Student Spotlight: Jimmy Picerelli (MS in Sport Administration)

Continuing education is one of the best ways to advance in your career. Jimmy Picerelli, a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati, is living proof. He has officially earned his Master of Science in Sport Administration, all while continuing his career in university athletics.

By graduating with his master’s degree, Jimmy has been able to forge a path forward in university athletic recruiting—one he never could have imagined before. Best of all, he was able to earn his master’s 100% online without putting his career on pause. 

Before enrolling at UC, Jimmy was no stranger to the football field. He began as a student-athlete at Bryant University, but that was only the beginning: next came numerous professional experiences in football operations, coaching and athletics administration. 

From communications to recruiting and creative strategy, Jimmy immersed himself in the world of athletics. He held operational roles at both Bryant and Marist before finding a long-term home within Brown University’s athletics department as Assistant Director of Athletics, Recruiting. 

Prior to enrolling at UC, Jimmy knew that he wanted to stay in the industry. However, he was in search of opportunities for growth, to channel his passion for athletics into true leadership potential.

“At the time I started exploring graduate programs, I was working full time and trying to think more seriously about the next stage of my career,” he said. “I had a lot of practical experience, but I wanted a stronger academic and strategic foundation that could help me better understand the larger administrative, financial, and leadership decisions that shape an athletic department. 

Once Jimmy made the decision to go back for his master’s degree, he had another decision ahead of him: 

Where? 

“I was not looking for a program that felt separate from my work,” he explained. “I wanted something that would challenge me but also help me immediately apply what I was learning to my role.”

As it turned out, that program was UC’s online MS in Sports Administration. The online format was a major draw for Jimmy; it allowed him to earn his degree while still working full-time at Brown. No relocation was necessary, nor did he have to sacrifice valuable years in the workforce.  

Another reason that Jimmy chose UC was because of the degree’s applicability to his current role, and where he wants to go in the future.

“My long-term goal is to continue growing into leadership roles within athletics administration, so I wanted a program that would help me build a broader understanding of the industry beyond my own specific job responsibilities,” he said. “That ended up being one of the best parts of the experience. A lot of the coursework connected directly to things I was seeing or thinking about in real time within college athletics.” 

When it came time to balance his master’s degree and his full-time career at Brown, Jimmy drew on the discipline and time management skills he’d developed as a Division I student-athlete. 

During his busiest semesters—"especially working in athletics, where nights, weekends and unpredictable schedules are part of the job”—he had to stay intentional with his coursework, stay ahead of deadlines, and stay organized as both an athletics professional and an online student.  

“I am also grateful for the support I received throughout the program,” Jimmy added. “The flexibility of the online format mattered, but so did the communication and support from the people involved.” 

At UC, online students take the same courses and learn from the same faculty members. They have access to the same resources as on-campus students. Within the Sport Administration program, professors like Dr. David Kelley work tirelessly to blend online flexibility with academic rigor and experiential learning. These opportunities for connection—with online peers, faculty, and UC Online’s staff—made all the difference for Jimmy. 

Jimmy came to UC as a seasoned sports professional. Through his master’s degree, he learned how to zoom out from his individual role and look at an athletic department as the sum of its parts. It gave him more confidence in conversations about leadership and long-term strategy. 

“I have always been comfortable doing the work, but UC helped me think more deeply about why decisions are made, how departments operate, and how to approach problems from an administrative perspective,” Jimmy said. 

His sport administration coursework played a crucial role in this perspective shift. After taking Applied Financial Management Strategies in Athletics, he better understands the financial realities of college athletics: budgeting, planning, resource allocating and decision-making. His capstone allowed him to explore real-world issues within athletics rather than hypotheticals. And by better understanding the multi-faceted student-athlete experience, he’s able to speak more clearly about its value as a recruiter.

After successfully completing his coursework and capstone, Jimmy graduated from UC with his Master of Science in Sport Administration. Earning his master’s marks a major milestone for Jimmy, both academically and professionally. Now he’s able to combine years of hands-on experience in athletics with strategic expertise. 

“Early in my career, I was focused mostly on doing good work and building experience,” Jimmy said. “Now, I think much more about leadership, strategy, and how athletic departments can better support student-athletes, coaches, and staff.”

For anyone considering going back to school, Jimmy had the following advice:

“It is absolutely possible, but you have to be honest with yourself about the commitment. Going back to school while working full time is not always easy, but it can be very rewarding if the program connects to your goals.” 

And he doesn’t just mean career goals. He also emphasized the importance of finding a degree program that fits your life. Once you’ve done that, you just need to stay consistent. You’ll always have work, family, and other responsibilities. Find reasons not to put off your degree until next year, but to prioritize it now.

“Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ time,” Jimmy said, “because that time may never come.”  

As a proud University of Cincinnati graduate, Jimmy continues to forge a career in athletics—now with a stronger foundation in leadership and strategy than ever before. We congratulate him on this milestone, and we can’t wait to see where he'll go as a Bearcat alum.

Did Jimmy's story of a lifetime in sports resonate with you? If so, you can explore your options at UC. Our online master’s degrees in athletics can help you break into the field or reach new heights in your career. 

If you’re not sure where to begin, that’s okay. Start by connecting with your Enrollment Services Advisor. They can help you find the best path for you!