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 […]
PoA078 | Paul Plinske, University of Nebraska, Kearney
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 […]
PoA076 | Nan Carney-Debord, Denison University
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 […]
PoA075 | Gary Williams, Wittenberg University
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 […]
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 […]