JD Ulanowski (BSM \u201919) didn\u2019t stumble into a career in professional soccer, he drew it up like a well-executed game plan with a clear vision, calculated preparation and a knack for turning opportunity into momentum.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old General Manager for Atl\u00e9tico Ottawa in the Canadian Premier League (CPL) credits Brock University with giving him the foundation to not only chase but also realize his dream.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was very targeted and scoped out what I wanted to do,\u201d he said. \u201cI was very clear with my plan, but I recognize that\u2019s not going to be the case for everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n
While enrolled in Brock\u2019s Sport Management (SPMA) program, Ulanowski was already thinking ahead. He took advantage of the program\u2019s emphasis on experiential education, securing a placement with Toronto FC that would later turn into a full-time job with the CPL after graduation.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrock gave me access to a lot of things I didn\u2019t even realize would help me later,\u201d he said. \u201cThe classes were important, sure, but the network and the co-op experiences were huge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ulanowski earned an internship with Toronto FC through Brock and eventually took his first major career step with a role at the CPL\u2019s headquarters, where he helped launch the new domestic league. But even then, he knew his career arc wasn\u2019t complete.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven in my first year or two at the league office, I knew I had to work for a club,\u201d he said. \u201cI was very present and worked hard, but I also knew for my career longevity, I needed to get that experience at the club level.\u201d<\/p>\n
That clarity led him to his current role with Atl\u00e9tico Ottawa, where he\u2019s helping shape the club\u2019s identity both on and off the pitch.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a hard question when people ask how to get into pro sports,\u201d he said. \u201cTry to volunteer and try to get in. We have good interns right now doing good work. Even if there\u2019s not a job right away, they\u2019re making an impression for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Ulanowski, impressions matter, and Brock helped shape how he makes them. He said the professionalism expected in the SPMA program prepared him well for environments where standards are high, and expectations are higher.<\/p>\n
He also encourages students not to wait for perfect opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t just sit at home and have coffee chats a million times,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to get out there and do the work.\u201d<\/p>\n
That no-nonsense approach to career building is part of what\u2019s helped Ulanowski stand out in Canada\u2019s evolving soccer landscape. And while his path may not be typical, he\u2019s quick to point out that what Brock offered was more than just an education \u2014 it was a launchpad.<\/p>\n
Ulanowski recognizes he\u2019s in a desirable position that many sports fans dream of.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t take it for granted,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve had great mentors, great timing and great support, and Brock was a big part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today, whether he’s navigating team logistics, supporting player development or contributing to the long-term vision of Atl\u00e9tico Ottawa, Ulanowski still leans on the lessons learned in his undergrad years.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing part of the CPL from the beginning and now helping a club grow, that\u2019s been the most rewarding part,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
His advice is simple, but grounded in experience for those coming up the ranks.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe present, do the work and think ahead,\u201d he said. \u201cSometimes volunteering one summer turns into a full-time role the next.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
JD Ulanowski (BSM \u201919) didn\u2019t stumble into a career in professional soccer, he drew it up like a well-executed game plan with a clear vision, calculated preparation and a knack for turning opportunity into momentum.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":100778,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[36,13793,3319,4052,1],"tags":[3333,5050,7488,12195,3694,57],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100777"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100777"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100777\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":100780,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100777\/revisions\/100780"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100777"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100777"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100777"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}