“Ohio State is arguably the most powerful institution in America.”
That is Urban Meyer, three-time national champion and head football coach of the Buckeyes. He also understands that college athletes need much more than just a degree to have success in their lives after their time on the field or court is over.
“Our job is to make sure that they not only make sure they get a degree, we need to give them a career,” Meyer said.
Enter Real Life Wednesdays.
Meyer began the program when he arrived at Ohio State and has used his connections to invite massive names in the business world to speak to the football team about the next steps in their careers. Since 2015, the Buckeyes have welcomed Dan Gilbert, Cameron Mitchell and even NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to the forefront.
In a video the program released on Thursday, you can hear testimony from current and former players on Real Life Wednesdays. Clips of the speaking engagements from big names are also included in the more than 4-minute clip, plus highlights of the football team's annual job fair in May.
Those shown:
- Former linebacker, President and Founder of The Difference USA, LLC Anthony Schlegel
- Former running back, current football analyst for FOX and Big Ten Network Robert Smith
- Former safety, current Materials Program Manager at Apple Zach Domicone
- Attorney Luke Fedlam
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
- Chairman, President and CEO of Chase Bank Jamie Dimon
- Vice President of Chase Bank Dennis Maag
- Marlan Harper, Cleated Footwear Product Line Manager at Nike
- Restaurateur Cameron Mitchell
- Michael Desmarais, Goldman Sachs Head of Talent Acquisition
- Dan Gilbert, Cleveland Cavaliers Majority Owner, Chairman/Founder of Rock Ventures and Quicken Loans
- Former wide receiver and State Farm Insurance Agent Dee Miller
- Former safety and current Territory Sales Consultant for Biomet Mike Doss and
- Jim McNamara, Managing Director of Goldman Sachs
Meyer speaks about every player, regardless of age, getting a credit score in an effort to ensure their fiscal responsibility. Doss and Miller wish that Real Life Wednesdays was a thing when they were in college.
“I wish this was a program that we had in the early 90s,” Miller said. “I think it brings some type of reality to it that football will be over one day.”
And Doss: “What Urban's done with this job fair, the emphasis is on education and getting your degree but also taking it and making it meaningful.”
Also hear from Sam Hubbard and Austin Mack, who received internships at Goldman Sachs (along with Joe Burrow) and Billy Price, who interned at Nike last summer.
Not a bad list of business heads to get testimony from for use in recruiting.
