Recently, the Sports Management program sponsored a visit from the Chicago Bulls. The event featured Benny the Bull, Benson, The Luvabulls, Incredibulls, Bill Wennington, and the Optimum Sports Marketing Agency. The students were not aware of the purpose of the event or the identities of the guest presenters in advance, but caught on as costumed dancers entered the room in a staged fashion and familiar mascots joined them in the crowd.

The surprise guests were warmly received with photo opportunities, excited and shocked faces, and even interest in the dancers. Before the event, there was buzz around who the guests were and why those details were kept under wraps. Beyond the initial confusion, students enjoyed a motivational speech from Bill Wennington and panel discussion from the organization’s representatives such as Michelle Harris, Peter Flowers, Josh Kahn, and others.

The panelist discussed their career paths, how they got into their current fields and how it relates to the students in their journey. The key takeaway for students was to stay open to opportunities and actively network in the field. To round out the event, one of the students in attendance, Grace Breseman, was offered a full time marketing position at Optimum Sports, which she accepted. Grace will start with the agency upon graduation.

The event was full of surprises, free t-shirts,  golden nuggets of advice, and job offers; it was definitely a time of incrediBULL fun!