The Journey: Leaders In College Athletics Share Their Wisdom

The Journey: Michael Benson

West Virginia President Michael T. Benson sits down with CSA Senior Consultant and former North Carolina State University Chancellor Dr. Randy Woodson for a candid conversation about his experience as a student-athlete, his commitment to scholarship, and his journey to the president's office - which began with his first job after graduate school: roofing houses. Benson: "We'd get started early, at 5 o'clock in the morning because the shingles would get so hot by noon, and I was talking to one of my co-workers. It turns out his dad worked at the University of Utah in fundraising... that led to my being hired as a Major Gifts Officer in 1995." Benson, who has served as a president at five institutions, also offers insight into the process of academic publishing, discusses the impact of his mentors on his trajectory, and reflects on the value of team sports. 00:00 - Introduction 01:58 - Talk about the transition from the academy, the faculty, to the presidency. 08:55 - Let's talk about how you've woven scholarship throughout your career into the role you currently play. You've had a passion for research universities... you've taught at every institution you've served, even as a busy president. 15:58 - Talk about the critical role athletics plays in higher education and the current issues that university presidents face in trying to manage 21:08 - What opportunities and challenges do you see for West Virginia University? What gets you excited to come into the office?

The Journey, Season 2: Bill Polian

Welcome to Season 2 of The Journey Podcast! In this episode, CSA Search & Consulting Founder and Chairman Todd Turner sits down with Bill Polian, a Hall of Fame NFL executive who served as President of the Indianapolis Colts and General Manager of three clubs - the Colts, Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills. Polian, who began his career as a scout, was awarded the NFL Executive of the Year honor six times and served as GM and President of the Colts during the team's Super Bowl XLI win in 2007. Bill and Todd discuss the current state of the game at both the professional and collegiate levels, including the tension between administrators and head coaches over contract terms, buyouts and success on the field. Polian: [ADs] "are being taken advantage of by a small group of agents who essentially control the markets... are you going to miss out [on hiring] a star if you say no to some demands? History tells you no.... it's foolish to simply get caught up in this inflationary spiral."The duo also consider issues of team culture in an era of NIL and the transfer portal, including a need for collective bargaining and the need for regulations controlling player movement.

The Journey, Episode 13: Bryan Blair

In this episode, CSA Search & Consulting President Drew Turner catches up with Toledo Vice President and Director of Athletics Bryan Blair. They have an in-depth conversation from Bryan's journey from growing up in South Carolina, to law school to rise to the big chair at Toledo. His perspective was shaped by his parents as his mom was his middle school principal and his dad an entrepreneur. Bryan shares candidly about his approach in preparing and interviewing for an AD job. His insight on what to do when you’ve heard the word no will leave you encouraged and empowered.

The Journey, Episode 12: Dan Bartholomae

"Growing up, I was always drawn to leadership." That's Western Michigan Vice President and Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae in conversation with CSA Vice President for Consulting Dr. Brad Bates. In this episode of The Journey, Dan and Brad reflect on Dan's journey from Indiana University Public Policy student to the big chair, with stops at Pittsburgh and Oregon State along the way. Dan shares the story of how he skipped his senior year spring break to shadow athletic administrators at Pitt and discusses the best advice he ever received from Oregon State AD Scott Barnes: "Get out of your comfort zone." Dan and Brad also talk about the parallels between music and sports and celebrate the success - including a national title in ice hockey - that the Broncos have enjoyed during Dan's tenure in Kalamazoo.

The Journey, Episode 11: Val Ackerman

Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman joins CSA Founder Todd Turner to reflect on their 48 year relationship in the industry and Val's journey as a trailblazer and icon in women's sports as an athlete and sports business leader. Val discusses her early exposure to athletics via her grandfather and father, both of whom served as high school athletic directors, and shares the story of her arrival at Virginia as one of the first women to receive an athletic scholarship. Todd and Val walk through Val's time as an athlete, including the period between graduating from UVA and going to UCLA for law school when Val played basketball in France, and her early days at the NBA under Commissioner David Stern. Val offers insight into the leadership lessons she took from Stern and others at the league office before sharing more about her experience as the first president for the WNBA and how that league formed the foundation and shaped the trajectory of women's professional sports in the country. Val and Todd also discuss the changing landscape for college athletics, including the need to keep academics as a core piece of the experience: "I think the messaging is getting lost a bit as we talk about... the transactional nature of college sports now, at some levels in some sports. Because of that, the economics that have crept in, academics has been pushed to the side in some places."