If you ever get the opportunity to be a part of this program, don’t blink. It seems like just yesterday that Ben Sturner, Co-Founder of MSBA, was telling the Class of 2016 on Day 1 that this was going to be the best summer of our lives. He wasn’t wrong. MSBA talks the talk and walks the walk. With 41 days down already and just 14 to go, I don’t think any of us could have imagined that it would also be the fastest summer of our lives. To date, we have heard from 59 established industry professionals, participated in 5 workshops, and visited 13 of the most influential and significant offices in sports business. And we STILL have two weeks to go. How’s that for a jam-packed summer?
“I can say without a doubt that I’ve learned more about this industry within these first six weeks than I have in my entire 22 years of existence.”
My mentor told me during our first week of the program that these eight weeks were going to be more valuable to us as aspiring sports business professionals than an entire four years of college. I can say without a doubt that I’ve learned more about this industry within these first six weeks than I have in my entire 22 years of existence. A jam-packed summer means early mornings, sleepless nights, and too many yawns to count in between. This industry is all about hustle, and if you put in the work you’ll surely reap the benefits that it provides.
However, even the best in the sports business world need a little break every now and then. We’re not all work and no play here in MSBA 2016 and today was all about our Miami boy, Quinn Kasal. Quinn Latifah, as we like to call him, celebrates his birthday tomorrow. I’m sure you can think of a few ways to celebrate a 21st birthday in the city that never sleeps, but I’d say we kicked it off right with self-induced food comas at Lucy’s near Madison Square Garden. The rest of the night is up for interpretation.
In a time where I find myself missing a lot of my friends and family back home, I have to say that I am extremely thankful for all the relationships that I have formed with everyone that I have met through this program. If I had a dollar for every time we heard about networking and the importance of building strong relationships this summer, I might be able to afford rent in Manhattan. But all jokes aside, I can’t wait to spend these remaining 14 days with some of the closest colleagues and friends I’ll ever have. Here’s one last happy birthday to my fellow Chicago sports fan, and let the final countdown begin.