Boston College Men's Soccer Alumni Mentoring Night April 21, 2023
01 02 03 04-07 A Letter From Bob Thompson '03
of Contents Alumni Biographies Alumni Greeting and Perspective Alumni Perspectives
Table
Welcome to Alumni Mentoring Night
Dear Fellow Eagles,
On behalf of our assembled team members, thank you all so much for sharing your time, perspective and advice with us tonight, and for allowing us to share our perspective with you.
We are all so proud to be a part of the program that you helped to build and we are truly honored to be with you here this evening to learn about your path to personal success. It is our hope that by listening to the lessons learned throughout your own respective journeys, we will find a more positive, efficient and successful way forward on our road ahead.
Not too long ago, each of you sat where our players are sitting today. Many of you had the same hopes and dreams that our players currently have, and most of these players have the same questions that you did. This is your chance to share something with our players that we wish someone had shared with us while we were at BC, in hopes that your personal stories make a positive difference in their lives.
Similar to the game of soccer, our event will last for approximately 90 minutes...and also similar to the game of soccer, it’s not just about passing those ninety minutes - it’s about what happens in those ninety minutes, and what we are all willing to contribute that makes each minute count. Our players fully intend on making the most out of these ninety minutes, and we know that you do as well, so thank you!
Here’s looking forward to a positive, productive and impactful evening, and to a bright future for us all.
Many thanks, and as always...GO EAGLES!
Bob Thompson ‘03Alumni Biographies
Johnathan Munko
Year of Graduation: 2003
Majors: Computer Science through Arts & Science,
Accounting through CSOM
Additional Education: MBA '10
Current Title: Portfolio
Manager at MFS Investments
Current Industry: Finance
Keiron O'Brien
Year of Graduation: 1997
Major: Marketing
Additional Education: Degree in Ireland (prior to arrival at BC)I
Current Title: Managing Director at Sandy Cove
Advisors
Current Industry: Financial Services
Mike Calise
Year of Graduation: 1997
Major: Finance
Current Title: Associate
Women's Soccer Coach, Harvard University
Current Industry: College Soccer
Adam French
Year of Graduation: 2020
Major: Marketing
Current Title: Brand Manager
Current Industry: E-Commerce
Meet our Alumni Mentors
Johnathan Munko '03
Keiron O'Brien'97
Adam French '20
Mike Calise '97
Questions for the Alumni...
What do you wish you had known as a first-year student-athlete at BC?
JM: I knew it at the time, but I would emphasize it even more. Attending BC is a wonderful opportunity. Don't let the wonderful opportunity go to waste. Take advantage of everything BC has to offer.
AF: The path you start on is not the one you will finish on It is not just about the end result but the journey in its entirety.
AF: The path you start on is not the one you will finish on. It is not just about the end result but the journey in its entirety
KOB: That time management is not as hard as you think You just have to be organized, so get organized. Its an excuse for procrastination. Take classes you are good at in the first year, that are somewhat interesting to you. It helps you adapt quicker to college life.
JM: As a student-athlete, I was clear in what I wanted to achieve both Academically and Athletically Time management is important as a studentathlete, so I tried not to waste much time. I stuck to a schedule of completing work every day and tried to make good use of my time. I found it important to review the syllabus at the beginning of the semester and try to get ahead on any future assignments
KOB: Create systems to balance your time. Get your stuff done early in the day. Instead of the night before, do it two days before. It doesnt have to be a week.
Questions for the Alumni...
What strategies helped you to succeed as a student-athlete?
AF: Rely on your teammates for information and advice. Look to support and lift your teammates up.
Questions for the Alumni...
JM: My 4 years were great! I wouldn't have changed anything.
AF: Enjoy each year as its own experience. Learn from your mistakes and figure out a way to be better.
KOB: I would have really zoned in from mid July to the end of the season. I would have been completely dedicated to the short season. I was there for 3 years and really only focused really on one year. I would have also started to connect with the BC Alumni during my senior season. It is a lot easier to that now
AF: Enjoy each year as its own experience. Learn from your mistakes and figure out a way to be better.
If you could go back and change anything, what would you change?
JM: Soccer is a wonderful lesson for life. I loved Soccer everyday and gave everything I had to the sport I dreamed about all the possibilities in my Soccer future. I was always assessing my strengths and weaknesses. Everyday I tried to get a little better by working on some of my weaknesses. I built strong and honest relationships with my teammates. I treat my life (family, career, religion, etc.) the same way I treated soccer. I love what I do, I assess how I can get better, and I work hard everyday to improve. My advice is to treat your next 40 years on whatever you decide to do, the same way you treated the last couple decades working on your soccer dreams. Obviously you have been very successful in soccer and you will be successful in your future endeavors as well!
Questions for the Alumni...
What advice would you give to our graduating seniors as they embark on the next steps of life?
AF: Stay connected with the friends you have made over the last four years. As you all embark on a new chapter of your lives separately you can still support each other.
KOB: It is a long road so you dont have to figure it out stratight away. There are so many options available out there, pick one that will educate you and help you get the next job. Starting at the bottom of an industry that excites you will enable you to move up the ladder very quick. Don't worry about what your peers are doing, that will not help you make more money or have more success.
Notes
Notes
Thank You to our Mentors
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. Go Eagles - always.
