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Gaining Experience in the Athletic Arena

With a passion for sports, Joe Vall-Llobera has molded his IPS to help him develop business skills in the athletic arena. After taking a new Sports Marketing class and being involved in the Sports Business Club, what will he do next?

Joe Vall-Llobera has a passion for sports and competed in baseball and football in high school.
About Me

I was born in Staten Island, NY, but lived most of my life in Westfield, NJ. I am of Puerto Rican and Argentinean heritage, and I'm very proud of my background. When considering colleges, I was looking for an elite business program that offered endless opportunities, along with the individual attention that comes with smaller liberal arts schools. Naturally, William & Mary was the perfect fit.

Having been an athlete I was hoping to pursue either baseball or football in college, but fell short of that goal after fracturing several vertebrae my senior year. As a freshman, I understood my playing days were over, but found another way to couple my passion for athletics and goals in business. I began assisting the Tribe football program in anything and everything from supporting practice drills, to organizing the playbook, and editing film.

Three years later I still work with the team, attending every practice and game. It has molded my Individual Program of Study (IPS) in a unique way as I have aimed to build my business skills and exposure around the athletic arena. I am part of the Sports Business Club, will be taking a new Sports Marketing course this upcoming semester, and plan on pursuing a Graduate Assistant program for coaching football upon graduation. Additionally, I am majoring in Finance with a concentration in Marketing and have pursued other avenues such as investment banking and traveling. 

Joe Vall-Llobera travled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and visited the San Telmo neighborhood which is known for its modern artistic blends.Impact & Engagement

This past summer I had an incredible experience interning for the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, and plan to intern for the New York Federal Reserve this upcoming summer. I also just returned from my first trip abroad to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where my family was born and raised. It was an unforgettable experience and has inspired me to pursue a study abroad program my senior year.

As I mentioned, much of my time outside of class is dedicated to assisting the Tribe football program. My work with the team has had the greatest impact on me because of the friendships I have formed with the players, coaches, and alumni. Working alongside an elite coaching staff has been an unparalleled experience.

Additionally, I serve as the VP of Marketing for the Sports Business Club (SBC).  The SBC does an excellent job of bringing influential figures to speak to students interested in pursuing careers in sports management. It also organizes trips to sports management conferences, allowing students to peer into the lives of sports business professionals.

Joe Vall-Llobera in front of La Garganta del Diablo at Iquazu falls, the world's second largest waterfall that separates Brazil and Argentina.Highlights

Having just completed the Foundation Semester I have really only touched the surface of what the Business School has to offer. What stood out the most for me was how well it simulates a true business environment with its emphasis on group projects and time crunches, especially Simulation Week and the final marketing plan. Needless to say, it felt like we were preparing presentations to convince our company’s board of directors that our idea was viable, and our jobs were on the line!

This semester, I hope to take advantage of all the Business School offers. At the top of my list is attending the Marketing Symposium in February to learn about different careers in marketing. Additionally, I am excited about the many Sports Business Club trips to various professional sports arenas to learn about careers in sports business.

Next Steps

I can’t tell you where I will end up after graduation, but I know that with my anticipated degree in Finance and Marketing, I will have many open doors to choose from. As I mentioned, I would like to pursue a Graduate Assistant program and perhaps become a coach for a major Division 1 college football team. I am also interested in attending law school to follow the career path of becoming a Sports Agent. Whichever path I choose, I hope to incorporate athletics into my career.