Four student-athletes from Goizueta’s undergraduate Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program reflect on leading Emory to its first NCAA Division III Championship game and what comes next.
This spring, Emory University’s men’s basketball team secured their spot at the NCAA DIII Championship game—for the first time in program history. Playing against the University of Mary Washington, the Eagles finished only two points behind with a score of 75-73. While the team didn’t take home the W, they did have an unforgettable experience and are now part of the Emory athletics’ legacy.
Four members of this historic team will soon be graduating from Goizueta’s undergraduate BBA program: Jair Knight 26BBA, John Coppolino 26BBA, Ben Pearce 26BBA, and Tyson Thomas 26BBA.
While Knight, Coppolino, Pearce, and Tyson aren’t the first student athletes at Emory, their stories are just as inspiring as the ones who graduated before them. Emory Business was able to interview these players to learn more about their love of basketball and what they’re planning for the future.
Meet Jair Knight 26BBA
Originally from Elyria, Ohio, Jair Knight has been playing basketball for 14 years. He plans to continue playing basketball overseas after graduation.
Emory Business: What led you to Emory University?
Knight: Atlanta is a major hub for post‑graduation opportunities and offers a strong alumni network. The community and culture are welcoming and supportive, and the basketball program has a long history of excellence.
Emory Business: Tell us a bit about your history with basketball.
Knight: Basketball has been a constant positive force in my life. It’s a game I genuinely enjoy and one that has always given back what I put into it. It’s something I trust and can always return to for comfort and motivation. [My biggest personal achievement] was joining the 1,000‑point club. This milestone reflected the trust my coaches and teammates have placed in me.
Emory Business: How did it feel going to the NCAA Championship?
Knight: Advancing to the NCAA Championship for the first time in program history was extremely special. It was an honor to be part of the group that paved the way for this achievement. We put in countless hours of work to earn that opportunity, making it especially meaningful. The atmosphere in Indianapolis was unmatched. The entire city was energized, and seeing the Pacers arena come to life is a moment I’ll never forget.
Emory Business: Do you have any advice to other student athletes?
Knight: Transparency and open communication with professors were key and proved extremely helpful. Enjoy your sport, but build relationships with your professors. Don’t hold back because the workload seems difficult. Success is possible if you commit and manage your time effectively.
Meet John Coppolino 26BBA
John Coppolino knew exactly what he was looking for when touring colleges: He wanted a school with a well-ranked business program, competitive basketball team, access to a city, and flourishing campus. It was as if Emory University was made for Coppolino, who relocated from Tenafly, New Jersey. After graduation, Coppolino is moving to New York to work at Blackstone as an analyst.
Emory Business: Tell us a bit about what basketball means to you.
Coppolino: I’ve been playing basketball forever. There are pictures of me as an infant with a basketball. I played on my first organized team in second grade. My dad was my coach for football, baseball, and basketball up until high school. He had a huge influence on my attitude, passion, and development. Some of my favorite moments throughout my basketball career include winning the final four with Emory in Fort Wayne to head to the National Championship and committing to Emory and sharing that moment with my dad.
It might be a cliché, but basketball has given me everything. It has taught me to be disciplined, organized, passionate, and resilient. It has introduced me to my best friends. It has taken me across the United States and brought me to foreign countries. It has strengthened my relationship with my parents. It has been the catalyst to some of the saddest moments of my life and some of the most rewarding. It has transformed my self-esteem and perspective. I think it has made me a better person. I could go on and on, but as I reflect on the past four years of my life, I can credit almost everything to basketball in one way or another.
Emory Business: What’s it been like to play basketball at Emory?
Coppolino: Everyone who comes to Emory to play basketball comes to win, but not every team has the same foundation we’ve been able to work with. This championship game was not just an accomplishment for this team: It was for the legacy of this program. There are alumni who graduated more than 15 years ago who text me after games and show their support. Without the people who came before us, we would never be here. This championship was a true representation of the immense amount of hard work that former players and coaches put in.
Emory Business: You are graduating with majors in finance and Italian. Why those majors?
Coppolino: I’ve always loved business and investing. I started reselling shoes and clothing when I was 13 and built a business in high school. After selling all my inventory, I started trading in stocks, options, and cryptocurrencies. By the time I arrived at Emory, I was certain that finance was the major that would be the most interesting to me.
I grew up in an Italian-American household, but no one in my family spoke Italian. I always dreamed of learning the language, so I took it in high school and loved it. I never planned on majoring in Italian, but when I took my first two Italian classes at Emory, I developed a strong relationship with the professors in the department and decided the only way to become fluent in the language was to double major. I’ve had the opportunity to study in Italy for six weeks with my teammate Jair, which was incredible. Learning Italian has been one of the most rewarding parts of my college experience.
Emory Business: How have you managed the commitments of basketball with your academics?
Coppolino: One thing that I focus on every day is time management and organization. I have a spreadsheet that tracks every hour of every day. It is something I’ve been doing since I was 18, and it has changed my life. I’m able to see a clear picture of when I have tests, games, and other time commitments. The more I write down, the less I have to think about my schedule. It allows me to be efficient with my free time and stay focused.
[For other BBA athletes, I’d advise them to] enjoy every moment—the happy, the sad, and the stressful. These moments all play a role in your journey. My favorite thing has been the relationships I’ve built. Competing to win a championship with my closest friends has been amazing. I might forget the wins and losses, but I’ll never forget the memories hanging out on the road and on campus.
Meet Ben Pearce 26BBA
Originally from Tuckahoe, New York, Ben Pearce has been playing basketball for as long as he can remember. After graduation, he plans to continue playing professionally overseas.
Emory Business: What led you to Emory University?
Pearce: I was drawn to Emory for the combination of strong academics, a great location in Atlanta, and the chance to compete at a high level in basketball. It also felt like a place where I could come in and make a real impact both on the court and in the community. There aren’t many schools in the country that offer a better overall balance and fit for what I was looking for.
Emory Business: Tell us a bit about what basketball means to you.
Pearce: Basketball has really meant everything to me. It’s my passion, and it’s brought a lot of joy into my life, but beyond that, it’s given me some of my closest relationships and allowed me to connect with so many different people. It’s a game that really brings people together. It’s also given me opportunities to travel and experience new environments. Overall, it’s had a huge impact on who I am and the connections I’ve built along the way.
Emory Business: What does it mean for the Emory basketball team to reach the NCAA Championship game?
Pearce: Looking back, it meant everything to be part of a team that reached that stage. It’s something you work toward every day, and to see it all come together with that group was really special. It wasn’t just about the games—it was about the journey, the work we put in, and the relationships we built along the way. Being able to make history for the program and share that experience with my teammates is something I’ll always carry with me.
Emory Business: How have you managed the commitments of basketball with your academics?
Pearce: It’s really come down to staying disciplined and managing my time well. There are definitely busy stretches with travel and games, so I’ve had to stay organized and be proactive with my work. I’ve also leaned on the support system at Emory—professors, teammates, and advisors—which has made it possible to balance both at a high level.
Emory Business: Any advice for other BBA athletes?
Pearce: Stay organized and be proactive with your time. The biggest thing is not falling behind—communicate early with professors and take advantage of the resources around you. It’s definitely manageable, but it takes consistency and discipline day to day.
Meet Tyson Thomas 26BBA
Hailing from Allentown, Pennsylvania, Tyson Thomas found his way to Emory University after his first time on campus as a recruit. After graduation, Thomas will move to New York City to work for THE•TEAM as an associate manager.
Emory Business: Tell us about your relationship with basketball.
Thomas: I’ve been playing for as long as I remember; I think since the age of five. Basketball means everything to me. From becoming an integral part of my life, to taking me places I never thought I’d be, to molding me into the man I am today, I am forever indebted to the game of basketball.
Emory Business: Given that, how did it feel to make history in Indianapolis recently?
Thomas: It means a great amount to represent this university at the highest level and change the perspective about Emory Basketball in a positive way for years to come. [I was] most excited to compete with my brothers on the highest stage and make the game a celebration of our entire season.
Emory Business: What did you focus on at Goizueta?
Thomas: I was originally a psychology major due to my strong passion of understanding others’ behaviors but wanted to have more of a comprehension of business, which led me to concentrating in marketing, the “psychology of business,” and consulting.
Emory Business: How have you managed the commitments of basketball with your academics?
Thomas: Playing basketball all of my life…I’ve been able to master my time management skills, and it has made me much better at knowing when to prioritize certain work over another priority. [I’d tell other] BBA athletes to connect with other athletes like yourself. Throughout my experience, it’s been hard balancing academics at such a prestigious university with athletics, especially with the amount of travel we have. By developing relationships with other athletes on campus, it helps having somebody who understands the struggles you may be going through outside of your own teammates. I’m very grateful for all of the experiences I’ve had at Emory. If I did it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing! My favorite part of being at Emory is simply being able to play high-level basketball, attend a high-academic school, and still be able to enjoy all that Atlanta has to offer. I’m graduating from Emory a much better man than I was coming into it.
For more Emory Commencement stories, updates, photos and videos, and celebration details, visit commencement.emory.edu.
