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The ����ֱ�� has announced the creation of two new, collaborative centers within its College of Business: the Center for Sport and Business Innovation and the Center for Sales Excellence. 

These centers, designed to advance ����ֱ��’s commitment to providing cutting-edge business education, will prepare students for leadership roles in the evolving business landscape, including private entities, nonprofit organizations, professional sports organizations, manufacturers, and more. 

The Center for Sport and Business Innovation will serve as a hub for research and innovation in sport leadership and management. Led by Connor Blake, MBA, the center aims to prepare young leaders for impactful careers in the global sports industry through research, internships, and job placement. Blake brings expertise from his roles at the University of Maine and as lead team photographer for the Maine Mariners, Portland’s professional hockey affiliate of the Boston Bruins. 

“We’re excited to connect students to industry through research and internship collaborations,” said Blake, originally from Westbrook. “Our goal is to provide hands-on experience and foster relationships with industry partners that lead to meaningful job placements.” 

The Center for Sales Excellence, led by Tom Morgan, CLS, a veteran sales executive, will empower students with career-ready sales skills. Morgan’s 25 years of experience with major brands like Reebok and PUMA will offer students a competitive edge in the dynamic world of sales and merchandising. 

“Our mission is to make sales a noble profession,” Morgan stated. “We want to bring real-life sales opportunities and situations to students, helping them become interested in these career paths.” 

Norm O’Reilly, Ph.D., inaugural dean of ����ֱ��’s College of Business, is spearheading the effort to establish these centers. O’Reilly’s multifaceted leadership in sports business and academia will be instrumental in guiding the new centers to success. 

“These centers are pivotal to establishing the College of Business amongst a school already well-known for everything else,” O’Reilly explained. “We’re aiming to be thought leaders and industry experts in business, sports management, and sales innovation.” 

With the establishment of these new centers and programs, ����ֱ��’s College of Business will further prepare students for enriching careers and leadership positions with some of Maine’s and the nation’s most important employers through innovative programs, experiential learning opportunities, internships, and a strong network of industry partnerships, said Gwendolyn Mahon, ����ֱ�� provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs.

The ����ֱ�� College of Business is Maine’s business innovation school. Since its inception in 2023, the college has established new interdisciplinary degree programs in Accounting, Finance, Marketing, and New England’s first degree program in Outdoor Business and Innovation. These programs are designed to meet the needs of in-demand careers in Maine and the nation’s growing business, technology, and outdoor recreation sectors, Mahon said. 

“These new academic programs reflect the University’s commitment to meeting evolving industry standards and workforce needs while preparing students for the dynamic challenges and opportunities they will encounter in these fields,” she said. 

For more information about the new centers and programs, visit .