Ellen Schmidt-Devlin laid the foundation that will enable the Portland-based Sports Product Management program to continue to excel and advance as it pursues its strategic growth plans.
With both gratitude and admiration, the Lundquist College of Business has shared that Ellen Schmidt-Devlin, cofounder and executive director of its esteemed Sports Product Management (SPM) program, will be leaving UO.
Schmidt-Devlin's visionary leadership and unwavering dedication have been instrumental in advancing the University of Oregon and the sports product industry to new levels of excellence.
"From a 27-year career at Nike defined by resilience and trailblazing, where she shattered glass ceilings by becoming the first woman in dozens of leadership positions across multiple countries, to bridging the gap between academia and industry in cofounding our Sports Product Management program with emeritus marketing professor Roger Best in 2015, Ellen has broken barriers again and again, while simultaneously inspiring others to make the impossible, possible," said Bruce Blonigen, Edward Maletis Dean of the University of Oregon's Lundquist College of Business.
A hidden tribute to the founding of Nike in the basement of a historic downtown Eugene building is a tangible testament to Schmidt-Devlin's legacy and impact on the sports product management industry worldwide. The location (maintained by Nike) was the former lab where legendary track coach Bill Bowerman designed and tested shoes. Schmidt-Devlin worked in the lab for several years as a student, athlete, and alumna of the University of Oregon. She is featured in one of the space's most prominent photos.
"It was Ellen who realized the potential to leverage the passion of the more than 900 sports and outdoor product companies that call Oregon home to create, not only a new program to educate future industry leaders, but also a space for the industry to come together as a community," noted John Eberle, academic director of the SPM program, who oversaw various Nike businesses for more than 15 years.
Under her leadership, SPM rapidly grew to become one of the University of Oregon's hallmark programs, launched the UO's first online master's program, and facilitated new connections among and between companies and industries to advance innovation, sustainability, and product design. Schmidt-Devlin's passion and commitment to fostering equity and inclusion also propelled the Sports Product Management program to be among the most diverse at the university.
Students in the Sports Product Management program (as well as the Oregon Executive MBA program, where Schmidt-Devlin also taught and served as executive director for several years) will also attest to how dedicated and personable she is. She got to know students and became invested in their success, equipping them with the skills and hard-won knowledge and insights necessary to excel and lead.
"It takes a talented team to create and sustain a world-class program," said Jennifer Nolfi, director of the Sports Product Management program. "Just like Bowerman, Ellen has laid the unbreakable foundation that inspires us every day, and we are excited to support her as she explores new creative ways to engage the industry."
Schmidt-Devlin's final day at UO is October 1, 2024. She will be meeting with students, faculty, staff, industry, and alumni during the transition period. Nolfi and Eberle will continue to lead the program as it educates and prepares the next generation of leaders advancing the global sports and outdoor industry.
"Reflecting on the past decade, I am immensely proud of what we have achieved," Schmidt-Devlin said. "I want to extend a special thank you to SPM cofounder Roger Best, whose continued support and vision have been invaluable to our mission. A heartfelt thank you also goes to the incredible industry and university team who helped develop and sustain our program's success, and all our dedicated faculty and staff. Your hard work and commitment have been the backbone of our success."