Patrick James is enamored with opportunities.
 
He's the kind of guy who is more than just thirsty for knowledge, so he soaks it up whenever he can. Tack on his creativity and wanting to build on opportunities, and you have one interesting individual.
 
Just maybe, some of the eagerness to excel has routes to his experience in teamwork, fortuitous leadership adventures, and let's not forget sports.
 
There could also be something to say about the time he spent gaining intelligence, proficiency, and experience as a student at Wilfrid Laurier University. After a few years, he would say adios and shuffle off with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honors) degree - and some valuable knowledge in marketing and brand management.
 
Talk with James, and it becomes crystal clear that he is determined to be known for more than just the kid who grew up in Toronto's northwest community of Rexdale.
 
"There are all kinds of stories about Rexdale, but mine is about drive, determination and working hard to reach a career that I enjoy and be a positive influence on others," said James.
 
James is the latest Laurier graduate to be featured in the "Laurier Grads Soar" series that follows the success of people who came to the well-known Canadian university for education. They also benefitted from a wide range of extracurricular activities. Now, those same individuals, prosper in communities around the world.
 
As the Global Partnerships Coordinator for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), James has immense responsibilities that include nurturing relationships with major brands that include conglomerates like Tangerine, ADP, Unilever Canada and Tissot.
 
"You have to make every day, and everything, a learning opportunity," said James, who hasn't forgotten his involvement with Rexdale Youth Mentorship. "I'm continuing to grow in knowledge and I'm now the young guy in the room, with so much more to develop and grow. It's not something that just happens, you devote attention and work hard."
 
James has experienced some personal challenges in his life.

"I picked Laurier, because I had felt more relaxed with a smaller university, the academic program it offered, and it gave me a chance to explore more," he said.
 
"Even though I was a Captain on teams that won three titles, had been an Athlete of the Year and athletic leadership award winner, Laurier scouts weren't at any of my games. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to be recruited for football."

"Like everyone, I, too, had to prove myself at Laurier. I didn't try out for football that first term because I needed time to adjust to a new environment. For most of my courses, I was also the only Black student. It took me until fourth year, to aggressively engage and get involved in courses. That was just me."
 
James said it was different on the gridiron – where there was more diversity and less discomfort.
 
"On the football field everything was different and maybe it was because there were other minorities," said James, who tried out for the Golden Hawks, was a successful 2017 walk-on to the team and played for the remainder of his Laurier career.
 
"I guess I was creating a barrier for myself. I was uncomfortable, could have impacted more, but it was something that I had to deal with."
 
In his third year at Laurier, James had interviewed for a co-op job at MLSE. He was un-successful after finding out that he had to be in a Laurier co-op program first.
 
"No hard feelings, I understood and forged ahead," he said. "I built a strong foundation of business knowledge and I felt good meeting people, connecting and learning at a Laurier Athletics recruitment fair."

Looking back at his days at Laurier, James said he never regretted the decision.
 
"Laurier was fabulous, it was the best choice, I had also gained a new family and learned a great deal," he said. "It prepared me for what I wanted to do in life, networking and strengthening my determination and what ultimately connected me to the Black Talent Initiative. I was also an academic all-Canadian in my graduating year, and a semifinalist in both our New Venture and Integrated Case Exercise (ICE) projects."
 
A French immersion student and honours academic student in high school, James was straightforward when asked how he became interested in a future in business.
 
"I was always good with money and learned entrepreneurship from my father," he said. "Delivering newspapers when I was in elementary school, making some money in a part-time merchandising job while in high school and learned how to negotiate with customers as a sales associate."
 
Then, on October 4, 2021, a day he will remember for the rest of his life.
 
"My job with MLSE and my foundation of business knowledge had helped me," he recalled. "It was a shock walking on to the basketball court at Scotiabank where the Raptors played. I finally made it. A learning opportunity, confident and with so much growth ahead."
 
For James, his colleagues would identify him as someone who naturally stood out in a crowd.
 
In the world of sport, there are athletes who are not afraid to be followers - and there are a lot of great followers who have become great leaders.

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada's major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations. He is also the recipient of the 2021 USPORTS Fred Sgambati Media Award.