Max McKersie ’19 has definitely found his career niche. Not only was he a superb varsity athlete at Berkshire and Bates College, but he also leveraged his passion for sports to a career working in player development and branding in the sports industry, where he now works full time. He received his graduate degree in global sport management from New York University and spearheads the NESCAC Sports Business Group, a professional network for NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference) students and alumni interested in the sports industry.

Read the Q&A below to learn more.

What is your advice to those interested in pursuing a career in sports management?
The field is a very network-focused industry where many are not afraid to take risks. It’s important to articulate your ideas and seek out people to hear their stories. People are also drawn to the business end of the sports industry because they like team environments and appreciate collaborating with colleagues. I would encourage anyone starting out to not be afraid to share their opinion. At the end of the day, we are all consumers of sports and can understand what the customer may want.

What is the focus of Underdog Venture Team, the startup company you work for?
Dan Mannix, the co-founder of Underdog Venture Team, noticed a large gap in the industry regarding the representation of identities in sports, especially within the business side. The mission of Underdog is to work with brands and properties, as well as emerging sports leagues and sports tech startups that are looking to be disruptive. Currently, one of my projects is with Levi’s, where we are working on all of their initiatives across all sports properties from the 2026 World Cup to the Super Bowl and more. 

I am also part of the original team that has helped launch and grow Más+ by Messi, a new hydration drink created by soccer player Lionel Messi. Across all our work, our company strives to be nimble and personable for our clients, understanding that there is constant change in the sports sphere today. With our diverse team, comprising various experiences and expertise, we are well positioned to continue disrupting the way sports agencies market ourselves.  

Tell us a bit about the NESCAC Sports Business Group?
The idea behind the NESCAC Sports Business Group is to grow a community where students and alumni can exchange ideas, make connections, and network. Students and alumni from NESCAC colleges may have been rivals at one time, but they share many similarities of experience and backgrounds that often resonate strongly with one another. 

I have been growing the network for about a year, and we have already added 300 new members. The group is also hosting a handful of panels featuring some of the industry's top C-suite and senior-level professionals. The next step will be to establish a board of directors and a junior advisory board to help us prepare for scaling, to meet our goals of hosting a conference, mentorship programs, and other initiatives.

Which Berkshire faculty members inspired you?
My advisor, Kevin Soja, was the best, and I am still in contact with him. He is always willing to chat and has truly been a guiding hand for me. Derek Murphy, my basketball coach, is another faculty member who inspired me. As a Bates grad, he was a significant reason for my attending Bates and has always supported me. My soccer teammates were also a huge part of making my Berkshire experience so great. Our team was made up of people from all over the world, but our shared love of the sport brought us together and created a strong bond.

What are some of your fondest memories of your time under the Mountain?
The camaraderie among my soccer teammates was extraordinary. Our team went undefeated, going 19-0-0 and won the NEPSAC Class A Championship. I have wonderful memories of that year, and I am still in touch with many of my classmates, including Achara Achara ’19, Nick Berghold ’19, Nick Steed ’19, Jacob Shaffelburg ’19, Deng Kur ’19, and Jacob Iwowo ’19, all whom were on the team. Attending Berkshire was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.