Prepping for Success

I’ve always loved sports and I tried my best to gain as much experience as possible when I was younger, working part time for ESF as one of their basketball coaches in their Elite program and helping to referee basketball games for the league. Knowing how the Sports and Entertainment industry has grown in the US, I felt it was in my best interest to study in America and the UMass Amherst Sports Management program is regarded as the best in the country. I wanted to position myself for success and luckily I got in!

School Support

My time at Kellett definitely helped me on my journey. Our graduating class was small, so we knew almost everyone in our year and I much prefer this over other schools with more students. Despite only being there for Sixth Form, these 2 years prepared me for university and my professional career. 

Hong Kong Kid

There is no doubt that Hong Kong also made me the person I am today. Being in a major world city helped me understand and respect the difference in cultures and gain a global perspective, which I often think some people in the US lack. Hearing stories from my American friends about their up-bringing made me realise how lucky I was.

Culture Shock

Although my parents are originally from Phoenix, Arizona and I would frequently travel there growing up, it feels like a fever dream when I look back at my freshman year at UMass! From slang and pop culture references to food and even humour, it was different. I think Hong Kong and Kellett made me more British than I am, so when I went to university, friends would say I had a British accent and point out the way I said certain words. I laugh now because in Kellett I was always the “American one” and I’m sure if I met up with them now they would point out how American I am.

Friends for Life

It was difficult being in the US after graduation as mostly everyone stayed in Hong Kong or went to Europe, but I still keep in touch with my friends I made at Kellett. I would occasionally visit Hong Kong during my time at university and made sure to see everyone I could, but since my parents have moved back to the US I haven’t visited as much as I’d like. In the next year or two, I would like to go to the UK so I could see some friends I haven’t seen in a while.

Career Path

At university I was on track for a degree in Sports Management, but after my second year I elected to do a double major in Sports Management and OIM (Operations and Information Management). Working as a Team Manager for the UMass Amherst Men’s basketball team, I loved being able to stay involved with Basketball helping coaches break down film, creating analytical reports and travelling with the team for away games. With Kraft Sports + Entertainment, the marketing arm of the Kraft Group, I started off as a Corporate Partnerships Associate helping the fulfilment of all 80 sponsors. Now I'm entering my third season with them and my job involves working with companies to help them plan on how they will use their sponsorship assets and making sure they align with their objectives. I work with clients and day-to-day contacts from our sponsors to build relationships, as their sponsorship generates revenue for the team.

Football or Soccer?

Robert Kraft owns both the New England Patriots,and the inaugural MLS team, the New England Revolution. Because of this, our team works on sponsorship deals for both football and soccer, but my job tends to revolve more around the NFL season. Growing up I was never a fan of American football, but now I look forward to every NFL Sunday whether it be me working the game or watching on the couch! I still follow soccer whether that be the EPL, Champions League or International competitions like the Euros. Funnily enough, the stadium I work at, Gillette Stadium, will be hosting games at the 2026 World Cup. I don’t know what my future holds, but if I’m still here it would be awesome to either work or attend one of the games.

All for Love

I’d say you really need to love sport to do my job! I started playing basketball when I was around 5 and I, of course, played for Kellett during my time there. Now, once the football season starts, I’ll typically work 6 days a week, sometimes 7. I remember last season, there was a 30-day span when I ended up only having 2 days off. I love the behind-the-scenes experiences, including taking clients on the private jet for an Away game–I’ve been able to travel to cities I have never been to and go down to the field to watch warm-ups. As a kid who loved sports growing up, it's hard not to enjoy these cool moments!

Olympic Fever   

As a Hong Kong Sevens kid, I enjoyed following the Rugby Sevens at this year’s Olympics. I was also a big fan of the basketball, as I think how competitive the games were was a testament to the growth of the game across the world. This heavily contrasts to what the basketball was like before 2000. As an American, it is always nice to have bragging rights when the Men and Women bring home gold! 

Marathon Runner

To qualify as a charity runner for the Patriots Foundation in The Boston Marathon, I had to raise $10,000 USD. The money was harder than the training itself, even though this was quite intense too–during my peak I’d be running 6-7 miles 3 days a week, followed by a 15 mile run on the weekends. It came to the point that I looked forward to 10 mile runs because I thought they were so easy! Then to top all of this, the training was during the brutal winter of New England, -13C at the coldest. I would wake up at 6am, bundle up in lots of clothing and cover my face in Vaseline. As a Patriots employee, I also helped decide which non-profits would benefit from donations, which provided me with extra inspiration. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I couldn’t be happier that I did it.

Below are some pictures of Michael’s of this journey since he left Kellett (login to view).

1. Senior Night (March 2022)

At UMass vs. Fordham, UMass Men's Basketball players and staff in their final year of University were presented with a jersey in honor of their time with the program. As my family couldn't make it, I was accompanied by Ricky Harris, Director of Basketball Operations and former UMass Men's basketball player

2. NBA Asia Internship (August 2021)

This was at the end of my 2 month internship with NBA Asia in Hong Kong. 

3. Patriots @ Cardinals (December 2022)

This was my first Away Team trip, taken on the field prior to the game. The Patriots travelled to play the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium

4. The World Cup Trophy won by Germany (October 2023)

In October 2023, the Germany National Team travelled to New England to play a friendly against the US. The Patriots at the time just announced that Germany is one of their HMA (Home Marketing Area's), allowing the Patriots the right to market in that country. Because of this marketing expansion, the Patriots established a relationship with the DFB.

5. Me on the field executing the Plymouth Rock Tee Kid promotion (October 2023)

On gamedays, I lead the execution of all promotions. This promotion includes one kid of a Plymouth Rock Assurance customer having the chance to run onto the field after kick-off and collect the tee that was holding the ball. 

6. Army Navy Game (December 2023)

In December, Gillette Stadium hosted the 124th Army Navy game. This game is referred to as "America's game" and is one of the most storied rivalries in college football. This was the first time in it's history it would be hosted in New England and only the third it was outside the mid-atlantic region. I was the escort for the Army West Point Athletic Director (Mike Buddie). This photo was taken during the game in the South End Zone. 

7. Boston Marathon (April 2024) 

This includes me crossing the finish line of the Boston Marathon with the Hong Kong flag behind me. 

8. Community MVP Awards (June 2024)

All the money raised from the Boston Marathon is donated to 25 non-profits. All non-profits are invited to Gillette Stadium for a banquet. At the end, runners were surprised with custom jerseys. In the photo, I am with Josh Kraft, President of the Patriots Foundation, and the six Lombardi trophies. 

9. Kellett Graduation Assembly 2018

Michael with Head of Senior School Simon Giddings(left), Principal, Ann Mc Dondald OBE, and tutor Carolina Tirsina (right).