Former Stanley Cup winning general manager Brian Burke was named the next Executive-in-Residence by the Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management at the University of Massachusetts’ Isenberg School of Management last Wednesday, according to a University release.
Burke, who served as the general manager for four National Hockey League teams – he led the Anaheim Ducks to their first Stanley Cup in 2007, as well as the U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team to a silver medal in the 2010 winter Olympics – called the opportunity an “honor,” according to a University release..
“I look forward to my campus visit and having the opportunity to interact with the faculty and students … and share my industry experiences, knowledge and perspective,” he said in the release.
According to the release, the Executive-in-Residence program goes “beyond the traditional design of an academic speaker series,” with speakers actively immersing themselves into campus life over a period of several days.
As a highlight of the program, Burke will deliver the Sport Innovators Keynote Address. Titled “The Current Landscape of Labor Relations in Professional Sports,” the lecture is open to all students in the Five College Consortium and will take place at 6 p.m. on April 9 at Mahar Auditorium.
Burke will also take part in the UMass Amherst Libraries’ Sport Innovation Oral History Project – a project that archives the stories of the executives who participate in the program.
Lisa Masteralexis, head of UMass’ sport management department, praised Burke in the release of his “comprehensive experience” in the hockey world as well as for being “a champion of equality and a strong voice against homophobia in sports.”
“We are looking forward to having Brian share his wisdom, advice and career experiences at the pinnacle of hockey with our students, faculty and University community,” she said in the release.
Burke has a long and varied history in hockey, including having played in the Hockey East Association with Providence College. After earning his law degree at Harvard University, he served as a player agent until he became the Vancouver Canucks’ director of hockey operations in 1987. In 2001, he was named the Sporting News NHL Executive of the Year and was the award’s runner-up for the 2005-06 season.
Jeffrey Okerman can be reached at [email protected].
