McCormack Alumni Recognized as SBJ Game Changers

Two McCormack Department of Sport Management alumni were honored as part of Sports Business Journal’s Class of 2024 Game Changers this week. Amy Scheer ’86 and Li Li Leung ’03 MS were recognized for their career accomplishments across the sport industry in a special ceremony held in New York City on September 25, 2024.

This annual SBJ recognition celebrates fifty “Game Changers,” women leaders in sport who have made an impact and powered change in the industry. The Game Changer award provides inspiration, motivation, and education to those passionate about elevating women in the sport industry. 

“Amy Scheer and Li Li Leung exemplify the leadership, dedication, and innovation we strive to instill in our students,” said McCormack Department Chair Dr. Nicole Melton. “Their remarkable achievements inspire the next generation of sport management professionals. We are so proud of both and look forward to seeing their continued success and impact!”

Amy Scheer is the senior vice president for business operations with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). After three decades spread across stints with the MLS, NBA, NFL, and WNBA, Scheer was named to her current role, where she was instrumental in the league’s highly successful inaugural season in 2023-24. In its debut season, the PWHL set multiple attendance records, including a women’s hockey record of 21,105 fans. As the head of business operations, Scheer was the driving force behind sponsorship agreements with more than 40 companies, as well as media, marketing, and communications efforts that saw the PWHL attain an increase in viewership of more than 2000 percent. In May, the PWHL was recognized as SBJ’s Breakthrough of the Year. In 2006, Scheer was recognized with the Harold J. VanderZwaag Distinguished Alumnus Award by McCormack. 

Li Li Leung is the president and CEO of USA Gymnastics (USAG), having assumed the role in 2019. This past summer, USA Gymnastics athletes took the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games by storm, winning a gold medal in the women’s team all-around and a bronze medal in the men’s team all-around, as well as numerous individual medals. Since assuming her role, Leung has reshaped the culture of the organization by putting athletes first. Her most significant accomplishment was creating the USAG’s Bill of Rights, the first of its kind. Beyond that, guided by Leung, USAG has implemented robust trainings for coaches, parents, and other adults in the sport and added mental health resources. In recent years, USAG has made an effort to include more diverse leadership among their board of directors and various committees, which collectively oversee 3000+ USAG clubs. Prior to her tenure at USA Gymnastics, Leung spent 4 years as the vice president of the NBA. Leung was recognized as a McCormack Alumni on the Rise Award Winner by the department in 2013.

Scheer and Leung join fellow McCormack alumnae who have been honored as SBJ Gamechangers: Pam Batalis '92 MS, Tiffany Daniels '98 MS, Heidi Pellerano '98 MS, Ana Shapiro Queenan '00 MS, Gloria Nevarez '93, Cindy Stutman '98, Trish Tulloch '97 MS and Christine Franklin '00.