Baseball Hall Of Famer Pat Shannon ’03 Rings the Big Bell on Wall Street

CNBC Closing Bell Hosts join Pat Shannon '03 (middle) at Nasdaq in Times Square

Posted: Dec 07, 2018

By: Director of Athletic Communications and Public Relations Kevin Ruple

BEREA, Ohio – Baldwin Wallace University Alumni Athletic Association Hall of Famer Pat Shannon '03 had the honor of "Ringing the Bell" for Nasdaq on Wall Street in New York City while representing his clients and Legg Mason Global Asset Management for his financial firm Ameriprise Financial. It isn't the only big hit that the former Yellow Jacket baseball student-athlete has had in his career.

Today, Shannon serves as a Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor at Ameriprise. He began his career as a financial advisor with American Express following graduation in the spring of 2003.

"I do separately managed accounts and mutual funds with Legg Mason as part of asset allocations for my client's goals," said Shannon, who came to BW from Madison, Connecticut. "Legg Mason invited me to attend bell ringing on Nasdaq as they listed a new exchange traded fixed income fund.

"Our day started on top floor of New York Times building, the 13th largest building in the United States," said Shannon. "We met with lead manager for one of the largest bond funds in world. We discussed the current economic status of world and U.S. with our focus on bond market. The room was full with advisors from all over the World, and it was truly an honor to be invited. After the presentation, we went to Wall Street to Ring the Bell on CNBC.

"It was really cool to see ourselves on the Jumbotron in Times Square," said Shannon. "The day closed with a social gathering that gave us the opportunity to meet the CNBC personalities and some of the top individuals from Legg Mason."

While at BW, Shannon ended his career as BW's most prolific hitter. He was a scholar-athlete who set school records for career homeruns (34) and single-season homers (16) and had a .387 career batting average. Shannon was BW's "Big Stick" Award-winner three times. The Big Stick Award is symbolic of BW's Best Hitter Award. The three-time Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference and CoSIDA Academic All-District selection majored in business administration.

His 16 homers led the Ohio Athletic Conference and was third-best in NCAA Division III. The four-year letterman was BW's 2003 Kenneth Steingass/ Most Outstanding Senior Male Athlete and a two-time BW Baseball "Big Stick Award" winner. Shannon also was a three-time All-OAC, three-time Academic All-OAC, three-time Verizon Academic All-District and two-time Rawlings/ Division III Coaches Association All-Mideast Region pick.

But it was the big hit he had with BW's Division of Business Administration that Shannon credits for his current success.

"My career path in business began during my sophomore year at BW," said Shannon. "I was getting good grades in finance courses and my professors noticed I enjoyed communicating with people. My professors helped me obtain a number of "shadowing" opportunities. That experience led to me enjoying being a financial advisor.

"I just love my career choice," stated Shannon. "BW, which was a good distance from my hometown (557 miles to Madison, Conn.), was definitely one of best choices I ever made in my life. From the professors in my academic discipline to legendary baseball coach Bob Fisher '63, the people at BW were what made the difference. It has helped me create many successes.

"When you speak with some people, they tell you that their college career was just okay," said Shannon. "My BW experience was simply outstanding from the academics to the athletics. I already had a job secured before the final semester of my senior year, and they [BW professors and its Career Services Department] helped me make it happen."

Shannon and his wife, Colby, have a son, Carter, and a daughter, Kenison.