From the playing venues to the sidelines to behind the scenes, alumni athletes and graduates of the renowned UMass Amherst Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management—and one very famous University Without Walls student—are in London for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

The UWW student is tennis player Serena Williams, whose UMass connection went public in London. Williams started studies to complete her bachelor’s degree through UWW last fall. She’s had a wildly successful summer on the courts, winning Wimbledon in July and now contending for Olympic singles gold and teaming with her sister Venus for her third gold medal in doubles.

Other UMass Amherst Olympic athletes include new field hockey assistant coach Shannon Taylor, a two-year member of the U.S. National Team. Taylor scored the lone goal late in the game to upset Argentina in early round play. She will join the Minutewomen on the sidelines this fall.

Former UMass rower Julia Richter ’12 earned a silver medal for Germany in the quadruple sculls. Wesley Piermarini ’05, ’11G of West Brookfield, Mass., who picked up rowing as a UMass freshman, rowed for team USA in the men's quadruple sculls. Unfortunately, his boat did not advance to the semifinals.

Sisters and former Minutewomen basketball teammates Tamara Tatham ’07 and Alisha Tatham ’08 are members of the Canadian Senior Women’s National Basketball Team. Both are playing in their first Olympics.. Small forward Tamara and shooting guard Alisha have played for team Canada since they were teenagers.

Sean Ford ’92G is Men’s National Team Director for USA Basketball and oversees the entire men's program, including coordinating trials, team training camps, exhibition games, and international competitions.

Jennifer Adams ’09G is Women’s Senior National Team Director for USA Water Polo, where she is responsible for daily operations.

Mike Unger ’94G, is assistant executive director for USA Swimming. He oversees strategic planning, and the membership, information technology, and times departments. He is also a liaison with NBC and has worked at three consecutive Olympic Games.

Nancy Gonsalves ’92G is associate director for international games for the United States Olympic Committee in charge of  planning, logistics and operations for the US team at the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, Parapan American and Youth Olympic Games."

Zaileen (Hassanali) Janmohamed ’05G is global sponsorship business leader at VISA. This is her third Olympics.

Kairon Serrette ’08G, ’10G is the manager of the Trinidad and Tobago sailing team.

Zhaoquan Ding ’09G is special assistant to the executive VP at ANTA Sports Products of China, which designed the dragon-themed clothing for the Chinese delegation.