Spotlights
10 Questions with Alumni Zak Spryszak
Zak Spryszak, 2019, Farwell Area Schools Athletic Director
Where was your favorite place to eat on campus or off campus?
Fresh
Favorite place at GVSU to hang out with friends?
The Basketball Office. My friends would visit me and I made some life long friends and memories with players and other Student Assistants in that office.
Favorite class?
SPM 376 I believe it was. I was part of the first ever Rally with the Rapids!
Favorite internship?
My favorite internship was working with the West Michigan Lakers as one of their directors. I ran an AAU tournament and handled a lot of the day to day organization of the program.
Favorite sport team or event?
My favorite sport team is the Detroit Lions.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love creating relationships with student athletes. I’ll be in a Class C school with under 300 students. I believe this will only help create stronger relationships with the students.
How did you land your first job?
My first job I was a league coach at Joe Dumars Fieldhouse when I was a junior in high school. I knew the manager from playing there when I was a kid. My first job after Grand Valley was at William Woods University as a Graduate Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach. I landed this job by knowing the new head coach because he was an Assistant Coach at Northern Michigan before accepting the job as a Head Coach at William Woods. Your professors are not lying when they talk about networking!
Favorite thing you have done in your current role?
Since I am beginning a new role I will answer this from my previous job. At Troy Athens my favorite part of the job was being able to coach with my high school head coach from when I played. It was a cool experience to coach at my Alma mater and one that I will never forget.
Any advice or inspiration for current Sport Management students?
Take time to appreciate where you are at all times. When I was a student manager I would dream of my next position and my future goals. I didn’t realize how great my first few jobs and experiences were until years after. Have fun and learn every day and the rest will take care of itself.
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