Dear Assumption Greyhounds,
Thank you for joining us tonight! We, your alumni mentors, are thrilled to have the opportunity to share our stories and share our perspective with you. We are all so proud to support you on and off the field. I know the mentor group is thrilled to be with you and hopefully will help each and every one of you along on your journey to success. It is our hope that in sharing our life-lessons we can effect your lives in a positive and helpful manner.
Not too long ago, we walked in the March for Christian Athletes, prayed in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, competed on the fields, survived and thrived in the classrooms. Each of us were in your shoes and had the opportunity to sit where you are sitting today, however, we may not have had this terrific opportunity to hear from alumni mentors.
I can confidently say that most our hopes and dreams that you have, and we certainly had similar questions that you do. We all welcome this opportunity to share something with you about life, careers and the REAL world that we wish someone had shared with us while we were at Assumption, in hopes that our advice makes a positive difference in your lives.
Each and every day you step out on the pitch to prepare for the next fitness test, the next training session, the next match or the next championship; all this is a step towards life. The skills and characteristics that you develop here at Assumption will serve you well on your journey. Preparation is the key to life. Being prepared to face adversity, being prepared to succeed and being prepared for change are just a few of the twists and turns life will throw your way. You have the chance to actively participate and contribute to your growth as a player and person. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and commit to making this a key moment in your preparation.
Here’s looking forward to an exciting, enjoyable and impactful event. Wishing you all, mentors, guests and players, a brilliant future ahead!
Thank you for your attention and as always….GO HOUNDS!!!
Joao (John) Barata ’00
Joao 'John' Barata
Year of Graduation: 2000
Major: Environmental Science
Additional Education: Leadership Certificate from University of Delaware
Current Title: Executive Coach / CEO / Director of Soccer / Coach Educator
Current Industry: Youth Sports Industry and Consulting
Michael Roux
Year of Graduation: 2002, 2003
Major: BA Business Management, MA Social and Rehabilitation Services
Current Title: Financial Advisor
Current Industry: Finance
Mike Ryan
Year of Graduation: 2007
Major: English | Concentration in Writing and Mass Communications
Current Title: Massachusetts State Trooper
Current Industry: Law Enforcement
Brett Miller
Year of Graduation: 2007
Major: Business Management, & Economics
Current Title: Chief Executive Officer, Managing Partner
Current Industry: Manufacturing and Construction with Fabrication and Field Installation teams services the commercial & residential market for services related to structural steel, metal stairs/rails, Exterior Facade products. Managing partner of Plainville Self Storage. Managing Partner of MI-Box portable Storage.
Brett Miller '07
Joao 'John' Barata '00 Michael Roux '02
Mike Ryan '07
What do you wish you had known as a Freshman or first-year?
BH: How to be more organized academically. Time for studies is of the essence especially when playing a collegiate level sport
MRY: Truly enjoy and appreciate my time at Assumption: My time athletically, my time socially, and my time academically. It goes by quickly, try to slow it down when you can. Use this time to establish good relationships and good habits.
MRO: I wish I knew how difficult 1st semester and the transition would be, trying to balance it all was difficult, asking for help is not a bad thing, doesn’t make you less or not smart enough
JB: To be fair, I have no regrets. I do wish someone told me to buy tech stocks, real estate and a few other areas of tremendous wealth but the would have needed to tell me when to sell too :)
What strategies helped you to succeed as a student-athlete?
MRY: Learning how to manage my time wisely. Making a schedule and sticking to it. Accounting for all my responsibilities and planning ahead.
MRO: Time management and understanding that it was okay to miss out on things in order to meet your goals.
RM: I have always been a hard worker and extremely focused & disciplined. The ability to prioritize what is truly important, and passion to succeed in my endeavors My personality is a “glass ½ full, no dead ends” approach and I took that intensity to the field and the classroom. Don’t procrastinate the school work, and have integrity in everything you do.
JB: FOCUS and COMMITMENT! Know what you want and then make it happen. Don’t let anything get in the way. You are the master of your own destiny! Stay true to yourself all you have in life is your integrity and character.
BH: I would have concentrated more in the classroom and taken my academic classes more seriously.
MRO: Honestly, I am not sure I would change a thing. I enjoyed my time at Assumption, I loved that you could be involved in so much.
JB: Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing I learned from all my mistakes and grew from all my relationships with people. I guess I would just want more time at AC. I enjoyed talking with the brothers and sisters about life and faith, I enjoyed talking with the staff about careers and opportunities but I LOVED my time getting to know my peers!
MRY: Wouldn't change much. I established a lot of meaningful relationships at Assumption, both on and off the field. A lot of lasting memories were made with significant people It helped shape who I ultimately became in my latter / professional years.
JB: Take chances, take risks, find someone you trust and love to take the ride with you. I think it’s better with someone at your side to navigate the bumps in the road. There will be bumps (life lessons, health, work, death..) be with someone that you can count on and makes you the best version of you! Other than that JUST ENJOY life. Don’t live to work Work to Live!!
MRY: Do what you enjoy. If you don't enjoy what you are doing in life, you won't work as hard and you can become complacent. Ultimately, you won't be as successful as you would be if you were happy. Stay active!
MRO: Enjoy the ride and all the ups and downs that come along with it, success is never a straight line and is certainly defined differently for everyone, define your own success and chase it.
What advice would you give to our graduating seniors as they embark on the next steps of their lives?
BH: Be patient and open to all areas of employment. Don’t pigeon hole yourself into thinking you will only do one thing for 40 years. Be willing to adapt to and or change fields. Find something you enjoy doing. I would say find something you are passionate about, but I think it is more important to find a job, company or area of expertise that you enjoy. Remember the average person has 6 jobs before they end up in what is ultimately their career Be patient, the degree is what matters. Your field of study while in school does not have to be the field you choose to work in. Employers look for degrees more than they look for specific types of degrees. Unless, of course, you are in the medical field.
We cannot thank you enough for your willingness to share your time, perspective and advice with us here tonight. We are humbled by your selflessness and inspired by your example, and we look forward to hopefully staying connected with you, and perhaps following your lead by participating in this event someday as mentors. For now, we thank you and look forward to honoring the legacy that you have all built.
