Tom Szumita serves as a Senior Advisor at the Sports Conflict Institute, bringing over 20 years of business operations expertise spanning college athletics, investment banking, and higher education financial administration. His unique combination of sport management education, advanced finance credentials, and hands-on experience in athletic departments provides SCI with the operational excellence necessary to support its mission of resolving conflict and optimizing performance in sports organizations. With a proven track record of identifying operational inefficiencies, implementing process improvements, and establishing effective controls, Szumita ensures SCI operates at peak financial and operational efficiency.
Szumita’s professional philosophy centers on the belief that preparation and communication are the keys to sustainable success—principles that align perfectly with SCI’s approach to conflict resolution and organizational development. His extensive experience in college athletics administration provides invaluable insight into the financial complexities and operational challenges faced by SCI’s clients, from NCAA institutions to professional sports organizations. This deep understanding of the sports industry landscape enables him to structure financial operations that support SCI’s rapid response capabilities and confidential consulting services while maintaining the highest standards of fiscal responsibility and strategic resource allocation.
As a former competitive collegiate distance runner at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Szumita brings an athlete’s discipline and endurance to his financial leadership role. His academic preparation—including degrees from three institutions in sport management, business administration, and accountancy—reflects a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Through his focus on process development and systematic improvements, he has created the financial infrastructure that allows SCI’s consultants and practitioners to deliver transformative solutions to sports organizations facing their most challenging conflicts and cultural issues.
Professional Experience
Current Position
Senior Advisor
Sports Conflict Institute | 2015-Present
Leading all financial operations, strategic planning, and business administration for SCI. Implementing process improvements, establishing financial controls, managing operational efficiency, and ensuring sustainable growth while supporting the organization’s mission to serve sports organizations worldwide.
Professional Background
Over two decades of progressive financial leadership experience across multiple sectors:
- College Athletics Administration – Financial management and operational oversight in Division I athletic departments
- Investment Banking – Financial analysis, risk assessment, and strategic advisory services
- Higher Education Finance – Budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation for academic institutions
- Process Improvement Consulting – Identifying inefficiencies and implementing systematic enhancements
Areas of Expertise
- Financial Strategy & Planning
- Operational Efficiency Analysis
- Process Development & Improvement
- Internal Controls & Compliance
- College Athletics Finance
- Budget Management & Forecasting
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation
- Financial Reporting & Analysis
- Resource Allocation Strategy
- Systems Implementation
- Performance Metrics Development
- Strategic Business Operations
Academic Credentials
Education
- Master of Accountancy – Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
- MBA – Marshall University
• Brad D. Smith Graduate School of Business - B.S., Sport Management – University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Varsity Track & Field/Cross Country
Operational Philosophy & Approach
Core Principles
Tom’s approach to financial leadership is guided by fundamental principles that ensure SCI’s operational excellence:
- Preparation: Developing robust financial systems and processes that anticipate organizational needs
- Communication: Ensuring transparent, timely financial reporting that supports strategic decision-making
- Process Development: Creating scalable, repeatable systems that enhance efficiency
- Continuous Improvement: Regularly identifying and addressing operational inefficiencies
- Strategic Alignment: Ensuring financial operations support SCI’s mission and client service excellence
Sports Industry Financial Expertise
Tom’s extensive background in athletics administration and sport management provides SCI with unique insights into the financial challenges facing sports organizations:
College Athletics
- NCAA compliance and reporting
- Athletic department budgeting
- Revenue generation strategies
- Cost containment measures
- Scholarship management
Professional Sports
- Salary cap management
- Revenue sharing models
- Facility financing
- Sponsorship valuations
- Media rights analysis
Impact on SCI Operations
Operational Excellence Achievements
Under Tom’s financial leadership, SCI has achieved:
- Implementation of comprehensive financial controls ensuring fiscal responsibility
- Development of scalable operational processes supporting organizational growth
- Creation of financial reporting systems providing real-time performance insights
- Establishment of resource allocation strategies maximizing client service capabilities
- Design of budgeting processes aligning financial resources with strategic priorities
- Implementation of risk management protocols protecting organizational assets
Athletic Background
Collegiate Distance Runner – University of Massachusetts Amherst
As a competitive distance runner for the Minutemen, Tom developed the discipline, endurance, and strategic thinking that characterize his approach to financial leadership. The mental toughness required for distance running—maintaining focus through challenging conditions, pacing resources effectively, and finishing strong—directly translates to his role in managing SCI’s financial operations.
This athletic experience provides authentic understanding of the pressures faced by athletes and the importance of proper organizational support systems—insights that inform his work ensuring SCI has the financial infrastructure to serve sports organizations at the highest level.
Supporting SCI’s Mission
Tom’s financial leadership enables SCI to:
- Rapid Response Capability: Maintain financial flexibility to deploy resources quickly when sports organizations face urgent conflicts
- Confidential Services: Ensure secure financial systems that protect client confidentiality
- Global Reach: Support operations serving clients across multiple sports and jurisdictions
- Innovation: Invest in new assessment tools and methodologies advancing the field
- Sustainability: Build financial reserves ensuring long-term organizational stability
- Excellence: Allocate resources to attract and retain top talent in sports conflict resolution
Tom Szumita, MBA, MAcc
Chief Financial Officer | Sports Conflict Institute
Financial Strategy | Operational Excellence | Process Development
Learn How SCI Can Serve Your Organization
Discover how our team of experts can help resolve conflicts, optimize performance, and build championship cultures in your sports organization.
Sports Conflict Institute | Portland, Oregon | info@sportsconflict.org