"What Would You Say You Do Here?"

Travel is often one of the most exciting parts of events such as tournaments or bowl games, and Kyle McDonald gets a hand in providing these experiences for fans, donors and alumni that go beyond the standard. McDonald joins your host, Dan Gale, on this week's episode of "What Would You Say You Do Here?" to discuss his role at Sports & Entertainment Travel. Specifically, McDonald details his duties in business development and relationship cultivation, including why it is so important for collegiate athletic departments to factor travel plans into their logistics. With SET, athletic departments are then able to place an extended focus on both the student-athlete experience as well as donor relationships.

Starting in his selected industry 12 years ago, McDonald brings a wealth of knowledge on both the tourism and collegiate athletic marketplaces. Be sure to tune in for a distinctive view of the Sports Tourism industry in what we hope is the post-COVID-era, specifically focusing on special offerings for a high quality and safe experience for all. You will not want to miss this week's episode of "What Would You Say You Do Here?" to get an inside-scoop of this budding industry.

Having spent years in athletic departments at schools like North Carolina and Old Dominion, Kaylah Hughes took her talents and knowledge to the Big Ten Conference to assist in logistics and operations for both their Football and Basketball departments. Kaylah, Assistant Director of Football and Basketball Operations, joins your host Dan Gale for this week's episode of "What Would You Say You Do Here?" to discuss her role in the conference and the adjustments and pivots they have taken to adjust to the current landscape of events.

Originally wanting to go into medicine, Kaylah discovered her passion in sports while at North Carolina, something that stemmed from childhood memories of watching ESPN with her father. You will not want to miss hearing Kaylah's perspective of Fall 2021/Spring 2022 operations, including events such as FB/MBB/WBB Conference Championships, Super Saturday and more. Be sure to tune into this week's episode of "What Would You Say You Do Here?" for the inside scoop on one of the women behind the magic that is the Big Ten Conference's Football and Basketball Operations. 

With what started as a college student conducting informational interviews out of his dorm room to a now extensive network of sport professionals, Adam White never imagined his brand would come as far as it has. As Founder and CEO of Front Office Sports, Adam joins your host, Dan Gale, to discuss his role in managing a rapidly growing company that has expanded to five brands in the last year.

Specifically, Adam details his perspective of FOS's placement in the media market as well as the recent culture development within the company. FOS's focus on frictionless and free media has contributed to their success in recent years, and it is only the beginning, according to White. Be sure to tune in to this week's episode of the "What Would You Say You Do Here?" podcast for a look inside of Front Office Sports and to see why over 350,000 subscribers call their newsletter a "morning must read".

This week, Dan Gale sits down with the Deputy Director of Athletics at the University of Southern Mississippi, Jeff Mitchell, to talk about both his unique background and his journey from student-athlete to his current position. Together, Dan and Jeff talk about his position at USM and how he operates with his staff to help the student-athlete experience. 

Be sure to catch Jeff's philosophy on managing relationships with coaches and the way he works to nurture the partnership between athletics and the overall University. Finally, you will not want to miss their conversation regarding Jeff's application of past experience as a student-athlete to his current and future positions. 

Check out this week's episode of the "What Would You Say You Do Here?" Podcast as Dan sits down with Dr. Dennis Thomas, the Commissioner at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) to discuss his role in operating the conference. Together, Dan and Dr. Thomas talk about his role at the conference office, the MEAC's focus for the future growth, as well as his stories of his past as a student-athlete. Be sure to tune in to hear Dr. Thomas' perspective of the MEAC's recent extension with ESPN Events. Finally, you won't want to miss Dr. Thomas talking about where he sees the future and development of college athletics in the coming years.

This week, Dan Gale sits down with the Chief Executive Officer of The Aspire Group, Bill Fagan to talk about both his journey from the first employee to CEO as well as the growth of Aspire and new opportunities on the horizon. Together, Dan and Bill talk about Bill's role at Aspire and how they serve their partners by helping to grow revenue and attendance. Be sure to catch Bill's take on the rising costs of funding an athletic department and some potential solutions. Finally, you will not want to miss their discussion regarding Aspire's new deal with Morgan State and many more new opportunities for The Aspire Group.

This week, your host, Dan Gale, sits down with Pat Chun, the Director of Athletics at Washington State University. Together, Dan and Pat discuss Pat's upbringing as a son of two South Korean immigrants in Ohio and his journey to get to where he is today. Be sure to hear their discussion about the creation and the importance of the Asian American & Pacific Islander Athletics Alliance (AAPI) and about the community Pat has been able to create alongside fellow leaders, Amy Huchthausen and Vicky Chun. Finally, you won't want to miss Pat's take on the importance of strong relationships and creating an environment that allows for student-athletes to succeed as well as his thoughts on the recently announced field naming rights deal between WSU and Gesa Credit Union.

In this week's episode, Dan sits down with Dr. Edward Scott, the Vice President and Director of Athletics at Morgan State University to discuss his role in facilitating success for student-athletes both in the classroom and on the field. Together, Dan and Ed talk about the growth and development of Morgan State over the past five years, made possible through a four-phased approach, as well as the importance of alignment within a university. Be sure to hear Ed's description of his new responsibilities both as Vice President at Morgan State as well as on the Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP). Finally, you won't want to miss Ed talking about how he has been able to hire such a talented and diverse staff and how he defines his purpose and motivation.