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From the NFL to Real Estate Agent, Speaker and Entrepreneur with Patrick Venzke
In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Patrick Venzke: former NFL player, real estate entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. Patrick is the first ever German-born athlete to make it into the NFL.
Was the school doing things to guide athletes into life after sports when you were a student athlete?
"It's funny you should ask me that. I love the idea of your organization so much because back then, I didn't have any connections or any network. Nobody reached out to me to say 'Hey Patrick, do you need an internship somewhere? What can we do for you?' You may play football for 3-5 years, but you have another career for 40-50 years. So you're doing a real service to the people listening right now. You have to have a game plan for after the game. I was so short-sighted and only focused on football, I didn't really care about networking. Now, 20 years later, being a little more gray and a little more wise you may say, my network that I gained through the NFL is my most valuable asset."
At Idaho now, do they welcome back the alumni, as far as going back and talking to the football players?
"Yes. I just came back from Idaho, giving some speeches to the teams...I gave a short speech to the Idaho Vandals team. I was welcomed back with open arms, but Rob, it wasn't always the same, like you said. Many times, they gave me 2 tickets to the game and say 'hey, thanks for coming by', but they didn't want to tap into my knowledge or experience- everything I have to give after 47 years on this planet... but I think that we are evolving right now and the teams are waking up, saying..."listen to this guy because he built businesses after he left here." And the team was very receptive, and it was a great experience for all of us."
Don't forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Spotify.com/athletes-to-entrepreneurs
Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn
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By Rob Finkelstein | Founder of Alumni DirectIn the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Patrick Venzke: former NFL player, real estate entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. Patrick is the first ever German-born athlete to make it into the NFL.
Was the school doing things to guide athletes into life after sports when you were a student athlete?
"It's funny you should ask me that. I love the idea of your organization so much because back then, I didn't have any connections or any network. Nobody reached out to me to say 'Hey Patrick, do you need an internship somewhere? What can we do for you?' You may play football for 3-5 years, but you have another career for 40-50 years. So you're doing a real service to the people listening right now. You have to have a game plan for after the game. I was so short-sighted and only focused on football, I didn't really care about networking. Now, 20 years later, being a little more gray and a little more wise you may say, my network that I gained through the NFL is my most valuable asset."
At Idaho now, do they welcome back the alumni, as far as going back and talking to the football players?
"Yes. I just came back from Idaho, giving some speeches to the teams...I gave a short speech to the Idaho Vandals team. I was welcomed back with open arms, but Rob, it wasn't always the same, like you said. Many times, they gave me 2 tickets to the game and say 'hey, thanks for coming by', but they didn't want to tap into my knowledge or experience- everything I have to give after 47 years on this planet... but I think that we are evolving right now and the teams are waking up, saying..."listen to this guy because he built businesses after he left here." And the team was very receptive, and it was a great experience for all of us."
Don't forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Spotify.com/athletes-to-entrepreneurs
Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Tweet with us
Follow on Facebook
Connect on LinkedIn
Like us on Instagram