From Classroom to Super Bowl Champions
SDSUs Sports MBA program helped carry three alumni to positions with the Super Bowl LIV champion Kansas City Chiefs.
San Diego State University’s Sports MBA program, which offers graduate-level courses tailored to the contemporary world of sports business, boasts three alumni currently employed by the Super Bowl LIV champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Vassilis Dalakas, visiting professor of the Sports MBA program, caught up with his three former students to discuss their experience and how the program prepared them for their professional careers.
Greg Morrissey (SMBA ’18) - Partnership Development
What are some of your proudest accomplishments during your time with the Chiefs?
Working with our team to build an unmatched partnership with Oakley and seeing the videos of Patrick Mahomes taking over Times Square, which elevated the Chiefs brand beyond our imagination, was an incredible experience that I am honored to have played a role in.
What is it that makes it such a good fit for three SDSU Sports MBA alums to have found a home with the Chiefs?
The Chiefs organization prides itself on continuing to differentiate itself from its peers, something the SDSU Sports MBA program shares as well. As a Chiefs employee, it is critical to constantly find ways to adapt to industry trends and hone one’s craft. The SMBA program is arguably the best at teaching each and every cohort these same values, which I think made it such a great fit for myself and my fellow SMBA grads at the Chiefs.
How helpful was the SDSU Sports MBA in preparing you for your career?
The SDSU Sports MBA program was one of the most critical components in preparing me for the sports industry. Without the program I would not have learned important values such as believing you are not above any task, focusing on being the best possible candidate for the position, and seeking out mentorship from those who have accomplished goals I’ve set out to achieve. I can’t thank the program and everyone who has been a part of my journey enough for helping me reach this point in my career. I truly would not be where I am today without the SMBA program.
Xochitl Glaser (SMBA ’15) - Fan Experience Manager
What was your favorite moment from the Super Bowl?
It’s hard to narrow it down to just one moment, but I would say that seeing the presentation of the AFC Championship trophy was surreal. In 1984, the trophy was named after the Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, and this was the first time it was presented to the Hunt Family and the Chiefs organization as AFC Champions. Lamar Hunt was a pillar of the AFL and had a tremendous impact on professional football so when the trophy was presented to his widow, Norma, and son, Clark, it was a powerful moment.
How can the team capitalize on this excitement in the long run, especially when it comes to fan engagement?
One of my primary responsibilities with the Chiefs is season ticket member satisfaction and retention. While the title of Super Bowl champions makes that a bit easier in some aspects, it also raises expectations. Regardless of the team’s record or standing, we continuously are trying to positively impact the value proposition of being a season ticket member in order to build a strong foundation that will last for years. This includes but is not limited to personalized customer service, exclusive events, gifting, and unique access within our rewards program, Chiefs Kingdom Rewards.
What were the biggest benefits of doing a Sports MBA at SDSU?
The program gave me the opportunity to challenge myself in a way I didn’t know I needed. I challenged myself to learn new disciplines, to become more independent, and to reach my goal of working the NFL. I had been told before I couldn’t work for the NFL because it was too competitive. So even though it was a tough year of classes, tests and networking, it ultimately got me to where I am now.
Armaan Ahluwalia (SMBA ’15) - Manager of Business Analytics
You started working for the Chiefs as a Sports MBA intern and did your thesis project on suites and hospitality five years ago. How has your role in the organization evolved since then?
My role has changed drastically. The thesis, while very specific, gave me the opportunity to show the level of work of which I was capable. From that point on, I added more responsibilities and started to craft and build my unique role for my skill set.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments with the Chiefs?
Going from an intern to a manager within the department. Being a part of our team that made our budget goal on the suites side five years in a row has been exceptional. Working on one of the largest partnership deals in team history alongside the executive management team was an incredible honor. And being able to close a number of partnership deals this past year on my own was a proud accomplishment.
You came from Canada to San Diego to pursue your Sports MBA. How do you feel about that decision?
It was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. I knew that when I made that decision, it was something that would have a drastic impact on my future moving forward and it turned out to be right. It allowed me to meet a group of wonderful people and build great friendships that went beyond the classroom. It introduced me to incredible professors who challenged me in new ways academically and professionally. It forced me to step outside my comfort zone and continue to push forward.
From Classroom to Super Bowl Champions SDSU’s Sports MBA program helped carry three alumni to positions with the Super Bowl LIV champion Kansas City Chiefs.
