Skip to main content
Trustees and Presidents: A Podcast for Senior Campus Leaders On College Athletics

Trustees and Presidents: A Podcast for Senior Campus Leaders On College Athletics

By Dr. Karen Weaver

Hosted by Karen Weaver, EdD, she interviews key leaders, stakeholders and those impacting the business of college sports and higher education. From Division I to Divisions II and III, senior campus leaders now have a chance to learn about the challenges nearly every institution is facing post-pandemic. Today, athletics plays an even more crucial role in enrollment, retention, alumni donations, campus spirit, housing and dining, and marketing

This podcast provides higher education leaders a chance to dive into the current issues with experts.

linktr.ee/DrKarenWeaver

Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Division III Transformation and Change Ahead-A Conversation With Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano

Trustees and Presidents: A Podcast for Senior Campus Leaders On College AthleticsJul 31, 2022

00:00
35:15
College Athlete Healthcare: Standards, Challenges and the Path Forward

College Athlete Healthcare: Standards, Challenges and the Path Forward

Joining me for the conversation today is the Big Ten Conference’s Chief Medical Officer, Jim Borchers.

Jim is the former Ohio State team physician and current president of the US Council for Athlete Health. We discuss the growing challenges facing athletic healthcare professionals, including burnout among athletic trainers, pressures from coaches and parents, need for independent medical authority, and advice for college presidents to prioritize athlete health and safety. Today, more than ever, this is an important conversation for campus leaders to hear.

Mar 24, 202435:17
The Challenge of Navigating the Transfer Portal

The Challenge of Navigating the Transfer Portal

Val Ackerman, Commissioner of the Big East Conference joins the podcast for a wide-ranging discussion on the substantial changes in college athletics, particularly as they impact schools that do not play big-time football. Called basketball-centric schools, they have to navigate the transfer portal, NIL, conference realignment and other tidal waves at a time where their primary revenue source is success in March—March Madness.

Mar 14, 202423:47
A Basketball-Centric University Focuses On Transparency and Culture To Survive

A Basketball-Centric University Focuses On Transparency and Culture To Survive

Today I’m joined by Jill Bodensteiner, the Vice President and Director of Athletics at Saint Joseph’s University. Jill is a member of several key NCAA DI Committees imagining the future of college athletics. Ironically, it was 20 years ago this month that the St. Joe’s men’s basketball team was at the top of the world. Undefeated and ranked #1 in the nation, the team brought excitement to campus that only a few schools get to experience. Today, the realignment winds have blown through NCAA sports, and St. Joe’s has had to recalibrate around culture and transparency.

 

Bodensteiner discusses the challenge of managing rosters and team culture in a transfer friendly environment, the battle to keep athletes from being employees and union members, and the overall challenges facing higher education today.

Mar 06, 202434:37
The Streaming World Has Come To Divisions II and III-How’s It Going?

The Streaming World Has Come To Divisions II and III-How’s It Going?

On today’s podcast, we discuss the opportunities and challenges in streaming hundreds of live events from Division II and III campuses. The money is nowhere near the millions pouring in to some Division I programs, so the question becomes what makes it worth the significant effort?

 

My guests today are Steve Ulrich, a pioneer in media and tech usage when he was the long time commissioner of the Centennial Conference; Katie Boldvich, the commissioner of the Landmark Conference, the first to partner with Flo Sports (who is jumping into the space with both feet), and Ryan Scott from d3hoops.com, who has chronicled the workload increases being made on athletic communications professionals on these campuses.

 

Thinking about streaming? Take a listen to these experts!

Mar 01, 202445:33
Employment, Collective Bargaining and Title IX-Views From Capitol Hill and Campus

Employment, Collective Bargaining and Title IX-Views From Capitol Hill and Campus

My guests today are two national leaders in the college athlete’s rights space. Congresswoman Lori Trahan from Massachusetts has been an outspoken advocate for college sports reform and for strengthening Title IX compliance. Chase Griffin, UCLA Quarterback and National NIL Athlete of the Year, recently appeared at a Congressional hearing and spoke of the synergies NIL opportunities have with the purpose of higher education. 

 Three important takeaways for presidents came from this conversation:

1.    Open direct lines of communication with student athletes to understand their perspectives and needs. As Chase Griffin emphasized, presidents should not rely solely on athletic directors or coaches to represent athlete views. 

2.    Prioritize Title IX compliance and closing loopholes that disadvantage women's sports. Strengthening Title IX enforcement is an urgent need that presidents have power to address now.

3.    Prepare for coming changes like NIL rights and revenue sharing that will further empower student athletes. Presidents should engage positively with these changes rather than resist them, as the athletes themselves are driving this progress.

Feb 21, 202442:34
Where does the college presidency go from here?

Where does the college presidency go from here?

On the podcast, we welcome back Dr. Holden Thorp, Editor in Chief of Science, and Professor of Chemistry and Medicine at George Washington University. Holden has closely followed the challenges the Atlantic Coast Conference faces. With Florida State in open revolt and trying to leave the ACC as soon as they can, to the internal political battles that loom over any moves by North Carolina, North Carolina State and Duke, and what the future holds for this venerable athletic conference.

 

Holden asks the fundamental question that many are beginning to wonder-can college presidents really manage what athletics has become? Should the elite programs separate from the university? As the former chancellor at UNC-Chapel Hill, he brings a deep insight into the conversation.

Feb 20, 202443:54
What College Athletes Should Know About Wealth and Equity: A Conversation with Michael B. Jordan

What College Athletes Should Know About Wealth and Equity: A Conversation with Michael B. Jordan

Deep inside the Prudential Center, the home of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, thirty-seven-year-old Michael B. Jordan was shuffling a deck of cards. You’re a card player, I asked? He said, yes, and he listed a few games, some of which I’ve heard of, some not. He seemed at ease. He had just done a pre-recorded hit for NBC’s the Today Show, and was about to do an interview with me.

Named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2014 for Hollywood and Entertainment, Jordan has since added to his impressive list of accomplishments major leading roles in three movies, “Black Panther”, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, and “Creed”. His net worth is pegged at $25 million. Now he wants to climb to the top of the sports world. I asked him what his ultimate goal was. With a serious look, he said, “I want to own an NBA franchise”.

Jordan knows what equity and wealth have meant to him. Now it was time to share that insight with others who grew up like him.

Just before the launch of the two day Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic, a showcase tournament for four HBCU men’s basketball teams in Newark, NJ, I was invited to exclusively interview Michael for Forbes.com. Over the 30 minutes we spent together, Michael shared wisdom and insight that is valuable to everyone, but in particular, college athletes trying to navigate the great financial potential of name, images and likeness.

 

Here is my conversation, recorded February 2, 2024. You can learn more about the Legacy Classic and that historic weekend in my piece for Forbes.

Feb 05, 202431:49
Innovation Districts Drive New Revenues To College Districts: Could They Do The Same For NIL?

Innovation Districts Drive New Revenues To College Districts: Could They Do The Same For NIL?

An emerging trend on larger college campuses is the creation of innovation districts. Typically located adjacent to the campus (or in the case of colleges with multiple campuses, the main location), these ecosystems involve businesses, residential and entertainment/sports options, creating a “24 hour a day” energy to an otherwise sleepy part of town. The upside of this trend is obvious to real estate businesses; increasingly, colleges are realizing the potential these have to create a new campus spirit.

 

My guest today is Erik Williams, the Real Estate Practice Chair at Saul Ewing LLP. Erik has extensive experience in this industry and is based in Philadelphia, an emerging hub in innovation districts. We also discuss the potential for using this financial vehicle to further energize NIL possibilities for college athletes.

 

 

Jan 31, 202431:20
Finding the Right Help at the Right Time: Unleashing the Power of Real Response

Finding the Right Help at the Right Time: Unleashing the Power of Real Response

The worlds of higher education and college athletics are changing so fast, it's dizzying. Those who work in the industry are hit with change seemingly every day.  How are your students, faculty, coaches and others handling all the challenges in their world?

 

Enter Real Response. Originally a tool for college athletes to speak up and share their experiences with athletic administrators has evolved into a multi purposed, multi faceted way used to solve problems facing college campuses today (and not just in athletics).

 

Leveraging the comfort that Gen Z has with texting on their phones, Real Response provides a way to give instant feedback on support staff, athletic training, strength and conditioning, to more complex, difficult to talk about areas like sexual assault, guns in the locker rooms and inappropriate relationships. The end result may mean that administrators get to hear about these issues much earlier in the process, get them the help they need more quickly, and hopefully changing the behavior sooner.

 

I’m joined today by David Chadwick and Samantha Huge. David is the CEO of Real Response and Samantha is the EVP of Collegiate Athletics. Both bring important information to the table that allows presidents and leaders to learn about tools available to them to assess constituent feedback and get ahead of potentially serious issues.

 

Jan 15, 202437:12
Hey, College Leaders-Sports Betting is Thriving On Your Campus

Hey, College Leaders-Sports Betting is Thriving On Your Campus

You've likely heard the old adage, "I'm shocked-there's gambling in this establishment?". While it is an old movie line, it applies to today's college campus. College students (and others) are betting on sports on their phones, hourly, daily and sometimes, more often. 

With sports betting now legal in over 35 states, college presidents and campus leaders must address the explosion of this new form of entertainment now, both from a mental and emotional health perspective AND because some may be betting on your own teams and players. It doesn't matter what Division or sport-if the game is being played, there is likely someone wagering on it.

A longtime newspaper reporter and editor, David Purdum began covering the sports betting industry in 2008. He chronicled the nearly 10-year legal battle that led to sports betting expansion after a ruling from the United States Supreme Court in May 2018. A husband and father, who coaches competitive youth soccer in his free time, Purdum is now in his ninth year with ESPN. 


Nov 20, 202328:30
The New World of Broadcast NIL

The New World of Broadcast NIL

For the past 20 years, it seems as if wherever there’s been a sports law story involving athlete rights, Michael McCann has been near the epicenter of it. Whether it was as a member of former Ohio State player Maurice Clarett’s legal team in the groundbreaking Clarett v NFL, case; co-authoring a book with Ed O’Bannon, the former UCLA men’s basketball player who found his likeness had been sold off by the NCAA to EA Sports for a college basketball video game, or writing for Sports Illustrated or Sportico, Michael McCann has been both in the trenches and writing about them.


Michael McCann is a Visiting Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and Founding Director of the Sports and Entertainment Law Institute at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, where he is also Professor of Law.


Our conversation centers around recent key developments in Johnson v NCAA, including the decision by the judge to certify class action status for all Power 5 athletes with regards to BNIL; the new ability for the NLRB to certify joint employer status in cases beginning later this year; Dartmouth’s MBB unionization appeal as we begin the basketball season,  and his stark predictions for the future of college sports.

Nov 07, 202341:15
The Hazing and Abuse Must Stop-Why Do College Leaders Struggle To Stop This?
Nov 07, 202335:33
Upending College Sports Amateurism: Two Experts Weigh In On the Future For College Athletes

Upending College Sports Amateurism: Two Experts Weigh In On the Future For College Athletes

When it comes to the "old definition of amateurism", the NCAA is under legal assault on at least 3 different fronts. 

Our podcast conversation today focuses on three pending legal cases involving athletes as employees-Dartmouth’s men’s basketball team attempting to unionize; Johnson v NCAA, with the plaintiffs arguing athletes should be treated as employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act; and the NLRB upcoming hearings probing whether USC, the Pac-12 and the NCAA are treating athletes as they would an employee.

A prominent journalist and a legal scholar join me today to talk about the 3 cases moving their way through the political and legal systems involving athletes as employees. 

Sam C. Ehrlich, JD/PhD is an assistant professor of legal studies at Boise State University. Sam’s research focuses on the legal governance of sports leagues, specifically through sport-specific antitrust exemptions, athlete fairness in collective bargaining and employment, and tort and constitutional liability for overseeing athletic organizations.

Amanda Christovich is a reporter at Front Office Sports based in New York City covering the business of college sports. Her work has previously appeared in USA TODAY and The Wall Street Journal. She plans to be in the NLRB hearing covering the arguments in December 2023.

All three cases are moving ahead in an environment where the NCAA is also putting great pressure on Congress to decide the definition of amateurism in college athletics in a post-Alston world. These cases could fundamentally alter college athletics. Let’s get started.

Nov 01, 202354:49
We Started With The Premise-"We Shouldn't Do This"-But They Did: West Georgia Moves to DI

We Started With The Premise-"We Shouldn't Do This"-But They Did: West Georgia Moves to DI

Kicking off the fifth season of this podcast, West Georgia President ⁠Brendan Kelly⁠ takes us inside the decision to move their  athletics program from Division II, where they were highly successful, especially in football,  to Division I.

Kelly began his tenure in March 2020, as the campus (and most of the world) closed down for the pandemic. 3+ years later, he and his team took a deeper look at where the institution is coming out of a disruptive event. With his former conference changing members, he began conversations with the ASUN about joining them. Their response? "We'd love to have you."

Kelly said "This is not just an elevation of UWG Athletics. It raises the expectations – and visibility – of our institution as a whole."

⁠We are One website⁠


Oct 25, 202348:48
UCLA QB Chase Griffin Knows His Values in Life-- and in the NIL Space

UCLA QB Chase Griffin Knows His Values in Life-- and in the NIL Space

Chase Griffin, a UCLA quarterback heading for his third year in 2023, has a boatload of great insight and advice for senior campus leaders about how NIL really works. In this conversation, he tells us his perspective and shares how he brings his personal mission and beliefs into his work on and off the field. Since 2019, he has earned a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and is on track to earn his second master's degree before he completes his football eligibility.

Griffin is also involved in charitable NIL endeavors, including the L.A. Food Bank. He understands deeply the challenges food insecurity brings to a campus and its surrounding areas. Chase is also an active contributor to Senator Chris Murphy and Representative Lori Trahan's most recent NIL bill, submitted for consideration at the end of July.

In the release from Murphy's office, Griffin said: "For the past two years NIL has enabled college athletes, like me, to become small business owners, taxpayers, support the families that raised us, contribute to charities, and re-invest in the communities that we represent. My lived experience with NIL is why I wholeheartedly support Senator Murphy, Congresswoman Trahan, and the College Athlete Economic Freedom Act. This legislation codifies our NIL rights, preserves the economic progress that we have already made, and aligns the United States Congress with college athletes on the right side of history."

This is a must-listen podcast to understand an insider's perspective on what the future holds for big-time college athletes.

Aug 02, 202332:03
Building a More Resilient University: Embracing New Ideas and Strategies

Building a More Resilient University: Embracing New Ideas and Strategies

How can colleges and universities creatively leverage new trends in finance? Technology? Real Estate? NIL? This conversation provides valuable Insight from long-time higher ed consultants: Baker Tilly's Adrienne Larmett and Dave Capitano. We discuss mergers/acquisitions, reimagining too much or too little housing space on campus, should private equity and NIL deals include private off-campus housing for college athletes, and other emerging ideas.

Dave and Adrienne have worked alongside NCAA Division I, II and III campuses as they wrestle with these new challenges. It's an interesting way to consider the new ways campuses are becoming more resilient in the 21st century.


Here's a link to our previous discussion referenced in the podcast.

Jul 27, 202335:36
Can NIL Democratize College Athletics? An Important Perspective for Higher Education Executives

Can NIL Democratize College Athletics? An Important Perspective for Higher Education Executives

In early June 2023, the second annual NIL Summit was held at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. Over 500 athletes traveled to Georgia to talk about NIL and grow their understanding of how to maximize their opportunities. The amount of attention and interest in what college athletes might be able to earn via this marketplace is still being established. One thing is for certain, though... the sky appears to be the limit.

My guest is Jason Belzer, the co-founder and CEO of Student-Athlete NIL (SANIL). It is the agency of record that specializes in assisting brands, universities
and student-athletes navigate the new era of name, image and likeness. Belzer's company manages 30+ NIL collectives at universities across
the country, including: Roll The Quad (Wake Forest). The Tech Way (Georgia Tech), Knights Of The Raritan (Rutgers) and Crimson & Cream (Oklahoma) (recently recognized by Sports Business Journal as a Power Player in the NIL space).

Jason offers senior campus leaders an essential perspective in this fast-changing space.

Jun 22, 202335:13
The College Presidency and Big-Time College Sports-Where Are The Women Leaders?

The College Presidency and Big-Time College Sports-Where Are The Women Leaders?

Why aren't more women holding Division I college presidencies? While smaller colleges (especially community colleges) have seen significant growth in women leading institutions, the numbers dwindle as you move towards Division I. Is there a perception that women presidents can't manage big-time college sports?


An important discussion about presidents, college sports and the 2023 ACE Study on Presidents in Higher Education. My guest is Dr. Pamela Eddy, a professor of higher education at the College of William and Mary. Her research interests include community college leadership and development, organizational change and educational partnerships, gender roles in higher education, and faculty development. Dr. Eddy serves as a consultant for campuses, system offices, and on funded grants regarding strategies to support community college student success and to support leadership development.

Dr. Eddy wrote an insightful article for Inside Higher Ed on women and leadership. Read it here.

Jun 22, 202335:42
Chat GPT, Data Privacy, AI and Athletes' Rights Are Challenging the Norms of College Sports

Chat GPT, Data Privacy, AI and Athletes' Rights Are Challenging the Norms of College Sports

We are joined today by Sports and Data Rights Attorney Michael Clohisy. He is a Boston-based sports attorney, business executive, board member, and former certified National Football League (NFL) player-agent, who has advised clients and matters involving: data rights, privacy and protection in sport; athletes’ digital, publicity (US) – name, image, and likeness—NIL, image (UK) and personality (EU) rights; structuring and negotiating contracts for professional athletes, coaches and senior front office executives; sports technology; the National Football League (NFL) and National Football League Players Association (NFLPA); anti-doping, integrity and ethics; the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); EU and UK football/soccer players and clubs; mediation and arbitration hearings; and gaming and gambling enterprises. 

 

Some of his high profile clients include basketball superstars George "The Iceman" Gervin and Lynette Woodard.


Michael's efforts also involve IOWNME.

IOWNME has created a new paradigm for individuals to manage digital assets, privacy, identity, and brand underpinned by digital identity and data rights ownership.

Asset values of digital identity and data rights are rising and will continue to grow, especially for athletes, artists, musicians, and other celebrities.  

​Establishing ownership and authenticity are critical to monetizing these assets.  IPrivata puts the individual in control.

  • Own and authenticates digital identity and data rights.   

  • Monetize these crucial assets. 

  • Protect these assets under well-established IP-based laws worldwide

May 20, 202339:25
Think Athletics is Tough? State Political Battles in Florida and Texas Make College Presidencies Even More Fraught

Think Athletics is Tough? State Political Battles in Florida and Texas Make College Presidencies Even More Fraught

Higher Ed scholars and faculty are near unanimous in their agreement—the job of being a college or university president today is as difficult as ever. With stressors from finances, to enrollment and state-wide politics, every day is a new adventure. For those whose presidencies are in states like Florida and Texas, the pressures on both presidents and trustees from governors and legislatures is even higher.

 

My guest today studies higher education from a policy and governance perspective. Michael S. Harris is a professor of higher education and Chair of the Department of Education Policy and Leadership in the Simmons School of Education and Human Development at Southern Methodist University. He will serve as the SMU Faculty Senate President and Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees during 2023-2024. His primary research interests consider the culture, strategy, and behavior of higher education institutions. His work has been published in leading higher education journals such as The Journal of Higher EducationResearch in Higher EducationHigher EducationInnovative Higher EducationHigher Education Policy, and reported by the Chronicle of Higher Education and The Atlantic.

 

Michael and I have a wide-ranging conversation about athletics, politics, faculty oversight, and discuss his upcoming role leading the faculty senate at SMU, while throwing in a few thoughts on what a future in the Pac-12 might look like.

May 02, 202340:31
Athletics is Crucial To Survival--The Pivotal Relationship Between Division III Athletics and Enrollment Management

Athletics is Crucial To Survival--The Pivotal Relationship Between Division III Athletics and Enrollment Management

From the perspective of the NCAA's National Office, no one has seen more change in the last 35 years than former VP Dan Dutcher. From 2 Divisions to 3, all the while working with countless coaches, presidents, athletics directors and colleagues, Dan has seen it all. He joins me today to talk about the challenges facing Division III institutions (and their leaders) today.

The overwhelming number of Division III institutions are small, private, liberal arts institutions. Faced with shifting demographics in the North East and Upper Midwest, enrollment managers have begun to partner with coaches and athletics departments to co-curate incoming classes of students. It's a shift that has only materialized in the last five years and will only grow in importance over the next decade. How are the NCAA members adjusting to the new landscape of athletes becoming a crucial part of the financial success and survival of many of these well-known schools.

Dan retired as the NCAA Vice President for Division III in early 2021, concluding a distinguished thirty-five-year career with the Association. He currently serves as a collegiate athletics consultant.

He led Division III, the NCAA’s largest division, for 25 years.  In that role, he served as chief staff liaison to the Division III Presidents Council and Division III Management Council and oversaw the division’s 30 other committees.  He was directly responsible for Division III’s strategic plan, policy process, and its $30M annual budget. He also served on the NCAA President’s Cabinet.

Apr 10, 202333:57
"I Didn't Sign Up For This." Leadership In A Time of Disruption: A Conversation with BakerTilly's Dave Capitano and Adrienne Larmett

"I Didn't Sign Up For This." Leadership In A Time of Disruption: A Conversation with BakerTilly's Dave Capitano and Adrienne Larmett

We know college athletics is undergoing a substantive transformation. And partially due to Covid and other factors, including demographic shifts across the nation, so is higher education. College presidents are under tremendous pressure to CHANGE and REINVENT their campuses, yet what they are initially hired to do often is not what they end up doing. Case in point-Temple University's now former president, Jason Wingard, resigned after just two years of campus challenges, many of which were somewhat out of his individual control.


My guests today will share some of their insights and general conversations they have with university presidents daily. From managing the board of trustees, to dealing with college athletics, the job has never been more challenging. I've invited them back because they add value to our discussions around leadership and college athletics.


Adrienne Larmett is a principal in Baker Tilly’s risk advisory practice, with more than 17 years of professional consulting experience. Adrienne specializes in providing services to higher education and research institutions, working with clients to provide guidance in the areas of internal audit, risk advisory, enterprise risk management, sponsored research compliance and fraud investigation related services.


As the firm’s higher education practice leader, Dave Capitano provides oversight to more than 200 team members serving over 400 public and private colleges, universities, research institutions and academic medical centers across the United States. Dave has more than 30 years of experience working with college and university leadership and boards in a variety of strategic advisory and accounting areas. He takes a hands-on approach working collaboratively with institutional leadership to provide guidance and advice to be sustainable and resilient.


NOTE: This podcast was recorded before the LSU v Iowa national championship game-congrats LSU! 😊

Apr 02, 202334:24
NIL and Taxes--How Do Athletes and Parents Sort Through The March "Madness"

NIL and Taxes--How Do Athletes and Parents Sort Through The March "Madness"

Much has been covered about NIL and college athletes, but one topic we don't hear much about is---taxes. If you make over $600 in a year from NIL, an athlete should receive a 1099. However, the categories of how athletes are being paid vary---from cash, to Venmo, to crypto to NFTs. How does this work? And what about athletes that are starting their own microbusinesses, like Caitlyn Clark (Iowa), who launched a popcorn business and Caleb Love (UNC) who started an ice cream enterprise? How should they plan ahead for the inevitable tax bill?

And asking athletes to organize their finances and file during the height of tax season (and March Madness) can add to the frustration.

Lisa Greene-Lewis is a CPA and tax expert for TurboTax. Lisa has over 20 years of experience in tax preparation. Her success is attributed to being able to interpret tax laws and help clients better understand them. She has held positions as a public auditor, controller, and operations manager. Lisa has appeared on the Steve Harvey Show, the Ellen Show, and major news broadcasts to break down tax laws and help taxpayers understand what tax laws mean to them. For Lisa, getting timely and accurate information out to taxpayers to help them keep more of their money is paramount. Visit her blog here.⁠

Mar 26, 202325:43
2x Division I President Weighs In On College Football Playoff Expansion and How To Best Improve Athlete Welfare
Mar 26, 202331:32
Transformation is the new NCAA buzzword-what does that mean for this DIII Conference? A look at the Empire 8.

Transformation is the new NCAA buzzword-what does that mean for this DIII Conference? A look at the Empire 8.

My guests today hold two crucial roles in the modernization of DIII athletics. Gerard Rooney is the President at St. John Fisher University in New York. Chuck Mitrano is the Commissioner of the Empire 8 Conference and the Chair of the NCAA DIII Championships Committee.

Our topic? How DIII leaders are centering the athlete experience around well-rounded mind and body wellness and defining the collective good for all of Division III. The Empire 8 has one of the strongest presidentially driven governance structures in the nation, and has created a culture of accountability and support. The council actively monitors members for “viability”, using metrics developed in house. This proactive approach allows for an early read on what the needs are for the membership.

If you’ve wondered whether it matters if you have a proactive group of presidents to stabilize a conference, as well as the significance of an engaged commissioner, this is a wealth of good information for new presidents and trustees.

Mar 01, 202344:00
Athletics and Higher Education Struggle With Implicit Bias-what is it and why does it matter?

Athletics and Higher Education Struggle With Implicit Bias-what is it and why does it matter?

We all have it. Whether we like the color red over blue, or like a sports car over an SUV, we all have preferences. It's what makes us unique. But when we make decisions about situations and personnel that are based purely on our perception (or, our bias) about what a woman "should do" or a man "should behave", we are treading into the turbulent waters of "implicit bias".

My guest today is an expert in how gendered implicit bias impacts college athletics and higher education. Tom Newkirk, an attorney from Des Moines, Iowa, has successfully tried and won numerous cases and settlements for coaches and others on the issue of bias. He is a national trainer, providing workshops including:

Des Moines Foundation: Bias Training

Iowa CASA: Implicit Bias

NAACP, Justice and Disparity: Implicit Racial Bias

Labor and Employment: The Art of a Closing Argument in Employment Cases

National NELA: Moving Implicit Bias Theory from The Classroom to The Courtroom

Feb 18, 202329:07
New Research Shows Sports Betting Mobile Apps Are Cannibalizing Casino Tax Revenues in West Virginia-should public universities in other states be concerned?

New Research Shows Sports Betting Mobile Apps Are Cannibalizing Casino Tax Revenues in West Virginia-should public universities in other states be concerned?

For the 2023 Super Bowl alone, an estimated $16 billion was spent on legalized gambling, including mobile apps, live casinos and other technologies. With 21 states now allowing gambling on sports, the activity is in its infancy in the U.S. The next big sporting event-NCAA March Madness, promises to add to the amount of money changing hands between sports books and fans, leading to positive tax revenues directed to State treasuries. Each State is different, with some taxing video terminals at a much higher rate than mobile apps. In West Virginia, the legislature decided to tax mobile betting at a much lower rate than in person casino betting, leaving a massive gap between them and other States like New York. This revenue gap is likely to have a significant impact on funding for education, including higher education, once the Covid relief funds from Congress expire. 

My guest today has studied the revenues and tax implications for higher education from all forms of gambling for most of his academic career. Brad Humphreys is a professor of economics at West Virginia University. His research on the economics and financing of professional sports, and the economics of gambling has been published in academic journals in economics and policy analysis. He twice testified before the United States Congress on the economic impact of professional sports teams and facilities.  He has also testified before the Massachusetts legislature and Washington DC City Council on the financing of sports facilities. 

Brad joins me for a conversation that crystalizes the challenges gambling, gaming, media and technology bring to college athletics and higher education. This is an important topic for senior leaders to get their arms around. 

Feb 13, 202332:54
Just what are a college athlete's rights when it comes to the First Amendment, procedural due process, and Title IX? A UConn soccer player's court case may answer this question

Just what are a college athlete's rights when it comes to the First Amendment, procedural due process, and Title IX? A UConn soccer player's court case may answer this question

"In 2014, Noriana Radwan, then a women’s soccer player at the University of Connecticut (“UConn”) and recipient of a one-year athletic scholarship, raised her middle finger to a television camera during her team’s post-game celebration after winning a tournament championship. The game was being nationally televised and Radwan’s gesture was captured on the broadcast. Although she initially was suspended from further tournament games for that gesture, Radwan was ultimately also punished by UConn with a mid-year termination of her athletic scholarship."-Radwan v. Manuel

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit published a significant ruling recently that college administrators should be aware of. Joining the podcast to walk thru the case is Jacob Sapp, a former institutional compliance officer/Title IX administrator, and now an attorney with Bricker and Eckler law firm. Jake wrote 3 articles on the firm's website on the specifics of this case, he joins me for a conversation providing important takeaways for higher education leaders.

This podcast attempts to address this question- in 2023, just what are a college athlete's rights when it comes to the First Amendment, procedural due process, and Title IX when the athletics department imposes its own disciplinary processes?

Feb 10, 202331:22
Michigan State Swimmers Lost The Battle But May Have Won The War-A Conversation with the Attorneys Who Won the Landmark Settlement

Michigan State Swimmers Lost The Battle But May Have Won The War-A Conversation with the Attorneys Who Won the Landmark Settlement

When the news broke that both the women’s and men’s swimming programs at Michigan State would be cut in October 2020, there was shock and sadness. Citing declining department revenue resources available in the early days of the pandemic, as well as an outdated pool, former athletics director Bill Beekman and president Stanley signed off on a news release, stating “We understand that the news is devastating to our outstanding student-athletes in these sports, as well as to their coaches, but with every thoughtful analysis it became increasingly clear that we were not positioned to offer the best experience to our student-athletes, either now or in the future.”

Enter the Attorneys Who Won The Landmark Settlement 

Plaintiff’s attorneys Lori Bullock and Joshua Hammack were contacted by the athletes on the women’s team almost immediately after the news broke. In this podcast, they speak with me about their strategy behind a successful outcome for this case. 

Lori has successfully represented student-athletes who’ve faced discrimination that’s attracted national media attention. Working with Bailey Glasser’s Title IX team, Lori has won a series of high-profile settlements for female student-athletes at eight U.S. colleges and universities to date. 

Josh is her co-counsel for this case and a member of the same impactful Title IX team at BaileyGlasser. You will not want to miss this interview.

Jan 28, 202339:43
Former Boise State President Bob Kustra Discusses A President's "Learning Curve" Around Athletics-Especially With A Top 25 Football Program

Former Boise State President Bob Kustra Discusses A President's "Learning Curve" Around Athletics-Especially With A Top 25 Football Program

Boise State burst on the to the national stage in football over 20 years ago and made a mark few non-Power 5 schools have done. From the famous "Blue Turf" in the stadium, to 3 Fiesta Bowl victories, football put a regional state school in the national discussion. Along with the Mountain West Conference's first mover status in creating its own television network, the Broncos became a national phenomenon that still resonates today.

My guest today is former Boise State President Dr. Robert Kustra. His bio states "Arriving in 2003, Dr. Kustra led a transformation that turned Boise State into a metropolitan research university of distinction. There was an increase in the number of full-time and out-of-state students, a focus on maintaining a vibrant undergraduate experience, and growth in graduate degrees offered. In 2016, Boise State was officially designated a Carnegie doctoral research university — a goal of Dr. Kustra’s since he started."

In addition to leading for 15 years, he also held the presidency at Eastern Kentucky. Bob also served in the Illinois House of Representatives, and was Illinois' Lt. Governor from 1991-1998, bringing a unique perspective to our conversation, especially since the NCAA's new President is the former two term Governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker. Now retired, he writes for the Idaho Statesman, and has been a regular contributor to Boise's NPR station via the "Reader's Corner".

Bob shares candid observations and reflections on where college athletics is today, and how his thinking has evolved since joining the Broncos in 2003. And, because he was a politician before he became a college president, he offers his insight on the NCAA's new President, Charlie Baker.


Jan 22, 202336:31
"For a President, Athletics Should Be a Hand's On Endeavor"-A Conversation with Dean Jim Antony (UCSD) and President Ana Mari Cauce (U Washington)

"For a President, Athletics Should Be a Hand's On Endeavor"-A Conversation with Dean Jim Antony (UCSD) and President Ana Mari Cauce (U Washington)

When a college leader assumes his/her presidency for the first time, I've often wondered how they begin to understand the complexities of college athletics. Nearly 90% of sitting presidents rise to the position from the academic side of the house- where do they learn about athletics?

In 2023, there are so many challenges and choices for presidents to make, that it can seem daunting. How do new presidents go about learning how things work (beyond wins and losses) in the business of college sports? Do they just listen and take directives from their athletics director? Or do they work to insert the values and mission of the institution into their athletics departments? And how do presidents work to understand the Conference and national issues impacting college sports today?

My guests today are two long time professional colleagues and friends. Ana Mari Cauce is the 33rd president of the University of Washington where she has been a member of the faculty since 1986. She is a member of the Pac-12 Conference executive leadership team, and was a part of the group that hired current Commissioner George Kliavkoff. She is deeply aware of the fast changing dynamics in Power 5 and Pac-12 programs.

James Soto Antony is the Dean, Division of Graduate Education, and Professor, Education Studies at the University of California San Diego. Along with Ana Mari, he is a co-editor of  The College President Handbook: A Sustainable and Practical Guide for Emerging Leaders, a dynamic book published in 2022 that includes relevant information for new Presidents across many of their responsibilities. Jim has closely followed the changes in college athletics in the last 20 years as a researcher, and was the founder of the University of Washington's Center for Leadership in Athletics.

Jan 16, 202342:23
Financial Data And Conference Realignment: How Can A College President Access Athletics Financial Data When Considering A New Conference?

Financial Data And Conference Realignment: How Can A College President Access Athletics Financial Data When Considering A New Conference?

Today's podcast is particularly timely as Presidents are often approached by boosters, conference commissioners and others with ideas of "elevating the schools profile" by changing Conferences. The whole concept of "Conference Realignment" is something your school could face during your tenure. The NCAA's FRS (financial reporting system) is one of several key indicators to monitor the health of you athletics department.

My guest today answers the above questions and takes you on a deep dive into NCAA reporting requirements for all Divisions. The FRS requires all member institutions to collect their data every year and have it meet the annual compliance expectations (aka "agreed upon procedures). The NCAA aggregates all the data under the IPP (Institutional Performance Program) dashboard and allows member schools to access data on their peers. This becomes especially valuable when you want to compare categories equally while measuring data the exact same way.

James Moore and company also have a robust interest NIL impact on taxes, revenues and complying with current NCAA and state rules.

Katie Davis, CPA is the Higher Education and Collegiate Athletics Practice Leader at James Moore & Co., an accounting firm that works with universities, athletic departments, athletic associations, booster clubs, and other higher education-related organizations nationwide. For nearly 20 years, Katie has dedicated her career to providing accounting and consulting services to universities and advocating for the financial voices in college athletics. She helps to educate the sports business industry on relevant issues that impact us now and in the future. Katie also co-hosts the “News & Brews Sports Biz” podcast, which is focused on finances and other emerging issues in college athletics.

Nov 01, 202231:19
In Today's Economy, Careers in College Athletics and Higher Ed Should Include Opportunities To Earn Credentials, Certificates and Develop Entrepreneurial Skills

In Today's Economy, Careers in College Athletics and Higher Ed Should Include Opportunities To Earn Credentials, Certificates and Develop Entrepreneurial Skills

The trend of higher education employees leaving their jobs before they have been offered another is an under-mentioned aspect of the “Great Resignation”. Whether the reason could be due to caregiving for a family member or friend, or the acceleration of wage growth in sectors outside of higher ed, it has highlighted a lack of pay, work/life balance and/or growth opportunities (i.e. “career paths”) for those who work at colleges. Simply put, we have focused on that for our students, but we have done a poor job of mentoring and growing our employees. This is especially important to those who start as entry level staff in academic advising, athletics marketing and communications (events and promotions), and media who want to be able to rise through the organization.

Credentials, Entrepreneurship and Certificates are part of the workforce future in higher education.

My guests today work for a company that has produced some remarkable research in this area, calling attention to an opportunity for higher ed workplaces to focus on how to grow employees, not just hire them. Dr. Ruth Watkins is the President of Strada Impact, a part of the Strada Educational Network. She is the former president and provost at the University of Utah. We are also joined by Dr. Courtney McBeth, Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer for the Strada Education Network. Courtney was a soccer student-athlete at the University of Utah. Both bring powerful expertise to a discussion that includes NIL, entrepreneurship and the high turnover rates in athletic department employees.

We also discuss the impact on the University of Utah’s entrance into the Pac-12, what it means both from an institutional alignment perspective and from a career opportunity perspective for Utah student athletes.

More info on Strada: Strada Education Network is a national nonprofit social impact organization that collaborates with learners, educators, employers, and policy makers across the U.S. to bring to life a postsecondary education and training (PSET) ecosystem that provides equitable pathways to opportunity.

Oct 24, 202251:33
Athletic Departments Need To Ensure Their Athletes Are Safe-What Presidents Should Know About Off-Field Safety And Medical Care

Athletic Departments Need To Ensure Their Athletes Are Safe-What Presidents Should Know About Off-Field Safety And Medical Care

A nightmare occurred at the University of Maryland in 2018 when freshman football player Jordan McNair died of heatstroke after an offseason practice. The confluence of events caused this nightmare scenario—a warm, humid day with a heat index over 90 degrees; practice was suddenly relocated to another field because the designated practice area (the football stadium) was under construction; the workouts were started before ATCs arrived on site and were fully set up (including cold water pools), and the strength coach running the practice did not recognize the signs of heatstroke that McNair was demonstrating.

That same year, I authored an op-ed in the Baltimore Sun about what may have precipitated this pressure placed on coaches, athletes and administrators-both financial and prestige. This situation can typify the unintended pressures that come as presidents and trustees try to move their institutions quickly up the ladder in college sports.

The question all senior leaders should ask is: could something like this happen at my school?

Today, my guests are two health care professionals who have seen college athletics from the inside, both as team medical professionals and now as administrators in the United States. Both represent the U.S. Council for Athletes Health, an organization dedicated to strengthening institutional education, consulting, compliance (with existing health care mandates) and support for the newly mandated Athletics Healthcare Administrator, now required under NCAA rules.

Dr. Chad Asplund is a 20-year sports medicine practitioner at the professional, Olympic, collegiate and recreational levels. Dr. Asplund is the executive director of the U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health, as well as a sports medicine physician and Professor of Family Medicine and Orthopedics at the Medical College of Georgia. Chad currently serves as the medical director for USA Basketball, and a team physician for USA Hockey and Georgia Southern University. He also is the past president of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, the largest physician-only organization for sports medicine physicians.

Angie Beisner focused her career on the care and prevention of athletic injuries within collegiate organizations for more than two decades before bringing her extensive knowledge to USCAH operations in June 2021.

Before joining the U.S. Council for Athletes Health, she most recently was the head athletic trainer at Ohio State, she was also named the lead athletic trainer for the USA U19 Men's Lacrosse team.

Student Athlete Health, Safety and Wellbeing: A Lack of Accountability and Prioritization Poses the Greatest Risk to College Sports

Opinion Editorial/Blog

Written by James Borchers, MD, MPH

President and CEO of USCAH

Sep 29, 202241:34
What College Presidents Need To Know About The Billion Dollar Media Landscape-A Conversation With Bob Thompson, former President of Fox Sports

What College Presidents Need To Know About The Billion Dollar Media Landscape-A Conversation With Bob Thompson, former President of Fox Sports

With the Big Ten Conference signed a brand-new media rights contract worth $1.23 billion annually, all of college sports took notice. Exceeding the NCAA’s March Madness contract, the Big Ten will soon deliver between $70 and $100 million to each school in the conference. It’s a staggering number and has positioned the conference as one of the top two in all of Division I sports.

My guest today is former Fox Sports President and CEO of Thompson Sports Group, LLC, Bob Thompson. Bob and I first spoke when I was researching the formation and financial structures behind the Big Ten Network for my dissertation at the University of Pennsylvania. He was a wealth of information then, and this conversation extends that discussion to 2022. Mr. Thompson is considered one of the most knowledgeable authorities in the sports television industry.  During his more than 25 years at Liberty and Fox Sports, Mr. Thompson negotiated more than 200 television rights agreements with professional sports teams, leagues, and collegiate conferences and has been directly involved in the launch of 18 regional and national cable networks.

Presidents must understand this enormously influential landscape-while you may bring in consultants and lawyers to navigate the details, having a fundamental appreciation of the how this world is changing and where your school sits in the pecking order is crucial in how you approach the outsized expectations of your coaches, alumni and boosters.

One of the key points comes near the end—we talk about the issues surrounding data and data acquisition by media companies. Presidents should understand all the innovative (and some would argue intrusive) data gathering techniques that add the true financial heft to these contracts. While it may seem secondary when you sign the contract, as gambling becomes more ingrained in our ecosystem, this will create the need for serious ethical conversations about who owns the student-athlete’s personal data.

Sep 05, 202247:51
Who's Responsible for Making Sure An Academic Scandal Never Happens Again? At UNC Chapel Hill-- Everyone.

Who's Responsible for Making Sure An Academic Scandal Never Happens Again? At UNC Chapel Hill-- Everyone.

When the news broke in 2010 of an academic scandal on the campus of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, at first involving members of the football team, few knew that the issue would eventually expand to include more than 3100 students and student-athletes taking 200 “paper courses" offered by the African and Afro-American Studies Department. Among many other outcomes, UNC Chapel Hill was put on probation by the regional accreditation association, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Carolina was restored to full accreditation by the SACSCOC the following year, and later, the NCAA decided not to hold the institution in violation of their rules. 

In fall 2013, UNC-Chapel Hill was under new leadership, including a new Chancellor, new Provost, and new Athletic Director. They needed a clear and comprehensive understanding of the academic life cycle for student-athletes in order to move forward. 

Former Provost James W. Dean, Jr. and Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham convened a 10-person team of campus leaders to do something that we believe no other university had done before: comprehensively document and assess all academic processes that affect student-athletes from the time that they are recruited until after they graduate. With Chancellor Carol L. Folt’s direction and support, Dean and Cunningham led the Student-Athlete Academic Initiative Working Group in this effort, acknowledging that Carolina needed to make changes to address these issues, restore trust, and promote academic integrity. 

Most institutions sweep high-profile athletics scandals under the rug. UNC instead chose to build a culture of continuous improvement, where everyone on campus plays a coordinated role in student-athletes’ success.

Today's conversation goes behind the scenes with one of the key leaders in this effort, which still continues today. Dr. Debbi Clarke led the Working Group out of the Provost’s Office for more than nine years. Debbi takes us behind the scenes of a leadership puzzle – does change begin at the top with new leadership? Or from the bottom up, led by faculty and other key voices on campus? At UNC, it’s been both. They continue to address the issues they faced in a way that has drawn interest from university leaders across the country. As Clarke says "You're building a new culture. It's a really hard thing to do. We recognized what went wrong, and how it went wrong, and said, ‘This is what we're going to do to fix it." It's a remarkable transition. For more information: https://apsa.unc.edu

Sep 02, 202228:40
Division III Transformation and Change Ahead-A Conversation With Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano

Division III Transformation and Change Ahead-A Conversation With Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano

With all the talk about Division I undergoing massive transformation, what is going in NCAA Divisions II and III? According to my guest, Chuck Mitrano, long-time commissioner of the Empire 8 Conference in New York, quite a bit. Chuck joins the conversation from two perspectives-one as a sitting commissioner, and one as a member of the NCAA Championships Committee, which provides oversight for all 28 post-season events. In both positions, he interacts with presidents and NCAA staff.

We cover a wide range of topics on the future of Division III, and discuss the Empire 8's substantive proposal on mental health safety nets for athletes on campus. We also discuss what happened in January, 2022.  The NCAA reverted back to the “one school, one vote” rules that were eliminated in the late 1990s, a huge opportunity to influence the direction of NCAA policy. Chuck walks us through why that happened, and in particular, the discussions surrounding increasing the amount of money DIII receives from the CBS/Turner contract (currently at 3.18%). This impacts how Division III championships are funded and managed. 

Chuck brings deep experience to the conversation while overseeing a conference that has as many 15 schools (full and associate members).

Jul 31, 202235:15
A New President Leads The Smallest DI Campus In The Nation

A New President Leads The Smallest DI Campus In The Nation

“Higher education institutions across the country are contending with significant headwinds. However, with a shared sense of purpose, a creative spirit, and sustained focus, PC can emerge stronger than ever and build a tremendous foundation for the next 140 years.”

That was a part of the inauguration speech that Matthew vandenBerg gave at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina in Fall 2021. His vision for Presbyterian is slowly taking shape, but it has come with both highs and lows. Taking office in February 2021 (in the middle of the pandemic), I wanted to ask Matt to take us behind the scenes of a first time president with a terrific track record in both fundraising and friend raising at his previous stops.

Like so many presidents, he was confronted by challenges from the moment he walked on campus, and, like so many times, athletics is a part of that. In our conversation, he walks us through a very delicate situation that emerged on campus in Spring 2022, when the Howard University women's lacrosse team arrived on campus and was verbally mistreated by a few members of the student population. It gravitated into a national story, and it was clearly a moment that many presidents face in putting espoused values into action. 

We talk about Presbyterian as a very small Division I campus, with non-scholarship football, trying to manage success and expectations for athletes, coaches and administrators in the fast changing world of NCAA Division I sports. It's a great conversation for anyone who has ever thought about becoming a small college president.

Jul 04, 202229:14
For West Coast Conference, ‘Russell Rule’ Shows Early Promise In Diversifying Athletic Departments

For West Coast Conference, ‘Russell Rule’ Shows Early Promise In Diversifying Athletic Departments

Two years ago, America was embroiled in racial and social justice protests, kicked off by the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis by a police officer. Higher education, like so many other industries, took the opportunity to look inward and ask, “how are we doing when it comes to racial and gender equity”?

For the Presidents of the West Coast Conference and Commissioner Gloria Nevarez, this was a time that needed more than hand wringing and platitudes. It required the resolve to do better. One area they choose to hold themselves to a higher standard was diversifying the hiring of coaches, staff and administrators on both the campuses and in the conference office.

The Russell Rule was born.

I invited Nevarez and University of San Diego President James T. Harris to join me on my podcast to talk about the recently released data, measuring how effective they’ve been in matching the method to the message.

(Please note that Gloria joined the podcast by phone)

You can read my companion article for Forbes here.

Jun 19, 202229:02
The Incentives in College Athletics Are Backwards-Mental Health of Athletes and Staff Must Receive The Highest Priority

The Incentives in College Athletics Are Backwards-Mental Health of Athletes and Staff Must Receive The Highest Priority

Over the past few months, there have been at least five high-profile student athlete suicides on campuses across the nation. It’s a frightening and sobering trend that requires colleges and universities to take a serious look at their infrastructure in place to support the mental health and wellbeing of athletes as well as the broader student population. Universities and colleges are aware that they need to continue to combat the stigma around mental health and ensure that they have the resources and professionals in place for those who need it, but post-pandemic, this is just one of many challenges vying for limited resources and attention of university leadership. 

Many institutions “think” they have the appropriate structure and processes in place to support student mental well-being, but do they really “know” that? Some institutions may have “deep” resources available, but students aren’t necessarily accessing them. 

There are creative ways to tackle this important issue and I have two guests today who are working with colleges and universities to do just that. From fully evaluating existing risk and compliance programs, to helping bring together varied student activism and grass roots initiatives, they help provide a lens to universities to clearly evaluate the issue and offer actionable solutions to formalize structures for positive behavioral interaction and support. 

Universities need to identify the gaps in their safety net and make sure that mental health resources are being deployed and used efficiently and effectively.

Rachel Baribeau, a former sports broadcaster and founder of the movement, I’m Changing the Narrative Since 2018, Rachel has been visiting college campuses to speak with student athletes, coaches, administrators, etc., to promote the importance of mental health, leadership, self-care, domestic violence prevention, social justice, life after sports, and interpersonal relationships. As a mental health advocate, Rachel works to fight stigma and creates a willingness within the college community to build an environment that supports mental well-being through her on campus speaking engagements, and continual follow-ups with tangible materials and resources. 

Adrienne Larmett, senior manager in Baker Tilly’s risk advisory practice, specializing in higher education. Adrienne focuses on what steps institutions need to take to offer the resources college athletes and students need. Additionally, she assesses risk and completes regulatory assessments to ensure campuses are proactively aligning their efforts to be impactful, and in compliance.

Additional resources mentioned in the podcast:

IACS Standards - International Accreditation of Counseling Services (iacsinc.org)

In NCAA Division I, New Data Shows Burnout Is Rampant Among Administrators

Vanderbilt University Athlete 'Letter to College Sports'

Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

Jun 08, 202243:34
Disruptive Thinking in the New Era of Higher Education: A Conversation With PASSHE Leaders Dan Greenstein and Cindy Shapira

Disruptive Thinking in the New Era of Higher Education: A Conversation With PASSHE Leaders Dan Greenstein and Cindy Shapira

Since the Great Recession of 2008-2010, enrollment in Pennsylvania's 14-campus state university system has notably changed, with some campuses growing in enrollment, and others losing students precipitously. The Commonwealth's annual system funding was recently ranked 46th out of 50 states, a dismal statistic. Yet, there are "help wanted" signs everywhere from employers who want to hire college educated employees. What gives?

Pennsylvania is far from alone in facing a challenge of increasing costs and fewer graduates. Other state systems around the country are in various stages of the same existential crisis. The solution cannot be just to raise tuition and fees-national research shows student debt is averaging $30,000. 

To complicate things further, intercollegiate athletics plays a crucial role in attracting, retaining and engaging students on campus. Many of these campuses have highly successful NCAA Division II (and I) athletic programs, with some sports winning NCAA titles. All have loyal alumni and faculty who care deeply about good teaching. 

Next year, six of the 14 campuses will integrate into two entities, and will show off new names and administrative structures. No campuses were closed. The hope is these reimagined universities will be more responsive to the needs of their regional workforces and the 21st century economy, attracting a scholar and an athlete who wants a dynamic education at an affordable price. All will keep their NCAA athletic teams and identity, no small accomplishment. There are many good lessons in this conversation for other higher education system professionals and for those who work on system campuses to absorb.

My guests today are two of the leaders, the CEO and the Board Chair, Daniel Greenstein and Cynthia Shapira. Dr. Greenstein is the chancellor of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. Since 2018, Dan has served as the chief executive officer of the State System (PASSHE), which operates Pennsylvania’s 14 public universities, serving nearly 100,000 degree-seeking students and thousands more enrolled in certificate and other career-development programs. The chancellor works with the Board of Governors to recommend and develop overall policies for the System. 

Dr. Shapira is Chair of the Board of Governors, and president of the David S. and Karen A. Shapira Foundation, leading the development and implementation of the foundation's philanthropic initiatives.  She was appointed by Governor Tom Corbett to the Pennsylvania Commission on Women and served on Governor Wolf's Advisory Board on Education and Workforce Development. In 2017, she was honored as a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania.

Dan and Cindy were recently recognized by "City and State Politics and Policy" as recipients of the 2022 Higher Education Power 100 in Pennsylvania.

Mentioned in the podcast (and recommended by both Dan and Cindy): Arthur Levine's new book, The Great Upheaval: Higher Education's Past, Present, and Uncertain Future, a complimentary read for this conversation.

The term used by Cindy refers to the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems.


May 08, 202259:38
What's the Deal with NIL Collectives? Mit Winter, Attorney and National NIL Expert, Provides an Inside Look

What's the Deal with NIL Collectives? Mit Winter, Attorney and National NIL Expert, Provides an Inside Look

NIL Collectives have exploded in the last few months. Defined as a group of donors/boosters/fans and others who pool their money to reward a college athlete for enrolling/succeeding or transferring to your favorite school, the evolution in this area of NIL is confusing to say the least.

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by an expert in this area, attorney Mit Winter. Mit is with Kennyhertz Perry in Kansas City, MO. Mit is recognized as a leading college athlete name, image, and likeness lawyer and is sought out by clients and the media for this expertise. In combination with his background as a former Division I college basketball player at the College of William and Mary, Mit is uniquely suited to assist and advise athletes, universities, and other clients with legal matters surrounding name, image, and likeness opportunities and businesses.

In addition to NIL issues, Mit and I discuss the evolution of intellectual property for both the institution and the athlete, and whether the NIL deals might get so big for some athletes that they might forgo entering the pro sports landscape a bit longer (because the deals in college could be HUGE).

Apr 30, 202237:03
The Cinderella Effect on March Madness-What a Magical Run Through The Tournament Really Means For The Bottom Line

The Cinderella Effect on March Madness-What a Magical Run Through The Tournament Really Means For The Bottom Line

We’re coming off a spectacular 2022 season called March Madness, where all of America stops and pays attention to college basketball, whether its men’s or women’s. If we’re lucky, fans can be treated to magical moments, even magical runs where a team plays well above its tournament seeding.

In 2022, Saint Peter’s University from New Jersey made one of those magical runs as the 15th seed, upsetting perennial tourney favorite Kentucky in their opening game, followed by another upset of Murray State. Almost immediately, social media and journalists crowed that these two wins would elevate Saint Peter’s financially and reputationally. Wild claims were asserted about what impact a Cinderella run might mean.

Conjecture is one thing, but actual analysis and research is quite another. My guests today have done the research on the benefits of a run through the NCAA tournament, winning at least 2 games as the lower seed. They will walk us through what the statistics show, and the actual benefits of, a winning streak in the post season. This is especially important for senior campus leaders who want to separate fact from fiction.

I’m joined by Drs.
Kurt Rotthoff, Trevor Collier and Nancy Haskell. Dr. Rotthoff is a Professor of Economics and Finance at Seton Hall University; Dr. Collier is a Dean and Professor of Economics at the University of Dayton; and Dr. Haskell is an Assistant Professor of Economics, also at the University of Dayton. Each are co-authors in the 2020 study “The “Cinderella Effect”: The Value of Unexpected March Madness Runs as Advertising for the Schools”, published in the Journal of Sports Economics.

My Forbes article on Saint Peters.

Apr 09, 202238:22
Two Former Presidents Discuss Leadership, the Presidency, and Defining A Campus Athletics Culture

Two Former Presidents Discuss Leadership, the Presidency, and Defining A Campus Athletics Culture

Jonathan Holloway, the President at Rutgers University, recently gave a speech to the Faculty Senate at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, a member of the Big Ten Conference. The speech caught national attention when he told the group “ For too long the entire Rutgers community has been laboring under the illusion that athletics will generate enough revenue to pay for itself and, then, in time turn a profit. Let me disabuse you of that claim. While I would be thrilled if athletics were to cover all of its expenses, it is highly unlikely that it will. Only 2 percent of major college athletics programs run in the black, and not many more than that break even. The better way to think about athletics is that it represents a commitment by the university that helps tell a compelling story about this institution—one that will inspire applicants, alumni, and friends to learn more about we have to offer as a university in 2022. In this regard, the story-telling capability of athletics far outstrips any other thing that we do at Rutgers."

Is that an appropriate summary of where athletics should fit into a campus? Or can we find different ways to define how athletics fits into the campus and its culture? 


My guests today have led three different institutions, and have written two books on leadership and the presidency: their new book is called “Leadership Matters: Confronting the Hard choices Facing Higher Education”, as well as their previous book, “How to Run a College”, both from Johns Hopkins Press. Joseph King is the past president at Lyon College (MO) and Brian Mitchell is the current president of Academic Innovators, and a past president at Bucknell University (PA) and Washington and Jefferson College (PA). They also talk frankly about future presidents and their need to be strategic when it comes to implementing change. 



Mar 21, 202244:41
Holden Thorp Looks Back on UNC and The Myth of "The Carolina Way"

Holden Thorp Looks Back on UNC and The Myth of "The Carolina Way"

There are a few moments in the life of a university where an event overtakes the local and national narrative about who and what your campus represents. When the news broke in 2010 of an academic scandal on the campus of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill involving the football team, few knew that the issue would eventually expand to include over 3100 students and student-athletes taking 200 classes offered by the African and Afro-American Studies Department. Among many other outcomes, UNC Chapel Hill was put on probation by the regional accreditation association, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Several years later, both the NCAA and the SACS deferred on whether to hold the institution in violation of their bylaws.

My guest today is Holden Thorp. He was the 10th Chancellor at UNC-Chapel Hill from 2008-2013. Currently, he is the Editor-in-Chief of the Science family of journals since 2019. He came to Science from Washington University, where he was provost from 2013 to 2019, and where he is Rita Levi-Montalcini Distinguished University Professor and holds appointments in both chemistry and medicine. He is a venture partner at Hatteras Venture Partners, a consultant to Ancora, and is on the board of directors of PBS, the College Advising Corps, and Artizan Biosciences.

He talks frankly about what presidents and trustees should know about college athletics. It's an eye opening conversation.

Mar 17, 202231:28
Now Is The Time For HBCUs To Elevate Their Brands-A Conversation With Cory Moss, CEO of Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC)

Now Is The Time For HBCUs To Elevate Their Brands-A Conversation With Cory Moss, CEO of Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC)

Colleges and Universities are always seeking partnerships to extend their brand via brand marks, brand identity, logos, colors, etc. All form the tool kit for Chief Marketing Officers and Athletic Departments to raise awareness. With the changes in technology, social media and the abundance of platforms today, the opportunities can overwhelm Senior Leadership teams to decide how to promote their institutions and generate revenues.

Today's discussion centers on revenue possibilities for Historically Black College and Universities, commonly known as HBCUs. There are so many great things going both on and for HBCUs that this seems like the perfect moment to catch lightning in a bottle and super charge their brands. Football legend Deion Sanders is drawing attention to Jackson State University and Vice-President Kamala Harris has brought Howard University into the national discussion, just to name a few.

We have the perfect person to talk about the tremendous growth opportunities in licensing HBCUs institutions today. Cory Moss is the Chief Executive Officer at CLC. Cory has more than 25 years at the company-his focus is delivering continued growth of the licensing business through meaningful connections between collegiate brands and their fans.

Cory currently serves on the Board of Directors for the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation, which administers scholarships through the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. He is a proud graduate of Hampton University.

This is an important discussion for institutions who want to find new resources for both their students, athletes and their bottom line.

Mar 11, 202234:58
When It Comes To Big-Time College Sports, Penn State’s New President Has Walked Through The Fire Before-Two Trustees Take Us Behind The Scenes

When It Comes To Big-Time College Sports, Penn State’s New President Has Walked Through The Fire Before-Two Trustees Take Us Behind The Scenes

Today, more than ever, it is crucial for colleges and universities to hire the right leaders for the right moment in time. Higher Education is facing many complex challenges, and finding the person to lead your campus through the next 5-10 years (or longer) may be one of the top responsibilities for members of Boards of Trustees.

In December 2021, the Trustees announced the selection of Neeli Bendapudi, currently the President at the University of Louisville, as the next President at Penn State University. She will assume the role from Eric Barron at the end of the Spring 2022 semester.

There are many good reasons why understanding how a President is selected is so important. First, those who lead the process are important fiduciaries of the University. Secondly, Penn State underwent a large, inclusive listening process involving many constituencies, including James Franklin, the head football coach. I’m joined today by two members of the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees, who each played important, yet different roles in the search process of locating and hiring their new President. The search culminates a months long process of the committee, search firm and other key players working collaboratively to arrive at this moment. We also talk about the new Board Task Force on Intercollegiate Athletics, and the important topics they are wrestling with this year.

My guests today are David Kleppinger, vice chair of the Board of Trustees (search committee co-chair) and Barbara Doran, trustee, two of the 19 Board members entrusted with this important task. The search was also aided by SpencerStuart, an executive search firm. As  much as they are allowed to, they will share the process of looking for a great fit in a President. 

My article for Forbes expands on the conversation.

(Full disclosure, I was an athletics director at Penn State Abington from 2006-2012).

Mar 07, 202236:06
Would a Version of a "Luxury Tax" Work for College Sports? What About A Model That a Rewards Investments in Athlete Health and Well-Being?

Would a Version of a "Luxury Tax" Work for College Sports? What About A Model That a Rewards Investments in Athlete Health and Well-Being?

As far as Division I sports are concerned, the next few months are where the sausage gets made. Division I’s Transformation Group, led by the SEC's Greg Sankey and Ohio U's Julie Cromer, will have to get into the nitty-gritty of putting values into action, while remaining under tremendous pressure from state and federal lawmakers who are concerned that the organization can't fix itself. 

For several years, the Knight Commission has worked to create a sustainable and educationally focused model for Division I members to consider and perhaps adopt the C.A.R.E. model. Privately, many Division I athletics directors, commissioners and presidents agree that a change in emphasis and direction is crucial to regain the public trust. But publicly, they appear to say something else.

To help us understand the nuances of this financial proposal, and why it could work to the benefit of institutions and student-athletes, I’m joined on the podcast by CEO of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics Amy Perko, and Commission member and former Chief Financial Officer of Major League Baseball, Jonathan Mariner.

Jan 31, 202237:00
An Inside Look At The Partnership Between a DI Commissioner And The Presidential Board-A Primer For New College Presidents

An Inside Look At The Partnership Between a DI Commissioner And The Presidential Board-A Primer For New College Presidents

As the NCAA concluded an historic convention this month, much uncertainty surrounds its future. There are those naysayers who believe the NCAA should be disbanded and college athletics should start over again; some believe that the NCAA should break apart into two kinds of athletic entities-one being commercialized sport, the other being educational sport. Still others believe that, besides shifting more responsibilities to the Divisions and Conferences, that Division I should break off into commercial and educational sub-divisions.

As of now, the Division I Conferences have more power and influence over their future than at any other time in history.

Its crucial that college presidents, trustees and senior campus leaders understand the wide-ranging perspectives when it comes to collegiate governance, as they are being asked to choose—not just this week, but in writing the divisional constitutional documents AND the compliance and enforcement that goes along with it. Fortunately, we have the perfect guest today to help us think through and understand some of these topics and more.

Julie Roe Lach is the commissioner of the Horizon League, a league well known for its basketball success in recent years in the men’s and women's March Madness tournaments. She was the League's deputy commissioner since 2014, and prior to that spent 15 years at the NCAA National Office in enforcement and other legal matters. She is a trustee emeritus at Milliken University, and serves on the Board of Visitors for the Indiana University McKinney School of Law

Jan 24, 202227:32
Is Your Athletics Director Proposing To Drop Sports To Save Money? Tell Them To Listen To This Podcast Before They Take Any Actions

Is Your Athletics Director Proposing To Drop Sports To Save Money? Tell Them To Listen To This Podcast Before They Take Any Actions

In 2020, Clemson University attempted to drop a bunch of sports, including men’s track and field. Minnesota did the same thing with four sports (including both indoor and outdoor track and field), and ended up dropping indoor only. Brown University also tried to drop its men’s track and field team, and then re-added… Etc. etc.

Enter my guests today. Russell Dinkins, a former 400 and 800m track athlete at Princeton University, has been credited with helping restore many of the men’s track and field programs that were on the chopping block, including Clemson. He happened to have some extra time during the early phases of the pandemic after getting laid off from his job at Mathematica Policy Research. He penned a piece on Medium called  “Brown University, If You Were Actually Serious About Racial Justice You Would Not Be Cutting the Men’s Track Team” that went viral. Russell spoke recently at the 2021 College Track and Field Convention about his successful argument-that dropping one of the most diverse teams on a PWI (primarily white institution) campus is the opposite of what colleges claim they stand for.

He’s joined by friend of the podcast Arthur Bryant, partner in the law firm Bailey Glasser, and a legal expert in all things Title IX. Arthur and Russell have worked together to advance the narrative around DEI and Title IX in college sports.

Jan 22, 202255:51