NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Ontario Hockey League

OSC’s 10 Questions with Burton Lee

by Joshua Russell
September 27, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)


Our Sports Central asked minor league executives across the country to participate in a short questionnaire about themselves. We will feature their responses every Tuesday.

This week's 10 questions are with the Director of Business Operations for the OHL's Peterborough Petes, Burton Lee. Mr. Lee has been with the Petes since 2013, when he joined the team as the Director of Communication and Game Night Operations. He was named Director of Business Operations in July of 2015.

1. What was your first job in the sports industry? I worked in the Athletics and Rec. Department at Wilfrid Laurier University while I was completing my undergrad, where I had the opportunity to do everything from working at the University Stadium reception desk to wearing the GoldenHawk mascot suit. Later, while I was finishing my MBA, I started my first full-time job in sport as an Account Executive with the Toronto Argonauts and The Aspire Group during the 100th Grey Cup championship season.

2. What was the last app you downloaded? I'm not the most avid app user, but a close friend works for Flipp, so I downloaded that for all of my couponing needs, and of course the Peterborough Petes Mobile App!

3. What was the first job you ever had? Odd jobs in high school around my hometown (Delhi, ON) including harvesting corn and tobacco, and working summers as a forklift operator at the Bick's Pickle tank farm in Vanessa.

4. What is currently your favorite song? Kiiara "" "Gold" (I wouldn't call myself an electropop enthusiast, but I basically couldn't turn this song off for about 3 weeks)

5. What is the last thing you watched on Netflix? Countless episodes of Gilmore Girls, because I'm the best husband ever.

6. What is the best advice you have ever received? "If your company doesn't offer these three things, they aren't worth working for: 1. Ongoing professional development opportunities; 2. A commitment to hiring internally, when possible; and 3. Autonomy (trust to perform at a high level without micromanagement)." - Michael Sullivan, Former P&G staffer, Marketing Prof at Centennial College, and family friend.

7. What is the last book you read? Just picked up Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg's How Google Works after finishing Charles R. Morris' The Dawn of Innovation

8. What is one unique or quirky habit that you have? I try to use my non-dominant (left) hand as much as possible when eating or doing other routine functions. I'm told it helps improve brain function. It also causes increased dry cleaning bills.

9. What advice would you give someone who wants to work in the sports industry? Move! Especially if you're young and don't have much tying you to home, take any opportunity you can to work across the country or (ideally) abroad. You'd be amazed at the lessons that will be learned when you step outside of your comfort zone both personally and professionally.

10. Who was your role model growing up? Aside from my parents (Al and Leslie), who are amazing, I spent time in grades 11 and 12 working with a trainer named Steve Bozso. His wisdom was tailored to aspiring athletes, but not a day goes by that I don't reflect on something he said or did and apply it to my professional or personal life.

Check out the Ontario Hockey League Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Ontario Hockey League message board...

Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 27, 2016


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central