Editor’s Note: As Commencement approaches, we are featuring some of our Neag School Class of 2020 graduating seniors over the coming days. 

Name: Ben Armstrong

Major: Sport Management

Extracurriculars: Operations intern/student worker, UConn Athletics; @UConnSPM social media content creator, Neag School of Education’s Sport Management Program; and Sport Business Association.

Hometown: Wantage, N.J.

What do you aspire to be? I would like to be a leader and role model for causes larger than myself as a professional in college athletics and in my personal life.

Who is your favorite professor? Professors Laura Burton and Ajhanai Newton.

What did you accomplish that you’re most proud of? In my time at UConn, I am most proud of being named a 2019 New England Scholar, getting accepted into graduate school, and upon graduation, becoming the first in my family with a college degree.

“I would like to be a leader and role model for causes larger than myself as a professional in college athletics and in my personal life.”

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I plan to pursue a graduate assistantship in event management in college athletics while working to obtain my master’s degree in sport management. From there, I want to enter the sport industry and work my way up towards higher administrative positions.

How has UConn prepared you for your future career? While my time at UConn has been limited coming in as a transfer student, the two years I have had here has provided me an opportunity to move out of my comfort zone. In that time, I have had the opportunity to acquire knowledge in the classroom, gain professional experience through internships, and develop a personal and professional network.

What advice would you give to a student who is just starting out?
Don’t stress over the small things. Control what you can control and your larger goals will fall into place. Most importantly, make the most of your experience!