Swinging Through Adversity

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Posted on June 14, 2021 by MCOB Outreach

MCOB Outreach

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Late nights, jam-packed schedules and bus-ride study sessions are not unfamiliar to student athletes. Whether it's reviewing stock options for finance or designing websites for marketing classes, Mitchell College of Business student athletes know how to get it done. After spending three years managing a full-time academic load and playing collegiate sports (whether it be baseball, softball, or tennis), Andy Arguelles,  Abby Krzywiecki,  Julien Evrard and Noah Michael decided to continue their educational journey at South after receiving an additional year of eligibility due to COVID-19. 
 
Losing their senior seasons to a global pandemic was tough. In March, though, the NCAA Division I council voted to allow spring sport athletes an additional year of eligibility. Such a decision meant there was a possibility for these athletes to regain their “senior” season in an unconventional way.
 
Athletic Director Joel Erdmann confirmed that the University of South Alabama would be able to fund an additional year of scholarships for the eligible athletes, but it was ultimately up to the program’s head coach to decide if these athletes would receive another year of scholarship. In accordance with the NCAA’s eligibility requirements,  Arguelles,  Krzywiecki,  Evrad and Michael were among those granted another year. 
 
Evrad says, “When I found out that I was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA, I right away thought that it was a perfect opportunity to get an MBA. For me, it was a way to expand on what I have learned as an undergrad and also set me apart from the competition when I start looking for a job.” The Mitchell College of Business Master’s of Business Administration was the perfect fit for these student-athletes and has prepared them for the next steps in their lives. 

Andy Arguelles

1. Where is your hometown?
Miami, Florida
2. What is your undergraduate major? 
University of South Alabama
Finance
3. Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?
Before COVID, I was already planning on earning my MBA or MSF.  For several reasons, I was likely going to do this closer to home; however, when COVID-19 hit, all spring sport athletes were given an extra year to come back and play. It was a great opportunity for me to come back, play another year of baseball, and get my master’s done early. Thanks to my athletic scholarship, I had a chance to get my degree at little cost to me.
4. What are your plans after graduation?
My plans are to go back home after I graduate and, hopefully, pursue a career in corporate finance. Due to baseball and COVID, I have not been able to do summer internships. For now, I think corporate finance will be where I start. Personally, I'd like to start traveling to all of the cool places I want to see around the world. 
5. How has being a student-athlete impacted your MBA journey?
Being a student-athlete has impacted my life greatly. Baseball has given me so much throughout my life. I've made a ton of friends, made some pretty cool memories, and been able to help my parents with the financial burden of school. As a finance graduate, I recognize the importance of being a student-athlete while studying. It has allowed me to finish my schooling life without taking out any loans, which is something for which I am grateful. I will start my adult life debt-free and with a world of possibilities. That's all thanks to my life as a student-athlete. 

Noah Michael

1. Where is your hometown?
Grand Bay, Alabama 
2. What is your undergraduate major?
University of South Alabama 
Healthcare Management 
3. Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?
I decided to pursue an MBA because I knew it would help me prepare for the field that I want to go into after graduation.  Also, I knew that South had a great business school, so I wanted to finish my degree here while I finished my last year of baseball.  
4. What are your plans after graduation?
I plan on becoming a healthcare administrator and, hopefully, a top officer for a hospital system in the future. 
5. How has being a student-athlete impacted your MBA journey?
Our baseball schedule has been crazy, so I have had to learn time-management and communication skills. My fellow classmates, group members and professors have helped me immensely throughout my MBA journey. This has taught me how important it is to work as a team with my peers in order to achieve success. 

Abby Krzywiecki

1. Where is your hometown?
Brighton, Michigan 
2. What is your undergraduate major?
University of South Alabama
Marketing 
3. Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?
I absolutely love learning and it seemed like the right fit after receiving my marketing degree. I think that the MBA program is teaching me how to handle teams as well as lead and explore different areas of the business world in detail. 
4. What are your plans after graduation?
At the moment, I do not have any plans except to pursue a career for a big company. I am extremely creative and am passionate about the entertainment industry, so I will be searching for jobs to that extent. Also, I hope to end up in a big city because I love staying busy and exploring!
5. How has being a student-athlete impacted your MBA journey?
Being a student-athlete has shaped me into the person that I am today. From time-management skills, team-building and leading, I have grown so much since my freshman year. As an athlete, the schedule is incredibly demanding and that has made me realize how important a routine is for daily life, which mimics the business world. My MBA journey is heavily influenced by my self-efficacy, which I developed in my prior four years. I have met outstanding people both in softball and through the MBA program whom I hope to have in my life forever. The opportunity to play another year due to COVID-19 was such a blessing and I am so lucky to study at MCOB. 

Julien Evrard

1. Where is your hometown?
Lille, France
2. What is your undergraduate major?
University of Nevada, Reno in August of 2020
Finance
3. Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?
When I found out that I was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA, I right away thought that it was a perfect opportunity to get an MBA, expand on what I learned as an undergrad and help me stand out from the competition when I start looking for a job.
4. What are your plans after graduation?
After graduating from South, I am planning on moving to Las Vegas and playing tennis professionally.
5. How has being a student-athlete impacted your MBA journey?
Time-management has had the biggest impact on me as an athlete and an MBA student.  As a student-athlete, you quickly realize that you have to be extremely organized if you want to be able to perform in your sport, succeed academically and have a social life. These four years of undergrad work definitely prepared me for my MBA journey, as it allowed me to develop good time-management and a sense of priorities (that I surely didn't have a few years ago). It has given me the desire to be professional, no matter the situation, and to perform the best that I can.

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