Introduction to East Asia Studies and Basketball
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In 1996, Matt Beyer was starting Level 6 at Brookfield Academy. Although he did not know it, his future life path changed that year. His family adopted a boy and a girl that year, giving Matt a new brother and sister. Matt wanted to learn all about his new siblings, including their cultural background. Eventually, this curiosity became a passion and interest in a deep language and culture so different from what Matt had experienced growing up in Milwaukee. It led Matt to learn the Chinese language and study Chinese Literature, East Asia Studies, and Journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The language and culture became so important to Matt that it has been the focal point of his career.
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As a student at UW-Madison, Matt spent time as Yi Jianlin’s interpreter while Yi played for the Milwaukee Bucks. Matt recalls a road trip in November 2007 when the Bucks were in Houston to play the Rockets. Matt interpreted a press conference featuring 7’6” Hall of Famer Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian. Matt (pictured far left) says that it was nerve wracking sitting at a table with over 100 media members staring at him as he translated what Yao (far right) and Yi (middle) said. He knew it was important to get every translation as accurate as possible. It was a valuable experience for Matt to be in the hot seat so early in his career.
Matt eventually moved on from being Yi’s interpreter and is now the CEO of the East Asia Super League (EASL).
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East Asia Super League (EASL)
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Matt describes the East Asia Super League: “EASL covers a potential fan base of 1.7 billion people in Greater China, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. We bring the top basketball clubs from the best professional leagues together in the “Champions League” format in a home-and-away format with games weekly on Wednesdays, similar to the UEFA Champions League format, which is widely recognized as the world’s most successful global sports league after the NBA.”
As Matt mentioned, the league is the East Asia basketball version of soccer’s Champions League.
The EASL is recognized by FIBA which helps attract the best teams and players. The EASL recently partnered with former NBA players Baron Davis, Shane Battier, and Metta World Peace to grow the event.
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As CEO, Matt is responsible for the league’s strategic growth, revenue creation, talent recruiting and management, and brand development and promotions. Matt has been around since the EASL was just an idea, so he fills in wherever there is a need on a particular day. One day Matt is meeting with a commissioner of a partner league, and on another day he is reviewing the trailer reel for a behind-the-scenes reality show he is pitching to Netflix.
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Brookfield Academy's Influence on Matt
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Matt carries a lot with him from his time at BA. He says, “BA’s holistic classical curriculum gave me a very broad perspective on the world of knowledge, which fosters intellectual curiosity and analytical thinking in every task…Meanwhile, the emphasis that BA puts on history and context of all disciplines helps remind students of our role in the grand scheme of humanity, encouraging us to achieve excellence while maintaining humility at the core. This mindset is very important for interacting with people from different backgrounds and cultures, as well as building trust around mutual goals and aspirations.”
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Matt's BA Senior Class Photo from 2003
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Matt has advice for current students at BA. “I would tell any BA student now to have fun and really experience all BA has to offer in terms of courses and extra curricular activities…I guess hindsight is 20-20, but I wish I would’ve been thinking a bit more big picture back in high school, rather than obsessed about college acceptances and quarterly GPAs."
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How the BA community can watch and follow the EASL
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EASL is in the process of negotiating media rights deals across the world and is planning on having a broadcast partner in North America. It will most likely be a digital media-streaming platform, rather than a traditional TV broadcaster, but the EASL should be available to watch in the United States.
The league has had tournaments dating back to 2017, but the first season of the new format is set to begin in October 2022.
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After spending a great five-and-a-half years with Eaton in Human Resources, including working onsite at manufacturing facilities and division manufacturing headquarters in five different states, Jessica has moved to Lexington, Kentucky where she has taken on the role of HR Manager for Schneider Electric at a manufacturing plant of over 600 employees with two unions.
Schneider Electric recently hosted U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
Manufacturing Voices Luncheon
"Manufacturing Voices" is an annual program hosted by the Waukesha County Business Alliance. The event brings together manufacturing business leaders in Waukesha County to engage in dialogue about issues pertinent to manufacturing. Pictured are three BA alums, alongside Mr. Doug Ricci and Dr. Larry Pesch.
Doug Bayerlein '74 is the President of Woodway, a global leader in the production and sales of fitness and medical rehabilitation equipment, and was part of a panel of executives who discussed workforce, attracting and retaining talent, automation, and company culture at this event.
Suzanne Heiss '77 Kelley is the President and CEO of the Waukesha County Business Alliance.
Jon Bayerlein '10 is the Director of International Sales at Woodway.
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From left to right: Head of School Doug Ricci, Jon Bayerlein '10, Suzanne Heiss '77 Kelley, Doug Bayerlein '74, Larry Pesch
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Congratulations to junior Adrian Bellido on winning two Division 2 Swimming State Championships last Friday! Adrian won the 50 Freestyle title with a time of 20.85 seconds. In the 100 Butterfly title race, Adrian broke a Division 2 State record, finishing in a time of 49.22 seconds. You can watch Adrian's 100 Butterfly State record time here!
Adrian joins Kevin Van Cleave '15 as the only two students from Brookfield Academy to win a Swimming State Championship.
You can read more about Adrian's State titles from a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article here.
Photo: Scott Ash / Now News Group
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Revue22
This weekend Revue22 combines the best of Upper School theatre, orchestra, and choir in a fabulous original production! Tickets are available online for shows in Constitution Hall on Saturday, March 5, and Sunday, March 6.
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The boys basketball team starts its WIAA playoffs tonight against Obama SCTE. The Blue Knights are a #3 seed in the Division 3 playoffs, with an 18-6 record. The game starts at 7 pm in the Patriots Hall Gymnasium.
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Aloha BA alumni! This island greeting can only mean one thing.....the countdown to the 2022 BA Dinner Auction is on! Break out your flip flops, board shorts, and Hawaiian shirts. It's a vacation state of mind this spring to support the fine arts at BA.
Mark your calendars and SAVE THE DATE for a "Luau Under the Stars" on Saturday, April 30, on campus in Patriots Hall!
Can't attend but interested in supporting the Auction and BA? You can help provide underwriting in the form of sponsorships, program ads, and even provide items for the silent and live auctions. Interested? Alumni, this is a great way to advertise your business! Contact Peter Grossman in the Advancement Office.
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Brookfield Academy Alumni LinkedIn Page
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