OU Students Wins $1,000 in United Shore Shot

Oakland University student Jason Markovski knew he’d see a great basketball game last Saturday at the Palace of Auburn Hills. He also knew the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies had the players to take on the Michigan State Spartans.

What he didn’t know, however, is that he would leave the Palace $1,000 richer.

United Shore Financial Services – a fast-growing 50-state residential lender in Troy – presented the “United Shore Shot” during a first half timeout. For the contest, one Spartan fan and one Grizzlies fan were escorted to opposing free throw lines with a rack of 10 basketballs waiting. With 30 seconds to shoot, the maker of the most shots won $1,000.

USFS President and CEO Mat Ishbia issued the winner’s check that was presented immediately after the contest. Ishbia graduated from MSU in 2002 and played for the varsity basketball team earning All-Big Ten academic honors three times. In addition, he served under MSU Coach Tom Izzo as a student assistant for a year. Further back, Ishbia played high school basketball at Seaholm High School in Birmingham and attended basketball camps run by OU Grizzlies Head Coach Greg Kampe.

As President and CEO of USFS, Ishbia runs one of the largest, fastest growing independent mortgage lenders in the United States. It operates three brands: United Wholesale Mortgage, Shore Mortgage and Capital Mortgage Funding. United Wholesale Mortgage is the fourth largest wholesale mortgage lender in the country, while Shore Mortgage is a nationally known, direct-to-consumer 50-state mortgage lender. Capital Mortgage Funding is a leading mortgage lender in southeastern Michigan. Together, the company employs more than 1,200 team members and originates loans in all 50 states.

“I’m feeling great, that was an awesome experience,” said Markovski right after the shot. “I have to share the money with some friends … and I have to buy some Christmas gifts.”

After trailing at halftime, MSU won the basketball game 67-63.