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

Full Video Podcasts

July 7, 2025

A Philly "Big 5" School Navigates the New World of Division I-A Conversation with LaSalle's Dan A...

Dr. Daniel Allen, president of LaSalle University, joins the podcast to discuss the evolving landscape of college athletics. We discuss the challenges facing higher education, including enrollment and funding, the impact of NIL and revenue sharing, and the importance of maintaining a strong athletic identity while balancing academic priorities. Dr.…

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July 7, 2025

Leading Change in Division III: Athletics, Enrollment and the NCAA's Role for College Presidents

My guest today is a game-changer—both on the national stage and on his own campus. He’s one of the leading voices in NCAA Division III governance and transformation. As the newly appointed chair of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council, he represents over 430 colleges and universities and 44 voting…

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July 7, 2025

Philly "Big 5" School Navigates the New World of Division I: A Conversation with LaSalle's Dan Allen

Dr. Daniel Allen, president of LaSalle University, joins the podcast to discuss the evolving landscape of college athletics. We discuss the challenges facing higher education, including enrollment and funding, the impact of NIL and revenue sharing, and the importance of maintaining a strong athletic identity while balancing academic priorities. Dr.…

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May 29, 2025

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

Dr. Cheryl McConnell, president of Saint 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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May 3, 2025

Price of Play: Economist Dan Rascher Breaks Down the $2.8 Billion House v. NCAA Settlement

Join host Karen Weaver and economist Dr. Dan Rascher as they decode the landmark House v. NCAA case, revealing how antitrust rules, NIL rights, and billion-dollar settlements will reshape college athletics and empower student-athletes. Uncover the real numbers behind past damages dating back to 2016 and learn how video game,…

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April 25, 2025

Navigating Private Equity in College Sports with Shamrock Capital's Mike LaSalle

Dr. Karen Weaver discusses the complexities of private equity in college athletics with Michael LaSalle from Shamrock Capital Advisors. They explore the definition of private equity, the governance structures of universities, and the potential conflicts that arise when integrating private equity into athletic departments. The conversation also delves into marketing…

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April 25, 2025

Presidential Leadership in a Changing College Athletics Landscape-Maryland's President Darryll Pines

Dr. Darryll Pines, the president of the University of Maryland, discusses the evolving landscape of college athletics and higher education. He addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by recent changes, including the impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) on student-athletes, the role of private equity in college sports, and the…

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April 17, 2025

NIU's Strategic Shift in Division I Athletic Conferences-an interview with Sean Frazier, VP/AD

In this podcast episode, Dr. Karen Weaver interviews Sean Frazier, the Vice President and Director of Athletics at Northern Illinois University (NIU). They discuss the evolving landscape of Division I athletics, focusing on NIU's strategic decisions in response to recent NCAA changes, the transfer portal, and the implications of the…

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March 27, 2025

A Time for Choosing-Saint Francis Moves from DI to DIII

Welcome to the podcast. Today, we'll navigate the crossroads of higher education and college sports. We'll explore how institutions must reassess their place in today's landscape, not where they stood decades ago. Joining me is Father Malachi Van Tassell, President of St. Francis University, to dis

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March 27, 2025

Sports Betting, Mental Health, and the Hidden Risks of March Madness

For so many college students around the country, March Madness creates opportunities to build brackets and watch them dissolve. However, since mobile sports betting became as easy as picking up your phone, the dynamic has changed. My guest today is Dr. Lindsey Mortenson, Chief Mental Health Officer

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March 24, 2025

“We have more athletes than we have fans”

Hello and welcome to the podcast! I’m Karen Weaver. Today, I’m joined by journalist Eric Kelderman from the Chronicle of Higher Education. Erik has covered college administration for years, with a focus on the challenges facing campus leaders. From accreditation to finance to public perception, Eric brings deep insight into…

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March 3, 2025

Trustees and Politics: UNC’s Leadership Battle and the Bill Belichick Shake-Up

Karen Weaver sits down with the News & Observer higher education reporter Korie Dean to discuss a brewing governance battle within the University of North Carolina (UNC) System. They explore a recent controversy involving UNC System President Peter Hans, who called out campus trustees for overstepping their authority—particularly in the…

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March 2, 2025

Playing FAIR: NIL Dispute Resolutions Emerge in College Sports

Tim Nevius, founder of Nevius Legal and FAIR Sports, discusses the evolving landscape of college athletics, NIL agreements, and revenue-sharing models. He explains FAIR’s role in dispute resolution for athletes, universities, and stakeholders, offering insights on arbitration, mediation, and contractual complexities in college sports. FAIR’s website is ⁠https://fairsports.org/

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Feb. 26, 2025

What's Inside the Power 4 NIL contracts athletes will sign?. Michael LeRoy joins the conversation

In this insightful episode, Dr. Karen Weaver sits down with Michael LeRoy, a labor and employment relations professor at the University of Illinois, and dive into the implications of NIL contracts and the potential for privatization of collegiate sports. LeRoy reveals surprising details about Big Ten and SEC NIL agreements,…

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Feb. 19, 2025

The Search for Integrity in College Athletics: Indiana President Emeritus Tom Ehrlich on Leadersh...

My guest is Thomas Ehrlich, Indiana University's president emeritus, former provost at the University of Pennsylvania and Dean of the Stanford Law School. Tom was a member of the Big Ten's COP/C council (Council of Presidents and Chancellors) when Penn State joined the Big Ten and Bobby Knight roamed the…

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Feb. 19, 2025

The Search for Integrity in College Athletics: Indiana President Emeritus Tom Ehrlich on Leadership

My guest is Thomas Ehrlich, Indiana University's president emeritus, former provost at the University of Pennsylvania and Dean of the Stanford Law School. Tom was a member of the Big Ten's COP/C council (Council of Presidents and Chancellors) when Penn State joined the Big Ten and Bobby Knight roamed the…

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Feb. 19, 2025

From DEI to NCAA: The Shifting Landscape of Higher Ed

My guest is Robert Kelchen, Professor of Education Policy and an expert in higher education finance, from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. We cover the Trump administration's "Dear Colleague" letter, to pressures to cut research funding; from retiring the old tropes of the "Flutie Factor" and the "Cinderellas in March…

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Feb. 11, 2025

A President’s Guide to Elevating Institutional Value Through College Sports & Storytelling

Join Dr. Karen Weaver as she speaks with sports media experts/consultants John Kosner and Ed Desser about the evolving landscape of college athletics. John and Ed authored the seminal 2021 NCAA Gender Equity Media analysis which identified $80 million of unrealized revenues the NCAA was leaving on the table in…

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Feb. 4, 2025

Leading Change in Division III: Athletics, Enrollment and the NCAA's Role for College Presidents

My guest today is a game-changer—both on the national stage and on his own campus. He’s one of the leading voices in NCAA Division III governance and transformation. As the newly appointed chair of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council, he represents over 430 colleges and universities and 44 voting…

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Feb. 3, 2025

Inside the Game: U. Kentucky Embraces Private Equity Strategies, Growing Revenues and the Future ...

Welcome to the podcast! Today, we’re joined by Dr. Eric N. Monday, Executive Vice President at the University of Kentucky, as he shares insights on the role of UK’s brand in the community and the evolving landscape of college athletics. We discuss revenue challenges, private equity, infrastructure investments, and the…

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Jan. 10, 2025

How Can DI University Leaders Navigate Legal Challenges in the New Landscape of College Athletics?

With the 2025 NCAA Convention fast approaching, I wanted to visit with an attorney who is regular conversations with Division I campuses to navigate their futures. They ask my guest tough questions and she provides legal clarity (as best as is possible in this crazy upside down era). Kelleigh Irwin…

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Jan. 6, 2025

The MAC's Mission: Elevating Ethics and Sustainability in College Athletics

I'm joined on the podcast by President Geoffrey S. Mearns, the 17th president of Ball State University. Since 2017, he’s led initiatives like *Destination 2040: Our Flight Path*, driving record-breaking enrollment, alumni engagement, and fundraising, while shaping the University’s long-term vision. Joining him is Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher, Commissioner of…

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Jan. 6, 2025

Accelerating Change: Improving the Athlete Experience Through Active Athlete Involvement

AUDIO ONLY Hello, and welcome to the 150th episode of Trustees and Presidents! I’m Karen Weaver. Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s at the center of the storm in college athletics—change. Why is it so challenging for college athletics to adapt to this new era of likely revenue sharing,…

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Jan. 6, 2025

Accelerating Change: Improving the Athlete Experience Through Active Athlete Involvement

Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s at the center of the storm in college athletics—change. Why is it so challenging for college athletics to adapt to this new era of likely revenue sharing, NIL, and its evolving role in campus life? Change has become the defining word for both…

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