Jack Mehrtens ’21, ’23M has spent nearly every season of his adult life on the court or just off it. From student manager to walk-on player to graduate assistant for UNCW Men’s Basketball, Jack’s journey is a testament to the power of persistence, adaptability, and deep-rooted Seahawk pride. Now working in Major League Soccer as Manager of Partnership Marketing for FC Cincinnati, he reflects on the stepping stones that led him from Trask Coliseum to a career in professional sports and why the relationships he built at UNCW still mean everything.
From the sidelines of Trask Coliseum to the suites of the NBA G League and now Major League Soccer, my journey in sports has been anything but linear, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
At UNCW, I was just a student trying to find my footing. In 2018, I joined the men's basketball team as a student manager. That role turned out to be a turning point — it gave me a look behind the curtain at what makes a team run, planning practices, managing logistics, and ensuring the little things didn't go unnoticed. By my final semester, I earned a walk-on spot. After graduation, I returned as a graduate assistant (GA), this time helping lead recruiting efforts, mentoring student managers, and supporting the program from a higher level. That's when I began to see how all the moving parts came together, not just for one season, but for a program's long-term success.
Those experiences gave me the confidence to chase a career in sports. I joined the NBA G League's Greensboro Swarm, first as a coordinator and later as Manager of Corporate Partnerships. It was my first real exposure to the business side of sports, and I had to learn fast. Now, I'm in a new chapter as Manager of Partnership Marketing for FC Cincinnati, working in Major League Soccer and living outside of North Carolina for the first time in my life.
What's stayed consistent through all of it is the power of relationships. I still keep in touch with fellow managers from 2018, former coaches, professors, and classmates. Those connections have opened doors, shaped how I lead, and reminded me that success in this industry is as much about people as it is about performance. Now I get to pay that forward, mentoring interns and helping them navigate their own journeys.
UNCW helped me realize that I didn't need to be on the court to be in the game.
My studies in Communication and Liberal Studies taught me how to lead with clarity, adapt quickly, and think strategically. And those behind-the-scenes roles with basketball gave me purpose and perspective I still carry today.
One memory I'll never forget is winning the regular season conference championship in 2021–22. That season was built on heart and belief, restoring UNCW basketball to its winning tradition. That moment meant everything. And I wouldn't be where I am without the mentorship of coaches like Siddle, Ponder, Henderson, Parker, and Jackson. They helped shape not only who I was as a teammate, but who I am now as a professional.
If I could give "college Jack" one piece of advice, it would be to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Say yes to the small things. Sweep the gym floor if it gets your foot in the door. How you do anything is how you do everything. And above all, do what you love, and love what you do.
UNCW gave me the foundation, the people, and the belief that I could turn that love into a life. And for that, I'll always be grateful.
Watch Jack's Instagram Takeover