Welcome to Trustees and Presidents: A Podcast for University Leaders On College Athletics
A Podcast for University Leaders On College Athletics

Full Video Podcasts

Dec. 1, 2025

Is college athletics in a workplace crisis? This higher education expert says yes

The “College Athletics” infrastructure is collapsing under the growing workloads of staff retrenchment and changing job descriptions. Whether its wins, squad sizes, in athlete medical care and/or for academic transfers coming in from the portal, the enterprise is under more pressure than ever. Kevin McClure, professor of Education Policy at…

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Nov. 30, 2025

Premium' Economy : How Genius Sports' NCAA Partnership Will Power the Future of College Sports

Josh Walker, Co-Founder and CEO of Sports Innovation Lab (now a part of Genius Sports) explains where new NCAA revenue streams are coming from. Calling it the “Premium Economy”, Josh encourages senior leaders to understand and leverage their most valuable assets in today’s entertainment economy—live sports. Our conversation explores the…

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Nov. 23, 2025

Dr. Luke Wood's Bold Plan: Making Sac State a Flagship FBS school in Five Years

Dr. Luke Wood, Sacramento State's ninth president, is leading an ambitious FCS to FBS transition for the university's football program. He discusses his vision for elevating athletics as an economic development engine, bringing celebrity coaches like Mike Bibby and Shaquille O'Neal to campus, advocating for revenue share as racial justice,…

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Nov. 19, 2025

Big Ten's $2.4B Deal: When Trustees Get Left in the Dark

Join Dr. Karen Weaver and special guest Armand Alacbay, Chief of Staff and Vice President for Government Relations at the American Council for Trustees and Alumni for a timely exploration of the Big Ten’s headline-making $2.4 billion private equity deal with UC Investments. Learn why top universities like Michigan and…

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Nov. 18, 2025

Could a Separate Governance Structure for P4 Football Alleviate the College Sports Doom Loop?

University of San Diego President Jim Harris discusses the potential restructuring of the NCAA, particularly focusing on the Power Four conferences and their financial influence via football over all of college athletics. He suggests that these conferences could establish their own governance and rules, separate from the NCAA, to better…

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Nov. 12, 2025

From Endowments to Enrollment: The New Economics of College and College Sports

In a world where the financial dynamics of higher education are constantly shifting, understanding how universities manage their funds is crucial. Karen Weaver dives into an engaging discussion with Janet Lorin, a seasoned reporter from Bloomberg News, who sheds light on the intricate relationship between university endowments, student debt, and…

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Oct. 30, 2025

NEW Content: Inside the 25-Year Deal: UKentucky & JMI Sports' Bold Athletics Model

Dr. Karen Weaver engages with Dr. Eric Monday and Erik Judson to discuss the evolving landscape of college athletics, particularly at the University of Kentucky. They explore the formation of Champion Blue LLC, the importance of multimedia rights, and the role of private equity in enhancing university partnerships. The conversation…

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Oct. 23, 2025

Inside the 25-Year Deal: Kentucky & JMI Sports' Bold Athletics Model

Dr. Karen Weaver engages with Dr. Eric Monday and Erik Judson to discuss the evolving landscape of college athletics, particularly at the University of Kentucky. They explore the formation of Champion Blue LLC, the importance of multimedia rights, and the role of private equity in enhancing university partnerships. The conversation…

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Oct. 23, 2025

NIL, Data Rights and Revenue Gen: The New Frontier in College Sports

In this podcast episode, Dr. Karen Weaver discusses the complexities of data rights in college athletics with Kristy Gale, CEO of Honor Data Rights Management. They explore the ethical implications of data collection, the importance of educating athletes about their data rights, and the potential for universities to monetize athlete…

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Oct. 6, 2025

Two Campuses, Two Conferences, One Vision: System Leadership in College Sports

Karen Weaver interviews Dr. Daniel Mahony, the 10th president of the Southern Illinois University System. They discuss the unique structure of the SIU system, the challenges and opportunities in college athletics, and the importance of community engagement and student involvement. Dr. Mahony shares insights on financial management, legislative challenges, and…

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Oct. 2, 2025

After 3,000 miles, This University Found a New Athletics Identity

"Winning in athletics is about more than just outcomes; it's about commitment and resources." Dr. Polly Peterson, president of the University of Jamestown, discusses the significant transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II athletics. She shares insights on strategic planning, community engagement, and the importance of maintaining a balance in…

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Oct. 2, 2025

$500 million investment comes to college athletics-A conversation with Elevate's Jonathan Marks

In this podcast episode, Dr. Karen Weaver interviews Jonathan Marks, Chief Business Officer at Elevate, discussing the evolving landscape of college sports, the importance of premium hospitality, and the strategic investments Elevate is making to enhance the college sports experience. They explore how Elevate is helping colleges maximize revenue through…

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Oct. 2, 2025

Navigating NIL Contracts: Insights from Legal Experts

Joining the podcast is Paia LaPalombara, a partner at the Church Church Hittle + Antrim law firm based near Indianapolis. She is a former NCAA Division I student-athlete and powerhouse strategist. She has advised institutions on the House v. NCAA settlement to structuring NIL licensing agreements and managing complex compliance…

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Oct. 2, 2025

The Conservative Agenda In Higher Education Comes For Athletics

In this podcast episode, Dr. Karen Weaver discusses the current state of higher education under the Trump administration with Dr. Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. Jeanne is a Bloomberg Media contributor and a Senior Democracy Fellow at The Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress. Her day job includes being…

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Oct. 2, 2025

"Opting In" Became a Strategic Decision"-A Conversation With Canisius President Steve Stoute

How many former Division I athletes become a president of a Division I school? My guest today is Steve Stoute, former Seton Hall soccer player who is now the president at Canisius University. His career path has offered him unique insights and influence at one of the pivotal moments in…

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Oct. 2, 2025

"When it Comes to College Athletics, There's a 100% Chance of Continued Fog"

Dr. Cheryl McConnell, president of St. Joseph's University, discusses the challenges and transformations in higher education, particularly in the context of athletics and university identity. She emphasizes the need for strategic decision-making amidst chaos, the importance of aligning athletics with the university's mission, and the complexities of navigating NCAA regulations…

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Oct. 1, 2025

Lackawanna’s Leap: Their Historic Jump from NJCAA to NCAA

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jill Murray, the first female president of Lackawanna College (PA), discusses the college's transition from NJCAA to NCAA Division II, highlighting the innovative changes and strategic planning involved. She emphasizes the importance of athletic development, student support, and expanding athletic programs to enhance student experiences.…

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Oct. 1, 2025

Lackawanna’s Leap: Their Historic Jump from NJCAA to NCAA

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jill Murray, the first female president of Lackawanna College (PA), discusses the college's transition from NJCAA to NCAA Division II, highlighting the innovative changes and strategic planning involved. She emphasizes the importance of athletic development, student support, and expanding athletic programs to enhance student experiences.…

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Sept. 24, 2025

After 3,000 miles, This University Found a New Athletics Identity

"Winning in athletics is about more than just outcomes; it's about commitment and resources." Dr. Polly Peterson, president of the University of Jamestown, discusses the significant transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II athletics. She shares insights on strategic planning, community engagement, and the importance of maintaining a balance in…

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Sept. 24, 2025

$500 million investment comes to college athletics-A conversation with Elevate's Jonathan Marks

In this podcast episode, Dr. Karen Weaver interviews Jonathan Marks, Chief Business Officer at Elevate, discussing the evolving landscape of college sports, the importance of premium hospitality, and the strategic investments Elevate is making to enhance the college sports experience. They explore how Elevate is helping colleges maximize revenue through…

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Aug. 18, 2025

Navigating NIL Contracts: Insights from Legal Experts

Joining the podcast is Paia LaPalombara, a partner at the Church Church Hittle + Antrim law firm based near Indianapolis. She is a former NCAA Division I student-athlete and powerhouse strategist. She has advised institutions on the House v. NCAA settlement to structuring NIL licensing agreements and managing complex compliance…

View more
Aug. 5, 2025

The Conservative Agenda In Higher Education Comes For Athletics

In this podcast episode, Dr. Karen Weaver discusses the current state of higher education under the Trump administration with Dr. Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. Jeanne is a Bloomberg Media contributor and a Senior Democracy Fellow at The Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress. Her day job includes being…

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July 21, 2025

"Opting In" Became a Strategic Decision"-A Conversation With Canisius President Steve Stoute

How many former Division I athletes become the president of a Division I school? My guest today is Steve Stoute, former Seton Hall soccer player who is now the president at Canisius University. His career path has offered him unique insights and influence at one of the pivotal moments in…

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July 18, 2025

Not done yet-5 changes impacting college athletics after the House settlement-Ross Dellinger

Ross Dellinger of Yahoo Sports, one of the very best college football reporters, joins the podcast. We discuss the evolving landscape of college athletics post-July 1, 2025, particularly focusing on athlete compensation, collective bargaining, and the implications of new legislation. We discuss the recent support for collective bargaining from athletic…

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