Smith Community Participates in First Court Classic

Since last spring, the Smith Dean’s Student Advisory Council (DSAC), the Undergraduate Program, and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business have been planning a ground-breaking event in which students, alumni, and faculty teams take to the court to see who reigns supreme in a round robin basketball tournament. On February 27, 2015, Ritchie Coliseum was filled with over 350 students, parents, alumni, faculty, and staff for Smith’s first Court Classic.

Team “Biz Kids” took the win (pictured above): Eric Bennett ’15, Mike Capkin ’15, Jason Langer ’15, Adam Warner ’15, Jonah Weisel ’15, Adam Whitten ’15, and Zachary Dancel ’15.

The faculty/staff team consisted of Joe Bailey, Michael Ball, Sean Barnes, Emily Doane Heavin, Brent Goldfarb, Tyrone Hagans, Brian Horick, Evan Riddle, Jeanette Snider, Dale Vander Wall, and David Waguespack.  Several alumni from the QUEST Program came just to see Professor Bailey on the court. “Our Smith community is a wonderful balance of respect, encouragement, cooperation, and healthy competition. I think this basketball event exemplifies this in a fun way,” said Bailey. 

The alumni team consisted of David Ancona-Cole ’12, Steven Asifo ’14, Mike DeLucia ’13, Sean Ehlbeck ’13, Aaron Fagan ’13, Chris Grant ’13, Jason Greenberg ’12, Zach Nerenberg ’13, Thomas Young ’12, Jed Seifert ’03, and Brian Wilson ’13. These two teams competed against six teams of Smith graduating seniors.

Patty Carocci, assistant dean of development and alumni relations, was excited to see Smith alumni come back for an opportunity to enjoy some friendly competition. “The Court Classic provided a number of wonderful opportunities for the office of alumni relations,” said Carocci. “A new tradition has started at the Smith School, building class bonds among our soon-to-be alumni.  It also gave alumni a chance to connect with students in a casual, fun setting rather than the usual networking receptions.”

Alumnus Chris Grant ’13 competed with the alumni team.  “As an alumnus, the Court Classic brought a spirit of community at Smith,” said Grant. “It’s awesome; it allowed the Smith School to embrace camaraderie and a sense of ‘one team’ between current students, faculty, and alumni.” Grant is an Analyst Promontory Financial Group.  Alumnus Aaron Fagan ’13 was also on the alumni team. “The Court Classic brought together students, alumni, faculty and staff for a fun, competitive event allowing Smith Terps across generations and graduation years to connect. Our game was on,” said Fagan, an operations manager at Uber Technologies.

Even though Dean Victor Mullins didn’t play in the tournament, he served as an honorary coach for the faculty team and sang the National Anthem with his wife, Nancy. “The Smith community is becoming stronger as we continue to think of new ways to bring our students together with faculty and staff,” said Mullins. “What a great idea! The interest is already growing among Smith faculty who are interested in competing next year.”

Attendees had the chance to win tickets to the UMD-Michigan Men’s Basketball game in the Smith School’s suite; a Mark Turgeon signed basketball, small scholarships, and Maryland apparel. All in attendance enjoyed great fun, games, music, food, and entertainment.

The student co-chairs, David Engle and Alex Doquang, worked tirelessly to convince Dean Mullins that DSAC could register over 300 guests and their goal was achieved. When asked about their views on the first Court Classic, Engle said: “The Court Classic allows for students, faculty, and staff to have a different type of relationship not found in the classroom. Instead of being lectured at by a faculty member, we as students are able to try to school them on the court. The Smith community is like no other business school out there. Where else can I as a student lace up my sneakers and be able to compete in a round robin basketball tournament with my professors, fellow students, as well as notable alumni?"

Doquang added, “Valuable student relationships with faculty and alumni go far beyond the classroom setting. The Court Classic offers an event where these groups interact in a fun environment.”

A special thanks to the following who played a vital role in making this inaugural court classic a success: Melanie Ashton, Lindsay Cabrera, Aubrey McLaughlin, Victor Mullins, Mary Wagner, Deans Student Advisory Council, Brian Horick, all student, faculty/staff, and alumni teams, Chris Decker, Nancy Mullins, and co-chairs Alex DoQuang and David Engle.