Real Humans of the Texas McCombs MBA Class of 2027

Mark Appel, Texas McCombs MBA Class of 2027

Age: 34
Hometown: Houston, TX
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Stanford, Management Science & Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Pitcher, Professional Baseball, Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros, 11 years

Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
As a former professional athlete, I knew that “living the dream” would eventually come to an end. For me, the end came after my 4th surgery in 2023. Over the next 18 months, I caught up on missed time with family (including meeting my newborn niece, Lily), spent time networking, and began exploring what opportunities existed for a career athlete. Now that baseball was over, what would I do next? 

Business school eventually became a pursuit of mine due to my innate curiosity and desire to affect positive change in the world. I saw my MBA as an opportunity to learn how to apply my unique skillset from my baseball experience to a business context. So far, it has been everything I hoped it would be (and more)!

Why did you choose Texas McCombs? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
McCombs was the best choice for me for several reasons. From my first tour with second-year students (at the time) to now being over halfway through my first semester, I could sense a great commitment to community and collaboration, both values that I hold very high. Every student, professor and member of the administrative team has offered their help, support, and encouragement as I am making a large career pivot. A rising tide lifts all boats, and the tide is rising fast at McCombs.

Also, I would be lying if my parents didn’t have some influence in this decision. They are both Longhorn alumni, having met during their undergrad years in the 80s. You could say that I grew up bleeding burnt orange, so it is only fitting that I eventually found myself studying at Texas. 

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
My experience in sports has given me an incredibly unique perspective on the leading high-performing teams, on goal setting, and on having discipline to persevere in the face of uncertainty. At various points in my career, I was a team captain and leader. And other times, I was simply a role player, tasked with a specific job. In both places, I learned that leadership doesn’t depend on your role or experience, but in your effort and attitude. I often feel like an imposter since it has been almost 15 years since I sat in a classroom. Yet, I believe my presence positively impacts my classmates by example of hard work and discipline.

My baseball career was a roller coaster. I was the first overall draft pick in 2013, was retired by 2018, came out of retirement in 2021, and made my MLB debut in 2022 (going to the World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies). Dealing with uncertainty was the hallmark of my career. There are things you learn in books and things you learn in the arena. During these two years, I hope to contribute these scars to my classmates, reminding them to keep moving forward, to keep showing up and being consistent, and to keep the faith.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I was a mathlete in middle school and won a state math championship in 6th grade.

Post-MBA career interests:
Currently, I am interested in a wide swath of jobs and industries, but my curiosity is drawing me to consulting, sports and entertainment, or entrepreneurship (startup or through acquisition).

Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I visited campus for a tour and spoke to current students before I applied. After seeing how beautiful Rowling Hall is and how kind the students are, applying was an easy decision.

–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wish I could’ve had more time to apply. Due to life circumstances, I decided to pursue my MBA 2 weeks before Round 2 applications were due. I wish I had a bit more time to really enjoy the process and to massage my essays a few more times before finally submitting (fortunately, they weren’t so bad that I got rejected!!)

What is your initial impression of the Texas McCombs students/culture/community?
Texas McCombs markets itself as a collaborative culture and I think the admission team (including current 2nd-year students) does a great job of finding positive sum people. So far, I feel like I have found lifelong friends, future business partners, and a strong network of people I can rely on (and vice versa).

What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I joined McCombs Christian Fellowship (MCF), Graduate Consulting Group (GCG), ETA Club (ETA), and was recently selected to be an inaugural member of the Business of Sports Fellowship (BOS). I also joined a foodie club and a few fitness clubs.

Each of these organizations has rounded out my experience so far:

• MCF connects me with faith-driven students who are aligned with the belief that our work is a way to honor God and to love others. Community here has been a huge encouragement.
• GCG is a must for those even thinking about consulting. I am currently pursuing consulting internships next summer and GCG is preparing me for the case interviews that will be a part of that process.
• ETA came on my radar after a teammate from my Stanford baseball days bought a plumbing business in San Diego after he finished his MBA at Haas in Berkeley. His work/life balance seems great and I’m sure he is making good money to grow the business and provide for his family.
• Lastly, BOS Fellowship is a new 3-credit fellowship at McCombs. The University of Texas has a track record of being a leader in college athletics and developing leaders that influence all spheres of our culture, especially the sports world. This will provide me with hands-on experience as I apply my experience to the sports world in a business context.

What is one thing you have learned about Texas McCombs that has surprised you?
I can’t say quite enough about how excited I am about the Business of Sports Fellowship. When I learned about this earlier in the fall, I was floored at the star and brain power that makes up the Board of Advisors for the Business of Sports Institute and this fellowship. From Hall of Fame athletes like Kevin Durant and Chris Bosh, to private equity legends like Todd Boehly and Lee Solomon, to the CEO of FanDuel, and many more. The fact that any organization can assemble a board like this one is super impressive, even for a world class institution like Texas McCombs.

What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Since I have already sang the praises of Business of Sports @ McCombs, I will be a bit more personal with this one. Already, my classmates have impressed me greatly! What excites me most is honestly the simple day-in and day-out showing up and continuing to build these relationships!