5 Tips and Tricks: For Careers in Athletics

RE-RELEASE: 5 Tips & Tricks: Professional Baseball Player and Founder of Optimal Baseball Performance- Steve Johnson

Today's Guest: Professional Baseball Player and Founder of Optimal Baseball Performance- Steve Johnson Born and raised in Baltimore, today’s guest made his mark early at St. Paul’s School, where he became one of the most decorated players in program history. A four‑year varsity starter with a 34–5 record, a 1.54 ERA, and more than 300 strikeouts, he also swung the bat with authority—hitting .365 with 13 home runs and 84 RBI. His high‑school career was packed with standout moments: a no‑hitter, a perfect game, a 20‑strikeout performance, and state records for doubles in a season and runs in a career. He remains the only player ever named first‑team All‑Metro all four years, earned Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2005, and joined an AFLAC All‑American roster filled with future MLB stars. After being drafted by the Dodgers in 2005, he spent more than a decade in professional baseball, rising through the minors, making his MLB debut with the Orioles in 2012, and later pitching for the Mariners. His first big‑league win came on a date that mirrored his father’s own milestone exactly 23 years earlier—a moment that cemented his place in Orioles lore. Across 14 professional seasons, he logged over a thousand minor‑league innings, posted a 6–1 MLB record, and eventually transitioned into developing the next generation of players through Optimal Baseball Performance, founded in 2019. Follow and like this podcast as well as leave questions in the comments that may be answered on future episodes. Connect with us on our social platforms and website LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-career-consulting/ and Instagram as well as X: @athcareerpod. 5 Tips and Tricks: for Careers in Athletics Podcast is a show hosted by Dr. Morey Mossovitz and Jen Albanese. Each episode invites a person in an athletic career and asks them their five best tips and tricks for working in athletics.

RE-RELEASE: 5 Tips & Tricks: Head Women's Tennis Coach of George Washington University -Jackie Calla

Today's Guest: 5 Tips & Tricks: Head Women's Tennis Coach of George Washington University -Jackie Calla She built a tennis career that spans continents, competition levels, and coaching roles—grounded in player development and driven by purpose. She began her journey as a standout collegiate athlete, competing for Amherst College, where she helped lead her team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a national title match in 2014. Her efforts earned her All-NESCAC singles honors and Team MVP recognition before graduating in 2016 with a degree in environmental studies. She then took her game to the South American professional tour, training with the Peruvian Fed Cup Team, while also launching her coaching career—working with junior players and gaining early experience in international recruiting. Her passion for development took her to Carrollwood Country Club, Hillsborough Community College, and Camp Playland, where she coached athletes as young as three and mentored aspiring collegiate players. Most recently, she spent two seasons as the top assistant at Syracuse University in the ACC. There, she helped the program to 21 team wins, a top-10 upset, and a national peak ranking of #32. Her recruits earned conference and academic honors, while her influence extended deeply into international recruiting and team culture. And now, in August of 2025, she steps into her biggest role yet, as the new Head Coach of George Washington University Women’s Tennis. Follow and like this podcast as well as leave questions in the comments that may be answered on future episodes. Connect with us on our social platforms and website LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-career-consulting/ and Instagram as well as X: @athcareerpod.5 Tips and Tricks: for Careers in Athletics Podcast is a show hosted by Dr. Morey Mossovitz and Jen Albanese. Each episode invites a person in an athletic career and asks them their five best tips and tricks for working in athletics.

RE-RELEASE: 5Tips & Tricks: VP of Marketing and Brand Engagement LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games- Olivia Cheng

Today's Guest:VP of Marketing and Brand Engagement LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games- Olivia Cheng Our guest today grew up in the heart of New York City, where the energy of the streets and the culture of sports and storytelling left a lasting impression. That passion led her to Syracuse University, where she earned a degree in public relations and sport management—setting the stage for a career that would bridge strategy, creativity, and impact. She began her professional journey with roles at the Philadelphia 76ers, Paragon Sports, and Macy’s, sharpening her skills across retail, sports, and experiential marketing. From there, she took on a leadership role at Legends, where she oversaw marketing, advertising, and creative services—fueling the growth of new clients and divisions by an impressive 250%. Her work supported some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, including SoFi Stadium, US Soccer, and UFC. Today, she brings that expertise to one of the most exciting stages in global sport—as the Vice President of Marketing and Brand Engagement for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. There, she leads digital, social, email, and content strategy to engage millions of fans and build a brand that represents the future of the Games.With over a decade of experience and a reputation for crafting campaigns that connect and inspire, she’s a leader you’ll want to keep your eye on. Follow and like this podcast as well as leave questions in the comments that may be answered on future episodes. Connect with us on our social platforms and website LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-career-consulting/ and Instagram as well as X: @athcareerpod. 5 Tips and Tricks: for Careers in Athletics Podcast is a show hosted by Dr. Morey Mossovitz and Jen Albanese. Each episode invites a person in an athletic career and asks them their five best tips and tricks for working in athletics.

RE-RELEASE: 5 Tips & Tricks: Former NFL Quarterback, Educator & Social Justice Advocate- Don McPherson

Today's Guest: Former NFL Quarterback, Educator & Social Justice Advocate- Don McPherson From the days when he commanded a huddle in Central New York, this quarterback set the standard early. As captain of an undefeated Syracuse team in 1987, he rewrote the record book with 22 school marks, led the nation in passing, finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, and collected more than18 national player-of-the-year honors—including the Maxwell Award, the Davey O’Brien Award, and the very first Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He went on to play professionally in both the NFL and CFL, cementing his reputation as one ofthe most accomplished signal callers of his era. His impact didn’t stop when the cleats came off. In 2000, while serving on the Nassau County Sports Commission, he created the John Mackey Award to honor college football’s top tight end. He became a trusted voice of the game as acollege football analyst for ESPN, NBC, BET, and later as the lead studio analyst for Sportsnet New York. Along the way came lasting recognition: induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the retirement of his iconic number at Syracuse in 2013. In recent years, his influence has stretched far beyond the field. He published You Throw Like A Girl in 2019, spotlighting decades of work using sport to confront social issues and prevent gender-based violence. He earned the National Football Foundation’s Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award in 2020 and Syracuse University’s William Pearson Tolley Medal for Distinguished Leadership in Lifelong Learning in 2021, honoring a lifetime of service, leadership, and philanthropy. Follow and like this podcast as well as leave questions in the comments that may be answered on future episodes. Connect with us on our social platforms and website LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-career-consulting/ and Instagram as well as X: @athcareerpod. 5 Tips and Tricks: for Careers in Athletics Podcast is a show hosted by Dr. Morey Mossovitz and Jen Albanese. Each episode invites a person in an athletic career and asks them their five best tips and tricks for working in athletics.

5 Tips & Tricks: St. Louis Cardinals Business Analytics Analyst - Brian Drew

Today's Guest- St. Louis Cardinals Business Analytics Analyst - Brian Drew It started at Syracuse. Four years on the floor as a student manager for the men's basketball team, all while earning a degree in Sport Analytics — graduating in 2022 with a real feel for how the numbers behind the game connect to everything around it. From there, the work got bigger. A role with Legends at Syracuse University, first as a Data & Analytics Specialist and then stepping up into a manager position — two and a half years spent learning how to turn data into ticket sales, revenue, and smarter marketing. That foundation opened the next door: a move to the big leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals as a Business Analytics Analyst, where for the past year the mission has stayed the same — maximizing revenue and sharpening the strategies that fill the seats. So please welcome to the show, the man who's taken Syracuse hoops to the heart of Major League Baseball. Follow and like this podcast as well as leave questions in the comments that may be answered on future episodes. Connect with us on our social platforms and website LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-career-consulting/ and Instagram as well as X: @athcareerpod. 5 Tips and Tricks: for Careers in Athletics Podcast is a show hosted by Dr. Morey Mossovitz and Jen Albanese. Each episode invites a person in an athletic career and asks them their five best tips and tricks for working in athletics.