4/22/13
Engagement Insider
SOUTH BEND IN, NY April 21, 2013 – The annual Blue-Gold Spring Scrimmage wasn’t the only assembly of football players at Notre Dame this weekend.
There were also about two dozen current and former NFL players learning under the Golden Dome at the new NFL Business Management & Entrepreneurial “Investment for Impact” program.
Developed by Notre Dame graduates Brady Quinn and Jeff Faine in conjunction with NFL Player Engagement (NFLPE),
the four-day program focused on Social Entrepreneurship and featured sessions on foundations, financial planning, venture ideas, social responsibility, business plans, and giving back.
“It was truly inspiring to collaborate on the creation of this program with two NFL players, who brought their unique perspective to maximize the learning benefit for their colleagues,”
said Troy Vincent, Senior Vice President of NFL Player Engagement (NFLPE).
“We also take pride in being on the cutting edge of business practices, and Social Entrepreneurship is an area that is clearly gaining momentum.”
Both Quinn, a six-year NFL veteran and current free agent, and Faine, whose NFL career spanned 10 NFL seasons with four clubs, spoke at the sessions and described how they wanted to use their opportunity to play in the NFL as a springboard to teach their fellow athletes how to establish successful and innovative business careers rooted in giving back for the greater good.
“My decision to attend the Notre Dame BM&E Program came through my willingness to always learn more, and what better way than through NFL-offered continuing education programs,”
said Joshua Gordy of the Indianapolis Colts, one of 13 active players who participated.
“Out of all the Player Engagement courses, I felt the ‘Investment for Impact’ program would be most beneficial for life after football. I always enjoy a challenge, but coming in I must admit it was quite intimidating, but all the mentors have made it an enjoyable and education-filled weekend.”
Those mentors and panelists included former NFL players with social entrepreneurship backgrounds, such as Warrick Dunn, Founder of Warrick Dunn Charities; Deke Cooper, Founder of Future Leaders Christian Academy; and Jeremy Bloom, Founder of Wish of a Lifetime Foundation and Co-Founder of Integrate.
Input from this type of peer group was of particular importance since it raised awareness with attendees of the demands associated with a startup and how to balance those with football and family.
Of course there are countless other considerations as well to beginning any entity, such as making good choices for funding sources, legal expertise, sales and marketing strategies, and just like in football, picking the right team.
To teach these topics, participants heard from a faculty that included a variety of representatives from Notre Dame, including its Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship and Mendoza College of Business, as well as speakers from the likes of Vanguard Investment Group and Keurig Premium Coffee System for Green Mountain Coffee Systems, Inc.
"The caliber and wealth of knowledge could not have been better,” observed Mike Rivera of the New England Patriots. “It was such a wide scope of expertise, and it was nice to learn from so many different angles. The knowledge gained will help to inspire and mold my future decisions."
Panelist and former NFL Quarterback Rick Mirer, Founder and Owner of Mirror Wine Company and Founder of the Mirer Family Foundation, described his entry into the social venture space by saying,
“The lesson I learned is that when you put yourself out there as a social entrepreneur, you're going to hear from people who want your money. It's really important to state your focus as far as who your company is going to support.”
Finding that focus was presented to program participants in one unique way when they attended a Venture Fair, and interacted with a myriad of past, present and future members of the Notre Dame business community. Additionally, they attended the final round judging for the McCloskey Business Plan Competition, where they got first-hand experience in the all-important practice of The Perfect Pitch.
And competition is always in the forefront at perhaps the world’s most famous football institution, so just to make sure everyone remembered they were studying under the raised arms of “Touchdown Jesus,” all the program participants took time off to relive their football roots and attend Saturday afternoon’s Spring Scrimmage.