For Nick Farrelly ‘26, M’27, passion and preparation have always gone hand in hand. A member of the 3+1 program at the University of Hartford, Nick will earn his BSBA in 2026 and continue directly into his MBA, with a 2027 graduation date. His decision to pursue business analytics and managerial economics (BAME), along with a minor in risk management & insurance (RMI), stemmed from two longtime interests: business strategy and sports analytics. “I’ve always had an ambition to work in sports analytics,” Nick says. “Being able to get a strong business background at an accelerated rate was a huge plus.”
Nick’s love for sports analytics became more than a goal — it became hands-on experience. After joining the baseball team as a first-year student, he later transitioned into the role of director of analytics for the University of Hartford baseball program. In that position, he worked closely with coaches and players to apply data-driven insights to performance and strategy, a pivotal experience that helped launch his career.
This summer, Nick will take the next major step: serving as a baseball technology intern with the Boston Red Sox. “I wouldn’t be here without the opportunity our coaching staff gave me,” he says. “They allowed me to showcase my passion and to work hands-on with analytics. That experience opened doors, from my NECBL internship last summer to the Red Sox.”
Nick credits the close-knit environment at the Barney School of Business for helping him grow both personally and professionally. “When I first got here, I was stuck in my ways and not very open to change,” he shares. “Barney pushed me to break out of that shell. It taught me how to present myself, approach new opportunities with an open mind, and put myself out there.”
Through initiatives like the business etiquette dinner, mocktail networking events, and the Friday Speaker Series, Nick built confidence communicating with alumni, industry professionals, and peers. Small class sizes also allowed him to form meaningful one-on-one relationships with faculty mentors who helped shape his academic and career path.
He credits professors like Farhad Rassekh and Ken Goroshko for their guidance and mentorship, noting that their doors were always open. “Barney truly lives up to its promise of being confident, competent, and connected.”
Nick’s involvement extends well beyond coursework. In addition to serving as director of baseball analytics, he is vice president of the Sports Business Association and a member of the Barney Ambassadors, with which he builds valuable connections across campus and within the athletics community.
Outside of UHart, Nick channels his entrepreneurial spirit into Big Sexy’s BBQ, a small business he launched in 2024. He has developed seven unique barbecue sauce flavors and sells them through social media, shipping from Connecticut to as far as Colorado. “I love being creative in the kitchen,” he says. “It’s another way analytics and experimentation come into play.”
He also stays active through basketball and golf and volunteers as a baseball and basketball coach in his hometown. As he prepares to continue into the MBA program, Nick remains focused on combining analytics, business strategy, and sports performance at the highest level.
From student-athlete to analytics director to valuable organizational intern, his journey reflects the power of opportunity, mentorship, and a willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone.