Among the evening’s award recipients were Brynja Burton ’25, named Major of the Year, and Will Ferris ’25, who earned the James P. Drummond Service Award.
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The Department of Sport Management hosted its senior banquet and awards ceremony on April 28, celebrating high-achieving majors in the program. The evening began with an inspiring keynote address from Samantha Coury ’13, who shared life-earned wisdom through a blend of candor and humor. Now director of advertising strategy and planning at the PGA TOUR, Coury delivered a compelling message focused on resilience, personal growth, and what she called “passionate curiosity.”
Drawing from more than a decade of professional experience – including roles in sports marketing, a transformative MBA experience in Barcelona, and her current leadership position at the PGA TOUR – Coury walked students through the highs and lows of post-grad life. Her advice centered on three themes: find value in failure, embrace change, and commit to lifelong learning.
Banquet photos are available on the School of Communications Flickr page.
To an audience gathered in Snow Family Grand Atrium, Coury shared personal stories of rejection, uncertainty and self-discovery, noting how a year of fruitless job applications after graduation tested her confidence but ultimately prepared her for future opportunities. “I applied to more than 100 jobs in that year, and I had an Excel sheet to prove my disappointment,” she quipped. But that difficult transition into the professional workforce also fueled her growth and opened new opportunities.
One of Coury’s most resonant points came as she reflected on her current role leading a team.
“As I have grown to lead a team and take on bigger responsibilities, I practice passionate curiosity every day. I never leave a call without asking the question.” She encouraged the students in attendance to do the same, urging them to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and stay relentlessly curious.
Coury acknowledged that professional paths are rarely linear—and that’s part of the journey’s beauty.
“Your dreams don’t have to be achieved when you walk off that stage in May,” she said. “Figure out what matters to you in all facets of life and chase it – and enjoy the journey, because it really is just beginning.”
Following Coury’s remarks, the department presented several student awards. Brynja Burton ’25 was named Sport Management Major of the Year. Associate Professor and Department Chair Shaina Dabbs recognized Burton’s remarkable contributions as an Elon student. A Communications Fellow, Burton maintained a 3.95 GPA while offering extensive support to Elon Athletics and the Women Influencers in Sport (WINS) initiative. She also completed a standout internship with the University of Colorado Boulder.
“Brynja Burton didn’t just attend Elon. She embraced it,” Dabbs said. “She spread her wings here. She found her voice, her confidence and her assurance. In the process, she shaped not just her resume, but a lasting imprint on the community.”
Other honorees included Shelby Keel ’26 and Lucy McAfee ’26, who were named recipients of endowed scholarships. Additionally, Sarah Dawkins ’25 received with the Excellence in Research and Scholarship Award, Tess Hawthorne ’25 earned an Achievement Award, and Rylee Marchand ’28 was honored with the Rising Phoenix Award.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the university community, Will Ferris ’25 was presented with the James P. Drummond Service Award. The award is named in honor of the founding chair of the Department of Leisure and Sport Management, which later became Sport Management.
The department also recognized the newest inductees into the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) Chi Sigma Mu Honor Society. Inductees were celebrated for their exceptional academic achievement and commitment to professional development in the sport industry. Elon’s 2025 class included Christian Atwater ’26, Lily Barker ’25, Annabel Callahan ’25, Will Ferris ’25, Laker Figueroa ’25, Sammy Fisher ’25, Cierra Hopson ’25, Eryn Saye ’25, Abigail Selikoff ’26, and Jack Sheppard ’25.
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