KANSAS - The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is proud to bring you the "KCAC Alumni Spotlight" series. Every two weeks, the conference will aim to highlight an alumnus of one of our KCAC full member institutions. We hope in this series to highlight successes that KCAC alumni had not only on the field, court, etc., but also in the classroom and now in their chosen professional field.
KCAC ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT — STERLING COLLEGE
Alumnus: Matt Jaeger
Degree Earned at Sterling: B.A. in History and Government (2000), Completed Secondary Education Degree Through Student Teaching
Career Alumnus Currently Holds: Co-Founder of EGE Products, an agricultural chemical and fertilizer manufacturing company based in Minneola, Kan. that began in 2007. EGE Products manufactures and distributes to agricultural retailers across the United States. Jaeger also farms with his brother, raising corn, wheat, sorghum, canola, soybeans, and cattle.
How did your time at Sterling help to prepare you for life after college/entering the workforce?
JAEGER: "I’m a big fan of an education that covers many important areas of life, and I like the concept of learning about all areas of life. I learned how to write better, to read, and to research. Degrees like this help me build a life, not just a career. My Bible classes help me serve in my local church and give me the skills to be well-rounded enough to be a successful entrepreneur. At small colleges, you develop people skills that help in sales, writing business plans, and understanding how to lead organizations. One of the most important skills in life is managing stress, and I think playing sports and earning a degree are a lot of work and help young people develop the work ethic and discipline needed to perform at a high level in the workforce. The emphasis on building your faith in God helps structure your life around what is important, thereby helping you deal with life's challenges and persevere in business and family when times are hard. I also think the emphasis on Jesus leading through sacrifice helped me understand how to demand excellence in our organization while also extending grace to employees. Schools like Sterling can really help in forming leaders who build strong organizations."
Were there any pre-professional experiences (internships/job shadows/etc.) during your college years that prepared you for entering your chosen field?
JAEGER: "Although not directly related my time learning how to be a teacher has been very valuable. The first 7 years after college, I served as a missionary, teaching many Bible studies to students. Those skills have also been very valuable in teaching customers about our products and teaching employees how to do their jobs."
What lessons did you learn competing in collegiate athletics that helped prepare you for life after your playing days were over?
JAEGER: "We live in a market-based economy that is very dynamic and competitive, so it has been natural to see business as a competitive outlet, much like the one fostered by
sports. Entrepreneurship is challenging, and the rigors of college athletics helped strengthen the skills needed to navigate a market economy. I like to hire people who have competed in college sports, knowing they likely have the discipline and drive to perform at high levels in their jobs."
ABOUT THE KANSAS COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and sponsors 28 varsity sports. Founded in 1890, the KCAC is the second oldest intercollegiate athletic conference in the country. As the conference home to 14 member institutions, the KCAC emphasizes commitment, cooperation, high achievement, and working towards a common goal in the act of competition. To keep up with the latest conference news, follow the KCAC on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram using the handle @kcacsports.
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