James Stamoulis didn’t plan to end up at Fenway Park. The West Virginia University sport management alumnus transferred from the University of New Hampshire to WVU on a whim — and it turned out to be one of the best decisions he ever made.
“Step out of your comfort zone, otherwise you won’t be able to grow,” Stamoulis said. “Become comfortable being a beginner, and you will grow in ways you didn’t know were possible.”
Stamoulis, who grew up in Northborough, Massachusetts, said he initially knew very little about WVU before enrolling. But he quickly found his footing. He interned with WVU Athletics, joined the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and launched a podcast called “Meeting Our Mountaineers,” where he interviewed fellow students about their experiences at the university.
After graduating, Stamoulis landed a role as a Fenway Ambassador for the Boston Red Sox — working at the historic ballpark just a couple of hours from where he grew up.
He credits WVU’s sport management program and the connections he made there with giving him the foundation to pursue a career in professional sports. His advice to current students: don’t wait for opportunities to come to you.
“Build relationships,” he said. “Be brave.”
