Vipers on course to score in classroom
PROFESSIONAL ice hockey players are swapping the rink for the classroom to perfect their business skills. Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University has had a special relationship with the Mobilx Newcastle Vipers professional ice-hockey team for the past few years.
The relationship has seen seven players move from the ice into the classroom to study for the Newcastle Business School MBA, and one player embark on the BA (Hons) leadership and management degree.
This season Jason Tejchma and Ryan Mahrle from the US, and Canadian Mike Berry have all enrolled on Newcastle Business School’s MBA programme and although they might look like any other business students during lectures and seminars, come the weekend they are representing the North East in the national elite ice-hockey league.
Jason, a forward for the Vipers squad, said: “Being able to study for an MBA at an internationally renowned business school was a big incentive to come to Newcastle. So far I’m extremely impressed with the programme.
“The course tutors are knowledgeable and professional and I’m enjoying learning alongside the other MBA students.”
“It’s challenging combining study and work but the design of the programme allows for this and I know that obtaining an MBA from Newcastle Business School will certainly be advantageous to me both in the short and long term.”
One player who is testament to this is Mark Gouett who graduated from The Newcastle Business School MBA in 2009. He said: “I totally agree with Jason. Having the opportunity to study an MBA at such a great school was the deciding factor in coming to Newcastle – other clubs were simply not offering this.”
The overall aim of the MBA is to enable participants to direct themselves and their organisations to become more effective and efficient in today’s rapidly changing, complex and knowledge-based economy. Mark, as a result of his studies, chose to concentrate his work-based assignments on the Vipers merchandising area of the organisation.
The area, which includes branded goods and ice hockey equipment, has been transformed since Mark took over responsibility.
Not only did Mark relocate the shop to a more prominent location in Shakespeare Street in Newcastle but he took control of the budget, stock control, marketing and even set up an online store.
He said: “The MBA not only enabled me to focus on an area of the organisation that had potential but it afforded me the time and knowledge to put my learning into practice and really make a difference. I’m really pleased with the results.
“We have successfully raised awareness of the Vipers through our activities and have seen a large increase in sales from the shop.”
Jamie Longmuir, general manager of the Vipers, was the driving force behind the partnership with Newcastle Business School. Jamie said: “I felt we needed to offer our players something a little bit different to other clubs when recruiting players to Newcastle.
“The Business School has been vital in helping our business recruit top-level players to the region. The main reason the players opted to sign for the club was the excellent reputation of the school, its MBA and its fantastic state-of-the-art facilities.”
As well as delivering postgraduate and undergraduate programmes Newcastle Business School also works with large companies both locally and overseas delivering bespoke management education and consultancy solutions.
Jamie has been so impressed with the MBA he decided to enrol last year. He said: “I find the programme a perfect compliment to my management role within the Vipers and thus far the experience has proved to be extremely valuable in assisting my own work performance and the contribution I can make to the organisation.”
:: More information on Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University visit www.newcastlebusinessschool.co.uk
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