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Helena Stamatakis ‘23 didn’t always envision a career in sports. She once dreamed of becoming a forensic scientist, then a writer, but it wasn’t until her junior year of high school that her passion for pursuing a path in the sports industry emerged. Now, as the Community Relations Manager for the Worcester Bravehearts Baseball team, she gets to wear many hats in her dream role- handling group sales, bringing fans into the ballpark through promotions, designing graphics, and so much more.
“It sounds cliche, but no two days are exactly the same for me,” she said. “To work in sports, especially in community relations, you have to be willing to do it all.” From moderating panels that dive into the world of sports to suiting up as a mascot, Helena embraces every aspect of the job.
One of the biggest challenges Helena faces in her role is balancing time and resources. Working in a small department— and often just herself—she takes on a wide range of responsibilities. While this allows her to see the direct impact of her work, it sometimes means long days and strategically utilizing resources to meet demands.
Looking back, Helena credits her time at Curry for equipping her with the skills and adaptability needed to manage the demands of her role today. Serving as the co-president of Curry’s Student Entertainment and Events (SEE) club and a member of Student Activities, she gained invaluable hands-on experience in event planning, multitasking, creative problem-solving, and the "arts and crafts" side of her job. These experiences unexpectedly became essential in preparing her to thrive as a Community Relations Manager. Her coursework through Curry’s Sport and Recreation Management major also played a significant role in shaping her career. She credits her Sports Event Management class as one of the most impactful, along with her Sports Sociology and Diversity courses, which deepened her understanding of intersectionality in the industry.
Despite the challenges that come with the job, Helena says the most rewarding part is seeing the direct impact of their community-focused programming. “I’ve had kids run up to me at games, excitedly telling me they got in for free because they read ten books,” she shared. “Others recognize our mascot and say, ‘You handed out food at my after-school program!’ The pure joy on their faces makes it all worth it.”
Most recently, Helena played a key role in planning and executing the New England Sports Summit, a networking event that brought together over 800 attendees. The moment was especially meaningful for her, as she first stepped into the sports world through the event’s precursor, the Worcester Sports Management Summit. Now, she’s come full circle—helping connect students with sports professionals so they can access the same opportunities that shaped her career.
Her dedication to the industry has paid off, with unexpected returns as well, as Helena was named to Pulse Magazine's 2025 "People to Watch" list—a recognition that came as a complete surprise to her. Since nominees must be selected by others, she was both shocked and deeply grateful for the honor. Accepting the award in front of a full-house audience was a memorable moment, made even more special by the opportunity to connect with fellow honorees who are also working to make her hometown, Worcester, a better place.