Friendly Competition

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.