Tobin Student Pursuing Graduate Degree in Sports Management

Joseph Kotler ‘20TCB is just your everyday, ordinary student – everyday and ordinary, that is, for someone with a 3.87 GPA, a winning personality, and an unwillingness to give up.

When he graduated last May with a B.S. in Business, Joseph had his pick of any graduate school to attend, but narrowed his choices to two of the country’s finest universities, Northwestern and Georgetown. He ultimately chose the latter for its superior pedigree and the ability to make the connections that he needs for his future – but it wasn’t easy, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite his almost perfect GPA and a sparkling resume that included working at St. John’s as a financial advisor during his studies, the St. Anthony’s High School (South Huntington, N.Y.) grad found himself at the mercy of a pandemic-induced slowdown in the processing of his application.

His tenacity, aided by the timely intervention of one of his favorite professors, Associate Professor of Management Niall C. Hegarty, Ph.D., landed him a place at Georgetown’s School of Continuing Studies, where he is now pursuing his Master of Professional Studies degree in Sports Industry Management.

“Joe is the brand of student we are proud to graduate from Tobin,” said Dr. Hegarty. “He’s bright, articulate, and ready to make an immediate contribution to any organization.”

Despite his late entry, Joseph has caught up and is on his way to earning his degree. After he graduates, he hopes to become either a sports agent or a front office executive for a professional sports franchise.

As he pursues his ambitions, Joseph treasures the memory and the wisdom of his late grandfather, Richard J. Panker '58C, '70Ged.

“He said to me all the time before his passing in 2017: ‘Good, better, best; never let it rest until the good is better and the better is best,’” said Joseph. “It’s been a motto that I have tried to live up to.”