Always curious about the inner-workings of a Division I athletic department, Jeff Mitchell gives the Spin Chicks a look inside Ball State University. Jeff also reflects on the steps it took to get him into the AD chair as he was recently appointed to lead Cardinals’ program in May 2023. From spending years on the baseball fields as a youngster, to playing ball in college, to law school at Ole Miss, Jeff has filled his resume with marketing and communication, compliance and sports supervisory roles and oversight. Sounds like the perfect CV for an athletic director, right? Jeff also takes us back to his time as a public address announcer for college sports.

Catching up with uber-successful past colleagues and friends in the sports world has become a trademark of The Spin Chicks. This episode checks off a bucket list item for Erika as Michelle introduces her to Olympic gold medalist Allen Johnson. Now the head track and field coach at North Carolina A&T, Allen reflects on his time on the playground as a child to winning the Olympic gold medal in 1996. Also a four-time World Champion in the 110m hurdles, Allen’s humble demeanor is a delight to listen to as he runs us through his Olympic championship race from start to finish. Learn more about what it takes to be a world class athlete and coach.

As part of The Spin Chicks behind the scenes look at college athletics, Michelle introduces Erika to one of her long time friends, Brainard Cooper. Brainard has worked in the athletic training field at the University of South Carolina since 1983. Primarily working with the Gamecock baseball and men’s soccer teams, for years he also oversaw a slew of other teams. His humor and stories of the National Championship years with Carolina in the College World Series will keep you in stitches. If you are interested in how a collegiate athlete must do rehab, injured or not, press listen now. Just don’t bring your phone into his training room.

Erika introduces Michelle to one of her former colleagues, Rob Carolla. A seasoned veteran in collegiate sports media relations, Rob brings an inspiring energy to every aspect of the job. Rob is highly regarded as one of the nation’s best at PR, event management and media coordination. He has shown tremendous leadership in the industry as the role of a sports information director has evolved. A devoted Yankees and UConn fan, he shares that passion with his two sons and we love his mantra “father before everything.” If you work in sports or would like to, this episode is a must-listen.

Michelle introduces Erika to the woman who brought her into the world, Wilma Schmitt. Michelle’s mom grew up near Chicago, but has been a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals’ fan longer than most listeners have been alive. Retired for more than 30 years, Wilma fills us in what life consists of: making cards, baking cookies and staying on top of the sports-world.

The Spin Chicks' 2nd episode latest podcast featuring Kerry Tharp, Michelle's all-time favorite boss! Kerry's remarkable skill set as a media relations expert took him from the University of South Carolina to NASCAR, where he has truly made a profound impact. In part 2, Erika and Michelle discover what life was like for Kerry behind the scenes at NASCAR, including a little shake and bake, and later as the president of the historic Darlington Raceway. Plus, hear about his next chapter as he closes out his career in motorsports and takes on retirement. Thanks for listening!

In this episode Michelle introduces Erika to her all-time favorite boss, Kerry Tharp. Kerry was the Associate Athletic Director at the University of South Carolina when he hired Michelle for her first full time position and the two worked together for 12 years. As Michelle predicted, there’s so much to cover that this is the first of a two part podcast with Kerry. In this episode the Kentucky native keeps The Spin Chicks in stitches with his entertaining stories from his days in collegiate athletics. In his position at South Carolina he was the media director for Hall of Fame coaches Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier. We learned that Kerry can even do a Coach Holtz imitation. Kerry also reflects back on South Carolina’s initial days of play in the Southeastern Conference. And it wouldn’t be fair if they didn’t talk about their appreciation of Michelle’s mom’s cookies too.

For the past 20 years Karin Helmstaedt has worked for DW-TV’s Culture Department in Berlin. A former Canadian National swimmer, her latest project behind and in front of the camera is titled: A Witch in the Family. This Spin Chicks podcast gives our listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of this passion project. Karin’s own ancestor was burned as a witch in 17th century Germany. The 26-minute YouTube documentary is an absolute must-watch for anyone who appreciates the magic of storytelling and the power of connecting with our roots. Karin's genuine enthusiasm and love for her craft shine through every frame, making it impossible to look away.
https://karinhelmstaedt.com/
https://youtu.be/Y2Q1Vo9kduo

Growing up, Karin Helmstaedt swam both at the collegiate level (University of Toronto) and internationally for the Canadian National Team. Michelle and Karin crossed paths for the first time in 1995 at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships and then again at the Atlanta Olympic Games the following year. Fluent in three languages, Karin has spent the last 25 years working in Europe – a testament to her incredible adaptability and willingness to embrace new experiences. Since 1999 she has worked for Germany’s international broadcaster DW-TV, hosting various news and culture formats as well as live events. Karin wears many hats in her life: she is a wife, a mom, and an accomplished journalist and moderator. Balancing all these roles requires immense skill, dedication – and stamina! It's clear that Karin approaches everything she does with passion and enthusiasm.
https://karinhelmstaedt.com/

Jennifer Rodrigues is the Director of Brand Strategy for one of the nation’s most prominent collegiate brands, the University of Alabama. She has worked in higher education for more than 30 years, including 20 in athletics media relations. Jennifer talks with Erika and Michelle about her career journey in collegiate sports, including one of her proudest moments - developing a first-ever Heisman campaign at the University of Memphis for DeAngelo Williams.