An impactful new beginning...

Here we are about halfway through 2016. And I can tell you that 2016 has been an impactful new beginning for me.

I do not want to sound long winded, but there's a bit of clarity needed before announcing another beginning in my life. 

Rewind to late 2015 when I took the chance to teach in the Sports Management curriculum at Neumann University. For those who do not know, Neumann University is located in Aston, PA about 20 minutes removed from South Philadelphia.

Over the years since 2009, I loved and sought opportunities to speak to classes, sit on panels, be a guest lecturer and give back to students. Whether it was a Business class, MIS, or Sports Management, I felt like a natural in the classroom with a message that resonated with many students. 

Better yet, I felt I was being challenged as a professional, as a teacher, as a person. There's a teacher, there's a student. It's never directed that teachers and students live on a one-way street. And it should never be so.

This brings me to teachers I've had and how I ended up at Neumann University:

• Dean Jeffrey Montague [tribute written: https://calebmezzy.com/tribute-montague/]
• Dr. Julie Lanzillo

These teachers provided me with mentorship and a path to my impactful new beginning. 

Dr. Julie Lanzillo is the Program Director at Neumann University for the Sports Management Program that resides within the Business Division. But I met her at Temple University. She was my Sports Marketing teacher and through that class and years and years later, we kept in touch. We chatted about life, jobs, aspirations and everything in between.

When I encountered a rare opportunity to teach, I jumped! Then I accepted it and went forward the only way I know - with my genuine approach to emphasize the reality of the Sports Business world, professionalism, and branding yourself in a noisy market (i.e. Sports). 

Now back to June because that's how this started out, right? I'm sitting here at Neumann University as the Industry Relations, Media Specialist. Moving forward, I will also be teaching Intro to Sports Management and the Internship class for the next semester.

There are moments in life that define us positively or negatively. There are moments in life we do not take in. There are moments in life we miss because we are elsewhere (physically, mentally). But then there are moments in life when we can impact others' lives. 

People did that for me. I'm here to do the same. And I would like you to help!

Over the course of the next year, I'll be building an extensive industry list. You'll probably receive an e-mail from me soon. 

• GUEST SPEAKERS. Whether you're here in the Philadelphia area or across the country, you can help. 
• INTERNSHIP AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES. If your company or a friend in the industry hears, sees or knows of an internship or job opportunity, I would like to chat. In the meantime, feel free to send your internship and job needs. 
• SHADOWING AND INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS. We do not know everything. My students do not either. I urge them to shadow and seek out informational interviews to find their path, learn, network and most of all, gain experience. 
• RESOURCES. Many of you have been instrumental already in giving my students in the fall access to tours, knowledge (books, articles, etc.), but I want this to continue so ALL of us in the business can PAY IT FORWARD. Experience speaks volumes, let's echo that.

So if you're ever interested in chatting about this, please e-mail me ([email protected]) and let's talk! And for those not in Philadelphia, if you're visiting the area then call or e-mail me so we can get you into a class. Educating the next generation of Sports Professionals is what I aim to do and I know, first hand, I do NOT know it all so I am grateful for my extensive network and eager to work with each of you and more.

Thank you! Let's kickstart this impactful new beginning for all. 

Caleb