Shaq Shares Advice and Life Tips to McDonough Students
He’s been called The Big Diesel, The Big Aristotle, The Big Deal, Superman and Shaq Fu. Now, Shaquille O’Neal can add business school mentor to that lengthy list of nicknames and monikers. The future Basketball Hall of Famer spoke to a standing-room-only crowd of students at the McDonough School of Business as part of the 2015 Diversity Dialogue Conference.
A fan of the game of higher education, O’Neal said his greatest achievement as not a win on the court but rather the day he received his doctorate degree. Motivated by his children and mother, he earned the degree in education in 2012 from Barry University. He also holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University.
And when a teacher at his children’s elementary school called him Dr. O’Neal, “that was a prouder moment for me than being known as Shaq,” he said.
“Dr. O’Neal” then extended some friendly advice to the room of students:
- First, have fun: “I like to call myself the master of the fun business,” O’Neal said.
- Second, follow your instincts: “You can’t say enough about his instincts,” added Rogers, who noted that O’Neal’s prolific career and business investments have only grown since his retirement from the NBA in 2011.
- Third, be different: Be edgy. The average consumer sees 3,000 logos and marketing messages each day, Rogers said. Understanding your audience, how they make decisions, and influencing how they feel is key to a successful brand. “You’ve got to be sure you’re moving to where the audience is, because the audience is moving quick, and you’ve got to keep up with them,” Rogers said. “And you’ve got to make sure you’re doing it in a real, emotional way. We love the brands we love because they make us feel something.”
The father of six also had some advice for the children in the audience:
“Listen to your mom and dad, and listen to your teachers, he said. Be a leader, not a follower. And finally, follow your dreams. You can do whatever you want.”
About the Author
Max Pulcini
Max Pulcini is a Philadelphia-based writer and reporter. He has an affinity for Philly sports teams, Super Smash Bros. and cured meats and cheeses. Max has written for Philadelphia-based publications such as Spirit News, Philadelphia City Paper, and Billy Penn, as well as national news outlets like The Daily Beast.
