Joe Kramer is gunning for Murray Cohn’s job. And Cohn doesn’t mind one bit.

Kramer, who completed his degree in sport management at Robert Morris University in December, just landed a job with the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves as a ticket associate. His goal is to one day become the league’s vice president of team ticket sales, which just happens to be held by fellow RMU alumnus Cohn, who graduated from the sport management program in 1988. Cohn and Kramer met while Kramer was a student, at RMU’s annual Sport Management Conference.

Cohn, a 1988 graduate, has been deeply committed to the sports management program at RMU and has actively participated in the annual conference. Each year, he places two to five students with careers in the professional sports industry and this year, Kramer was one of them.

“Joe impressed me with his work ethic, integrity and willingness, to learn,” said Cohn. “Joe has a desire to be great.”

As Kramer’s graduation approached, Cohn connected him with representatives from the Timberwolves and recommended him for the position. “It was the perfect conclusion to my RMU experience, to get this position and know I’d have someone like Murray behind me throughout my career.”

Cohn said that over the past year, he and Kramer have developed a solid friendship, in addition to a professional relationship. “He is a very special young man and has a very bright future in this business,” said Cohn. “Hearing the joy in Joe’s voice after he accepted his new role was simply amazing.”

Cohn believes that his role as an engaged RMU alum is to act as an agent and advocate for the students – to open doors for them. “This career opportunity will change Joe’s life,” said Cohn. “The value of helping him and others succeed in this business is priceless.”

Kramer, who started his new position with the start of the new year, noted that the main advantage of RMU is how connected the professors, staff, faculty, and alumni are with the students. “RMU is like a family,” he said. “It will be my family for the rest of my life. I’ve built so many strong relationships here.”

And according to Kramer, these enduring relationships are what really matter in both personal and professional life. “I’ve had a great start at my career thanks to the people at RMU,” he said. “So I know I’m on the right path to my dream.”