Student Spotlight: Jibrael Harrell '25

Jibrael (Jibs) Harrell ’25 chose UMass Amherst after having great conversations with several McCormack faculty members while he was in high school. The North Bergen, N.J., native will be co-directing this year’s McCormack Sport Management Career Fair and is also a member of the Student Alumni Association.

How did you choose Isenberg and UMass Amherst?

I chose Isenberg and UMass after reaching out to Professor McKelvey, the McCormack department chair at the time. After numerous calls with Dr. Matt Katz, who is also in the department, I could tell that the fit was perfect for me, as the program seemed to emphasize students’ value both in and out of the classroom. My mom always told me, “Go where you’re loved,” and I felt Isenberg was the best fit for that descriptor.

What are your majors?

I am both a sport management major at Isenberg and a film studies major in the BDIC program.

How did you choose this combination of majors?

Sport management was my plan upon arrival at UMass, but I was inspired to add film studies because of the passion I have for that medium of art. I watch countless movies, and I wanted to learn more about that part of my life and become more well-versed.

What have been your favorite classes and experiences at Isenberg so far?

My favorite classes have been Sport Marketing, Sport Leadership, and Sport Finance. Sport Marketing was great because it has helped me home in on what I would like to do in the industry, which is to work in the sports sponsorship space. I loved Sport Leadership because I have been able to use a lot of what I learned from that class in the real world when identifying leadership styles and intentions behind mission statements, core values, and so on. Lastly, Sport Finance was great because I was able to apply a lot of my pre-existing knowledge to the class, and it validated a lot of what I have been interested in since I was younger.

What clubs and extracurriculars do you participate in?

This upcoming year, I will be co-directing the McCormack Sport Management Career Fair, which is both a great honor and a lot of pressure to fulfill high expectations from years past. However, Billie Jean King always says, “Pressure is a privilege,” so I am excited to take on that challenge. I am also a member of the Student Alumni Association, primarily helping with tours and any extracurricular activities the club needs help with. Initially I joined to support my friend who was on the e-board, but now I enjoy the work they do!

Have you had any jobs or internships during college?

I have had a plethora of jobs and experiences at UMass. Currently, I hold four jobs. I am an admissions fellow for the tour guides and an RA in Coolidge Hall in Southwest. I also assist with ticketing events for the Student Organization Resource Center, and I work at the eCampus bookstore. During my freshman year, I was a research assistant for the Laboratory of Inclusion for Diversity in Sport. We compiled data for ESPN to see if they exhibited biases related to race, ethnicity, skin tone, and country of origin in their articles. The summer after my first year, I worked for New Student Orientation and Transitions. After my sophomore year, I interned in Hartford for the Yard Goats, a minor league baseball team, helping with merchandising, marketing, operations, and sponsorship. Lastly, after junior year, I interned at Fenway Sports Management, where I would find companies for the Fenway Sports Group properties to partner with, such as the Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Liverpool FC. I’m also part of a mentorship program with the Boston Celtics under Ted Dalton, where I get to learn about the ins and outs of the sponsorship section of the sports industry.

What are you planning after graduation?

The plan is to break into the sports industry! McCormack has prepared me to utilize both my experience and my knowledge to find the best spot for me to jumpstart my career. I am hoping to stick within either the marketing or sponsorship space, but I am open to other possibilities too.

If you could go back and give your first-year self some advice, what would you tell them?

I would tell my first-year self to trust that everything happens for a reason. Whether you don’t get a certain job or don’t make that connection with someone, it is for a cause. All that matters is that you put your best foot forward because the worst anyone can say is no, so why not do the best that you can? When one door closes, another opens, and you have to trust in the networking and work that you have done.

Do you have a mentor from the Isenberg community who has helped shape your experience?

Dr. Matt Katz! The GOAT! I wouldn’t be the student I am today, or even the person I am today, without him. He has been transformative as I prepare to enter post-graduate life. Before I even decided to come to UMass, Dr. Katz invested a lot of time in me to ensure I was making the right decision for the next four years. I truly hope every student gets the opportunity to have someone like him in their life