Luke Schultheis ’11
Accounting major
Associate Director of the Office of Legal Affairs, NCAA
How did Butler prepare you for your career?
Butler’s Real Business Experience, professional career development classes, and challenging accounting coursework provided me with a great foundation for my career in sports law. Given Butler’s location in downtown Indianapolis—home to several prominent sports entities—I was fortunate to obtain sports internships with the NCAA, Indiana Pacers Sports and Entertainment, 500 Festival, and the Indiana Sports Corporation (during Super Bowl XLVI).
What skills or knowledge gained at Butler have been most useful in your career?
My Butler coursework provided a seamless transition to law school at the University of Florida because I had already learned in a “rule-based” accounting and finance environment where you have to think both analytically and critically. As NCAA counsel, you’re in the business of thinking quickly on your feet and solving real-life problems. Having a Butler business background, I can better understand the business side of organizations I work with.
What is the most important thing you learned at Butler?
It may sound cliché, but practicing the ideals of “The Butler Way” and that “Bulldog tough” mentality has been important in my professional career and daily life. I was fortunate enough to be an undergraduate when our men’s basketball teams made their improbable back-to-back National Championship runs. I saw firsthand “Hinkle Magic” and how much humility, hard work, teamwork, accountability, selflessness, coachability, and toughness can take you. I’ve tried to approach every professional interview, meeting, project, presentation, etc., with that same Bulldog mindset and energy. No matter what obstacles or challenges I may presently be facing, I’m not going to let anyone outwork or out-prepare me.
Who influenced you the most while you were a student?
I am grateful to have had a lot of exceptional business professors at Butler. Professionally, my former career mentor, Ron Gress, influenced me the most. As an undergraduate, I would have periodic catch-ups with Ron. He made me recognize that I should pursue my passion for sports with everything I could. Whether ultimately succeeding or failing in this challenging professional endeavor, I could live with those results, knowing I was following my heart. On a personal level, I would have to say my “brothers” at the Sigma Nu fraternity. Those guys were often my daily soundboard and support group at a pivotal young age in my personal development and professional growth. When we find the rare time to catch up in our busy daily lives (many of us now have small children), it’s still that way to this day.
What advice do you have for students who are interested in pursuing a career in this field?
Find a way to get your foot in the door whether that’s through a sports internship or volunteering at a local Indy sports event. Any opportunity in sports matters so look at ways to expand your career network and deepen your resume.