Cass City grad is hoping to land internship with Pistons

Like many children, Steffin Bader grew up watching the Detroit Pistons with his dad, hoping there would be a day when he, too, might be on the court.

Although his dream has taken a different form, the goal is within his reach, but he needs the community’s help to get there.

“My dream used to be to play professional basketball,” Bader said. “As I grew up, my dream quickly
changed to wanting to be someone who makes professional sports run so other kids are able to enjoy it the way I did.”

The Central Michigan University (CMU) senior is now within reach of his “dream-come-true”, thanks to a project in his sports management
class.

“I’m majoring in sports management with a minor in professional sales,” Bader noted. “The goal is to
sell the most tickets (to Detroit Pistons’ games). It’s a competition amongst the entire CMU Sports
Management Program. The student that sells the most tickets before the end of the season gets an internship with the team in corporate sales.”

Bader, who has been vigorously pursuing the top sales title since the project was launched in January, has learned much along the way. “I’ve learned perseverance,” he said. “I have been determined to make my dream become a reality by coming up with some new and creative sales and marketing strategies to get tickets sold.”

Bader’s “can-do” attitude is paying off. “I’m currently in second place in ticket numbers — behind by eight tickets but leading the class in overall sales revenue,” the 2010 Cass City High School graduate said. “I’m just a small town kid with big time dreams, and winning this competition is the first step in making my dream become a reality.”

And that’s where he’s hoping his community will lend a hand.

Thanks to the relationship between the Detroit Pistons and the sports management class at CMU, Bader is able to offer special deals to the public.

“I can sell any ticket for any place in the Palace,” he explained. “Every ticket I sell is already discounted cheaper than face value. I can also get a lot of other incentives attached as far as food vouchers, pictures on the court after the game, welcome signs on the big screen, etc.”

In addition, Bader has secured special privileges for those who buy tickets to the March 28 game against the Miami Heat. “I have a deal going with the Pistons that anyone that buys tickets for the game gets a court access pass to go on the court and take a shot,” he said.

For more information, or to purchase tickets to an upcoming Detroit Pistons game, contact Bader at (989) 954-5454 or email him at [email protected].