North Park Alum Shares His Path to Success with the Chicago Bears
Brian McCaskey, senior director of business development for the Bears, encouraged students to pursue their dream careers in a lecture on Monday.
CHICAGO (October 16, 2014) — On the wall at Halas Hall, the training facility in Lake Forest, Ill., there is a quote from American lawyer and author Albert Pike that reads: “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”
That message, installed by Bears head coach Marc Trestman, was central to North Park alum Brian McCaskey’s lecture on Monday in the Johnson Center. McCaskey, senior director of business development for the Chicago Bears Football Club, spoke to a packed hall of undergraduate students, faculty, and staff about his nearly forty years with the Bears, particularly his experiences connecting with different groups of people. He discussed the importance of having a vision for your career, and the steps everyone must take to pursue their dreams. “It’s only work if you’d rather be somewhere else,” McCaskey urged the audience.
McCaskey also recalled the impact it had on his career when someone once asked him, “What can I do for you?” rather than just what McCaskey could do for them. For McCaskey, the mindset of helping others is not just a good thing to do—it is also an essential component of success.
“Brian has worked in the NFL at many different levels,” said , assistant professor of and head men’s soccer coach. “His insight and willingness to share his experiences within the world of professional sports is extremely valuable to our students.”
McCaskey began his career as a ball boy with the Bears in 1974, later transitioning into athletic training with the team. He credits North Park, and one of , with helping guide him on the path toward athletic training. McCaskey later served in other roles for the Bears, including director of player and staff development, where he focused on financial education, degree completion, and family assistance for players. He has held his current role as senior director of business development since 2001 and is a member of the Bears Board of Directors.
“Brian McCaskey is without a doubt passionate about his work,” said North Park junior Jessie Mortillaro. “After hearing him speak, the message I took away was that when you put the time and effort into what you want, the results will speak for themselves.”
McCaskey has been involved from the beginning in the development of the sports management concentration within the at ºÚÁϳԹÏ, which launched in Fall 2013. “I love sharing my experience, especially if it can help other students on their journey, whether it’s in sports management, athletic training, or anything else,” said McCaskey. “I enjoy my relationship with North Park and this is a way to be involved and to give back.”
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