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The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Athletic trio succeeds in MBA Program

    Former Lions football players left to right Brent Wagner, Chase Keller and Pierson Villarrubia continued their academic careers through the Master’s Business Administration program. Keller and Wagner graduated last semester while Villarrubia will graduate this semester.
    Courtesy of Randy Bergeron
     

    Student athletes work hard to perform well on the field and the court, but not all athletes only have goals to be reached in athletics. Three former Lions football players Brent Wagner, Chase Keller and Pierson Villarrubia pursued their goals to get a masters’ in business through the Master Business Administration program.

    Keller and Wagner graduated last semester, but Villarrubia will graduate this December. Villarrubia is proud of what he is learning through the MBA program and how it is helping him to get the career that he wants.

    “It’s been an incredible experience,” said Villarrubia. “Excellent instruction along with classmates that continuously push each other. I pursued my masters for a better understanding of the field of business. Also as Dr. Cresson repeats, ‘Education is the best investment.’”

    Villarrubia transferred from Washington State University to play football for the Lions. Villarrubia thinks he made the right move.

    “My favorite aspect of Southeastern compared to Washington State University is the sense of community not just in the school but Hammond as well,” said Villarrubia.

    Wagner is originally from Houston, Texas and enjoyed his time at the university and how the MBA program prepared him to be a professional.

    “The MBA program was awesome,” said Wagner. “My undergraduate degree was in management at Southeastern, and then I decided to enroll in the MBA program as well, and I thought it was just a wonderful education. The quality of the professors that we had was unbelievable. Dr. Honorée did a great job leading the MBA program. He did an awesome job hiring good professors and bringing in students who really wanted to be there. It was a great experienced. I learned a lot, and I will take with me all of those life lessons.”

    Wagner will start law school at the University of Pennsylvania this fall and will be moving there on Thursday. Playing football for most of his life has an influence on who Wagner is today and what he is able to accomplish.

    “Playing football made me a lot tougher,” said Wagner. “It kind of made me see the reality of situations. Football is such a physical game. It’s very hot outside, and it’s demanding. If you can succeed in football then I think you can deal with a lot of things in life, and you will be prepared and mentally tough when adversary hits.”

    Lions football Head Coach Ron Roberts coaching style had an influence on Villarrubia and taught him to have a strong resolve and keep his eye on his goals.

    “I greatly admired Coach Roberts’ relentless attitude,” said Villarrubia. “He has high goals and no matter the situation or attitude of the team, he is pushing the team and staff around him forward. He always has an overarching plan that he is working every minute towards. If I can harness a piece of his relentless attitude, I can confidently say I’ll be just fine.”

    Villarrubia is getting as much experience on campus as he can before he goes off to the world of business off campus.

    “I work as the graduate assistant in the Student Union,” said Villarrubia. “I help the director Eric Aymond maintain the complex as well as help facilitate events held daily at the Student Union. It’s fulfilling to work at a location central to the university and the students, gives for a great pulse of the campus.” 

    Despite not being on the field anymore, Villarrubia still keeps his eye on his former team and is anticipating a successful season from them this year.

    “I expect a big season for the Lions,” said Villarrubia. “Roberts and staff consistently bring in serious talent and will pair them with an exceptional group of experienced upperclassmen. It’s a blend that is often followed with success. With Roberts at the helm to boot, shoot, I’m talking playoffs.”

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