Matt “The Young Professor” Graifer, the Savannah Bananas’ in-game host and “Chief Potassium Enthusiast,” delivers his keynote “F.U.N. Always Wins” at Ferris State University’s Arts and Lectures Series.

The event, which is open to the public, is planned for 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the David L. Eisler Center, 805 Campus Drive.

“I’m really excited to bring this message to everybody over at Ferris State,” Graifer said.

The Savannah Bananas are a high-energy, barnstorming exhibition baseball team based in Savannah, Georgia, often referred to as the "Harlem Globetrotters of baseball.” Founded in 2016 by Jesse and Emily Cole, the team has grown into a viral sensation known for transforming America's pastime into a theatrical, music-filled spectacle.

Graifer said the talk breaks F.U.N. into three action steps and builds on the second half of the Bananas’ slogan: “Fans First, Entertain Always.”

“I take fun very seriously,” he said. “I’m going to show people why breaking the formula at least a little bit … can actually give you more tangible benefits in your life as either an individual or as a manager, a boss, or as an owner.”

Graifer built that philosophy in a classroom. At 25, he taught exercise science to working adults in five-hour night classes.

“I found out quickly that keeping my students entertained, keeping them engaged, served me,” he said. “Students who pay more attention and are more engaged learn more. Students who learn more pass the classes. Students who pass their classes graduate.”

He began hosting bar trivia in 2015, where he first called himself “The Young Professor.” The Bananas brought him on in 2022. He also serves as cast director for the Banana Ball Championship League, managing the performers who entertain fans throughout the ballpark.

“Talking to this group is going to be great because it’s a mixed group,” Graifer said. “There’s going to be students, faculty, and community members. Everything in this talk that I give, in ‘F.U.N. Always Wins,’ is something for every one of those people.”

Ferris State professor Scot Squires suggested Graifer, said Glen Okonoski, who chairs the series committee and Ferris State’s School of Digital Media. Okonoski said the committee backed the choice because “the Savannah Bananas are certainly topical, fun, and relevant.”

“We think students, faculty, staff, and community members will find the topic interesting,” he said.

The Arts and Lectures Series, a subcommittee of the Academic Senate, brings speakers to campus with funding from the provost’s office. CeCe Moore, known as “The DNA Detective,” opened this year’s series Sept. 30. Todd Cohen’s “Everyone’s in Sales” program closes it March 24-25.

Anyone who needs accommodation should call Arts and Lectures at 231-591-3626 at least 72 hours in advance.

_{Photo credit to the Savanah Bananas organization.}