I’m a pretty easygoing kid. I love being with my friends and family having a good time. Hockey has and forever will be my favorite thing in this world. Unfortunately I do not have the skills to make it beyond the high school level, but I am still and avid Boston Bruins fan and I cannot wait until someday when I will be able to coach the game. Last year I was able to work in New Hampshire with the pond hockey classic where I had the best time being out in below freezing weather for 12 hours a day with everything hockey around me. Its events like that where you really see the passion for sports and the true love for the game. It gives meaning to everything we do as sport managers.

With only two years left of school, I know I am going to have to make the best of the opportunities ahead of me and enjoy every second of this crazy ride. I cannot wait to see what the future brings me, but at the same time I don’t want to wish the present away.