Developing basketball scholarship students at Newcastle University Business School
Newcastle University Business School welcomed its second wave of high-performing US basketball scholarship students in September 2024.
22 April 2025
Lyric Swann, Brendan Patrick, Jada Guinn and Austin Sacks joined the School in September 2024 and have been developing on and off the court.
After welcoming its first four sports scholarship students in September 2023, the School is working towards its ambition to be one of the top destinations in the UK for sport athletes, whilst highlighting the connections between the world of sport and business.
Reaching new career and sport goals
The four new sports scholarship students are studying Digital Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability, and Business Management (Sustainability), giving them a wealth of knowledge in emerging and sought after fields to help them in their career. They all play for the University’s basketball team and will represent the University in matches alongside their studies.
Sharing his reasons for choosing Newcastle, Austin said: “I chose Newcastle because of the balance of great academics and great athletics. It was an opportunity for me to continue my basketball career and my academic career outside of the States. The experience of playing in a new country for me was really cool.
“I hope to use my sustainability knowledge in the business world to help better the world after this, and just create a more sustainable place for everyone to live in. In terms of basketball, the University has really helped me develop my basketball skills and grow as a player. My coach is teaching me new reads and different angles that I've never looked at in the game before.”
Connecting the world of sport and business
Speaking of welcoming this year’s sports scholarship students, Dean of the School Professor Stewart Robinson said: “It is great to continue our sports sponsorship programme and to welcome these athletes into the School. In doing so we are providing an opportunity for them to extend their sporting careers while learning essential business knowledge and skills that will set them up for the future.”
Jada, who was named in the British Universities Basketball Premiership all-star 5 – one of only five players in the country to make the team, expressed: “I'm going to try to continue to play professionally as long as my body is healthy. Afterwards, I want to open a business, maybe a gym, just for athletes to work out in.”
On her recognition as an all-star 5, she added: “I’m thankful to be recognised for this accomplishment. Shout out to my teammates and coach for putting me in this position because without them, I wouldn’t have been able to do the things I did. I’m just grateful to be part of this group and recognised for the success I was able to have on the court this past season.”
Following a strong start in the partnership between the School and the basketball programme, the School now wants to continue to build on the knowledge of US athletes and become a top destination in Britain for athletes.
Mark Elderkin, Head of Basketball at Newcastle University, said: “The partnership with the Business School has become one of the best things the basketball programme has ever done. After the success of last year when we formed the partnership, being able to see the continued developments between sport and the Business School has been brilliant.
“All four scholarship athletes have thrived in the classroom this year. On top of this, the men’s and women’s teams will remain in the BUCS premiership and both teams also made an appearance in the final top eight teams in the country. I think this is a testament to the quality of student athletes that are being recruited to Newcastle University thanks to this special partnership. A big shout out to one of these scholars Jada Quinn who was voted one of the top five women’s university basketball players in the country this season!
“Now Covid eligibility has ran out in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) in America, we want to make Newcastle University the top destination for North American post-graduate student athletes. There is more hard work to be done but thanks to this partnership we are all very confident the results will speak for themselves.”
Reflecting on her time so far, Lyric said “I've had a great positive experience. I know so many people who've had great experiences here academically. You know, it's a great school athletic wise. Everyone's so supportive and competitive, and they want to get better here.”
Brendan added: “So how my experience in the UK, kind of differs from American college. I feel like it's just the freedom that the UK provides. The coaching has been great. Mark has been great for me in terms of my development as a player.”
We look forward to seeing where their new skills and knowledge take them, on and off the court.