Grand Rapids Reporter

Big Rapids, Mich. - Amarr Blake dreamed of making it to the NBA. Ferris State University helped that dream become a reality with a leadership role off the court.

Blake's Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a minor in Marketing from Ferris State University was a perfect match for his executive position with the Atlanta Hawks basketball team. "When I was young, growing up in Flint, I always dreamed of making it to the NBA," Blake said. "It turned out I got here differently on the business side. I am very blessed to have this opportunity."

Blake's journey to the NBA began in the classroom, where the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Academic honoree got the attention of Marketing/Sales instructor Jina Jackson-Rockwell and former faculty member Barbara Barney-McNamara. "They suggested I enter a student sales competition, and I was successful in qualifying," said Blake, a former Bulldog football student-athlete. "I traveled to Atlanta and was among the top 16 presenters. Hiring managers for many NBA teams were there to make connections. That allowed me to get established with the Hawks."

Blake serves a franchise that celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023-24 and has proven to be a considerable and valuable member of the organization.

He joined the Hawks as a membership associate after graduating from Ferris State in 2022. He became a new membership sales consultant in his first year, and in May, he became manager for the team's Premium Club sales.

"The game is an element of the State Farm Arena experience, a concept Blake has embraced during his two years in sales with the Hawks." Blake said. "I really was unaware of membership sales or the associate's role for new season tickets before I began," Blake said. "There are groups who want to entertain clients or are just after a night or afternoon of enjoyment themselves. So many people come from other parts of the country to Atlanta for their careers, which means we get clusters of fans wanting to see their team or a visiting NBA star at the arena. My job is to identify their 'whys' and help them achieve that with the Hawks."

The State Farm Arena Club offers inclusive food and drink or sports bar options, including a "bar on the court" for all floor seat holders. Blake said his roles with the Hawks have been an exciting and somewhat surprising way to begin his career.

Blake was a standout high school quarterback and basketball player who, with his brother Amere, joined the Ferris State football program in 2018. Blake contributed on the field as a defensive back in 2019 and during the 2021 National Championship season, and he also served as the voice of the football team on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council.