When the news broke in 2010 of an academic scandal on the campus of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, at first involving members of the football team, few knew that the issue would eventually expand to include more than 3100 students and student-athletes taking 200 “paper courses…
The trend of higher education employees leaving their jobs before they have been offered another is an under-mentioned aspect of the “Great Resignation”. Whether the reason could be due to caregiving for a family member or friend, or the acceleration of wage growth in sectors outside of higher ed, it…
Today's podcast is particularly timely as Presidents are often approached by boosters, conference commissioners and others with ideas of "elevating the schools profile" by changing Conferences. The whole concept of "Conference Realignment" is something your school could face during your tenure. The NCAA's FRS (financial reporting system) is one of…
When a college leader assumes his/her presidency for the first time, I've often wondered how they begin to understand the complexities of college athletics. Nearly 90% of sitting presidents rise to the position from the academic side of the house- where do they learn about athletics? In 2023, there are…
"In 2014, Noriana Radwan, then a women’s soccer player at the University of Connecticut (“UConn”) and recipient of a one-year athletic scholarship, raised her middle finger to a television camera during her team’s post-game celebration after winning a tournament championship. The game was being nationally televised and Radwan’s gesture was…
We all have it. Whether we like the color red over blue, or like a sports car over an SUV, we all have preferences. It's what makes us unique. But when we make decisions about situations and personnel that are based purely on our perception (or, our bias) about what…
Eric Barron’s career has been built on innovation. From his time as Dean of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (and as founding director of the Earth System Science Center), to his presidencies at both Florida State University and Penn State University, he has focused broadly on how to…
Much has been covered about NIL and college athletes, but one topic we don't hear much about is---taxes. If you make over $600 in a year from NIL, an athlete should receive a 1099. However, the categories of how athletes are being paid vary---from cash, to Venmo, to crypto to…
From the perspective of the NCAA's National Office, no one has seen more change in the last 35 years than former VP Dan Dutcher. From 2 Divisions to 3, all the while working with countless coaches, presidents, athletics directors and colleagues, Dan has seen it all. He joins me today…
Higher Ed scholars and faculty are near unanimous in their agreement—the job of being a college or university president today is as difficult as ever. With stressors from finances, to enrollment and state-wide politics, every day is a new adventure. For those whose presidencies are in states like Florida and…
We are joined today by Sports and Data Rights Attorney Michael Clohisy. He is a Boston-based sports attorney, business executive, board member, and former certified National Football League (NFL) player-agent, who has advised clients and matters involving: data rights, privacy and protection in sport; athletes’ digital, publicity (US) – name,…
Why aren't more women holding Division I college presidencies? While smaller colleges (especially community colleges) have seen significant growth in women leading institutions, the numbers dwindle as you move towards Division I. Is there a perception that women presidents can't manage big-time college sports? An important discussion about presidents, college…
In early June 2023, the second annual NIL Summit (https://nilsummit.com) was held at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. Over 500 athletes traveled to Georgia to talk about NIL and grow their understanding of how to maximize their opportunities. The amount of attention and interest in what…
How can colleges and universities creatively leverage new trends in finance? Technology? Real Estate? NIL? This conversation provides valuable Insight from long-time higher ed consultants: Baker Tilly's Adrienne Larmett and Dave Capitano (https://www.bakertilly.com/insights/higher-ed-advisor-forward-looking-solutions-to-top-challenges) . We discuss mergers/acquisitions, reimagining too much or too little housing space on campus, should private equity…
Chase Griffin (https://uclabruins.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=12660) , a UCLA quarterback heading for his third year in 2023, has a boatload of great insight and advice for senior campus leaders about how NIL really works. In this conversation, he tells us his perspective and shares how he brings his personal mission and beliefs into…
Kicking off the fifth season of this podcast, West Georgia President Brendan Kelly (https://www.westga.edu/administration/president/biography.php) takes us inside the decision to move their athletics program from Division II, where they were highly successful, especially in football, to Division I. Kelly began his tenure in March 2020, as the campus (and most…
When it comes to the "old definition of amateurism", the NCAA is under legal assault on at least 3 different fronts. Our podcast conversation today focuses on three pending legal cases involving athletes as employees-Dartmouth’s men’s basketball team attempting to unionize; Johnson v NCAA, with the plaintiffs arguing athletes should…
Last week, former players in Northwestern's Football Program appeared at a press conference with attorneys who are representing them. What are they asking for? Simple-cultural change and restitution on behalf of dozens of Northwestern athletes who have alleged similar behavior. The podcast opens with a sound clip from plaintiff’s attorney…
For the past 20 years, it seems as if wherever there’s been a sports law story involving athlete rights, Michael McCann has been near the epicenter of it. Whether it was as a member of former Ohio State player Maurice Clarett’s legal team in the groundbreaking Clarett v NFL, case;…
You've likely heard the old adage, "I'm shocked-there's gambling in this establishment?". While it is an old movie line, it applies to today's college campus. College students (and others) are betting on sports on their phones, hourly, daily and sometimes, more often. With sports betting now legal in over 35…
The worlds of higher education and college athletics are changing so fast, it's dizzying. Those who work in the industry are hit with change seemingly every day. How are your students, faculty, coaches and others handling all the challenges in their world? Enter Real Response. Originally a tool for college…
An emerging trend on larger college campuses is the creation of innovation districts. Typically located adjacent to the campus (or in the case of colleges with multiple campuses, the main location), these ecosystems involve businesses, residential and entertainment/sports options, creating a “24 hour a day” energy to an otherwise sleepy…
Deep inside the Prudential Center, the home of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, thirty-seven-year-old Michael B. Jordan was shuffling a deck of cards. You’re a card player, I asked? He said, yes, and he listed a few games, some of which I’ve heard of, some not. He seemed at ease.…
On the podcast, we welcome back Dr. Holden Thorp, Editor in Chief of Science, and Professor of Chemistry and Medicine at George Washington University. Holden has closely followed the challenges the Atlantic Coast Conference faces. With Florida State in open revolt and trying to leave the ACC as soon as…