Gonzaga Students Shine in Personal Branding & Business Athletics Course

This fall, Gonzaga University’s Personal Branding & Business for Athletes course, team-taught by Professor Peggy Sue Loroz and SBA Executive in Residence Ed Reese, once again brought energy, creativity, and professionalism to the classroom. The course connects Division I student-athletes and other business students interested in the business of sports, helping them develop personal brand strategies that support leadership, communication, and career growth.

A highlight of the semester was Mentor Night, where students presented their personal brand decks to professionals from Gonzaga Athletics and other industry professionals. The event offered students valuable feedback as they prepared for their final pitch presentations to business partners later in the semester.

Throughout the semester, students also heard from dynamic guest speakers who brought real-world expertise and inspiration into the classroom. Thomas Hammer, founder of Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters, shared lessons in entrepreneurship, brand authenticity, and community engagement.

Another guest speaker, Lauren Trivison, gave her fellow Zags a crash course on the much-harder-than-it-looks work of being an influencer. Drawing on her own experience, she offered valuable insights into content creation, personal branding, and maintaining authenticity in the fast-paced world of digital marketing.

The class concluded on a high note, wrapping up the semester with final pitch presentations and great conversations with local business owners. Students once again brought their “A” game—showcasing creativity, confidence, and professionalism as they presented their personal brand and NIL partnership ideas.

“It was awesome to see the student-athletes and their partners level up in both confidence and skills over the course of the semester,” said Loroz. “I can’t wait to see the opportunities (NIL-related and otherwise) that come their way because of the work they put in.”