While most collegiate players dreams are to reach the pros and make millions, the unfortunate fact is only a few are selected and many are left with the notorious ‘plan B.’ Some former athletes choose to pursue sport-related careers such as coaching, recruiting or even broadcasting. For Jake Kasser, former U of M defensive back, his calling was business.
Playing for the blue and gray for four years, Kasser dominated the backfield at the safety position from 2004 to 2008. Guided by former head coach Tommy West, the defensive back came on the team as a walk-on and elevated himself to a freshman starter by the season opener against Ole Miss. The former tiger reminisced on his experience against the Rebels.
“When we walked out it was crazy because it was so many people there, it was the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen,” he said.
The relationships he established with his former coaches and teammates are still potent in his mind.
“Coach King, he was probably like 65 or something like that smoked, and kind of had a Brooklyn accent. He’ll get on you at meetings and make fun of you,” he said.
The defensive player enjoyed his time as a student athlete and admits that studying and playing at the U of M contributed to the man he is today.
“What I’ve learned most is dealing with defeat,” Kasser said.
Since the end of his Saturdays of playing in the Liberty Bowl the seasoned athlete has obtained a few degrees. From earning a bachelor’s and master’s in accounting to being named Magna Cum Laude in his graduating class of 2013, Kasser has a well rounded list of accolades primed for the business world.
The alumnus said he was unfazed with jogging his academics and sports.
“I mean it just wasn't all that hard for me. I continued to make good grades and get awarded scholarships,” he said.
Walking away from the game of football was a difficult road to go down for the former player.
“I’ve been playing this game since I was nine years old,” he said.
Playing on a college level for the U of M is an experience Kasser does not regret. He said the values he gathered from his coaches and the family-like environment he formed with his teammate resemble his businessman swag today.
Kasser is currently employed at Glankner Brown Attorneys where he practices in areas of individual estate planning, trust, probate, taxation and business law. In his third year of studying at U of M’s Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, a recruiter caught his interest of the job posting.
“I didn’t think I would get it [the job] either they were looking for a guy with a LLM in tax. But luckily they offered me the position I’ve been with them for a year now,” he said.
The former football player plans to establish his life in the world of law and business. Looking back over his past year with the company he said it is a learning experience, because there is a lot of pressure to get things right.
In addition, Kasser just proposed to his fiancée this past March and plans on having a child.
