On this page you will find interviews with current and former Western Sport Management students. Enjoy!
Dr. Nancy Quinn graduated from the Western Kinesiology doctoral program in 2020. She is currently working as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Western University and teaching a course on medical issues in sport. Nancy is a passionate advocate of sport and recreation opportunities for people of all abilities. She is a licensed physiotherapist and has served as the Chief Therapist for Team Canada at the 2002 Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City, the 2006 Paralympics in Torino, the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, and the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Nancy and learn about her experience in the doctoral program as a mature student, how she has navigated her Postdoctoral research work and teaching during the pandemic, and her advice for current and prospective graduate students, and particularly mature students who may be interested in graduate work. Click here to watch the interview.
Iva Glibo is a third-year doctoral student in the Department of Sport and Health Sciences at the Technical University of Munich. Her research focuses on the sustainability in international sport, and specifically on how sustainability is perceived by various stakeholders in international sport and physical activity and reflected in their policies. This April, Iva joined Western Sport Management as a visiting scholar for three months on the EventRights Grant. During her time at Western, Iva worked with Prof. Laura Misener on developing a research project, attended her first in-person conference as a doctoral student, and traveled and enjoyed the sights in and around London, Ontario.
Western Sport Management had the opportunity to chat with Iva and learn more about her personally, her research interests, why she chose Western Sport Management, and her upcoming plans. Click here to watch the interview.
Dr. Jim Weese is a professor of Sport Management in Western’s School of Kinesiology. Kevin Gruber is a third-year undergraduate student in Sport Management. In this interview, Western Sport Management spoke with Dr. Weese and Kevin to learn about their experience with the Undergraduate Summer Research Internship (USRI). Click here to watch the interview.
The USRI program provides undergraduate students with engaged research experiences and opportunities to learn new research methods and techniques alongside faculty mentors. It also helps develop skills in preparation for future careers. To learn more about the program, click here.
Dr. Kristen Morrison graduated from the Western Sport Management Master of Arts program in 2013. She completed her doctoral degree at the University of Waterloo and has secured a new role as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto. Kristen's research focuses on strategy and management in the non-profit community sport sector. Her passion stems from her personal interest and experiences in community sport.
Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Kristen and learn how she navigated the completion of her doctoral degree during the pandemic, what she's working on as a Postdoctoral fellow, and her advice for graduate students currently working on completing their degree programs. Click here to watch the interview.
Stephanie Merino graduated from the Western Sport Management Master of Arts program in 2016. She has recently secured a new role as the Development Manager of Sports Tech at EA Sports. Stephanie previously worked as the Senior Consultant of Analytics and Insights at Lumency Inc. and as a Ticket Administrator and Coordinator at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.
Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Stephanie and learn how she has navigated her career till date, the skills she has acquired to focus on RoIs and contract valuations, and her advice for graduate students looking for a role in the sports industry post graduation. Click here to watch the interview.
Chad Van Dyk graduated from the Western Sport Management Master of Arts program in 2018. He is back at Western, working as the Director of Recreation and Active Well-being. He has previously worked as the Athletics Facilities Supervisor at Mohawk College and as the Recreation Sports Supervisor at Mount Royal University. Chad’s internship at Mount Royal University turned into a full-time paid position, a transition many internship-based students would love to make!
Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Chad, welcome him back to Western, and learn how he has navigated his career till date and his advice for graduate students currently looking for or pursuing an internship. Click here to watch the interview.
Nicole Baranowski graduated from the Western Sport Management Bachelor of Arts program in 2019. She is currently running her own business, Hairstrong! Nicole is joining the Western Accelerator Program, which will provide her with the resources to grow her business. Besides her academic and business pursuits, Nicole is currently coaching the Western women's rowing team.
Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Nicole and learn how she has navigated her entrepreneurial journey, her advice for students who are interested in owning a business, and her time management tips. Click here to watch the interview.
To buy Hairstrong products and learn more about the brand, please visit hairstrong.ca.
Marian Agyei-Gyamera graduated from the Western Sport Management Master of Arts program in 2016. She is currently working as an Integrated Marketing and Communications Specialist with Ringette Ontario. She has previously worked as a Program Manager for the Black Canadian Coaches Association (BCCA), managing the Black Female Coach Mentorship Program, a collaboration between the BCCA and the Coaching Association of Canada. Marian is an avid podcaster, and though she's currently taking a break from new recordings, you can listen to her previous work on Spotify at MAGS Moments.
Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Marian and learn how she has navigated her career till date, her secret to being connected and productive, and her advice for upcoming graduates. Click here to watch the interview.
Kerri Bodin graduated from the Western Sport Management Master of Arts program in 2018. She is currently working towards a doctorate at the University of Ottawa. Kerri's research focuses on policy objectives of non-mega sports events, and event impact on host community residents. Kerri is involved in various extra-curricular acitivies. She has served on the NASSM Student Board since 2017-18, is a mentor for incoming graduate students at UOttawa, and in her spare time she enjoys running and cycling.
Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Kerri and learn how she selected her graduate program, her progress with her doctoral work, and her time management strategies to give the best effort to all areas of her life. Click here to watch the interview.
Rebecca Lansley graduated from the Western Sport Management Bachelor of Arts program in 2020. She is currently working as the Coordinator for Community Programs & Outreach for the Jays Foundation. Though fairly young in her career, Rebecca brings a wealth of experience to the sport industry from her previous positions at Softball Canada, Western University Sport & Recreation, and the Fowler-Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic. Rebecca contributed to Softball Canada's gender equity programming, featured on the official website. She also worked on the Women in Softball Spotlight Series, which tells the stories of inspiring and empowered women in softball.
Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Rebecca and learn how she’s getting on with her new role and what she enjoyed in her previous role. Click here to watch the interview.
Marika Kay graduated from the Western Sport Management master's program in 2017. She is currently working as the Manager of High Performance Centres and Coaches with Swimming Canada, a role she started in April 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic! Marika is a former high performance athlete and has competed across the US and Canada in different rowing championships.
Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Marika and learn how her background as an elite athlete gives her a different perspective and the unique experience of starting a new role during the pandemic. Click here to watch the interview.
Chris Langdon graduated from the Western Sport Management master's program in 2018. He is currently working as the Director of Partnerships and Sales with the Niagara River Lions of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. Chris is well versed in different sports. He gained very valuable work experience through his graduate program internship with the Toronto Football Club. He was a talented hockey player drafted into the Ontario Hockey League but he had to hang up the skates due to injuries.
Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Chris on how his multi-sport experience is helping him navigate the pro sport industry and how his role with the River Lions has evolved due to the pandemic. Click here to watch the interview.
Erin Kodama graduated from the Western Sport Management master's program in 2012. She is currently working as the Director of Projects with Wasserman in Los Angeles, California. Before moving to Wasserman, Erin worked with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association. She was with the Cavaliers when the team won its first Larry O'Brien trophy in 2016!
Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Erin on the work she's doing now and how its changed due to the pandemic. We also asked her if she's ever met Lebron James. Watch the interview to find out!
Dr. Kyle Rich graduated from the Western Sport Management doctoral program in 2017. He is currently an Assistant Professor in Recreation & Leisure Studies at Brock University. Kyle is interested in understanding how communities, policies, and social inclusion/exclusion shape experiences in sport, recreation, and physical activity programs in rural and remote municipalities.
Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Kyle on the classes he's teaching at Brock U this academic year, his research projects, and his success with a sourdough starter! Watch the interview here.
Dr. Kylie Wasser graduated from the Western Sport Management doctoral program in 2019. She is currently involved with the Ontario Parasport Collective, a special cohort of organizations from the government and private sector, aimed at increasing participation and finding collaborative solutions between stakeholders involved in Ontario parasport. The Collective received a grant of $2.4 million in 2018 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the largest grant ever awarded, to deliver the province's parasport strategy. Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Kylie on her role as Project Lead for the Collective, the changes to the Collective's focus and her role due to the pandemic, and the next steps for Ontario parasport. Watch the interview here.
More information about the Ontario Parasport Collective is available here.
Jonathan Femi-Cole is a second year master's candidate in the Sport Management and Leadership program. He is currently working on developing a widget that allows parents to monitor their children's social media activity. Jonathan has partnered with Western Computer Science to develop this widget, which can be used on mobile devices as well as computers. Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Jonathan to learn more about the widget, what inspired the idea, and where he plans to take this next. Watch the interview here.
Dr. Brendan Riggin graduated from the Western Sport Management doctoral program in 2018. He is currently involved with Hockey Fans in Training, a special program aimed at men between the ages of 40 and 60. Hockey FIT has recently expanded its operations and is now focussing its program delivery in British Columbia. Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Brendan on the changes to his role and the next steps for Hockey FIT. Watch the interview here.
To learn more about Hockey FIT, please visit the official website here.
Zach Weese graduated from the Western Sport Management master's program in 2017. He is currently the Manager of Governance and Special Projects for U Sports, the national governing body of university sport in Canada. U Sports recently announced the cancellation of university sport for the Fall 2020 season. Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Zach on the changes to his role and the next steps for U Sports. Watch the interview here.
Amanda Cosentino graduated from the Western Sport Management master's program in 2017. She is currently the Director of FireRock Golf Club in Komoka, Ontario. With the closures to schools, universities, businesses, and a general change to our day-to-day lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all had to adapt our routines. Western Sport Management had a chance to catch up with Amanda on how she is managing her role at FireRock during these times. Listen to the interview here.
Thanks again to Amanda for talking to us and her MA supervisor, Dr. Jim Weese for facilitating this.
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