Interview

Alumni Q&A: Jared Effron ’07

Co-Founder and President of The Program NYC

WHAT WAS YOUR ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE LIKE AT RIVERDALE? 

I first went to The Town School, which was a wonderful experience – I was a big fish in a small pond. Riverdale certainly flipped that on its head when I got there. I learned very quickly that life as I had known it was going to be different. 

I struggled academically my freshman year but I loved it socially and athletically. I knew RCS was going to be a challenge but I wanted nothing more than to figure it out. Additionally, I had undiagnosed ADHD and I was used to just skating by on smarts at a much less rigorous school. Thankfully, my mom was introduced to a tutor who really saved my life. As I progressed through high school, both he and my teachers taught me how to turn my deficits into strengths. I learned how to study, I learned time management, and most importantly I learned perseverance. I could have given up but I loved everything about being a Riverdalian and I wasn’t going to let my deficiencies get in the way. 

WERE YOU ALWAYS INVOLVED IN SPORTS? 

I tried to experience everything Riverdale had to offer. Believe it or not I was in debate club and I was in the musical, which was so fun. I cannot sing a lick! I gave Riverdale everything I had. Athletically, I am most proud of my Varsity Soccer experience, which I made as a freshman. After two years of falling short in the state finals, we finally won the championship my senior year with my best friends by my side. I played golf, I ran track, and of course basketball. I bled maroon really early on! 

After Riverdale I went to UPenn. I was on my way to working in finance and one day while watching ESPN I thought, “What am I doing? This is what I want to do.” 

I ended up getting an internship with the Miami Dolphins right out of college. I sat my dad down and said, “I don’t think I’m going to do what you do.” Luckily, my parents were incredibly supportive and empowered me to chase my dreams. 

WHAT WAS YOUR PATH AFTER COLLEGE? 

After working in Miami, I moved back to New York for a stint in hospitality and then real estate. I was doing different things that seemed productive but I felt like I still hadn’t found my calling. Then I landed a role in the sports ticketing world which felt more like me and was a valuable experience and a stepping-stone to founding The Program NYC. 

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND FOUNDING YOUR COMPANY, THE PROGRAM NYC? 

Four years ago, I was looking for my next thing, and I reconnected with a friend around our belief that there was still a big hole in the market in the basketball space. 

For a city that claims to be the mecca of basketball there is very limited gym space that’s usable for kids. Either you have to belong to a team or a gym, or you have to know someone with a court. 

We felt we should have a more accessible facility and we also felt like the development of talent had really taken a back seat from the early 2000s from when we were growing up. 

We ended up with this beautiful facility in Greenpoint. It’s really just a training membership model. We want to be a place where if you want to get better at basketball, whether you’re a beginner or a superstar, we’ll have something for you. 

We knew that if we could get the gym built we would have the demand. We opened our doors September 1st and we had 200 sign-ups within 60 days! 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE PURSUING THEIR CAREER? 

You can’t replace waking up getting out of bed and being excited. Money is nice but happiness is forever. No matter what walk of life you come from, if you’re not happy you’re ultimately not going to be fulfilled. Not many people get to say they love what they do, but at least try to do something you are passionate about. 

Wake up ready to grind and do something that’s going to make you feel good at the end of the day. That’s got to be part of the routine.