For Thomas MacLean, the road to UBC Okanagan began on the ice. Originally from Lethbridge, Alberta, MacLean moved to Kelowna in Grade 11 to play for RINK Hockey Academy and quickly adapted to the Okanagan lifestyle.
When it came time to transition from high-level sports to higher education, staying in the Okanagan was a priority. He wanted to avoid getting lost in the crowd of a massive institution and chose UBCO’s Faculty of Management because he was looking for a tight-knit community where he could build real relationships.
“I’m someone who wants to be able to interact with my professors and know lots of people in my classes,” the fourth-year commerce student explains.
“When I talk to friends who attend big universities, they usually say, ‘I could pass my professor in the grocery store, and they’d have no clue who I am,'” he laughs. “Meanwhile, I ran into my academic advisor in the grocery store aisle, and we had a great discussion. It’s little things like that that let you build genuine connections at UBCO.”
Seeking a way to apply his classroom knowledge to the real world, MacLean decided to push his boundaries early on. In his first year, a friend introduced MacLean to JDC West—Western Canada’s largest business case competition—which completely transformed his university experience.
“In your first and second year, it’s tough getting experience in the job market,” MacLean notes. “So, I wanted to learn outside the classroom and understand the logic and thought process behind some of the JDC West case breakdowns. Eventually, I became a co-captain and led a team of over 40 students, which helped me develop leadership skills and learn how to delegate tasks.”
While JDC West helped MacLean master project management, professionalism and community networking, his favourite part was building a supportive environment for incoming peers. “I wanted to give back to other students and really build the team and the community,” he says. “My main goal is to build a community of students who are all eager to learn, want to be there and support each other.”
From the Okanagan to the NBA
Thomas MacLean earned a co-op placement with the NBA’s Miami Heat while the city hosted World Cup games.
That proactive, relationship-building mindset opened doors MacLean never thought possible. In his first year, he leveraged a personal connection to spark a conversation with an employee at a major professional sports franchise. After staying in touch for two years, and completing a rigorous interview process in Florida, he landed a highly coveted corporate partnerships co-op with none other than the NBA’s Miami Heat.
While in Miami, MacLean’s work spanned the full spectrum of sports business. He analyzed sponsor return on investment, explored how artificial intelligence can shape ticket sales strategy, built sales pitches for prospective partners and helped forecast revenue for upcoming seasons. Working directly with an account manager on one of the franchise’s largest accounts, he helped craft strategies for the 2026/27 season while gaining cross-disciplinary insight into finance, marketing, content creation and arena operations.
Beyond the boardroom, it was the culture that made the experience unforgettable.
“The Heat organization treats its people like family,” MacLean says.
From his team donning “Canadian tuxedos” to celebrate his home country, to watching World Cup matches together and standing in the arena for live press conferences introducing new marquee players, the workplace felt remarkably unified.
Off the clock, MacLean embraced the Miami lifestyle—running along the bayside, hitting local golf courses, exploring the food scene and even skydiving in Key West.
“I’ve always had a passion for sports, but up until now, that came purely from the perspective of a player and a fan,” MacLean reflects. “I’ve found a new passion: working within professional sports from a business standpoint. This experience has motivated me to keep growing professionally and pursue a career in pro sports after I graduate.”
Reflecting on how much he has grown during his time at UBC Okanagan, MacLean’s advice to incoming students is simple: don’t let fear hold you back.
“Don’t be afraid to be unsure of what you want to do after graduation. Don’t be afraid to go up and say hi to someone else—I do that all the time. Never be afraid to ask a question, put yourself out there or make a mistake. Who cares if you get up there and you mess up? The professor is going to remember you and you’re going to learn a whole lot. Never be afraid to learn something new.”
Thomas MacLean went from UBC Okanagan, left, to the home of the Miami Heat in Florida for a co-op placement.
