1.question Podcast

Mark Dantonio, Head Football Coach at Michigan State, visited @TaiMBrown on the 1.Question Podcast for a quick interview to discuss team chemistry in terms of a family atmosphere. Dantonio believes a family environment has led to his success as a head coach as he emphasizes the importance of developing relationships with players beyond just their time on the team. Constant evaluation has also proven to be an important tool as he critiques everything from how the team traveled to how they won a football game.

Dr. Chris Kimball, President at Cal Lutheran, joins @TaiMBrown to discuss the importance of athletics on campus. Kimball talks about how the connection between academics and athletics is essential at CLU, specifically speaking on the process of educating the whole person academically, physically, and spiritually. Serving on the D3 Management Council, Kimball mentions how this group expands his thoughts on the complexities and importance of operating intercollegiate athletics on campuses around the country.

Markus Jennings, Associate AD for External Affairs at Sacramento State, joins @TaiMBrown on 1.Question during the 2018 NACDA Convention. Jennings talks about his transition from the corporate world to working in development to his current position overseeing external affairs. He discusses his critical follow-up question when on a development visit and how it can help with future cultivation. Jennings also covers his strategy for managing people during his transition to external affairs and sport oversight.

Sherryta Freeman, AD at Lafayette College, joins @TaiMBrown to discuss her evaluation process as she completes her first few months in the chair. Freeman discusses how making connections within the department and on campus allows her to empower those under her leadership to handle tasks more efficiently. She also discusses setting goals and expectations for those on staff, explaining that each person will be evaluated based on the five values which guide the department.

Dr. Ronald Nowaczyk, President at Frostburg State, joins @TaiMBrown to discuss FSU's transition from D-III to D-II. Nowaczyk touches on the feasibility study involving facilities, staffing, Student-Athletes, and the university as a whole to gauge the move beforehand. He details engaging the campus constituency to sell the idea and build excitement. Nowaczyk, a well researched and published psychology educator, also discusses his perspective on the psychological importance of athletics to the campus community.

Kelley Hartley Hutton, AD at Purdue Fort Wayne, joins @TaiMBrown to discuss her role in twice rebranding the department. When she started as AD, athletics was branded as IPFW Athletics. Hartley Hutton discusses the process of presenting the rebrand idea to the chancellor, to bringing on Under Armour to outfit the newly branded Fort Wayne Mastadons. In addition to the initial rebrand, the entire school recently rebranded itself as Purdue Fort Wayne. Hartley Hutton also discusses her role in that process.

Portia Hoeg, Executive Director of Athletics at Rhodes College, joins @TaiMBrown to discuss the transition into her new role. Hoeg talks about what attracted her to the job, and what she expects to bring to the department. She also discusses the importance of her "listening tour" to know the who, what, when, where, and why of how the institution operates. Empowering Student-Athletes to use their voice is at the core of Hoeg's philosophy and she intends to keep that on the forefront as she moves forward.

Dr. Kristene Kelly, AD at Keene State and soon to be Sr. Associate AD/SWA at Dartmouth joins @TaiMBrown to discuss the aspects of her time in the chair that she will bring to her upcoming appointment. Kelly talks about how her department provided creative solutions to campus-wide budgetary problems. She also discusses how making decisions as an AD has helped to sharpen her problem solving and prioritization skills, identifying "expectation management" as a key asset that she'll bring to Dartmouth.

Sean Frazier, Associate VP & AD at NIU, visits @TaiMBrown and the 1.Question Podcast at the 2018 NACDA Convention. Frazier discusses the tumultuous environment in society and its effect on leadership in athletics. He mentions being a constant educator on what's happening, what are the potential outcomes, and what can be done now to prepare for future issues. Emphasizing that there is no substitute for daily preparation, Frazier also talks about athletics continuing to be the on the forefront of social change.

John Shukie, President of Forward Progress Athletic Consulting, visited with @TaiMBrown at the 2018 NACDA Convention. Shukie provides insight into the upcoming NCAA Academic Based Revenue Distribution Initiative. He explains how schools can position themselves to receive the monetary incentive by focusing on the "student" aspect as well as looking at a variety of variables related to APR, GSR, and a host of other academic benchmarks. Shukie also touches on the current conversation surrounding transfers.

Rob Knox, Associate Media Relations Director at Towson, visits with @TaiMBrown at the 2018 NACDA Convention. Knox, incoming CoSIDA President, talks about the significance of being only the 2nd African-American president in the association's history. He also discusses the title of Sports Information Director (SID) and why it no longer accurately describes the role's functionality. With a demeanor showing how much he is honored, Knox expresses his true appreciation for everything the organization represents.

Eileen Daley, Sr. Associate AD for Academic & Student Services/SWA at San Jose State, chats with @TaiMBrown about her background in admissions and how it helps with her current role in athletics. Daley initially left the department and joined campus admissions to gain experience managing a team and to diversify her profile. In her return to athletics, she brought the department and campus closer in terms of ties between recruiting, admissions, academic advising, and Student-Athlete experiences.

Mark Jackson, AD at Villanova, joins @TaiMBrown to discuss leadership through self-discovery. Jackson speaks to the importance for people in leadership positions to find the quiet time to understand who they are. He talks about his own process of discovering his leadership philosophy and how his mentor, Pete Caroll emphasized doing the "lonely work" as a mandatory growth exercise. On the topic of interviewing staff, the first question asked is, "Can you sum up your leadership philosophy in two minutes?"

Tanner Gardner, Sr. Assoc. AD & COO at Rice, visits @TaiMBrown as the two discuss how Gardner's background as a business management consultant in the corporate world helped land his initial position as Chief Revenue Officer; a role which oversaw most aspects of external operations. As COO, Gardner is responsible for a majority of the department's business operations, traditionally a function of the internal side of the house. A role he says brings strong corporate business practices to college athletics.

Dell Robinson, Lead Search Associate for the Athletic Practice at the Spelman Johnson Executive Search Firm, joins @TaiMBrown on the 1.Question Podcast. Robinson, former commissioner for the GLIAC and conference office veteran, discusses how his background and wealth of relationships has proven to be a benefit to Spelman Johnson's athletics practice. He also breaks down the firm's search process from the initial proposal, all the way through presenting candidates and placement checkups later down the line.

Dr. Renae Myles, Sr. Assoc. AD, COO & SWA at Winthrop, visits with @TaiMBrown to discuss the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) events at the upcoming 2018 NACDA Convention. Myles discusses important aspects of the MOAA Symposium including speakers such as Kevin DeShazo and Arne Duncan. She also goes into detail on how convention attendees can maximize their return on investment with emphasis on follow-up notes to speakers and reporting to supervisors on the takeaways from the conference.

Judy Sackfield, Deputy AD & SWA at Texas A&M Commerce, visits with @TaiMBrown on the 1.Question Podcast. Sackfield, having been interim AD twice, discusses how time in the Chair has helped her in her current role as the Deputy. She specifically speaks on learning to better package information so the AD can make well-informed decisions. Speaking on influence within the department, Sackfield mentions longevity and stability as assets when it comes to providing direction for Student-Athletes and coaches alike.

Lesley Irvine, AD at Pomona & Pitzer Colleges, joins @TaiMBrown to discuss the process of developing a culture. Hired as the first full-time AD in almost 20 years, Irvine's department has won conference & national championships. She talks about core values and working with different areas on campus to ensure a successful synergy in supporting athletics. Irvine also discusses the unique set up as Pomona College & Pitzer College are two different institutions but have one combined athletics department.

Jo Potuto, FAR & Law Professor at Nebraska, joins @TaiMBrown to discuss concerns currently on the minds of FARs around the country. Potuto touches on ramifications of potential transfer rules and maintaining academic integrity in the process. She also touches on the FAR's position in athletics in terms of being informed and active in vetting potential compliance issues as (or before) they arrive. Finally, Potuto expresses frustration that the faculty voice is somewhat muted in the current NCAA structure.

Dr. Kevin Blue, Director of Athletics at UC Davis, joins @TaiMBrown to discuss his methods of staff development and professional learning. Blue, the "Professorial AD," taught classes while earning his MBA & PhD and talks about how important learning is as a professional considering the ongoing changes in athletics. He also identifies his preferred methods of helping his staff prepare to handle tough situations, enhance their leadership roles, and provide the best possible environment for Student-Athletes.