External Advisory Board for Van Loan School's Athletic Administration Program Adds Twelve New Members from Across the Sports Spectrum
The Van Loan School at Endicott College welcomes twelve new external advisory board members to its M.Ed. in Athletic Administration program, representing various industries including facility supplies, nonprofit organizations and foundations, fitness equipment, private sports clubs, and more.
The External Advisory Board was created in order to develop and nurture connections with leaders in the sports industry. Board members provide critical input related to the program’s curriculum and often serve as guest speakers where they share real-world experience with students.
“Our well-rounded Advisory Board contributes to our vision of achieving excellence in graduate-level sports business education,” said Director of Graduate Athletic Administration Anthony D’Onofrio. “This board continues to grow, and such collective and diverse expertise helps shape our program.”
New Advisory Board Members Joining this Fall:
Doug Bollen, Chief of Operations, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem, Mass.
The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem exists to serve the great community by providing a safe, fun environment for area youth, and quality programming that build usable skills and enhances self-esteem. To assist with fundraising efforts that supports Club programming, Bollen plans and operates road races such as the Bridge and Back 10K in August and the Wild Turkey 5 Mile on Thanksgiving morning.
Lisa Borges, Executive Director of The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism
The Flutie Foundation’s goal is to help families affected by autism live life to the fullest. Through programs and partnerships, the Foundation assists people with autism to gain access to care, lead active lifestyles, and move toward adult independence. Fundraising sports-related events operated by the Foundation include the Flutie 5k and the Annual Golf Classic.
Dan Brennan, Director of Sled & Inline National Teams, USA Hockey
Providing the foundation for the sport of ice hockey in America, USA Hockey promotes a lifelong love of the sport by helping young people become leaders — even Olympic heroes. USA Hockey’s primary emphasis is on the support and development of grassroots hockey programs.
Brian DeVellis, President at ESG Associates Inc.; Edge Sports Group
A full-service company, Edge Sports Group brings more than 25 years of private and public recreational design experience to its clients, offering a wide range of strategic and operational services in: assessment, feasibility and market studies; design, permit and construction management; and Programming and Operations.
Rich Gray, Vice President at PLAE USA
PLAE USA engineers and creates premier athletic flooring. Professional football, basketball, baseball, and hockey teams train on PLAE’s innovative surfaces, as well as numerous Division 1 schools and Fortune 100 companies. PLAE-UP™ is an exclusive manufacturing process that takes environmental responsibility to an unprecedented level, reengineering discarded tires by shredding, grinding, cleaning, and ultimately transforming them into a more advanced product than they were in their original form.
Gordie Gronkowski, Jr., Co-owner of Gronk Fitness Equipment
Powered by Rob Gronkowski, “The Gronk”, and his family, Gronk Fitness Equipment has 25 years of experience installing top commercial and corporate gyms, and offering durable, quality sports performance fitness products that get the job done.
Mike LaPierre, President and COO, Bass River Tennis Club
Established in 1971, Bass River Tennis Club (BRTC) in Beverly, Mass. combines a superior 10-court facility with outstanding and dedicated teaching professionals. Instructors are well diversified and certified in U.S.P.T.A., first aid, and CPR. Staff members are focused on improving members’ tennis skills and enjoyment of the game, no matter age, level, or goals. BRTC features a state-of-the-art lighting system, climate control and impeccably clean and modern locker rooms and social areas.
Jason Lavender, President, The Players Impact
The Players' Impact, a members' only platform for entrepreneurial-minded professional athletes, has two goals: 1.) connecting smart athletes with other smart athletes so that they can help each other in business; and 2.) providing top tier, vetted investment opportunities in high growth startups.
Mike Lennon, Account Executive and
Pat McManus, Account Executive at Krossover Intelligence, Inc.
Krossover Intelligence, Inc. designs and builds tools that provide coaches and athletes with insight that improves performance: full-service game film analysis, comprehensive statistics, and streamlined sharing tools.
Ryan McCann, President, HappsNow
HappsNow makes discovering the best local events as easy as possible: concerts, games, shows, and festivals. HappsNow focuses on the fan experience and taking the hassle out of purchasing at the event so people can focus on fun.
Stu Upson, Chief Operating Officer, International Tennis Hall of Fame
Located in Newport, R.I., The International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) “preserves and promotes the history of tennis and celebrates its champions, thereby serving as a vital partner in the growth of tennis globally.” A non-profit organization, ITHF comprises diverse business operations to support that overall mission including: The Museum, showcasing more than 25,000 objects; The Hall of Fame Tennis Club, offering junior and adult programming on three surfaces – grass, hard courts, and clay; and the Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open, an ATP World Tour 250 event, held annually in July.
“We are excited to welcome our new advisory board members as they illustrate the breadth of opportunities in the field,” said D’Onofrio. “It is important to show students the variety of jobs that exist for athletic administrators.”
The next sessions for the Van Loan School’s Athletic Administration start in October and November; the admissions process is on a rolling basis so students can join a course at several points during each term. Interested students may opt to take up to six credits before fully enrolling. Learn more about the M.Ed. in Athletic Administration program available through the Van Loan School at Endicott College.