As a student worker in the Department of Sport Management and Recreation, Grace Blasé ’25 has the opportunity to write for the department newsletter. She also works part-time for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as show staff. As a story idea for the newsletter, Grace interviewed three Springfield College alumni who work at the Hall of Fame to get their take on how their Springfield College degree has helped shape their paths in the sport industry. Read what else Blasé gathered from her interview with these three alumni.
Getting the chance to sit down with one alum is exciting—but talking with three at once is on another level. Brendan Tassy ’20, G’23; Jeremy Therrien ’21; and Aymen Tayoubi-Idrissi ’23, all recent Springfield College graduates, now work together at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., as a dynamic trio. We began by discussing their time at Springfield College and the lessons that impacted them most.
Jeremy and Aymen, who both earned a Sport Management degree, pointed to their Communications course, highlighting how professors empower students to lead.
“The professors at Springfield do a great job in letting you lead,” Jeremy shared.
They agreed that while you’re given the tools to succeed, how you use them is up to you. Both emphasized that the annual Hoophall Classic, the leading high school basketball tournament in the country and held on the Springfield College campus, was the experience that taught them the most. An opportunity, they said, you won’t find anywhere else. Aymen also noted that Springfield’s location is often underrated, with nearby professional hockey teams like the Hartford Wolf Pack and Springfield Thunderbirds, and of course, the Basketball Hall of Fame, offering invaluable hands-on experience.
We also talked about balancing jobs, internships, and classes. Brendan, who earned a Public Health degree, stressed the importance of finding that balance—challenging at first, but incredibly rewarding. Their shared advice: Don’t say “no” to opportunities; you never know where they’ll lead. On early career decisions, Brendan encouraged students to look for roles where they can grow. Jeremy emphasized the impact of organizational culture and reminded students that “comparison is the thief of joy.” Aymen added that trusting the process is essential.
About the author
Grace graduated from the Sport Management program at Springfield College in 2025. She is passionate about creating pathways for women in sport, specifically in basketball. Through her time on campus, she has also worked at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as show staff. She is very grateful that through the Sport Management program, she was able to work at the Hoophall Classic and gain incredible hands-on experience, as well as intern in the College’s Office of Athletics.
