McCormack MS Alumna Helps Communities Through the Power of Sport

­­Fatoumata Ouattara ’23 MS knew that most people who pursue a master’s degree in sport management expect to work with professional athletes, but she had a different plan when she started the graduate program at the McCormack Department of Sport Management.

“I’m passionate about community relations, youth development, and social responsibility in sports,” she says. “I knew that was the space I wanted to enter, and I knew this master’s program would allow me to do so.”

Within a few months of finishing her degree at Isenberg’s McCormack Department of Sport Management, Ouattara was working in exactly the type of job she had envisioned for herself—as associate director of program, school, and community for Special Olympics New York. There, she is responsible for supporting, coordinating, and monitoring all school and community-based program-related activities. She devotes most of her time to the organization’s school-based programs, which provide access to sports and opportunities for physical activity for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, primarily through the New York City public schools throughout the five boroughs. 

“Some schools may have programs, but that doesn’t mean those children are getting access to sports or physical activity,” Ouattara says. “We work with those schools to provide opportunities. We will host competitions and showcase experiences in which athletes are learning and playing a sport, attending a competition tailored to their ability and level of skill.”

The Power of Sport

Ouattara recognizes from her own experience that sport can change lives, instilling confidence, responsibility and a sense of community in kids. Growing up as a shy and introverted child of immigrant parents in New York City, her family didn’t expect her to play sports. But she credits a nonprofit program called Powerplay with giving her the opportunity to participate when she was young. “They used sports to empower thousands of girls in New York City,” she says. Ouattara excelled at basketball and went on to play collegiate rugby at SUNY Oneonta.

“I wanted to pass that along,” Ouattara says. “I know that sports have the power to bring people together, regardless of where you come from. I want to pave the way for people, the way people paved the way for me.”

Growing Through Sport

Ouattara put equal effort into sports and academics through her college years at SUNY Oneonta. After finishing her bachelor’s degree, she decided to pursue a graduate program that would support her passions for both community relations and sports—and most importantly, she didn’t want to leave any room for anyone to doubt her credibility.

“I knew what I wanted,” she says. “I went to grad school because I needed the skills, McCormack’s strong alumni connections, and a better understanding of the foundational framework of the sport industry and all the possible careers I could explore.”

The Mark H. McCormack master’s degree program in sport management offered the right combination of academics and experience. Ouattara experienced some serious culture shock moving to Amherst from New York City, but that didn’t deter her from jumping into the new chapter with both feet, forging connections with fellow students and faculty and taking advantage of McCormack’s networking opportunities.

“The classes were hard,” she says. “They challenged me. It was an accelerated program, so they put us to work. I knew, though, that it was only for 10 months—so I told myself I could do it. And in the end, it was great. McCormack found a way to help every single student that entered the program, supporting us and connecting us to the right people.” She successfully juggled schoolwork, her duties as a TA, sports, friendships, and even a position as a youth events and outreach intern with the Boston Glory, a semi-pro ultimate frisbee franchise.

Ten months flew by and Ouattara found herself with a master’s degree—the first in her family to reach that goal.

“My mother was proud of me,” Ouattara recalls. “She doesn’t say things like this often, but my mom sent me a text message when I was finished, pointing out that I was the first person in the family to get a master’s degree. I wasn’t even thinking of it that way. I pursued it because I’m a barrier breaker—I wanted to inspire young girls of color and let them know that they can pursue any dream or aspiration they want.”

Sport in Community

Ouattara’s job with Special Olympics New York has made all the hard work worthwhile. She spends her days managing school and community programs, supporting coaches, volunteers, and athletes with any resources and education they may need for their programs, and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and volunteers.

“I’m so grateful for our volunteers,” Ouattara says. “Without them we wouldn’t be where we are today. We depend on their help anywhere and everywhere. I try to make sure that it’s a special experience for them. I make sure they understand that we all truly care about this—that we believe deeply that these athletes deserve the same opportunities given to abled athletes.”

For Ouattara, this is work that comes straight from the heart. Learning that there was an entire space in sports that has been traditionally overlooked and under-resourced, she has adopted the Special Olympics’ mission as her own. During one of her first weeks with the organization,  she attended a school day Motor Activity Training Program showcase, designed for athletes with severe or profound intellectual disability who are unable to participate in Special Olympics competitions. “We found a space for an athlete who was in a wheelchair and was nonverbal, and he was so happy,” Ouattara recalls. “He was practically jumping in his wheelchair. I still get emotional thinking about that. Being able to give all our athletes this experience is one of the most rewarding feelings ever.”

It’s that impact on the individual level that is both Ouattara’s motivation and reward.

“That’s enough for me,” she says. “There’s no amount of money in the world that could give me such a rewarding experience. People felt that my dreams were not realistic, or somehow weren’t good enough. But it’s what I believed in, and I stayed true to that. And I’m happy.”

Elizabeth D. Bednarczyk is senior marketing and communications coordinator in the UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management’s Marketing and Communications office. Submit story ideas to ebednarczyk@isenberg.umass.edu.