One Question Leadership Podcast
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@1QLeadership Question: What is the role of an Athletic Certification Officer? Carol Bonner, Associate Registrar for Athletic Certification and Eligibility at Texas Tech, explains her role on campus and how it supports the athletics by being housed outside of the department. __ __ Bonner's office is also responsible for managing the research for the NCAA Graduation Success Rates and Academic Progress Rates at the school. She works with over 30 people throughout campus who contribute to the athletic certification at Texas Tech. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
@1QLeadership Question: Where do marketing, PR, advertising, branding, and content creation overlap? Jason Cook, Baylor University's VP for Marketing and Communications, stopped by to discuss communicating with a specific objective. We take a deep dive into his One Brand method of marketing an institution of higher education, and we cover using the college athletics approach to recruiting students who aren't athletes. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
@1QLeadership Question: Can the Faculty Athletics Representative's (FAR) role overlap with their research and professorial responsibilities? As a Faculty Athletics Representative at Texas Tech, Professor Brian Shannon is responsible for advocating for student-athlete welfare. While his primary teaching responsibility is contract law, he focuses his policy and research work on mental health law, an area he has been researching for a lifetime due to his family experience with mental illness. Professor Shannon explains that mental illness patients often get caught in the criminal justice system without receiving treatment. He also emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between having a mental illness and dealing with mental health challenges. As mental health is a top issue faced by NCAA student-athletes, the NCAA Mental Health Best Practices are continuously updated to provide support. - One Question Leadership Podcat - Tai M. Brown
@1QLeadership Question: Is the path to the athletics director chair always the same? Sharief Hashim, Director of Athletics at Susquehanna University stopped by 1Q to talk about his journey from recreation director to college athletics director. From assistant basketball coach to interim athletics director, Hashim has navigated his career through passion and purpose. __ __ Hashim's leadership principles include having empathy, understand your leadership style, and get outside of your comfort zone. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
@1QLeadership Question: What can college athletics teach us about retention rates? We asked the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Chancellor, Dr. Jim Schmidt, about the importance of athletics on a college campus. He gave us insight from research done at UW-Eau Claire which says there are key components that exists in college sports that can translate to higher retention if applied to campus in general. __ __ At UW-Eau Claire, Black men who are student-athletes have a retention rate in the 90% range, while those of the same group who aren't athletes have a retention rate in the 70% range. Chancellor Schmidt talks about the goals and community strategies the school has put in place to focus on each student. He also talks about how a $70 million athletics facility helps to accomplish those goals. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown https://spadesmg.com/tmB
@1QLeadership Question: How does donor feedback and creativity fit in fundraising? We asked Alvin Hines II, Sr. Associate Athletics Director at FAU, about athletics fundraising. The key topics covered were how his personality fits within the specific niche of athletic development, what is the process of fundraising in an athletics department, and how much input do donors (and potential donors) have in how funds should be used. __ __ Hines notes that one of the biggest jobs of a fundraiser is to leverage your current assets, whether that be under utilized space to events that already exist. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
1QLeadership Question: When should a coach or administrator hire an agent? Garry Rosenfield, Coaches Agent for Coaches Inc., stops by 1Q to discuss his process for valuing coaches contracts and why he believes agents are an asset in terms of representation. __ __ While many people think agents are only hired for money, jobs, and contracts, Rosenfield believes representation is also necessary for counsel on many of the things required that allow a coach to focus on being a successful coach. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
@1QLeadership Question: Would an 'NIT type' event make sense considering the new College Football Playoff structure? Sean Frazier, VP & Director of Athletics at NIU, stops by 1Q to discuss a few items on his mind as college athletics continues to evolve. __ __ Frazier has led NIU athletics for over a decade and continues to provide insight, mentorship, and leadership in the industry. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
@1QLeadership Question: Is a Division I athletics director job always the goal? 1Q guest host Dr. Monique Carroll of Chicago State https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrollmonique/ asks Point University VP of Intercollegiate Athletics, Jaunelle White, about leading the athletics department at an NAIA institution after a career of working in NCAA D1. __ __ White discusses building trust with staff, relationships with student-athletes, and hiring as Carroll provides context with questions from a fellow athletics director's perspective. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
@1QLeadership Question: Should interns specialize in one area or learn as much as they can about everything? NCAA Post Graduate Intern (and 1Q guest host) Kendee Hilliard asked Rose-Hulman Athletics Director Ayanna Tweedy about the choice between specialization or getting broad experience during the early developmental years in one's career. __ __ Tweedy brings her insight and experience to the conversation as Hilliard launches her career in intercollegiate athletics. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
1QLeadership Question: How does being a woman in football operations intersect with the servant leader mindset? 1Q guest host Mattie White asked Jashell Mitchell, Chief of Staff for Football Operations at Jackson State, about her roles in football and her progression as a leader in college athletics. With extensive experience in operations and a sharp focus on people and details, Mitchell has been recognized as a Rising Executive in the college athletics industry. __ __ Jashell has worked for legendary coaches, spent time in the NFL, and is very passionate about her home community of Flint, Michigan. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown - Mattie White
1QLeadership Question: What does it take to be a university's first Director of Athletics? We asked Darnell Smith, Director of Athletics at Texas A&M-San Antonio, about the process of starting an athletics department. The school did not have varsity sports prior to Smith's arrival. __ __ Darnell smith started as the only person in the department and has hired everyone who is currently a part of the staff. Culture and leadership development are major aspects of his process. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
@1QLeadership Question: Can personal and professional purpose intersect? We asked Misty Brown, Assistant Commissioner at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) if her purpose as a professional intersects with her purpose as an individual. She pointed out that the things she loves to do at work coincide with what she loves to do at home: • Develop relationships that go beyond the transactional nature of work • Set aside time for intentional focus on your reason for doing what you do • Understand how your professional purpose impacts your personal life • Understand how your personal purpose impacts your professional life In executing her purpose, Brown has provided internships to student-athletes, created volunteer opportunities at conference tournaments, and designates one day a week to engaging with the young people who compete in the Southeastern Conference. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
@1QLeadership Question: What are the steps needed to create a major giving society for a college athletics department? Colton Primm, Senior Associate Athletics Director at Louisiana Tech, answered this question based on his experience setting up the Aillet Society on campus: __ __ Primm explains that (at La Tech) the annual fund is used for the general operations of the athletics department, while the major giving society creates long term giving opportunities and is used for specific projects. As the giving amounts get higher, information and access have proven to be the key benefits. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
@1QLeadership Question: What elements are necessary for success in a college athletics department? During a visit with Tulane University's Deputy Athletics Director, Kortne Gosha, we asked what it takes to build a successful athletics program. __ __ Gosha has experience leading a department and provides a perspective during a transitional period with the recent departure of the Director of Athletics.
@1QLeadership Question: How can Student-Athletes voice concerns about their experiences on campus? We asked David Chadwick, Founder & CEO of RealResponse https://new.realresponse.com/, about solving the problem athletics departments faced in receiving real-time, confidential feedback from student-athletes on campus. __ __ Chadwick started the company as an undergrad after playing his final basketball game at Valparaiso. The company has evolved to include professional leagues, NASCAR, corporations, and the general student body on college campuses. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
I asked Keiko Price, Associate VP of Campus Life & Director of Athletics at Emory University, about making tough decisions while leading an athletics department. She answered on the topic of student-athlete accusations against coaches: __ __ Price is in her third year leading the department. She also covers the impact and challenges of her responsibilities as Associate VP of Campus Life. The conversation is wide ranging and insightful. @1QLeadership Question: Should a leader have a set process for making tough decisions? One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
I asked Valparaiso University Director of Athletics, Dr. Charles Small about how social work concepts fit on campus and specifically within college athletics. He covered the concepts below: __ __ __ Dr. Small has a social work background and comes from a family of social workers, so his insight on the 'person in the environment' is excellent. He covers all this in the context of his work at Valpo here on the One Question Leadership Podcast. @1QLeadership Question: Is there an intersection between social work concepts and leadership? -Tai M. Brown
We asked Breakthru Brands Founder, Laura Barnard, about common patterns women face during their leadership journey. The company has worked with over 200 clients, primarily women leaders, to elevate their unique contributions and voices. Based on the data and other studies, Barnard identified two gaps senior women leaders deal with as they progress in their careers: 1. Confidence gap: Senior women leaders are less likely to feel confident in their job performance within their careers. 2. Authority gap: Senior women leaders are less likely to feel heard and trusted in the workplace, they also experience interruptions and doubt in the workplace. This insight is interesting because one is internal, while the other seems to be external. Barnard goes in depth about these two gaps and much more during her visit to @1QLeadership https://1quest.co/1qLt. @1QLeadership Question: Have you faced the confidence and authority gaps during your career? - Tai M. Brown - One Question Leadership Podcast
On the question of creating a strategic plan, Toledo Executive Associate Athletics Director & COO, Nicole Alderson visits @1QLeadership to talk about her involvement in putting together the strategy for Toledo Athletics. Immediately upon being hired, Alderson was tasked with creating the strategy for success for the department. She gives insight on communicating with campus and tying all aspects of campus together to prepare a successful future. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
On the question of valuing the human element in the workplace, Michigan Associate AD for Communications & PR, Kurt Svoboda https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtsvoboda/, stops by @1QLeadership https://1quest.co/1qLt to share his insight on growing people, separating work and home identity, crisis communications, and leadership development. Svoboda also gives his thoughts on analyzing failure within the context of issues management. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
On the question of mid-major conference finances, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Deputy Commissioner, Jessica Grasso visits @1QLeadership to discuss revenue generation, building trust within the conference, and leadership. Grasso gives her insight on what makes the MAAC unique within the industry. She also talks about her philosophy of 'Leading Beyond the W.' - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
On the question of the Hispanic experience within college athletics, Liz Reyes of Illinois and Ben Rodriguez of Rutgers visit @1QLeadership to share insight and talk about the establishment of the Latino Association for Collegiate Athletics Administrators & Student Athletes (@LA_CAASA). The organization exists to increase representation and opportunities for Hispanics in college athletics. Both Reyes and Rodriguez talk about their experiences and desires for what they have seen and want to see within the industry.
On the question of the role of legal counsel within an athletics department, Ane Debro https://www.linkedin.com/in/anedebro/, Associate General Counsel for Athletics at Ole Miss, visits @1QLeadership https://1quest.co/1qLt to discuss her position. Debro talks about the difference in tempo working in athletics versus working as the general counsel on campus. She gives her insight on how her responsibilities go beyond compliance, which include providing legal answers that help things move a bit faster within the department. The conversation wraps with Debro's thoughts on student-athletes and NIL.
* On the question of leadership through a reflective lens, Texas A&M Director of Athletics, Ross Bjork, stops by @1QLeadership to talk about his experiences and understanding the breadth of college athletics. The conversation covers planning for different possible outcomes, letting his emotions impact his actions in the past, and advice to those looking to be in the chair. His five hot button areas for ascending professionals are embracing tradition, understanding the political environment, increasing competitiveness, finances, and adapting to the evolving nature of college athletics. - One question leadership podcast - Tai M. Brown
On the question of creating an environment where mental wellness is a priority, Temple University Sr. Associate Athletics Director, Dr. Stephany Coakley, visits @1QLeadership http://onequestionpodcast.com/ to discuss the setup for the athletics department. With a purpose of helping people master the mental and emotional aspects of performing consistently at a high level, Dr. Coakley has put education for coaches and staff as a priority within the department. The conversation also covers the difficulty athletes have transitioning away from sports, noting it can take a minimum of 12 months to fully accept the transition. Coakley also provides advice to people who are influential in a student-athlete's life to help them prepare to transition away from participating in sports. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
On the question of NCAA activism, Northern Illinois VP of Intercollegiate Athletics, Sean Frazier https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-frazier-760792b5/ returns to @1QLeadership https://1quest.co/1qLt to ponder what the collective group of institutions that make up the governing body of college athletics is doing to counteract the trend of states banning DEI positions, banning books, and other actions that seem to violate the social agreement. Frazier mentions past activism actions in the Carolinas among other places as a standard that should continue. - One question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
On the question of managing athletic facilities on campus, Notre Dame Sr. Associate Athletics Director, Timothy Wise, visits @1QLeadership to cover a number of related items. Wise talks about the important areas that get overlooked with planning a facilities operating budget. He gives insight on how someone in his position is evaluated, and covers the pain points when managing up in terms of facilities. The conversation wraps with his involvement in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the college athletics industry. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown
On the question of coaching football with her father, University of St. Thomas (MN) student Anna Caruso, joins Head Football Coach Glenn Caruso, to give her perspective of being on the sideline with family. Anna, a current Tommies Softball Student-Athlete, talks about categorizing the coach mindset while playing, and Coach Caruso gives his thoughts on the evolution of women coaching football.
On the question of feeling like a leader, Macalester College Director of Athletics, Donnie Brooks https://www.linkedin.com/in/donniebrooks/, visits @1QLeadership https://1quest.co/1qLt to talk about his evolution in the leadership chair. Brooks goes over his process of developing personal core values, and affirming them by also defining what they do and don't look like in action. He also discusses feeling uncomfortable in the traditional AD outfit of sport coat and Cole Haan's but acknowledges visiting other leaders and finding unique qualities to bring back to his department as the school ascends its conference.
