John Cassas ’07
B.S. in Business—Sports Management
Bogota, Columbia
“Not many colleges offer a sports management concentration—and it’s been a great way for me to combine my interest in business with my athletic experience.”
What has surprised you most about Concordia? The multicultural dimension of the campus. On the tennis team alone, I have teammates from Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Turkey, India, Germany, and Russia—so we all get a grasp of the different habits and customs around the world.
What is the best thing about attending a “small college?” The advantage of Concordia’s size is reflected in how the staff and faculty treat all students personally according to their individual needs and interests. The faculty are able to focus their attention on a smaller group of students—and determine what they think is the best path to take for their students—something that’s just not possible at big schools.
What experience has had the greatest impact on you so far? Achieving something that has never been done before for me has a very special feeling. Having the tennis team make it to the top 16 teams in the country for two years in a row has been very rewarding for me, and being recognized for it by the community and the school is very special. Putting together a group of 10 people that includes the coaches and the players to build team spirit and a family environment for us was fundamental in our success.
What are your professors like? My business professors are well-trained and have a lot of experience in each of their areas of concentration. In all the classes that I have taken, professors always connect theory with the day-to-day application it has in the real world. They bring in news and other events to class discussions so that we can see the direct reflection of reality in what we’re learning in the classroom.
What has been most rewarding to you? Working, studying, and playing at Concordia has been the perfect balance. It is rewarding knowing that I am giving back to the school as much as it has given to me.
What do you like best about Concordia’s location? We’re only a 20-minute drive from Manhattan and from other big cities such as White Plains and Stamford. Manhattan is the place I go for fun—and Bronxville is the place I go to work (I’m a part-time tennis pro here). Having the best of both worlds is a huge advantage.