Orlando Magic Executive Mentors HPU Business and Sport Management Students
Charlie Freeman, president of business operations for the Orlando Magic and High Point University’s Sports Business Executive in Residence, recently returned to campus to mentor students. As part of several sessions on campus, he is pictured discussing negotiation strategies with business students.
HIGH POINT, N.C., April 10, 2024 – Charlie Freeman, president of business operations for the Orlando Magic and High Point University’s Sports Business Executive in Residence, recently returned to campus to mentor students on ways to be successful in their careers.
Freeman shared his insights for success with a class of sport management students and discussed strategies for mastering the art of negotiation with business students during his visit to campus on April 4. He also had lunch with business and sport management students.
As one of the experts in HPU’s Access to Innovators program, Freeman spoke about the internships and jobs he held early in his career that launched his role with the Magic leadership. He encouraged students to network, volunteer, use all available resources and become resources to each other rather than compete for positions.
“My goal for you is when you get your first job, in sports hopefully, it’s the job you want not the job you have to take,” said Freeman. “I’ve been working for the Orlando Magic for 29 years. I feel like I’ve never had a day of work in my life. Right now, you have an opportunity to learn and understand what you want, get out in front and do what you can to control. You want to be the captain of your own ship.”
When discussing effective negotiations, the sense of a win-win for both sides is crucial to maintaining long-term relationships, said Freeman. To reach a fair resolution, understand what is important to both sides, set boundaries of what is fair and know who’s the ultimate decision maker, who stands to lose most and when to walk away. He also advised students to manage their emotions, practice patience, be aware of other’s perspectives, use strong communication skills, listen and be courteous, humble and confident but not arrogant.
“I enjoyed how relaxed he was and how he made it open toward the students, so we had more of a chance to hear what he was saying and have our questions answered,” said Niobe Taylor, a freshman international business major on a pre-law track from Atlanta, Georgia. “I didn’t know that there were so many intricate parts to negotiation. It seemed like a chess match for every negotiation.”
While professional sports teams can’t control wins and losses, Freeman noted successful teams share four core values:
- Investing in their community
- Promoting a culture of creative thinking and innovation
- Providing world-class, legendary service
- Understanding the importance of teamwork in creating a culture of trust and respect
Ella Grasson, a sophomore sport management major from Cleveland, Ohio, said she found Freeman’s presentation insightful.
“What I learned from him was to be a leader you need to look to other people first, help support others and listen. Don’t try to be the loudest person in the room,” said Grasson. “I learned as well we need to take advantage of the tools we have right now, like being able to go to the Office of Career and Professional Development and make connections with our professors and other professionals.”
Freeman also inspired Isaac McGinnis, a freshman sport management major from Clinton, Maryland. McGinnis said he plans to update his LinkedIn profile and build connections to get closer to his career goal of working in professional sports, preferably with the Baltimore Ravens.
“One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of teamwork and how to build connections, which can help you land a position in the future and can encourage you to keep going with an assignment you’ve already started,” said McGinnis.