University of Massachusets Athletics
Q & A with Softball Senior KJ Kelley
May 01, 2006 | Softball
May 1, 2006
What is your major? Why?
I am a Sport Management Major. I enrolled in this major right from the start because of my interest in the sport industry. I know the sport industry from an athlete's perspective but not from the administrative side. This major has helped me understand how to manage a sport organization. After graduating from UMass I hope to land a coaching position at the Division I level where managing my own team will be of high maintenance.
What has been your favorite class? Why?
I have three courses that I truly enjoyed while being here at UMass. I will start with the Introduction of Sport Management course. This course started me off in the right direction and painted a clear picture for me and my career. It introduced me to what I want to spend the rest of my life being apart of. My second course is College Athletics. This course gave me great insight on what it is like to be apart of a University's Athletic Industry, which is exactly what I am interested in doing. Lastly, I truly enjoyed the course Sport and Violence in America. This is the only course that this University offers that brushes along side the coaching industry. Here I learned about different shades of violence ranging from race and gender to sexual violence. This course illustrated how the coaching industry is right in the mix of all this violence. It has given me a heads up on things in life.
Who has had the most influence on you while at UMass?
I would have to say Elaine Sortino has had the most influence in my life while being here at UMass. She is the type of person that I want to become. Elaine is highly respected at this University and all over the softball industry in our nation. Her drive to accomplish task at hand is unreal. I do not believe I know any other person that works harder than this woman. She not only works hard for her own accomplishments but she works hard for others. I have learned so much from Elaine that I am unable to put it all in words. She is such an inspiration to me. I would be lucky to be anything like this women in my career.
How have your goals changed over the last four years?
My goals have not changed since I have enrolled here. I have always wanted to get involved in the sport industry. If anything, this has enhanced my interest in doing what I wanted to do from the beginning.
What is your dream career?
My dream career is to be apart of a University at the Division I Softball Coaching level.
What do you do on your day off?
What off day? I really do not feel I have an off day because I have so many things I am unable to get done during the rest of the week that on my off day it is filled with running more errands. After the errands are finished I usually SLEEP!!!
Do you have any superstitions? Especially in terms of sports?
I am not a very superstitions person believe it or not.
Who is your sports idol? Why?
Dot Richardson. She plays softball, the sport I love. She also is a Doctor, so she followed her dream career. Dot is very successful and works extremely hard at everything she does.
Why did you choose UMass?
I picked UMass because of the sport management program, I had a friend from back home attending this school, and I really loved the softball coach and tradition.
What is the most important lesson you've learned from being a student athlete that you will take with you in the future?
I've learned the value of hard work. Nothing comes easy and I have to work hard for everything I want. To obtain everything I want in life I need to have great time management skills and be responsible for my own actions.