When professional hockey players finally decide to retire from the game they’ve played since childhood, many are unsure what to do in the post-hockey phase of their life.  Often players want to stay involved in hockey or the sport industry in some capacity, but lack the formal education or thorough understanding of the business side of the sport.  However, an emerging online Master of Education in Athletic Administration (MAA) program through the Van Loan School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Endicott College provides a solution for not only players, but any aspiring student seeking to gain the education and competitive advantage they need to help advance their career in the sport industry.

Led by Associate Director of Graduate Athletic Administration, Anthony D’Onofrio, the MAA program offers students the opportunity to pursue their Masters degree online while learning first hand from some key practitioners in the sport industry.

“The major distinguishing factor for our program is that we are 100% online,” explained D’Onofrio.  “Classes are asynchronous so students don’t have to be online when the Instructor is online.  Our price point of $464 per class is definitely a distinguishing factor as well.  Students are also attracted to the numerous networking opportunities we provide with some key players in the sport industry.”

The MAA program at Endicott College is primarily taught by industry practitioners and features numerous guest speakers who are experts in their particular aspect of the sport industry.

“For example, last year in my Facilities Management class, I brought in speakers such as the Vice-President of TD Garden as well as the gentleman that built AT&T Stadium (formerly Dallas Cowboys stadium) – and with that my students were all ears.  They want to know how security is managed at the TD Garden, what goes into changing over from hockey to basketball and back, how you build a world-class stadium like AT&T Stadium, and a hundred other things, as opposed to me saying ‘turn to page 48 and we’ll tell you the five P’s of the marketing mix’.  Information such as that is great but when you are doing communications or events you don’t have a book by your side. So we want students to learn to adapt and retain some real-life industry experience from guest speakers.”

The program’s Instructors also tend to be industry practitioners who share a wealth of knowledge based on their career experience.  One such practitioner, Michael Santos, is a former National Hockey League (NHL) Assistant General Manager who has over 20 years experience working in Hockey Operations at the NHL level.

“Sports can be a complicated business especially when it comes to understanding items such as Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and contracts,” said Santos.  “The sport needs smart, educated people.  This fact can’t be lost on today’s pro players and this program provides an excellent opportunity for them to prepare and supplement their career moving forward.”

Santos joined the Endicott College program after receiving a call from D’Onofrio, who thought he would be an ideal Instructor based on his real-life industry experience.  “I’ve had hands on, real life experience working in the trenches and working with athletes,” explained Santos.

“For example, in my Contract Negotiations class, I want students to understand that the CBA is the principle that governs the Standard Player Contract (SPC) and to understand the most relevant sections of the CBA, specifically negotiation and enforcement of the SPC.  We examine and understand contract negotiations by hearing from certified agents and executives who have actually negotiated contracts which provides a comprehensive look and understanding of the entire process from both sides of the table.”

Santos knows first hand what contract negotiations entail having been part of some major deals throughout his career. 

“I’ve been involved in contract negotiations with top players such as Roberto Luongo and Aleksander Barkov on his entry level deal when I was with the Florida Panthers, as well as Ryan Suter, David Legwand, and Paul Kariya from when I was with Nashville.  It’s not necessarily the size of the contract, the dollar amount, or the athlete, I am most happy when you negotiate a contract that is fair to both sides, which gives an athlete the chance to prove themselves and then they go out and do just that. What’s impressed me the most are the players who earned their opportunity and who lived out their dream of playing professional hockey.”

To go along with a stable of experienced instructors and guest speakers, D’Onofiro admits it’s the personal connection and individual attention for each student that also helps set the program apart. 

“I am the academic advisor for every student.  I just spoke to a student today who told me he appreciates me calling him every 6 weeks just to see how he is doing with his class work and to see if there is anything we can do for him.  I’ll also make students aware of any job opportunities.  I like to keep things very personable.”

The program also boasts the fact that they are adaptable and can accommodate students with a flexible schedule.  “For example, if you are coaching hockey and want to take the winter off to focus on the hockey season, we let them take the winter off.  They can then pick things back up in the spring, so that is a real appealing aspect as well,” said D’Onofrio. “We have students that are working in the industry for pro teams or as Athletic Directors and they are finding it nice to be able to structure their time in a way that they can manage the program at the same time as their work.”

Current and former professional hockey players may tend to embrace the nature of the program’s flexible, online format given their in-season schedule.  “For hockey players this program is perfect. In between games, players are on a bus. Most buses now have Wi-Fi so they’re able to work on their stuff then.  The course content is also perfect for gearing them up for a career after hockey. The fact they can do courses online gives the athlete the chance to complete the course work on their time and on their schedule.” 

The most distinct element offered by the program for professional hockey players is the opportunity to pursue an education while they are still playing.

“I think the program is a great fit for hockey players,” added Santos.  “Their education and experience will far outlast their playing career.  We have a strong representation of ‘hockey guys’ involved in the program, and I think it is a no brainer working with the Professional Hockey Players’ Association to help players prepare for a life after hockey.” 

For more information on the Master of Education in Athletic Administration program at Endicott College, please contact Anthony D’Onofrio, Associate Director of Graduate Athletic Administration at 978-998-7791 or email adonofri@endicott.edu.