The University of Massachusetts Department of Sport Management, within the Isenberg School of Management, has named the American Hockey League’s Manchester Monarchs and the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies as recipients of the 2005 PRISM Awards.
The PRISM Awards (Professionalism, Results and Innovation in Sport Management) are presented annually to franchises at both the major- and minor-league levels that demonstrate excellence in five categories of sport franchise management: strategic mission, innovative marketing, community relations, customer service and employee relations. It is the only such industry-wide award program.
“Both the Grizzlies and the Monarchs distinguished themselves in each of the categories that define the PRISM ideals,” said PRISM program director Steve McKelvey, an assistant professor at UMass-Amherst. “Both are a testament to the level of management expertise and professionalism that every sport franchise can aspire to.”
“We’re extremely honored to win this award,” said Monarchs president Jeff Eisenberg. “To be viewed as one of the best sports franchises in the country is quite humbling. I’m proud of our staff and the spectacular job they do day in and day out to make this organization the best that it can be.”
“It’s a great honor for the Monarchs to receive the PRISM Award,” said Doug Blais, chair and associate professor of Southern New Hampshire University’s sport management department. “This award is one of the most coveted in all of professional sports because there is only one major-league and one minor-league recipient.”
The Monarchs received honorable mention in the 2004 PRISM Awards for achievement in the area of community relations.
Past PRISM Award winners include the Minnesota Wild (2004), the Washington Capitals (2001) and the Chicago Wolves (2000).