Kanon Furuyama
Name: Kanon Furuyama
Program: Sport Management
Level or Degree: Sophomore
What are you involved in on campus?
I’m in the Michigan Sport Consulting Group, Michigan Women Empowerment in Sport and Entertainment, and Sport Business Association. I also do marketing for U-M Rec Sports.
Why did you want to become a peer advisor?
I knew about U-M growing up because I lived so close, but I didn’t know about Kinesiology’s Sport Management program. The experiences I gained during my first year made me want to tell incoming students what the Sport Management program is like and how it is different than other programs at U-M.What makes the School of Kinesiology unique?
Kinesiology’s small size is truly unique at a university like U-M. Having that small-knit community where you know everyone makes you feel connected and wanted.
What is your most memorable moment within the school?
It has to be the student clubs and organizations. You see familiar faces when you go to class, even if it’s a lecture. You know the people sitting next to you, and because you will be working with them in the future, it’s a great way to get connected and share similar experiences with your peers.
What is your favorite experience?
I went to New York with the Sport Business Association where I met and spoke with people from the National Basketball Association, Peloton, and a sports agency. It was a good experience to be able to speak with people already in the industry that graduated from Michigan.
Do you have an “a-ha” moment or a time when your perspective shifted?
When I thought about Sport Management, I thought it was working mostly for sports teams. There is so much more to sport business than what I expected. Additionally, taking classes and speaking with professors about the business side of sports has been eye-opening.
How have you changed academically, socially, or professionally since your first year?
I learned to be more open. I was more reserved in high school, and coming to U-M has opened so many doors and has allowed me to be more outgoing than I was before. I have also made more professional connections than I did in high school.
What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor?
My favorite memories are going out to eat with my friends, going to football games, and going to basketball games.
Kinesiology’s small size is truly unique at a university like U-M. Having that small-knit community where you know everyone makes you feel connected and wanted.