When I transferred into Sport Management as a sophomore, I had very little idea what to expect out of the program, but I must admit I had visions of Jerry Maguire in my head. I always played sports competitively throughout my life but in college that changed as I realized I had no hope in going pro in any of my athletic ventures.
I did still crave the competitive nature, the thrill of the game, the challenge, that all go hand-in-hand with sports. “Syracuse athletics are top notch,” I assured myself, “I’m sure this program will sculpt me into a fierce super sports agent.” And I began my career in SPM.
At some point during my senior Capstone, reality kicked in and I realized to be an agent I would need to further my education and attend either business school or law school. I chose law school. And about 10 minutes into my first law class something clicked: I didn’t want to be an agent at all. Managing the lives and contracts of diva athletes sounded like a nightmare. Had I wasted all my training at Syracuse? What would I do now? But then it hit me; with the skills I cultivated in the SPM program, law school could still provide me with a connection to my competitive spirit: I would bec08ome a trial attorney.
I redirected my law school focus on trial advocacy and the courtroom became my playing field. I passed the bar exam and in August 2014, I began working for a small criminal defense law firm. My life suddenly turned into episodes of “Law & Order.” And I loved every second it. I now own that law firm (my boss sold it to me after he was appointed to be a judge) and I took over 150 clients, as well as the attorneys and staff in the office.
I know that I could not have gotten to where I am today without the support and skill sets I gained in the SPM program at Syracuse. So while I may have chosen a different career path than most who graduate from SPM, I still have sports in my life. Trial law is my sport … and I’m here to win the game.
