Montclair football star scores big in business – Press Room

Two Montclair State University football players attract attention on the field. Starting in 2024 On May 13, the two received their bachelor's degrees from the Feliciano School of Business. The two student-athletes are part of the 4+1 Bachelor's/MBA program, one of Montclair's 80 combined programs where a student can earn two degrees in her five years.

Redhawk football captain Nicholas Burgess, also known as “Agent 0” because of his uniform number, and offensive lineman Cameron Siebert, who wears No. 64, will each earn bachelor's degrees in business administration and accounting. Both students plan to return to campus this summer to pursue their MBA degrees.

manage his business

Burgess was selected by the New Jersey Athletic Conference. [NJAC]'s 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, All-Region, All-District, All-Conference winner might think football is his Plan A, but it's definitely his Plan B.

Plan A has always been to get an MBA and work in finance. “I love football, but I never dreamed of playing professional football,” he says. Still, Burgess plans to participate in next year's NJAC Pro Scouting Day, saying, “If I get that opportunity, I'm going to participate. If not, I have no problem with my football career.”

That's not surprising considering Burgess was named the NJAC Academic Athlete of the Year.

But first he'll get the job done. “Regardless of the schedule, I always wanted to get his MBA,” Burgess says. “For me, being able to do that while getting an undergraduate degree and being able to complete it in less than a year is everything you could hope for. The program is everything and more.”

Burgess credits his academic advisors with making sure students “have a firm grasp of our goals.” We will be learning more about the professional world and business in general, and will be able to see how our undergraduate experience fits into our graduate school experience. ”

But those who know Burgess believe his accomplishments are due to his hard work and determination.

“He gives 100 percent in everything he does, whether it's in football, his internship, his classes,” head football coach Mike Palazzo said. “He cares. There's no one on this team who knows Nick who can say he doesn't care about not only his success but the team's success.”

Business instruction specialist Lisa Brooks Grow has taught Burgess in four business classes over the past two years and speaks highly of him. “Nicholas sits in the middle of the front row, always paying attention, always taking notes, always asking questions. But what's interesting about him is probably because he's also the captain of the football team. It’s about being actively involved with other members of the class,” she says. “So he’s really raising the bar for the rest of the class by participating and being present.

Burgess' success in juggling school, football, and an internship at the financial firm Morgan Stanley led to his award-winning eight-minute YouTube video ” A day in the life of Feliciano Business School student Nicholas Burgess About the athleticism, passion, and accomplishments of star students. In it, his parents, Cyrus and Nikkia Burgess, say he has worked hard and achieved success as both a student and an athlete.

In the video, football teammate Mason Murdock said he admired Burgess' time management skills. “I don't know how he does it. He works 30 hours a week, takes 18 credits, and is the captain of his football team,” he says. “Yet he still finds time for extracurricular activities. It's insane.”

Burgess admits that “balancing isn't easy,” but said she learned time management at Cardinal Hayes High School, an all-boys Catholic school in the Bronx with her parents before moving to Hackensack, New Jersey.

“I'm always looking for more to accomplish,” Burgess says. “My biggest thing about it is just being intentional. Everything I do needs to help me achieve my goals.”

Burgess is looking forward to graduation with her extended family, but she is especially looking forward to the celebrations that come with it. Cardinal Hayes' 2020 graduation ceremony was held on YouTube. “They gave flowers to the students, but we didn't get to experience it together,” he says. “I'm looking forward to the atmosphere alone and to finally being able to attend the graduation ceremony after four long years…I'm happy and looking forward to experiencing it all with my family.”

Earn a first-generation degree

Siebert is also looking forward to his high school graduation ceremony, which was held with measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. His parents, grandparents, and aunt plan to be in attendance to celebrate him becoming the first in his family to earn a college degree.

Siebert didn't have a major in mind when he enrolled at Montclair, but chose the 4+1 MBA program. “The opportunity came to be able to do that and play football for a fifth year, so it made sense,” he said, working part-time as the coach of a recreational basketball team in Pequannock Township, New Jersey. said Siebert, who worked there.

After earning his MBA, Siebert says, “I would like to go into business, either in project management or sports management.”

Te Wu, an associate professor of business management, enrolled Seibert in his project management class. “Cameron performed very well and scored 950 points.” [out of 1,000 points for the class]. This is a solid A. He was a strong student, regularly attended class, and asked “smart” questions. He wrote an insightful report on SoFi Stadium and its construction as his research paper. He was happy to have Cameron in his class. ”

Siebert and Burgess are both dedicated leaders, although their styles are different. They always show up despite their busy schedules. “Cam is the quiet leader of the team. He doesn’t have to talk much, but he leads by example. He has never missed a practice or training session in the last four years and has been a great addition to the team. We're doing something special that shows we're very committed to it,” Palazzo says. “He's a great student because, like Nick, he can be his 4+1 student and you won't even realize he has a heavy workload. Very good management.”

Palazzo is always happy to see players graduate. Noting that Montclair is “not a football factory that churns out professional players,” the coach said he has one goal: “Get them to graduate, get their degrees, get them jobs.”

However, he will be happy to welcome both players back into their fifth year of football. “Nick and Cam are both leaders of the program,” Palazzo said. “They are great role models for the rest of our team and future Redhawks.”

Stories by staff writers Sylvia A. Martinez.

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