Mike Pina of Brockton, Mass., is a Leader in Business and on the Football Field

by Jillian Riches

Dudley, MA (05/13/2020) — Michael Pina, of Brockton, Mass., founded QB Velocity, a football training program, to build the skills and confidence of younger athletes, just as his Nichols College education helped him build his.

"I saw that high school and middle school players were lacking fundamental skills, and I wanted to offer a way to help these student athletes get to the next level," says Pina, a member of the Nichols class of 2020 who recently earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in sport management.

In addition to boosting athletic skills on the field, Pina feels it is important to teach lessons of leadership and to serve as a mentor to his athletes. "I was blessed with great mentors growing up," he says. "They were great examples for me, and I wanted to be able to do this for others."

Pina had just started his business in 2018 when he heard news of his college, Mount Ida, closing, and decided to complete his undergraduate degree at Nichols. As a junior and senior, Pina became very involved, serving as an admissions ambassador, working for the Sports Information Department as a game-day announcer, and leading the football team as the starting quarterback. Pina says he grew as a person and a business owner. "During my time at Nichols, I've been very focused on growing my business," he says. "The school has given me a lot of tools that I've been able to directly apply."

As an example, Pina cites an experience in a sport marketing and communications class, which used his business as a case study. "My classmates were responsible with presenting on how I could grow the business and came up with amazing ideas," he says. "Two examples that I have incorporated into my business are to expand my merchandise offerings, which has been a huge success with my athletes and has increased our revenue, and to send merchandise to brand advocates. I have sent t-shits with my logo to influential coaches and players in the industry. It has been so rewarding and impactful to see them represent my brand."

Pina contends he also has applied lessons learned from the signature leadership classes offered at Nichols College to his role as coach and mentor to QB Velocity student-athletes.

"Nichols has helped me to be open to new opportunities," Pina reflects. "They've given me even more of an entrepreneurial spirit and the confidence to try new things."

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