Alumni Spotlight: Claire Weisbrod, MS Sport Administration

Although Claire Weisbrod didn’t initially envision a career in sports administration, she's loved sports for most of her life. When she set her sights on a career in athletics, UC’s online Master’s in Sport Administration (SPAD) helped her turn that goal into reality. She graduated with her master’s in 2024 and has been thriving in the industry ever since.

Recently, Professor and SPAD Program Coordinator Dr. David Kelley had the opportunity to speak with Claire about her experience with UC Online. 

As a student at St. Ursula Academy, Claire excelled in both academics and sports. She swam for four years in high school, a full-time commitment that she balanced alongside her studies. “When you swim, it takes up so much time because it’s a year-round sport,” she said.

Along with her dedication to swimming, Claire has always been an avid sports fan. From St. Ursula basketball and soccer games to Bombers games at St. Xavier, she grew up cheering on the sidelines at numerous sporting events. 

She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology. Even so, her passion for sports never wavered—and it made her a natural fit for a career in sport administration.

Claire enrolled in UC’s online sport administration master’s program while working as an athletics intern at St. Xavier High School. Since it wasn’t a full-time position, she had some flexibility that helped her balance work and school. To stay motivated during her online program, Claire prioritized consistency and routine. 

“I would dedicate myself specifically to schoolwork during the day,” she explained. “I would treat it like a 9-to-5 kind of job, where I would get up early and find a quiet space at home and really spend that time with the modules online.”

While the asynchronous nature of the program meant Claire had to manage her time well, it also gave her the opportunity to gain experience in sport management alongside her education. Since she could focus on her coursework during the day, she was free to work St. Xavier sporting events in the evenings and apply what she’d learned from her sport administration coursework.

From there, Claire found that eliminating distractions and staying connected with her coursework and instructors were both integral to her success. “I’m a planner,” she added. “I like to have things done in advance. I don’t like to procrastinate.” 

Following her internship at St. Xavier, Claire took on a full-time position at St. Ursula Academy as the assistant athletic director. Her main responsibilities include implementing policies and expectations within the athletics program; managing the crowd, parking, concessions, and other employees at sporting events; and assisting the athletic director (AD).

St. Ursula Academy is an all-girls high school. While they don’t have a football team, they have a robust athletics department and offer twelve different sports. Claire is always learning something new from her AD, and she’s also able to make a positive impact on others through her role. 

For example, Claire is responsible for onboarding new coaches and ensuring their certifications are up to date. Additionally, one of her favorite aspects of her job is overseeing awards and ordering trophies at the end of each season. Every time an athlete breaks a school record, she loves updating the record boards and seeing that history come to life. 

“As somebody who’s still new in the field, who only has two years of experience, I’ve learned so much from people who have been doing it so long,” Claire mentioned. While this includes the incredible people she’s worked with professionally, she also credits her SPAD professors at UC for their knowledge and resources. 

Ever since Claire enrolled in the SPAD master’s program, she hasn’t stopped learning. The resources she gained from each class were enlightening—from varied lectures and readings to interviews with sports practitioners.  When asked her biggest takeaways from her program, Claire responded, “Oh my gosh, everything!” 

UC's online SPAD program has equipped Claire with the skills to transition from her undergraduate education into sport administration. That isn’t to say that she’s felt limited or set back by her past education; in fact, her master’s program has allowed her to still use many of the skills she acquired through psychology and sociology.

Her coursework has also bolstered her understanding of athletics within a high school setting. She’s carried this knowledge into her professional career, first as an intern, and then as Assistant Athletic Director. 

“When you’re an AD, you wear so many different hats,” Claire explained. “All of the online classes were so, so, so helpful in navigating it all with where I am today.” 

As for Claire’s advice to current and prospective online students, she emphasized the importance of knowing why you’re pursuing your degree. Why did you enroll in an online program? Why did you commit to this path? And where do you see yourself after graduation? These questions will help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

“I could see myself being an AD, and that’s what motivated me and pushed me through,” she said. “So I think remembering why you want to do this and understanding that purpose is so important. 

Despite the hard work and long hours, Claire never gave up. She attributes her success to another piece of advice: manage your time well and don’t wait until the last minute to finish assignments. This goes hand in hand with prioritizing self-care and rest, she adds.

“Last and certainly not least is always making a good impression,” Claire said. “Because you have no idea who you may run into, who may be connected to your next job. You just never know what opportunity could lead to the next.” 

Claire is one of many UC students who has carved out a career in sport administration and athletic direction. On behalf of the UC Online team, we are endlessly proud of Claire’s success as an online Bearcat and beyond! 

Do you see yourself in Claire’s story? Are you a long-time sports enthusiast and ready to leap into the career field? If so, you can begin exploring UC's online Master’s in Sport Administration today.  

Contact your Enrollment Services Advisor for personalized guidance and start your online education. You're standing at the starting line—all you need to do is take that first step.