Current WVU Sport Management student and Chicago Blackhawks' Senior Manager of Player Development, Ian Gentile, shares with us his experience as a part-time student and full-time employee, some tips on how to excel in graduate school online, and how enrolling in this program helped him become a well-rounded and resourceful worker!
Read on to learn more about how this Chicago native got the opportunity to work for his hometown team and why the Sport Management degree is a great option for former athletes!
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
My name is Ian Gentile, and I am the Senior Manager, Player Development with the Chicago Blackhawks. The upcoming 2019-2020 season will be my 12th in professional sports. I have been fortunate to spend all twelve of these years with my hometown team. I am born and raised in Chicago, IL and currently reside on the city’s Northwest side. My wife (a former collegiate women’s hockey player) and I are expecting our first child in August.
Where and in what did you pursue your bachelor’s degree?
I am a graduate of the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL. My undergraduate degree is in Political Science. My intent was to enroll in law school. Following my graduation, I was able to secure an in-season internship with the Chicago Blackhawks. On the very day I wrote my check to commit to law school, the Blackhawks offered me a full-time position which I accepted.
Tell me about your prior experience with the Chicago Blackhawks and your current position as Senior Manager of Player Development.
I came to the Blackhawks as an intern in the Summer of 2007 (the summer of my third undergraduate year). I returned for an in-season internship following the completion of my undergraduate degree. At that time, the Blackhawks were looking to expand and I was offered a position as Scouting Coordinator. In that role, I oversaw the team’s amateur and pro scouting coverages, helped create budgets, prepared for staff meetings and worked on projects as directed by management. This position was critical to my understanding of professional hockey and served as the perfect guide to acquaint myself with the inner-workings of a hockey operations department.
I have been fortunate to expand my responsibilities by way of multiple promotions. In my current position as Senior Manager of Player Development, I work with our player development staff on individualized development plans for our prospects, I act as the primary point of contact for numerous hockey and development technologies, I monitor player progress, and I am responsible for the administration of the annual Development Camp.
Tell me about your experience in WVU's Sport Management program.
Now halfway through the Sport Management program at WVU, I am confident that I made the right decision in electing to pursue a graduate degree. The WVU program was appealing because it allowed me to maintain a rigorous work schedule with the Blackhawks while pursuing a graduate degree on my own time. I was particularly interested because while online students enroll in two courses each semester, these courses are not run concurrently. This allows the student to focus solely on one six-week course at a time--an ideal situation for a part-time student.
Tell me about your favorite course so far.
My favorite class thus far has been Sport Marketing. In my professional life, I work on the “operations” side of professional sport--meaning, I work on matters directly related to the sport and the success of the team on the ice. Therefore, I have little experience with the “business” side of the industry. Having studied Political Science as an undergraduate, I had no previous marketing experience of any kind. Learning the fundamentals of effective sport marketing has allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation for my colleagues on the business side of our organization and I have been able to engage in meaningful discussions to further my overall understanding of professional sport.
What tips do you have for those who are worried about doing well in an online graduate program?
Online learning can be challenging. Proper time management is essential to success in an online graduate program. Learning to balance one’s time between one’s professional responsibilities, personal relationships and the demands of a graduate-level education is critical. I would encourage anyone to mindfully budget his or her time in a way that lends itself to success in all of these areas.
Tell me about one faculty member who really made a difference in your graduate education at WVU.
Dr. Sean Bulger has played a leading role in my decision to enroll in WVU. As a busy professional, I was concerned about balancing the demands of my personal work schedule with the time it takes to succeed as a graduate student. Dr. Bulger answered all my questions thoughtfully and sincerely and was quick to point out the unique six-week course format at WVU. He explained that this format allows for a great deal of flexibility and that I should be able to complete this program at a pace that works for me. Without Dr. Bulger’s guidance and encouragement, I may have been reluctant to begin my graduate education. He has been a tremendous resource.
How has WVU prepared you for your future career goals?
Following the completion of my graduate degree, I hope to continue my work with the Chicago Blackhawks. I feel I will finish this program with a true understanding of all the elements of professional sport--hopefully, creating a more well-rounded and resourceful employee for the Blackhawks. The WVU program will also uniquely qualify me for employment in intercollegiate sport--doubling my prospective job opportunities.
Lastly, what is your favorite thing about WVU?
My answer here is twofold. First, I have found all faculty and staff members at WVU to be helpful, professional and courteous in the extreme. My interactions with these people have been a delight. Friendly professors and helpful staff make for a tremendous experience. I feel as though I have a lot of support in this program.
Beyond that, I believe strongly in the six-week course format. Having been ten years removed from my undergraduate experience, I was nervous about a return to academe. By enrolling in just one course every six weeks, I have been able to manage my time effectively and put the full thrust of my focus into one topic at a time. This unique format has made the program very easy to navigate.
WVU's Master of Science in Sport Management
Rated one of the 25 Best Online Master's in Sport Management Degree Programs by TheBestSchools.org, the Sport Management degree from the College of Applied Human Sciences prepares students to become marketable professionals in the dynamic sport industry. In addition to gaining solid fundamentals in organizational leadership and management, marketing, financing, and socio-cultural and ethical dimensions of sport, students also select a two-course area of emphasis for further specialization!
- Comprehensive Sport Industry Management
- Interscholastic Sport Administration
The fully online format provides flexibility for students to complete their courses while balancing demanding schedules. Tuition is offered at the in-state rate for all students to increase affordability and access!
To learn more about WVU's Sport Management degree, we encourage you to request more information today, or you can start your online application today!
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