A College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences alumnus credits his college mentors and active involvement in extracurricular activities as a student for his ongoing progress in the sports industry. Ryan Stamski, B.S., sport management, May ’20, is currently pursuing a career in player development in Major League Baseball. As he chases his dream career, he reflects on where his passions started.
His interest in player development surfaced from his internship experience with the West Virginia Black Bears, where he worked closely with the Pirates’ player development staff. Stamski’s love for player development evolved during his student manager position with the West Virginia University baseball team. As an intern with the team, Stamski worked with many talented college athletes while gaining player development technology experience.
As an undergrad, Stamski was involved in the sport management club and attended educational trips to numerous NFL Combines and the Sport Management Worldwide Football Career Conference. The club presented opportunities for leadership growth, meeting new friends, participation in internship opportunities and networking with sport management professionals.
Stamski says the most memorable experience with the sport management club was participating in the New York City alumni networking trip during fall 2019. During the visit to the Big Apple, club members met with WVU alumni Chris Mann, Kristen Condo, Erik Roberts, Matt Palka and Wellington Smith. The students visited Dignitas esports, the Prudential Center, New Jersey Devils facilities and One World Trade Center.
“I'm thankful for the sport management program and all of its professors at CPASS, the WVU alumni network and WVU Sport Management Club. They have all put me on a path of success in the sports industry. I wouldn't be in the position that I am today without them,” Stamski said.
Although Stamski had many mentors during his undergraduate studies, he credits Gary Lhotsky, teaching associate professor and program coordinator, as his most memorable guide. Lhotsky referenced a quote by John A. Shedd in one of his classes that Stamski has always applied to his life, “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”
For Stamski, the quote means that to grow and achieve your dreams, a person should step out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves. “That is exactly what current undergrad students should do to succeed in the sports industry. Students should join clubs, engage in internship opportunities, volunteer and network to grow into a professional career,” he added.