Guelph-Humber is the proud education partner of Raptors 905
It was a slam-dunk experiential learning adventure for University of Guelph-Humber (U of GH) students who got to visit NBA G League team Raptors 905 on an excursion that was filled with inspiring conversations and networking off the court, and heart-pumping basketball on it.
This was Guelph-Humber’s “Raptors 905 For a Day” event. Together, students headed to the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, Ont., where the Raptors 905 play, to listen to a panel of professionals employed with parent company Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), who discussed their career journeys and provided advice to curious students craving insights about life after university. Panellists came from different departments of the company, including Global Partnerships and specifically, those working with the Raptors 905 team. After the panel, the students were able to mingle with the panellists and then have some fun watching the Raptors 905 play against the Windy City Bulls – a close game with the Toronto team winning by just one point.
“As someone who's trying to figure out next steps after graduation, it was very interesting and insightful to hear how [the MLSE panellists] landed their positions, who they spoke to, and how they got out of their comfort zone to realize their dreams,” attendee and fourth-year Media & Communication Studies student Sypress Allen said, who mentioned that she enjoyed spending time with classmates while cheering on the team. “Being able to expand my professional network, make those LinkedIn connections, and have that face-to-face time is really valuable,” she added.
The event was made possible due to U of GH being the proud education partner of the Raptors 905. Through a recently renewed partnership with parent company MLSE, the University is committed to engaging with the community and youth, including through activities like sponsoring Camp 905 and participating in a school day game for young students at Scotiabank Arena.
“This was an incredible opportunity to collaborate with our partner, U of GH, for the inaugural Raptors 905 For a Day. We look forward to continuing to create and develop new opportunities for students across Canada to connect with professional sports organizations,” MLSE Coordinator, Team Administration, Maheen Ali said.
Through the partnership, U of GH students get to attend exclusive and unique experiences with the team, like Raptors 905 For a Day, where aside from learning, the students got to witness the team practice ahead of the game, too.
“We got to interact with people who have seen some incredible things, put together some incredible programs, one of them being the NHL All-Star 2020, where they told us about the social media influence of getting influencers and celebrities involved to market it,” fourth-year Media & Communication Studies student David Costa said.
These types of events are eye-opening for students, including Costa. For him, hearing advice from professionals at the event gave him a sense of peace about his future beyond university.
“[Finding a job] doesn't happen in an instant. It happens in moments that take time, and you never know when it's going to hit. Always seize the opportunities that you have. Always try to expand your network and be friendly with people, but also enjoy life for what it is,” Costa said regarding what he learned.
A major takeaway for Allen from the event was to “put yourself out there.” Though at times, this could feel challenging whilst fighting feelings of nervousness and imposter syndrome, “stepping out of your comfort zone” can ultimately push you to achieve your goals. Attending Raptors 905 For a Day put that into practice for her because as someone who has plenty of experience working within fashion and beauty media, diversifying her experience within the sports industry at this event rounded out her experiences, she said.
Another notable moment for Allen was reconnecting with Marco Renda, a MLSE sales executive on the panel. Renda had run the MLSE Global Partnerships Case Competition that Allen participated in previously, so having one-on-one discussion time during the networking portion fortified their professional connection and further inspired her aspirations – Renda was also once a competitor in the same case competition put on by the company he now works for.
In addition to uplifting wisdom and connection, the event sparked school spirit among the attending students, and a sense of pride being part of a school community associated with a major sports organization.
“I'm very fortunate to be a part of a school that was able to put this together. This is a part of a large brand like the NBA,” Costa said, noting many of the Raptors 905 players end up playing for the main Raptors roster or other teams in the NBA. “I cannot be prouder to say that we're working with an organization like 905 that cares for their community.”
Now that’s nothing but net!