Sport Business Management Student, Allaire Primiano, Breaking Barriers For Women in College Athletics

As a first year MSBM student, Allaire Primiano is far from a rookie in the field of Athletic Administration. At the young age of 26, Primiano has managed to transform herself from a Division I middle-infielder playing for Fairleigh Dickinson University to an Associate Athletic Director at Monroe College – Bronx Campus. As a fellow student in the M.S Sport Business Management  program I reached out to Primiano in an effort to inquiry about her experience as a woman in this industry as well as her time at Manhattanville School of Business.   

Christina Surrusco, M.S. MSBM '18

CS: You rose through the ranks quickly at Monroe College. Can you tell me a bit more about which positions you have held and your responsibilities during your time at Monroe College?

AP: When I initially applied to the position as an assistant softball coach for Monroe College, I recognized that many of the student-athletes needed assistance throughout the Admissions process and then moving on to the NCAA Level being that we are a Junior College athletically. I then took on the role of the Athletic Admissions Advisor as well as assisting each student-athlete moving onto an NCAA School once they become eligible. I continued to ask for more of a challenge and a transition into Athletic Administration, which eventually led me into the position of the Associate Athletic Director for our Bronx Campus. Now that I am the Associate AD for Monroe College’s Bronx Campus, it has been a great transition and I honestly enjoy every single day as I learn something new!

CS: What inspired you to continue your education at Manhattanville College?

AP: I initially researched the Masters in Sport Business Management Program when I graduated with my undergraduate degree from my Alma Mater, Fairleigh Dickinson University. However, as soon as I moved back home after I graduated, I began applying for coaching positions at the Collegiate level in order to get a foot in the door and gain experience from the ground up. Being that Graduate School was not in the plans while coaching at the time, I told myself that I had to set a goal in order to further my education within a reasonable time frame. That goal was to start Graduate School at the age of 25 and that, I did. I always had my eye on the MSBM program at Manhattanville and after speaking with my former College Softball Coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Dale Martin, now Manhattanville’s Softball Coach, I was even more intrigued in pursuing the program. I then emailed, David Torromeo, in order to meet with him one-on-one to discuss the details of the program. After hearing the great qualities that the program had to offer from Dave, himself, along with the amount of networking that could take place, I was sold!

CS: Balancing both a full-time position and working towards a master’s degree can be challenging. How have you been able to maintain a full time position and continue your education?

AP: Everything comes down to time management and prioritizing. Yes, balancing both is most definitely challenging at times, however I believe work ethic plays an integral part, as well as being self-driven. I always make sure to set aside ample time on the weekends in order to complete everything for the upcoming week as I know that my daily schedule throughout the week days will not allow me to complete work for Graduate School.

CS: How do you feel this program has met or unmet your expectations?

AP: This program has surpassed my expectations without a doubt. The amount of knowledge that I have been able to gain and the amount of networking that this program offers is wonderful. Students within the program have the opportunity to develop a long-term relationship with their Professors, who all have extensive experience in the field, and the Professors also open doors by bringing in Guest Speakers, which one can connect with on a professional level for future advice and knowledge.

  

CS: Do you feel you have been able to apply your work in the classroom to your career?

AP: Yes, I actually become quite excited in class when a Professor speaks on a specific topic that I can translate to my profession the next day and even provide knowledge to my fellow Colleagues. For example, one of the first assignments for Leading in Sport Organizations is to interview an individual that is involved in the administration of sport and a career path which is of interest to you. This presented the opportunity to network beyond my own personal network. I then had the honor of connecting to a female Athletic Director within the area who holds a position that I hope to attain one day. The experience spoke for itself.

CS: As you are moving quickly in your career, where do you see yourself within the next 5 years?

AP: First and foremost, I envision myself assisting in the exponential growth for Monroe College’s Bronx Campus with our implementation of Athletics. I firmly believe that having an Athletic Program on Campus, brings about the intangibles that each and every Campus life can only long for. For myself, I would like to become a Head Athletic Director at the Collegiate Level. Whether I stay at the NJCAA Level or I make the transition to the NCAA Level in the future, I believe that I am gathering all of the essential tools as I move along. This all begins with the MS Sport Business Management program which offers an endless amount of knowledge, networking and most important of all, vision, leadership and experience.