Anthony Rossi

Current Position: Marketing Manager for Workspace Property Trust

Story Last Updated: Summer 2024

How Best Buddies Changed my Life

When I was accepted into GMercyU, I was excited to meet so many new people and have the experience of a lifetime. I thought about potentially joining an athletics team, attending dances, and even the possibility of becoming a resident on campus.

As time went by, I found myself working part-time and commuting five days a week to campus from Northeast Philadelphia. It was tough at first to meet new people when you don’t physically live on campus and hang out with the same students on a daily basis. I knew the best way to meet more people and get involved was to join a club.

Fortunately, my close friend Dana introduced me to the Best Buddies program. Best Buddies is a non-profit organization, dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

As a newcomer to the group I didn’t know what to expect, but was anxiously waiting to be paired up with a buddy. The events we participated in ranged from arts and crafts, to talent shows or even a Halloween party. It culminates with the “Best Buddies Ball” at the end of the year.

I didn’t know it at the time, but I would make a special connection with a boy named Damon. He loved to sing, dance and wasn’t afraid of trying anything new.

I remember a time when we had a talent show and he sang for it and ended up winning – I was so proud of him. At the end of my first year I fell in love with the program and the people associated with it. We all became great friends and just to see the faces of the buddies during events is simply priceless.

Career Path

While in school, I was incredibly lucky to land an internship with Comcast SportsNet, a dream job for a diehard Philly sports fan like myself. During my time there I organized photoshoots with the Philadelphia Flyers, watched Allen Iverson's NBA retirement in person, and worked in the field with fans to raise engagement and awareness of our local teams. 

After completing my internship with Comcast SportsNet, I went on to intern and work full-time for the Philadelphia 76ers in the marketing department and the organization's basketball camps. I was fortunate to work on some very special projects including, running the first college ambassador program to increase ticket sales; supervising college students at every home game with fan engagement and signage; working with players and kids at the basketball camps and more. I absolutely loved my time there! You can still catch me down in South Philly for a gem or two throughout the season praying for a championship. 

While working for the 76ers, I secured my first real corporate position as Marketing Coordinator at LEGOLAND. Working at LEGO has always been a dream of mind, as I shared this passion with my late grandfather and mother growing up as a kid. I was with LEGO for about five years, working my way up to the sole person running all marketing initiatives in Pennsylvania as the Marketing Manage. During my tenure I secured partnerships with Six Flags, Ronald McDonald House, Make A Wish Philadelphia, Sesame Place, The Elmwood Park Zoo, Adventure Aquarium, and many more. I handled all public relations and television interviews for my site in Plymouth Meeting; group, school, and birthday sales; ticket strategy; customer service; and was even the Charity Champion for my location. Feel free to check out my LinkedIn for video interviews and details on special news jacking opportunities we did!

Fast forward to 2024 and I am currently working as the Marketing Manager for Workspace Property Trust in Horsham, Pa. I handle marketing for our Pennsylvania markets and assist with our entire portfolio all over the United States and I love it. 

Post-GMercyU

Since graduating from GMercyU in 2014, I was lucky enough to marry my best friend Dana, a fellow Griffin, bought my first home in Blue Bell, became a cat dad, met Nicki Minaj and Lebron James, traveled all over and have been involved in some of the coolest projects one could ever dream of.