I don’t remember every question I asked Lorne and Bailey during my MSBA interview, but I certainly recall asking, “Will MSBA 2017 go to Terminal 23?” When we stepped onto its hallowed grounds Monday night, it was as unforgettable as I expected.

Terminal 23 is one of the many idiosyncrasies in Manhattan. It is a private gym built for the use of Jordan brand athletes, namely Carmelo Anthony (NYK), but quickly evolved into much more than that. It’s now a youth development area, a brand activation space, and even a place of social gathering for both executives and professional athletes.

When we arrived, Kwynn Butts and Mike Slade (an Auburn grad and former football player) took us on a quick tour around the facility and then demonstrated to us the subtleties and nuances of the Jordan Brand in a quick presentation. After the presentation concluded and questions were answered, we laced up and played.

I haven’t had such a fun experience in quite some time; the basketball was super enjoyable, but I was more consumed with basking in the legacy of the arena – the home of true competitors.

“My classmates, the Speakers, and the MSBA Staff are all very deliberate in helping one another through their own strengths and efforts. All of these people have re-iterated to me the dual secrets of wealth: a love for what you do and a love for others.”

Being halfway through MSBA 2017, I’ve also been doing some reflection on the summer and the program.

The most enjoyable part of my MSBA experience has been the Mentorship Collective. I’ve been able to see all three of my Mentors (Greg Goldring of Platinum Rye Entertainment, Vinnie Butera of Whistle Sports, and T.J. Doganiero of Leverage Agency) in the past week, and each one offered their wholehearted attention while concurrently balancing their work and personal lives; this in itself speaks volumes.

However, the more I reflected, the more I realized it was less like wholehearted attention and more comparable to genuine interest. It’s been argued that this is one of the most valuable traits in a person, so it’s understandably remarkable to find this dynamic in an entire organization – but I see it every day, and not just my in my Mentors. My classmates, the Speakers, and the MSBA Staff are all very deliberate in helping one another through their own strengths and efforts.

All of these people have reiterated to me the dual secrets of wealth: a love for what you do and a love for others.