Meet Vassilis Dalakas | Professor of Marketing

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vassilis Dalakas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vassilis, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
It is from the movie Jerry Maguire, one of the tips of advice by his mentor: “If this [heart] is empty… this [head] doesn’t matter.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwYfVVJN3ko)

This is especially relevant in my case as an educator. Being a professor at Cal State San Marcos as well as at the SDSU Sports MBA Program, obviously a big part of my role is to “fill” my students’ minds with knowledge. But it is important to remember the significance of a full heart also. Knowledge without passion and without compassion does not matter.

Alright, so let’s move onto your work, what do you love about it?
The greatest thing about my work is the ability to have a positive impact on my students. As I think over the past thirty years of my teaching, I am excited about meeting great students and playing a role in their accomplishments. Seeing your students do well and have an impact through what they do is the biggest reward for a professor. I am especially delighted that I am still in touch with so many of my former students and I get to see their progress and celebrate their successes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, as a sports fan, I’d definitely include watching a Wave game at Snapdragon and a Padres game at Petco Park. Fun atmosphere, exciting players, and enjoying the beautiful San Diego weather while hanging with friends and watching the games.

Of course, for an out-of-town visitor, also going to the beach and having some good burritos while here is a must. And frankly, plenty of great options to choose from in both cases. A stop by Old Town is also a must as I feel it captures nicely the vibe of San Diego.

A personal, as well as family, favorite is Stone Bistro and Gardens in Escondido, which we have always enjoyed and do indeed take out-of-town visitors to.

Lastly, watching a performance at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is a truly unique San Diego experience and definitely worth including in the itinerary.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am thankful to my parents for always being excited about and celebrating my successes and for always cheering me on, to this day.

Professionally, I owe a big shoutout to Dr. Richard Olshavsky, a professor at Indiana University where I was doing my Master’s. At the time I was 23 years old, still trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my career. He was a wonderful mentor who was instrumental in building my confidence and helping me getting accepted at doctoral programs and subsequently earning my PhD and becoming a professor.

Website: https://www.csusm.edu/coba/about/meet-our-faculty/dalakas.html

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vassilisdalakas/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrSportBusiness