In this episode, Betsy Mitchell talks about her approach to leadership, which began as a student-athlete, and her mentors that helped shape her approach to athletics leadership. She also discusses building a competitive athletics program at one of the world’s top engineering colleges and her approach to selling that vision. —- Mitchell is the director […]

In this episode, Dr. Paul Plinske talks about his experiences a perennial Division III powers University of Wisconsin Whitewater and Wisconsin La Crosse and some of the similarities and differences between NCAA divisions. He also has great thoughts on leadership and career advancement. Appointed by Chancellor Doug Kristensen as the ninth Director of Athletics in […]

In this episode Gary Gray shares his background and experiences in intercollegiate athletics, including candid conversation about the state of Alaska’s severe budget crisis and the impacts on his program.  Gray was named Director of Athletics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in September 2012, and assumed his full-time duties on Sept. 24, 2012. He […]

In this episode Nan Carney-Debord discusses her career in athletics, transitioning from a highly successful basketball coach, teacher and administrator into the Athletics Director role at her alma mater. She talks about creating an environment that is “structurally conducive for optimal motivation” in her department and also her “get into the weeds” career advice for up-and-comers. Carney-DeBord […]

In this episode, Gary Williams discusses his transition into his first athletics director role and also how he has been managing a presidential transition since his arrival at Wittenberg two and a half years ago. Gary Williams, Ph.D., became Wittenberg University’s Director of Athletics and Recreation on June 1, 2014. Williams replaced Garnett Purnell, who […]

David A. King returned to his alma mater in 2005, and oversees the 17 intercollegiate sports programs at EMU, providing overall leadership, advocacy and strategic planning. “Athletics is the avenue through which many young people develop themselves to their fullest potential,” King said. “My passion has always been to see personal growth and development of […]

John founded Forward Progress in 2013 after serving as Director of Academic and Membership Affairs (AMA) at the NCAA national office, where he oversaw various academic and compliance-related programs. This included creation and oversight of the in-person academics hearing process, Academic Progress Rate (APR) and Graduation Success Rate (GSR) data and data reviews. Over his […]

In this episode Matt discusses his transition into the Athletic Director’s role and SOU’s football program, which staved off discussions to eliminate the program and engineered a resurgence that culminated with the NAIA national title in 2015. He also shares insights related to brown M&M’s! Check it out. Matt Sayre enters his sixth year as […]

John Phillips was named Embry-Riddle’s Director of Athletics in January 2014 after serving as the Eagles’ Associate Athletics Director for seven years. Born and raised in Kensington, Maryland, Phillips came to Daytona Beach in 1989, enrolling as a student at Embry-Riddle. Phillips played baseball for the Eagles for three seasons, while completing both his undergraduate […]

Dr. Robert J. Dranoff, was named the fifth Commissioner of the East Coast Conference (ECC) April 30, 2008 and commenced duties June 15, 2008. In this episode, Dranoff talks about his transition from Athletics Director to Conference Commissioner, the evolution of NCAA Division 2, leadership and career advice for up-and-comers. Dranoff has been involved in college […]