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Student Profile
Cole Greenspan
Sport Management Master's Student
Name: Cole Greenspan
Program: Sport Management
Level or Degree: Master’s
Current Title: Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer – U-M Football
You received your undergrad degree in Athletic Training, and you’re a certified athletic trainer. What made you decide to go on to get your master’s in Sport Management?
I wanted to expand my knowledge. The degree has been useful in learning more about administration and management, and those skills have helped me grow as an athletic trainer and clinician. Additionally, the experience of being at Michigan and having the opportunity to work with the football team here has been beneficial to me as a clinician and athletic trainer.
How did you become a graduate assistant athletic trainer for U-M Football?
Previously, I was working with the Green Bay Packers as an intern, and through my connections, I heard about the U-M graduate assistant opportunity. Then I went through the application process for the Sport Management master’s program. Once I got into U-M, I was able to finalize the graduate assistant position with the football team.
What has been your favorite experience so far in your time at Michigan?
It’s hard to pinpoint just one. Game days and things like that are fun, but I think the little moments within the training room and out on the field with the guys are my favorite. The interactions with the other staff members here, the interns, the other students, and working with the student-athletes have also been fun. I’ve learned a lot from it.
Michigan is a unique place because of its resources and connections around the United States. I knew a little before coming here, but being exposed to it is kind of earth-shattering when seeing how big the reach is and how many resources there are.
What has been your favorite in-class moment? Do you have a favorite class?
The strategy and marketing courses I took during my first semester were interesting. We worked on a project we presented to a sport management company, for the naming rights of the Pittsburgh Pirates stadium. It was cool to have that creative opportunity, and it was something different than I normally do.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
I’m hoping to pursue a full-time athletic training position, whether it be at an NCAA Division I program similar to U-M or with an NFL franchise.
What would you say to a prospective student who’s thinking about coming to get their master’s degree here?
Michigan is a unique place because of its resources and connections around the United States. I knew a little before coming here, but being exposed to it is kind of earth-shattering when seeing how big the reach is and how many resources there are.
I’ve had the chance to work with classmates from different backgrounds and undergraduate degrees, as well as international students. Similarly in the graduate assistant position, I’ve had the chance to work with lots of different interns and student-athletes from all walks of life. I’ve been able to learn from different people, and everyone looks out for each other. It’s a super accepting place, which is nice. It’s a neat place to grow and learn, especially with all of the educational opportunities available.