USSA Alumni Newsletter – July 2024

Celebrating Our Graduates and New Alumni at Commencement 

On June 22nd, the United States Sports University honored both the 2024 graduates and previous graduates who had not had the opportunity to participate in a commencement ceremony. During the event, USSU recognized the achievements of three Doctors of Education, six Masters of Sports Science, and three Bachelors of Sports Science degree recipients. It was a special occasion to celebrate our graduates’ achievements with great enthusiasm and pride. These graduates will go on to do remarkable things in the world of sport, making USSU proud. USSU also awarded two honorary doctorates to Dr. Gaylon McCollough and Mrs. Susan McCollough. Dr. Gaylon McCollough is an internationally recognized plastic surgeon, business owner, and author. Mrs. Susan McCollough is a world-renowned artist and gallery owner and previous Board of Trustees. The McColloughs have played an influential role in the Academy’s history and are cherished friends of the institution. Congratulations Class of 2024! 

The commencement ceremony recording can be viewed through this link: USSA Commencement 2024 (youtube.com) 

Alumni Spotlight: Michael Kerr 

Dr. Michael Kerr graduated from the United States Sports University in 2002, earning a doctorate in Sports Management while serving as the Head Baseball Coach at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. With an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in business education, Kerr found that pursuing Sports Management was a natural progression that combined his interests in both fields. Today, he has completed his first year at Arizona Christian University, where he serves as a Professor of Business Administration and the Director of the Sports Management Program. 

Throughout his doctoral studies, Dr. Kerr enjoyed attending the in-person summer courses at the United States Sports University. In his final summer at USSU in 2001, he was offered the position of Program Director for the newly established Sports Management Major at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. This opportunity allowed him to make a seamless transition into sports academia. As Program Director, Dr. Kerr played a crucial role in developing the curriculum for a master’s degree in Sports Administration, further solidifying his integral involvement in the academic programs and growth at his institution. In addition to overseeing these programs, Dr. Kerr was appointed Associate Dean for the School of Exercise Science at Mary Hardin-Baylor. Two years later, he advanced to the role of Vice President for Athletics, a position he held until 2023 when he relocated to Arizona. Currently, Dr. Kerr is a Professor of Business Administration at Arizona Christian University, where he also serves as the Program Director for the new Sports Management degree. Drawing on his extensive experience at Mary Hardin-Baylor, he is instrumental in developing Arizona Christian’s Sports Management program, which began this past spring. Dr. Kerr is enthusiastic about the future of this degree and its potential impact on students at Arizona Christian University. 

Kerr credits his professors at USSU for his success in building Sports Management programs at multiple universities. He believes they not only taught but modeled the coursework to students in at USSU. He appreciates the blending of sports and business that took place in the classroom and believes it has equipped him in sports academia and program development. As a professor of sport himself, Kerr is grateful to USSU faculty for the opportunities and guidance they gave throughout his studies and hopes all take advantage of the education USSU offers. 

Dr. Kerr encourages alumni to give back in appreciation and recognition of the transformative impact their degree from the United States Sports University has had on their lives. By mentoring current students and staying connected to USSA, alumni can help foster success in the next generation. Dr. Kerr also advises students to remain committed and disciplined in their studies. It is evident through his professional career that Dr. Kerr has played an integral role in developing multiple sports management programs across the nation. The United States Sports University is proud to witness such successful outcomes in our alumni and the significant impact they have on the world of sports. 

Olympic Day at USSA 

The United States Sports University commemorated National Olympic Day on June 21st with a series of engaging events. Dr. Noemi Zaharia, a Romanian Olympic swimmer and USSU’s Director of Sports Leadership, and Cristian Zaharia, a Romanian Olympic handball player and USSA’s Director of International Sport Business Development, facilitated a webinar focusing on the leadership skills exhibited by Olympic athletes. During the webinar, they discussed their research done on current and past Olympians and the influences on the common leadership skills. 

Additionally, USSU organized a children’s camp, providing local youth aged 7-14 with a day filled of games and educational activities led by USSA’s collegiate coaches and staff. Participants learned about the historical and cultural significance of the Olympic flame and created their own “torch” under the guidance of in-house artist Nancy Raia. Moreover, the students had the unique opportunity to interact with USSA’s two Olympians, Dr. Noemi Zaharia and Cristian Zaharia, who shared their Olympic experiences and encouraged the children to follow the games at home. 

The Academy is enthusiastic about inspiring the next generation to embrace the world of sports through the Olympic spirit. We are grateful for the opportunity to welcome local students and community members to our campus and to share our passion for sports.