In this episode, Ira Zeff talks about his journey from basketball coach to director of athletics, NWU’s transition from a dual NAIA/NCAA member to a full-time Division III member of the Iowa Conference and his thoughts on leadership in collegiate athletics today. Dr. Ira Zeff is the Director of Athletics at Nebraska Wesleyan University, where […]
PoA081 | Linda Bruno, Skyline Conference
In this episode, Linda Bruno shares her insights related to the contrasting worlds of NCAA DIvision I and Division III and her current challenges and opportunities running a Division III conference. She also talks about her development as a leader and lessons she has learned over her career. Linda Bruno became commissioner of the Skyline […]
PoA080 | Rick Willis, Wartburg College
In this episode, Rick talks about his dual role as head football coach and director of athletics, the importance of athletics recruiting in enrollment management and the impact of Wartburg’s facilities upgrades. Willis is director of athletics and head football coach. He came to Wartburg in 1997 as head football coach and left that position […]
PoA079 | Betsy Mitchell, Cal Tech University
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 […]
PoA074 | Dave King, Eastern Mennonite University
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 […]
PoA073 | John Shukie, Forward Progress Athletic Consulting
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 […]
PoA072 | Matt Sayre, Southern Oregon University
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 Athletic […]
PoA071 | John Phillips, Embry Riddle University
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 […]