Developing Champions on the Field and in Business: How the University of Akron Shapes Future Gamechangers

Athletic performance, academic strength, and personal development all shape success in college sports, and at The University of Akron College of Business (CoB), that definition goes even further for the student-athletes who learn and grow within its programs. For the Akron men’s soccer program, pairing elite athletic performance with a nationally recognized business education has become a powerful formula for developing not only exceptional players, but future leaders in the business world.

Head Coach Jared Embick has seen firsthand how a strong academic environment elevates his program.

“The quality of the business program has been a big help,” Embick said. “When we’ve had guys come on their visits, they ask the players currently in the business program of their experience and they get good reviews.” With nearly half the roster pursuing business degrees, including senior forward Stefan Dobrijevic, who graduated from UA and is now in its MBA program, interest continues to grow thanks to word-of-mouth and the proven success of former Zips.

Balancing Division I athletics with coursework is no small task, but the synergy between Athletics and the College of Business makes it possible. Coaches emphasize structure and accountability, while faculty understand the realities of demanding travel and training schedules.

“I think the challenge for any athlete at this level is the challenge between academics and sport,” Embick said. “As coaches, we try and provide them resources to help. We have study tables and we always preach time management to take care of your schoolwork, be proactive, and all these things to help manage the load to hopefully not pull out things that are stressful for them.”

The College of Business is equally invested in supporting student-athletes. Interim Dean James Thomson noted that faculty take pride in helping students, athletes included, excel in and out of the classroom.

“I think it’s been the stories of our alums that have graduated from the College of Business and the jobs they’re doing,” Embick added. “I think that’s what everyone wants to know – that the business program can help them have a successful career afterwards.”

And the things that drive these outcomes are woven into everything the program does.

“The diligence of doing your work, being hardworking, showing up on time, communicating well with people… I think in the business world, those are huge things that help, and obviously on the team, these are things we talk about daily.”

The 14th-seeded University of Akron men's soccer team continues its quest for its second-ever NCAA Championship today, Sunday, Nov. 30 welcoming No. 15 Duke to FirstEnergy Stadium in the third round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship. Tickets for the 4 p.m. contest against the Blue Devils are available for purchase at gozips.com/tickets.