Business is often a delicate balance of collaboration and competition, and business school is certainly no exception to this rule. Although we at Chicago Booth pride ourselves on the collaborative atmosphere that permeates our program, the honest truth is that we can be a little competitive too. Sometimes this shows itself in the pride we feel when the latest academic rankings are revealed. Other times our spirit shines in completely non-academic settings. Case in point: The Booth Basketball Club
After a lackluster 2008-2009 season, the Booth Basketball Club came back to school focused on improving and establishing a more dominant presence in the business school basketball community. Armed with a fresh set of first-year legs, the team practiced all fall and in soon time became a tight, cohesive unit.
The first test of the team’s abilities came during the Georgetown MBA Basketball tournament held earlier this month. Drawing business schools from around the continent, the tournament consists of a round robin and playoff, ultimately determining one champion. The Booth team aced the round robin against teams from Western Ontario (Ivey), Columbia and Georgetown, earning the highest total margin of victory of any team and earning a bye into the semifinals. On the second day of play, the team chalked up two more wins against Wharton and UNC, respectively, to be crowned champions of the tournament!
The MBA Championship was certainly no small feat, but the Basketball’s real test would come just a few days later. As you may know, Chicago Booth maintains a close, friendly rivalry with our cross-town neighbors at Northwestern Kellogg. On an annual basis for an unknown number of years, the schools have met for a marquee event, a game between the respective basketball teams held on the floor of the United Center (home of the Chicago Bulls).
Last year, a late scoring rally propelled Kellogg to a victory. The Booth community was determined not to let that happen again! The term ‘Redemption Week’ was coined, and a series of events – such as pep rallies, spirit days, pop-a-shot contests – were held to drum up excitement and school spirit for the event. T-Shirts were made, and “terrible towels” were distributed.
It seemed only natural that a team with an MBA championship on its back and a huge outpouring of support would win such a game. And we did! Our competitive itch fulfilled, we shortly returned back to our more friendly personas. Booth and Kellogg students stayed at the United Center for the Bulls-Knicks game that evening, and then met at a nearby venue for a fun night together out on the town.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Energy @ Booth
Energy is a hot subject (pun entirely intended) pursued by students at Chicago Booth. Below are a couple of descriptions of recent activities around energy our students have gotten involved in:
Alternative Energy Conference - by Aaron Ketter
Today the Booth Energy Group hosted the 2009 Alternative Energy Conference. The conference was held in advance of the Booth Midwest Alternative Energy Venture Forum (MAEVF), allowing students the opportunity to interact and learn from clean tech entrepreneurs. The event commenced with an opening speech from Michael Polsky, CEO of Invenergy LLC, commenting on the challenges and future of alternative energy development. The morning and afternoon sessions showcased seven business plans highlighting the latest thoughts and technology within the power generation and energy efficiencies sectors. After each presentation, the students were posed with the challenge of providing feedback from a venture capitalist perspective. Booth students did not disappoint, often asking many direct and challenging questions. At the end of the day, the entrepreneurs were given a new perspective before presenting at the MAEVF and the Booth students gained valuable insight into the intricacies of presenting a business plan and securing funding.
Energy Trek - by Caroline Gardner
Last week, the Energy Group traveled to Houston to meet with companies in the traditional and renewable energy space. The list of companies with whom we met was remarkable, but even more impressive was the chance to meet some new Boothies.
I met most of the group for the first time on the way to the airport. We become quick friends, in part because four of us were squished into the backseat of a cab, but mainly because every person was personable and unique.
Everyone in the group had worked in some area of the energy sector, but me. Rather than talking around my head using industry specific jargon, the folks squashed next to me offered their expertise in their respective sectors to me so I could learn about the industry as a whole.
On the surface this sounds like it would be informative. It turned out to be amazing. I learned about financing a power plant in Dubai, manufacturing oil drilling equipment in Texas, working on an offshore oil rig in China, and designing earthquake resistant power structures in Nevada.
Every day I am constantly amazed by the amount of knowledge and experience my colleagues have and are willing to share with me.
Alternative Energy Conference - by Aaron Ketter
Today the Booth Energy Group hosted the 2009 Alternative Energy Conference. The conference was held in advance of the Booth Midwest Alternative Energy Venture Forum (MAEVF), allowing students the opportunity to interact and learn from clean tech entrepreneurs. The event commenced with an opening speech from Michael Polsky, CEO of Invenergy LLC, commenting on the challenges and future of alternative energy development. The morning and afternoon sessions showcased seven business plans highlighting the latest thoughts and technology within the power generation and energy efficiencies sectors. After each presentation, the students were posed with the challenge of providing feedback from a venture capitalist perspective. Booth students did not disappoint, often asking many direct and challenging questions. At the end of the day, the entrepreneurs were given a new perspective before presenting at the MAEVF and the Booth students gained valuable insight into the intricacies of presenting a business plan and securing funding.
Energy Trek - by Caroline Gardner
Last week, the Energy Group traveled to Houston to meet with companies in the traditional and renewable energy space. The list of companies with whom we met was remarkable, but even more impressive was the chance to meet some new Boothies.
I met most of the group for the first time on the way to the airport. We become quick friends, in part because four of us were squished into the backseat of a cab, but mainly because every person was personable and unique.
Everyone in the group had worked in some area of the energy sector, but me. Rather than talking around my head using industry specific jargon, the folks squashed next to me offered their expertise in their respective sectors to me so I could learn about the industry as a whole.
On the surface this sounds like it would be informative. It turned out to be amazing. I learned about financing a power plant in Dubai, manufacturing oil drilling equipment in Texas, working on an offshore oil rig in China, and designing earthquake resistant power structures in Nevada.
Every day I am constantly amazed by the amount of knowledge and experience my colleagues have and are willing to share with me.
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