It was Freud Laguerre’s passion for health, education, and sports that drove him to start his own business as a basketball trainer and mentor in Orlando, Florida, last year. Born in Port-de-Paix, Haiti, and raised in South Florida, the former high school varsity basketball player’s company, F.L.A. –Freud Laguerre Athletics –is dedicated to working with high school, collegiate, and overseas athletes. His website states, “The goal of F.L.A. is to help athletes learn skills that will make them the very best and take them to the next level.”
When Laguerre decided he wanted to take his career to the next level, he turned to the University of Miami’s Master of Education -Sport Administration program. He felt it was the next right step to build on his B.S. in Health Sciences and his experience working in education and athletics.
“I wanted to go back and get my master’s so that I can move into an athletic director position in high school and college athletics,” he said. “I am from the South and grew up watching the Canes. I knew it was a great school for sports and receiving my masters from the U was always a dream that I have had.”
Laguerre knows the impact of having teachers and mentors who support and encourage their students. He worked as a substitute teacher while completing his undergraduate degree at the University of South Florida, where he also served as a referee for USF intramural sports as well as youth basketball and flag football.
His experience with the UOnline Sport Administration program has been great so far, he said. “The teachers are very supportive even though you aren’t talking to them face to face. I met Professor [Paul] Resnick at orientation and he continues to be a source of guidance throughout the program.”
Laguerre appreciates the program’s flexibility, which allows him to continue to work while pursuing his master’s degree. He also likes that the coursework is practical and applicable. “I have been able to use a lot of what I have learned in the ethics course day-to-day in my company.”
To find out more about the University of Miami’s graduate programs in Sport Administration, speak with an enrollment advisor at 800-411-2290or visit the site for more information.
