Kathleen McCormack

Mark McCormack was an American lawyer, writer, and the founder of International Management Group (IMG), a prominent sports and celebrity management organization. After practicing law and organizing golf events, McCormack established IMG in 1960. He authored several influential business books, including "What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School," which became a bestseller and popularized an anecdote about goal-setting derived from a non-existent study. McCormack also developed early systems for professional golf and tennis world rankings, which influenced later official ranking methodologies. He was married to tennis player Betsy Nagelsen. McCormack passed away in 2003 and was later inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame and the International Tennis Hall of Fame, with various awards and institutions named in his honor.

Following a career as an attorney and his involvement in organizing professional golf exhibitions, Mark McCormack established International Management Group (IMG) in 1960. This organization became a global leader in managing sports figures and celebrities. McCormack's insights into business strategy and success were widely shared through his writings. His book, "What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School," achieved significant commercial success, topping The New York Times Best Seller list for an extended period. The book is noted for recounting a popularized, though ultimately fictional, account of a Harvard study on the impact of written goals on earnings. This narrative, despite its apocryphal origins, was frequently cited by McCormack and other motivational figures.

Beyond his role as a manager and author, Mark McCormack played a significant part in the professionalization of sports through the development of ranking systems. He initiated an annual publication, "The World of Professional Golf," starting in 1967, which included an unofficial system for ranking golfers. This system was later adapted in 1986 to form the basis of the Official World Golf Ranking, with McCormack leading the committee overseeing it. He also created a comparable ranking system for professional tennis. These contributions highlight his impact on establishing structured metrics and career pathways within major sports.

Mark McCormack's influence extended beyond his lifetime, earning him substantial recognition in the sports world. He passed away in 2003, and in the subsequent years, he was posthumously inducted into both the World Golf Hall of Fame and the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Honors such as the "Most Powerful Man in Sports" by Sporting News and multiple inclusions in the Forbes 400 Richest Americans list underscore his significant standing. Awards bearing his name, like the Mark H. McCormack Award and Medal, continue to acknowledge achievements in golf. The University of Massachusetts at Amherst also named its Sport Management department in his honor, reflecting his enduring legacy in the field.