OREM, Utah – Jerry Norton, CEO of Mentor Financial Group LLC, paid a visit to the Utah Valley University wrestling team last week as part of the UVU Wrestling Mentor Program, which is now celebrating its second year.
 
"Most the guys graduate and then they are out looking for a job. Most are really not sure what to expect, it's kind of uncharted territory for them," said UVU head coach Greg Williams. "We are trying to alleviate that issue by having them learn skill sets and philosophies for success while they are here and have time to develop, and try to make some decisions in the direction they want to go in before they leave here."
 
The Mentor Program, which was started by Williams and lead mentor Sean Warren, pairs local businessman with wrestlers to provide opportunities to gain real-life work experience and guidance.
 
"Division I athletes are so busy with the demands of school and their sport, they don't have the time to network with professionals. I wanted to provide an opportunity that UVU wrestlers wouldn't otherwise get," said Warren. "These athletes possess the skills and work ethic that employers seek, this gives them a chance to show off their abilities."
 
During last week's speech, Norton spoke to the team about entrepreneurship, money management and the ability to be a free thinker in order to succeed throughout life.
 
"Wrestling has had such a profound impact on my life and I owe a lot of where I am and who I am today to wrestling. So for me to have the opportunity to be a mentor for the team is my way of giving back," said Norton. "Wrestling has to end at some point, however, and they have to move on in life. So it's just a fantastic program to have in place for these guys to learn life skills that they can take with them after wrestling."
 
The Mentor Program, which now has 24 mentors, expects to grow to 50-60 members in the next few years. Last year the program placed 13 wrestlers into full-time jobs or internships.
 
"The mentor program opens doors to opportunities that we wouldn't normally get with our busy schedules," said 174-pound senior and UVU SAAC President Ross Taylor. "I recently have been accepted into UVU's MBA program, which I partially attribute to the Mentor Program."
 
Each Wolverine wrestler has been assigned a mentor who will work with them throughout the year to help guide them and give them real-life experience. The wrestler will even job shadow the individual and the experience might lead to an internship or maybe even a job opportunity in the future. 
 
"The program provides us with opportunities and life lessons from guys who have been there and done that," said three-time NCAA qualifier Jade Rauser. "Sean (Warren) has been great and is a mentor to all of us."