Student Spotlight James Stamoulis

I chose WVU for a few reasons. I wanted a school with a strong sport management program and a vibrant athletic environment, but just as important, I wanted a campus near a Greek Orthodox Church so I could stay connected to my faith. This sport management program stood out to me because of its respected reputation, internship opportunities, and devoted alumni. Now that I am soon to be an alum, I can confidently say I made the right choice.

The sport management program has prepared me for my next chapter in ways I never anticipated. From the influential classes to the strong relationships I built with my professors and fellow students, this program has supported me in more ways than I ever expected. I have not only gained significant knowledge of the sports industry through various opportunities, but I have also learned many meaningful lessons about life while expanding my network in the process.

What truly sets this program apart is the professors. Every single professor has your best interests in mind and genuinely looks to help you. Throughout my time here, I knew I could turn to my professors for guidance in any situation, and I was never turned away. Their support has made a lasting impact on me, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful.

When I arrived at West Virginia University, I knew I wanted to get involved right away. I got to know Dr. Justin Wartella and Dr. Patrick Hairston very well, and they were quick to inform me that some sport management alumni had reached out to them about the disconnect between alumni and students due to the pandemic. Dr. Wartella and Dr. Hairston thought I, along with two other students, Anna Gathman and Ella Byrd, would be a good fit to run point on strengthening connections between sport management students and alumni, and that’s exactly what we did.

We started a YouTube account to post sit-down conversations with many successful alumni in the sports world, and for me, it was the best thing ever. I loved learning in-depth about these successful professionals in the field I am pursuing and having the opportunity to pick their brains a little. I also loved just getting to joke around and connect with them on a more personal level and continuing to grow my own personal network. That’s what I wanted students, like myself, to see through this alumni network. These alumni were once in our shoes and are all incredibly kind, genuine, and willing to help their alma mater. We also started an Instagram account to post clips from the podcasts so that students could watch a short clip rather than the whole video on YouTube.

This opportunity was more than I could have ever imagined, and I am incredibly humbled, blessed, and grateful to have been a part of it. There is zero doubt in my mind that it will continue to blossom as Bianca Zelaes, Emerson V olmer, Makena Killian, Aniela Diieso, and Ava Azzanni are now running point while Dr. Wartella oversees it all. I am sure going to miss it.

This experience has had a significant impact on both my professional network and my career direction. Through this I was able to get connected directly with successful professionals in the sports industry, learning from their experiences and gaining insights into potential career paths. These relationships not only expanded my network but also provided mentorship and guidance that continue to influence my decisions and goals. Working closely with Dr. Wartella, Dr. Hairston, Dr. Gary Lhotsky, and my peers on this initiative also strengthened my leadership and collaboration skills, shaping the way I approach professional opportunities and challenges. I am deeply grateful to everyone who was and still is involved.

It’s impossible to choose just one conversation or episode that left a lasting impression on me, because each one had its own impact. That said, I was recently on the phone with a gentleman named Skyler Ashbaugh, who is the Lead Product Line Manager of Jordan Brand North America Express Lane at Nike. I had the privilege of having Skyler on the podcast almost two years ago now, but we recently reconnected on the phone, and he gave me some great advice. We were talking about how everyone gets lucky in life, but he encouraged me to “be in luck's way,” not just wait for it, and that really resonated with me. He also recommended creating my own personal “board of directors” when it comes to networking: finding people I admire, who uphold strong values, and keeping them close as I move forward in my career.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to build strong relationships with faculty during my time here, especially within the athletics marketing department. My year-long internship with them helped me gain connections and real-world experience in the collegiate side of sports. Being part of that internship was extremely rewarding and helped me so much more than I could have asked. I use the knowledge I learned during that internship to this day, especially when I am working with the Boston Red Sox in the Fan Services department as a Fenway Ambassador. From gameday operations to office hours, it was a very smooth transition for me, and that’s all thanks to Brodie McUmar, Corie Apodaca, and Noah Smith for providing me such an incredible opportunity to work for the best athletic program in the country.

One piece of advice I would give my younger self is to trust in God more completely. Every opportunity and challenge in my life has unfolded through Him, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without my faith.

My post-graduation plans are to continue working part-time at the Red Sox while I search for a full-time job. It would be awesome if my full-time work were with the Red Sox as well, but only time will tell. Regardless, I’m excited to get back to Fenway soon, keep learning, and continue building relationships within the organization.

What I’m looking forward to most is discovering my own version of success; not just the conventional definition but something that feels meaningful and authentic to me. I may not know exactly what that looks like yet, but I’m confident I’ll figure it out as I grow personally and professionally.

The best thing about being a Mountaineer is precisely that. What it means to be a Mountaineer is the best part about being a Mountaineer. From the camaraderie to the crazy but devoted fanbase, to being able to wear a baseball hat with a flying WV in the airport and hear “Let’s Go Mountaineers” from across the way, it all brings the WVU community together. West Virginia, having no professional sports teams, brings this school together in the best way, and I am so thankful that God brought me to this school. The last thing I will end with is from Dr. Patrick Hairston, who would always start class by saying, “Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer, and you better believe it!”