Senior Dylan Coutelle watched closely to the action taking place on the Pistons hardwood floor at The Palace of the Auburn Hills.
For the kids learning basketball fundamentals and tricks – it was a success and a plus to be on the same floor as their NBA basketball team.
For Coutelle and his classmates from the Business Management, Marketing and Technology program at the Oakland Schools Technical Campus – Northwest in Springfield Township, it was the end to one of their biggest projects of the year.
The project was the third annual Skills,Drills and Thrills basketball clinic – and from beginning to end the students ran it like they would any event at the Palace.
‘They determine what they want to do with the clinic,? said instructor Tom Neal. ‘They determine pricing, cost for lighting, employees, marketins, find and sell to sponsors, make phone calls, promote and sell the clinic.?
They broke into teams to conquer everything they had to do – promotions, courtside activities, basketball team, sales, ticket, crowd control and survey and half-time show.
The students determined the price of the tickets to sell to kids for the clinic – taking in consideration additional costs like having the Pistons? mascot Hooper and the Pistons Flight Crew performing during the clinic.
Each student had one ticket they had to sell to their target market. The students could also sell the tickets to sponsors and had the opportunity to send children from Salvation Army Youth Basketball League – who helps families and children who can’t afford sports.
‘We reached people and made connections,? said Coutelle. ‘It was very business like and we kept up on updates.?
‘Networking is important,? said instructor Ryan Matousik. ‘Not just networking with themselves but businesses and still using the skills and relationships afterwards.?
Zachary Horning enjoyed the experience and opportunity he has had in the BMMT program.
‘It allows you to do hands on projects,? he said. ‘It beats reading a textbook.?
Every year they seek to improve or add something new – Coutelle worked on getting media coverage and called The Clarkston News.
Horning, Coutelle and their classmates didn’t just have to pull off an entire event from beginning to end, but competed with the afternoon BMMT class to make sure their clinic was the best.
They included a half-time show with dodgeball, had the Pistons? Flight Crew perform and show off their tricks to the kids, and took the kids on a tour of the Pistons? lockerroom.
‘We are rewarded based on the sales and quality of the event,? said Coutelle. ‘The winning team gets gas cards.?
The class does projects all year. Some projects include working with Oakland County Parks. The final project is a fundraiser for Clarkston SCAMP at Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club.
Last year, they worked on a project in partnership with Domino’s Pizza to sell their newest sandwich – the winning team had lunch with Domino’s CEO Dave Brandon.
Coutelle, Horning and Connor Gooden proudly took the honors and learned tips during the meal.
‘The test is how much did you learn,? said Neal. ‘As well as what did they take from the first event to the next event and so on until they reach the last event.?
Besides working on projects, BMMT classes increase their skills for the business world and becoming a better leader.
Coutelle is certified in customer service as well as in Microsoft Word and Excel.
‘It is fun to get these students focused, certifies and give them experience to talk about at interviews,? said Matousik.
When Coutelle was hired, he asked his employers why they picked him.
‘They said because I was certified in customer service,? he found out. ‘I knew how to deal with all types of people and situations.?