Networking Cali Style - Friends & Fish Tacos
Brandon Tosti
2x Author, Sponsorship Sales and Activation, Keynote Speaker, 15-year Youth Basketball Coach, and Charitable Entrepreneur
Earlier this week, I flew to San Diego to speak with three Sport Management classes. Writing, coaching youth basketball and traveling might top my passion list, but teaching the next generation of students the right way to network (hint: it's about building meaningful and long-term relationships) will always compete for a top ranking.?
The opportunity arose from a chance meeting a few months earlier. Thanks to Dr. Michael Goldman for the introduction and opportunity to speak at the University of San Francisco (USF) graduate level Sport Marketing class in March. I met Dr. Ben Corbett because he was teaching the class and asked me if I would be interested in visiting one of his classes at San Diego State University in the summer. I agreed, knowing it might be difficult to juggle youth sports tournaments commitments, family vacation and work schedule, but everything worked out. Ben, thanks for hosting me on campus and I hope the students enjoyed the talk. ?
None of this would be possible without the help and support from a few individuals who answered a LinkedIn message and returned my unsolicited phone call last year. Dr. Darin White and Dr. Daniel Rascher both took a chance on this unknown speaker and opened doors to their respective campuses and academic programs. I am grateful for these passionate leaders as I continue to visit more universities over time and hope to return to Samford and USF somewhere down the road.
During this trip, I stayed with one of my good friends, Josh Gross. We worked together in the basement of the Pepsi Center Annex for Kroenke Sports Enterprises 12 years ago. We reminisced about our office days and the many events we worked together as we cheered for the Denver Nuggets as they captured the organization’s first NBA championship.
The day before I left Denver, I touched base and he mentioned the weather was not the typical 75 and sunny skies the city is famous for. He apologized for the June gloom and I sarcastically responded, “They still sell fish tacos, right? I’ll be ok.” San Diego happens to be our family’s favorite vacation spot and we know our way around the city fairly well. I've been there for work in the past and always enjoyed it. This trip the temperature was barely 63 degrees, cloudy and gray for the days I was in town. Of course, it warmed up the day after I left.
As luck would have it, Josh was also working on a project with students from Ohio University and the University of Iowa who were in town for two weeks for the San Diego Sports Consulting Project. Josh spoke to the group last week and when I asked him how it went, he said, “It is a great group. You are in trouble.” Being the great friend and networker he is, he kindly asked the program leaders if I could stop by for a presentation as well.
Matt Cacciato and Packy Moran are long-time friends and have a wealth of combined experience in the field. They both welcomed me as if I was an old college buddy reuniting on a golf trip. I appreciate people with a high energy and a positive attitude. When Matt walked up with a grin on his face and enthusiastically shook my hand like a coach on a recruiting visit, I knew I was in good company. Packy picked up the lunch tab which was appreciated and shared a heartfelt story about his time in Denver. We exchanged tales about our respective career paths, common connections and shared a few laughs.
Sunshine and momentum are two things you cannot touch but you feel them in different ways - warmth on your skin and that good vibe energy in your soul. This was true for me as I completed my second day of speaking engagements on the University of San Diego’s majestic campus. My presentation is simple and it includes three segments - networking the right way, sponsorship activation and sales at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and just a few minutes on my upcoming book about my career in the sports industry. I shared a rough draft of the book’s cover art with the students and they really liked it. A special shout out to Jon Andrews at Brainfire Creative for his artistic talent and ability to bring my ideas to life. ?
Students from both classes asked great questions and several stayed afterward to discuss jobs in sponsorship activation and sales. The next generation of sports industry employees is filled with energy, access to every changing technology and the realization that hustling is not a nice to have trait, but rather a must in the workplace. Sunshine does not always appear in the sky. Sometimes it takes the form of friends, old and new, accompanied by a fresh plate of fish tacos.?
领英推荐
Jesse Zimmer
MBA Candidate at Aurora University, Sport Management Concentration
1 年Thank you for sharing your brilliant experiences and expertise with us. I hope our paths cross again in the future.
University of Iowa Alumni ‘24, B.S. Sport and Recreation Management, Business Studies Concentration, Event Management Certificate
1 年Glad we had the opportunity to hear your story and thank you for taking the time to speak to us!
Graduate Student-Athlete at Oklahoma State University
1 年Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us! Looking forward to our paths crossing again.
Motivated Sport Management and Marketing student at Ohio University planning to graduate in May 2026
1 年Thanks for taking the time to speak to our class and share some valuable advice!
Experiential marketing professional
1 年Great having you Brandon! Hope our paths cross again in the future and thank you for your insight in to the industry!