Moore School of Business - Moore School

Republished with permission from The Big Spur Web site.

Apr08-Chappell_J South Carolina alumni leave our beloved institution to begin a variety of careers. Others leave and ultimately decide to come back. John Chappell, a 2005 Moore School of Business graduate, has made his way back to the hallowed halls USC for his second go around.

"I remember meeting with Coach Odom and (former) Dean of the Moore School of Business, Joel Smith," Chappell said. "We sat down, talked about my future and we talked about coming back to school here and I knew it was something I wanted to do. Coming back here and having a second opportunity at the University of South Carolina has been a blessing to me."

This go around, Chappell is enrolled in the world renowned International MBA program, which has been ranked in the top two in the U.S. News and World Report for 18 consecutive years. As part of his Spanish language training, the former center is making his way to Tecnológico de Monterrey, in Mexico, to study not only the language, but the business culture as well.

"It was something I always wanted to do because I have always been interested in the international landscape," Chappell said. "I have done some traveling but living overseas gave me the opportunity to see that a long term international career is something I was ready for and something I would be interested. It reassured me in the fact that I have a vision outside of the country and that I can make an impact on a global level."

With having all the demands of being a collegiate basketball player lifted, Chappell has enjoyed more time living the life of a regular student. Bonding with classmates and being a part of organizations such as the IMBA Student Organization and Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been a refreshing experience during this stint as a student.

"It gives me a whole new perspective, now that I'm not playing basketball, that I can concentrate on other things," Chappell said. "It's been a lot different this time because I have had the opportunity to become closer with my classmates. We had such a tight-knit group with my teammates that I didn't have a lot of time to meet with a lot of other students. Having this opportunity, the studies have picked up but I have the time to focus some of my energies on campus which is something I love to do."

"I have become involved in some organizations such as FCA which is something I didn't get to do in undergrad. That's one way I have decided to make my presence felt on campus is by standing up for something I believe in. I am involved in the IMBA Student Association and we have some plans for the future and we're ready to leave a legacy for the school. I have been trying to make an honest effort to reach out to some of the international students to help make their transition to the program more comfortable and make them feel welcome."

The majority of that international experience has come while traveling to play basketball. After graduating from USC, life on the hard court included stops in Macedonia, Lithuania, and Uruguay. During those travels, basketball was the focus but this semester long experience in Mexico will be much different.

"This time I want to get the international experience, see what the culture is like, and how the business aspects of things work," Chappell said. "When you go overseas to play basketball, you are worried about making the team, how the coach is going to be, and a hundred other factors. I am ready to really absorb the culture this time."

Being at Carolina this semester, Chappell has had the opportunity to work out some with this year's team along with attending the majority of the home games. As any former player would, he has some critiques as the Gamecocks head into conference play with a record short of expectations.

"I played with a lot of these guys in the summer and I know they have enough talent to be successful," Chappell said. "There are a lot of things that need to be improved upon and Coach (Dave) Odom would be the first to tell you that. I think they're still trying to find their identity as a team. They have some shortcomings inside, they're young, they're inexperienced but they can overcome that if they're willing to put the effort in. I don't know if everyone on the team has learned what it takes to be successful."

Chappell continued: "There are issues with every individual player with what they can do as a team. Some of the guys aren't working as hard as they need to be successful. They're shooting the ball pretty well but they're not really playing as a team at this point. They play too laterally, there's no horizontal movement and there's no motion in the offense. What it comes down to is they need to learn to play as a team and work hard. A lot of problems can be solved."

There are many examples throughout sports history of team winning before talent. To Chappell, it's more about the concept of working together and playing as a unit than just showing up representing the name on the back of the jersey.

"Our most successful years were the years we worked," Chappell said. "Maybe our most successful teams weren't our most talented teams but we came to work and we established that in the preseason and kept it going throughout the season. We just kept getting better and better and when you learn to play unselfishly, you'll enjoy success as a team. There are a million problems you can have as a basketball team but don't overlook any day and work to become better on that day."

For now, basketball can wait as he packs his belongings and travels to Monterrey, Mexico, for eight months abroad. No one knows what the future holds for the USC basketball program while he is away, but it was his experiences on and off the court that has helped to shape the mind of one of the world's future business leaders.

"I do love the University of South Carolina. This has been an awesome place for me to grow," Chappell said. "I have realized there is a lot more to this world than basketball and I am not going to let my identity as a former basketball player become what I am entirely. I am proud to be a Carolina Gamecock and I am proud of being part of the program but I am striving toward different goals now. At this point in my life, I cherish those moments but I am trying to expand beyond those horizons and not forget my past but build upon it."

By John Whittle
Posted Jan 8, 2008
Copyright 2007 TheBigSpur.com

Alumni News

Gamecock Alum: John Chappell