Millions of Americans participate in fantasy sports, whereby the average Joe can act as the general manager of a self-drafted team of pro athletes.
For Penn alumnus Ed Stefanski, this dream job is a reality. He is currently senior vice president of basketball operations for the New Jersey Nets.
His major responsibilities are related to player personnel and scouting. He assists Nets President Rod Thorn in selecting draft picks, making trades and signing players.
Stefanski has a long history of involvement in sports. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he played for Penn's nationally ranked basketball team from 1973 to 1976.
While a humble Stefanski claims to have just been "on the team," his contributions impressed the Philadelphia 76ers enough to draft him in the 10th round of the NBA Draft.
Stefanski fondly remembers his days playing in the Big 5.
"We had a Hall of Fame coach in Chuck Daly," he said. "The Big 5 was more intense back when I played.
"The Palestra was an amazing atmosphere to play in."
But Stefanski admits that not much has really changed since his playing days.
"I have great memories of playing Princeton," he said. "It almost always came down to Penn versus Princeton for the championship. So really, it's not much different from the way it is today."
While he graduated nearly 30 years ago, Stefanski has maintained strong connections with Penn Athletics. His son Kevin is a defensive back on the Penn football team. While injuries sidelined him for the majority of last season, he will return to the Quakers next season as a fifth-year senior.
"I go and watch [the Penn football team] play as much as I can," the Nets executive said. "I love Penn, and I walk through campus whenever I get a chance."
Stefanski is also very close friends with Penn men's basketball coach Fran Dunphy.
Following his graduation from Penn, Stefanski used his Wharton degree to secure a position in a mortgage banking firm, of which he later became president.
Meanwhile, Stefanski remained involved in basketball as a color analyst for the Big 5 and regional basketball. He also coached Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, Pa.
He remained with the banking firm until 1998, when the Nets fired then-coach and general manager John Calipari and hired John Nash, a lifelong friend of Stefanski.
Then, just as his banking firm was sold, Stefanski received a call from Nash, who wanted to add his old friend to the Nets organization.
For Stefanski, it was an easy decision to make.
"It was perfect timing," he said. "At the age of 45, to be able to switch jobs and pursue a real passion of mine, I'm a real fortunate guy."
The Nets were lucky to have secured Stefanski as well. Since his arrival, the Nets have added consistent All-NBA point guard Jason Kidd, traded for up-and-coming star Richard Jefferson and garnered back-to-back Eastern Conference championships in 2002 and 2003.
While the Kidd acquisition was certainly the biggest pickup during Stefanski's regime, the Nets' draft-day trade in 2001 for Jefferson has proved to be equally impressive.
The Nets sent their seventh overall pick, Eddie Griffin, to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jefferson -- the 13th overall pick -- as well as current Nets starting center Jason Collins and Brandon Armstrong.
Both Jefferson and Collins have been starters on the Nets for the last two seasons, while Griffin's off-the-court problems led the Rockets to waive him on Dec. 19, 2003.
Because of Stefanski's success with the Nets, it was rumored that the Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Wizards were interested in luring him into working for their respective organizations.
But Stefanski stayed true to his ties and opted to stay with the Nets.
New Jersey made national headlines this season after interim coach Lawrence Frank began his tenure with 13 consecutive victories. Recently, it was announced that New Jersey would keep Frank for next season.
But Stefanski remains focused on the Nets' more immediate goals: the 2004 playoffs.
"We didn't want to make a big deal out of" signing Frank," Stefanski said. "We're focused on the playoffs."
It is that focused, winning attitude that has propelled Stefanski to such great success as a player at Penn, a high school coach and now as an executive with the Nets.
