An online master’s student is building her business knowledge through networking and faculty expertise, all while developing her career as an assistant women’s soccer coach.
Sarah Ghaffoor states that the Sport Management Online Master’s Program supports her career pathway by connecting coursework to functional situations. “CPASS has helped me develop in my current position while looking to my future goals,” said Ghaffoor, who has combined an emphasis on comprehensive sports industry management with her major (she’s projected to graduate December 2021).
“The coursework allows the opportunity to connect with guest speakers to advance my knowledge within the industry. My career plan is to continue gaining knowledge and experience. The program has allowed me to increase awareness of the fundamental concepts of management, marketing, finance and law to sports organizations while applying it to my career,” she said.
Ghaffoor credits sport management faculty Drs. Gonzalo Bravo and Justin Wartella for providing insight into her future while guiding and challenging her in the classroom. “Dr. Wartella has played an important role in my success by giving feedback on my work that allowed me to progress through my academic studies. Dr. Wartella was my first professor in the program. He made me feel immediately welcome to CPASS and the Mountaineer family,” Ghaffoor said.
Justin Wartella, sport management teaching assistant professor, says that Ghaffoor is “an absolute dream” to have in class. “Coach Ghaffoor is well-prepared daily and actively participates in class discussions, produces professionally authored documents and shares thought-provoking insights in every class situation,” Wartella said. “On top of that, she brings the perspective of a former student athlete, to now being a coach at the collegiate level into every interactive forum we have. It adds value and depth to the topic due to her practical experience.”
Wartella notes that Ghaffoor has often discussed her future goal of pursuing a terminal degree in the field. “Sarah has an interest in scholarly work and transferring her skills as a coach/role model and educator on the soccer field to the classroom,” he said.
As the assistant women's soccer coach at Chowan University, Murfreesboro, N.C., Ghaffoor manages the day-to-day operations of the Chowan University women's soccer program. “My daily work is overseeing recruiting, fundraising, student-athlete development and scouting reports. The student-athlete development is growing our student-athletes as leaders and on-the-field development,” she said. “Right now, we are mid-season. Therefore, my daily work is focused on game preparation to develop our defensive side of the game.”
Originally from Hamilton, New Jersey, Ghaffoor now lives in Suffolk, Virginia. She advises current undergraduate students to get involved in an internship from the beginning. “It will be a game-changer for your career once graduating,” she said.
“Keep an open mind when looking for internships. The information in your CPASS studies will transfer into the real world in different areas. For example, you might think you want to be a college coach, but it is more than just coaching. You will have to mentor student-athletes.”
“Prospective students should look at Sarah’s story as of motivation and a gold standard for how one can take their passion for sport full circle through hard work, from an athlete to coach/practitioner in the industry, scholar and potentially a future sport management faculty member,” Wartella added.
Ghaffoor said she chose WVU because of its national reputation and personalized approach to online learning. “WVU is recognized on each level in the sports industry, with the added opportunity to network for my future. During my process of applying to grad school, it was between two schools,” she said. “WVU met my plans in the sports industry while preparing me for short- and long-term career goals.”