KANSAS - The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is proud to bring you the "KCAC Alumni Spotlight" series. Every two weeks, the conference will aim to highlight an alumnus of one of our KCAC full member institutions. We hope in this series to highlight successes that KCAC alumni had not only on the field, court, etc., but also in the classroom and now in their chosen professional field.
KCAC ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT — OTTAWA UNIVERSITY
Alumnus: Bobby Adamson
Degree Earned at Ottawa: B.A. in Business Administration, 2012
Career Alumnus Currently Holds: Partnership Strategy (Sr. Manager), Kansas City Chiefs
How did your time at Ottawa help to prepare you for life after college/entering the workforce?
ADAMSON: "My time at Ottawa University helped me learn to efficiently prepare for all aspects of life and to best position myself to be successful when entering the professional workforce. Ottawa University has a proud tradition of success, and the championship culture of the University was instilled in me during my time as a student-athlete. I was able to apply that championship mentality to the time, effort, and commitment required to be successful on the field, while also ensuring I was putting forth the same approach toward academic success. Ottawa also helped me build strong leadership skills that directly translate in the professional workforce. Leading a team in the office requires the same confidence as leading a game-winning drive down the field. The time management, leadership skills, and championship mindset I learned at Ottawa has helped me be successful in my professional career, ensuring I hold myself and others accountable to excel."
Were there any pre-professional experiences (internships/job shadows/etc.) during your college years that prepared you for entering your chosen field?
ADAMSON: "The thing I appreciated about Ottawa University from an academic standpoint was how the curriculum was built around applying business concepts to real-world examples. While I didn't participate in any internships or job shadows, I was able to build a strong understanding of how the business principles from the textbooks actually apply in a real-life setting. That strong business foundation has been an asset to me in my career in the sports industry and the world of building strategic partnerships for a Super-Bowl winning organization"
What lessons did you learn competing in collegiate athletics that helped prepare you for life after your playing days were over?
ADAMSON: "One of the most influential lessons I learned as a collegiate student-athlete is the importance of appreciating the relationships you build. Being successful as a student-athlete and in life in general, requires a strong support system and it's important to recognize the time and effort others put in to help you succeed. For me, the bonds I was able to build with teammates and coaches are friendships that have lived far beyond my playing days. Being able to acknowledge and appreciate the support I receive from others has helped me be a better husband, father, friend, and colleague. The relationships I built in college and the understanding of the importance of building professional relationships has helped me build the strong support system needed to be successful in life after playing. 'Once a Brave, Always a Brave'."
ABOUT THE KANSAS COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and sponsors 28 varsity sports. Founded in 1890, the KCAC is the second oldest intercollegiate athletic conference in the country. As the conference home to 14 member institutions, the KCAC emphasizes commitment, cooperation, high achievement, and working towards a common goal in the act of competition. To keep up with the latest conference news, follow the KCAC on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram using the handle @kcacsports.
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