MCCORMACK SPORT MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AT UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST KICKS OFF NEW EXECUTIVE-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM ON OCT. 4 - US Fed News Service, Including US State News

AMHERST, Mass., Sept. 28 -- The University of Massachusetts at Amherst issued the following press release:

The Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management at the University of Massachusetts' Isenberg School of Management is launching its executive-in-residence program in October. The program brings high-profile sports industry executives to campus for three days each semester to serve as mentors and to share their extensive industry knowledge with students and faculty.

On Tuesday, Oct. 4, the department welcomes the first participating executive, Arthur J. Lafave, Jr. In 2001, Lafave became vice chairman of IMG International, the world's largest sport management firm, founded in the early 1960s by Mark H. McCormack. A business collaborator with McCormack from IMG's beginnings, Lafave participated in the creation of the company credited with founding modern sport management and marketing. Beginning in 1970, Lafave led the firm's Japanese initiatives. He became the firm's chief financial officer in 1980. A graduate of Williams College and Yale Law School, Lafave practiced law in Oregon and Ohio.

(Editor's note: Lafave will be available for interviews on Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 2-3:30 p.m. and on Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 1:30-2:30 p.m.)

On Nov. 8-10, the department will host its second participant, Barry Frank, executive vice president of IMG Media Sports Programming.

This new initiative moves beyond the traditional design of an academic speaker series, says Lisa Masteralexis, sport management department head. In addition to providing students with an opportunity to hear industry veterans tell their stories, the executive-in-residence program is designed to foster uniquely meaningful relationships for students, the kind that make a lasting impact on their future careers and their lives.

According to Masteralexis, 'Our residency program is about access to insider stories on the challenges and rewards of the business of sport management. It is also about intimacy - sport management and marketing innovators spending quality time with students in forums, in the classroom, in break-out sessions, at dinner, one-on-one - a number of different ways that provide both the students and our guests a chance to get to know each other as people, as well as professionals. Relationships were important to Mark McCormack, and we wanted the program to reflect his legacy.'

During the access forum, the department invites members of the media and UMass sport journalism students to join the conversation, building upon the Isenberg School's commitment to interdisciplinary opportunities within the university community. Another highlight of the executive-in-residence program is a Sport Innovators Keynote Address, which is open to the entire Five College community. While on campus, executives will also participate in UMass Amherst Libraries' Sport Innovation Oral History Project and archive their story. Industry insights and personal experiences will be digitally captured so that students and the public can benefit from their wisdom and influence for years to come. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

Patrick J. Callahan, 413/545-0444.