Corporate
U SPORTS Central: The digital evolution of Canadian university sport
U SPORTS sits down with each of its interns this semester in our new interview series “Getting to know…”
- Name: Michael Longato
- School: University of Guelph-Humber
- Program: Business Administration
- Internship position: Finance
- Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ont.
1. What attracted you to the University of Guelph-Humber and your program?
The main reason in why I wanted to attend the University of Guelph-Humber business program was due to the smaller class sizes, having the one-on-one time with professionals in the field of business and the opportunity to receive a business degree and diploma in four years of study.
2. Why were you interested in interning at U SPORTS?
I was interested in interning with U SPORTS in order to mesh two of my favorite passions: sports and business. Another reason was the opportunity to work with a national sport organization, which provided me the perspective of how the sport business in Canada operates.
3. What are your key learnings from your experience at U SPORTS?
The key learning experiences that I have endured at U SPORTS were working as a team in completing tasks on assignments and improving on my communication skills. For example, dealing with vendors or talking to other collogues about daily work.
4. Any memorable moments over the course of your internship?
The Leadership Breakfast series where a sports business professional visited the office to tell us about their career.
5. What is one piece of advice you can give to someone interested in joining U SPORTS?
It is a great place to work, especially if you are interested in the sports field throughout Canada.
6. Why did you choose to pursue a career in sports and what is your dream job?
As mentioned above, sports and business are my passions. My dream job would be working with a professional sports team in the finance area or the financial sector primarily dealing with investments.
7. If you could sit down with one person in the sports industry (athlete, coach, manager or professional), who would it be? Why? What would you talk about?
It would be Mike Babcock, head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs – because of the success he has had in bringing the Detroit Red Wings to multiple Stanley Cup Final appearances and guiding the Leafs to the playoffs, not to mention his international success with Team Canada. To build on that, talking about what he has done over the course of his career that had led him to the Leafs and his views on success in today’s business and sport environment.
8. After joining U SPORTS and gaining a better understanding of what we do, how would you describe the organization and the culture at the national office?
It’s a great environment that is surrounded with people that want to help and a sport-invested culture.
9. What do you enjoy doing when you’re away from your internship and school?
Playing hockey/sports, reading, fishing.
10. What is your most memorable sports moment?
Attending my first Toronto Maple Leafs game sitting 20 rows up from the ice and having former Leafs captain Mats Sundin flip the puck over the glass where I caught it.
The objective of the U SPORTS Internship program is to provide students currently enrolled in collegiate / university programs with concrete experience of what it is like to work in the Canadian sport industry.
To apply, click here.