B-school rivals face off on the Bulls’ court

Kristina Cowan

What’s better than brushing past NBA stars and playing a game on the legendary Chicago Bulls’ home court? Almost nothing, perhaps — except defeating your cross-town rival before hundreds of cheering fans.

A team of Kellogg MBA students did just that on Jan. 27, when they beat the University of Chicago Booth School of Business 15-10 in the annual “Running with the Bulls” game.

The Kellogg team prepares for the tip-off.

Photo by Justin Runquist

“The coolest moment was when our team ran onto the court. The energy of the team and the purple-clad fans who were lucky enough to be courtside was amazing,” said John Oommen ’12. Team co-captain Elliott Linsley ’12 said he was thrilled to see Bulls player Taj Gibson and former Bulls player Scottie Pippen just before the game. “I felt like we were eighth graders playing in a high-school game,” Linsley said.

Nearly 400 Kellogg students traveled to the United Center to watch the game, and were joined by several hundred more from Booth. “It is absolutely a great opportunity for students from both schools to interact,” Ooman said.

Afterward, the students stayed to watch the Bulls defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 107-100.
 

Hundreds of Kellogg students turned out to cheer for the team in purple.

Photo by Justin Runquist