---
title: "‘A full-circle moment’: How studying at Trinity spurred this rugby star to pursue a lifelong dream of living in Ireland"
description: "‘A full-circle moment’: How studying at Trinity spurred this rugby star to pursue the lifelong dream of living in Ireland"
---

[The Trinity MSc Blog](https://blog.tbs.tcd.ie/en/msc-blog)

# [‘A full-circle moment’: How studying at Trinity spurred this rugby star to pursue a lifelong dream of living in Ireland](https://blog.tbs.tcd.ie/en/msc-blog/jack-manzo)

 Written by [Jack Manzo](https://blog.tbs.tcd.ie/en/msc-blog/author/jack-manzo) | Oct 26, 2022 1:14:51 PM

**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. 

 

 

 

[View full post](https://blog.tbs.tcd.ie/en/msc-blog/jack-manzo)

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