Originally from the USA, Jack Manzo attended a prestigious college-preparatory, Xavier High School, in New York City, before receiving a scholarship to study economics at University of California, Berkeley. Jack Manzo now joins the Operations and Supply Chain Management Masters programme and the rugby squad at Trinity Business School.
Tell us about your journey to Trinity?
My journey to Trinity’s rugby pitches began on 30 W 16th Street in Greenwich Village, Manhattan at the renowned college-preparatory, Xavier High School. Xavier is a rugby powerhouse in the States, consistently finishing in the top 3-4 of all schools in the nation.
My career took off when I was recruited to play for the 33-time (7s and 15s) national champions, University of California-Berkeley – undoubtedly the most storied programme in the United States. I was named to the Collegiate All-American (USA u23) team three times and captained that squad in my final year.
Taken before a National Semi-Final during the anthems
Choosing Trinity for my masters was a full-circle moment for me and very serendipitous. Xavier’s 1st XV toured Ireland in 2016; Tony Smeeth (coach at Trinity) and Xavier’s coaches went a long way back, and Tony ran a training session for us one day. After I graduated from Cal, Tony and I reconnected, and about a month later I was sitting in my Project Management lecture at Trinity Business School.
Trinity has a reputation as being the go-to institution for several big names in the sporting world. How big a factor was Trinity’s reputation in respect to choosing the business school?
Every day at training there is a professional either training with us or observing on the touchline. I knew that the level of play here would immediately surpass anything I would see in the US, at any level, and that alone played a major factor in my decision to come to Trinity.
Why did you choose the MSc in Operations and Supply Chain Management?
I enjoy the challenge of a world-renowned programme, and especially when considering that there are massive global supply chain failures, it is both a widely applicable and greatly important masters to hold. I believe that I can make a difference in the field, and I want to spend the time learning the basics before I go out and apply myself.
What attracted you to Dublin as a study destination?
When I first came to Ireland on a rugby tour all those years ago, I said to myself that I would do anything to live in this country. I said it earlier, but it truly was a full-circle moment because I love this country and I’m falling in love with Dublin city.
How are you benefiting from the rugby training and facilities at Trinity?
The facilities are top tier, so I’m benefiting enormously. I’m improving that small fraction of a percentage every single day, and that’s a testament to Ian Hirst, a one-of-a-kind trainer and coach.
2022-2023's first All-Ireland League match against Garryowen
The rugby pitch is a stone's throw from the Trinity Business School, a truly modern building positioned in the heart of the ancient campus. I can see the pitch from the school’s glass façade, and there’s something special about running onto College Park. It carries this energy that’s hard to rival anywhere, in any sport.
What are your impressions of campus life at Trinity?
The campus is so historic and beautiful. I feel as if I'm walking onto sacred ground every time I step through Front Arch.
Is there anything specific that you are most looking forward to on the programme?
The finance module as well as the business analytics modules because of my background in Economics. Two of the five Economics electives I completed at Cal were Intermediate Financial Economics and Behavioural Financial Economics. I found those courses incredibly interesting and with real world applications, so I am excited to dive deeper into the finance realm.
