University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass My Summer: Brennan Baxandall - UMass Hockey
July 02, 2015 | Hockey
Today UMass Athletics kicks off a new summer features series, UMass My Summer. From today thru mid-August, we will check in with some of the Minutemen and Minutewomen who are proving that there's no such thing as "down time" for a student-athlete. These individuals are all using their summer months to better themselves with internships, volunteer work or athletic competition. For our first installment, we caught up with defenseman Brennan Baxandall, a sport management major who will enter his junior season with the UMass hockey team this fall.
UM: Where are you interning this summer?
BB: I'm interning at Hockey Canada Headquarters in Calgary, Alberta, working in the Hockey Operations department with the national team programs.
UM: How long does the internship run for and what are your job responsibilities?
BB: I started second week of May and complete my internship mid-August. Some of my responsibilities have ranged from booking and organizing schedules and booking flights for the National Men’s and Junior National teams for a Hockey Canada Gala and Ring ceremony. Our big project this summer is organizing and running the U17, U18, U20 development camps for the national teams. I will be placed with the U18 team to make sure everything is taken care of from flights, contact information, hotels and schedules. Some of my other responsibilities have included using a scouting database, talking to players, coaches and major junior/NHL representatives, completing expense reports, organizing food orders for players and basically any small job I am asked to do.
UM: How did the internship opportunity come about?
BB: I previously worked with Hockey Canada doing on-ice development camps for youth players. I was able to stay in touch with some employees here and built connections. The fact that I am in the McCormack Sport Management major at UMass helped my case as well.
UM: How does the internship relate to your planned career path?
BB: With my major path and being a current collegiate hockey player, this internship and employer are right up my alley. It would be one of my dream careers to work at this first-class organization in the future. Being a hockey player at an elite level my whole life and now at the NCAA level has given me great experience and knowledge of how the industry works. I would love to play hockey or be in the hockey industry as long as I can. Hockey is one of my greatest passions.
UM: What have you gotten out of the experience so far?
BB: This experience has showed me all the work involved with operating a high-level hockey team at the national and international level. Stepping into the organization as they won the Men’s World Championship in Prague really showed me the passion and drive this organization has contributing to its success and all the hard work at all levels within the organization that need to be involved for the players on the ice to succeed. Hockey Canada is recognized around the hockey world as the best there is. This internship has showed me how top organizations are operated and how high the standard is.
UM: What has the experience taught you about yourself?
BB: This internship has taught me what an everyday office job is all about and how exciting it can be. I've gotten into a good routine with training before or after work. Time management from school and playing a Division I sport has helped me manage my time and tasks in the workplace. Most of all, this experience has taught me that I want to have a career doing something I love. It has taught me to continue working hard at school to one day work here again or somewhere similar.
UM: What has been your favorite part about the experience so far?
BB: The people here at Hockey Canada are what makes the experience so great. The culture in the office is unbelievable and everyone is so personable. Obviously there are many employees who have been around high levels of hockey, playing or working in the NHL. It is a great experience to get to know these people and hear some of their stories. One perk I have enjoyed is playing Wednesday Noon scrimmages, it is a good way to get over the "hump day" and enjoy some competition. On a final note, it is obviously great to work with the teams I have grown up idolizing such as the World Junior, and National Men’s team. I am very proud to be Canadian and work for the organization that operates our country’s national team of the sport we so dearly love.
