Center for Sports Studies Podcast

Zander Atwood, Josh Hornbacher
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Education
  • Updated Monthly

The Center for Sports Studies podcast is a monthly show dedicated to teaching its listeners about the business-side of sports. Hosted by Trine University professor Zander Atwood, the CSS podcast will interview sports professionals and discuss current research in sports studies.

  1. 6d ago

    CSS Podcast Ep. 94 - Ben Nichols, Founder/CEO of The 22

    In this episode, Trine Center for Sports Studies Director, Zander Atwood, talks with Ben Nichols, founder and CEO of The 22. Known as “Mr. Padel,” Ben has helped elevate the sport’s profile internationally over the past four years, taking “brand padel” from a relatively unknown concept in the UK to audiences through Forbes, the Financial Times, The New York Times, CNN International, and the BBC.Ben founded the world’s first padel agency, co-founded the Anglo American Padel Cup (also known as the “Ryder Cup of Padel”), developed Insider 22, a leading community for padel entrepreneurs, and serves as an on-screen contributor and executive producer for Travel Racket, a mainstream production focused on the sport. His work has earned him the Padel Ambassador Award at the inaugural British Padel Awards and recognition as a finalist for the Sport Industry Awards.Before entering the world of padel, Ben led global media relations for the World Anti-Doping Agency during the Russian Doping Crisis, considered one of the biggest sporting scandals of the 21st century, and was featured in the Academy Award-winning documentary Icarus in 2018. Now relocating to the United States, Ben is focused on helping build the American padel market while exploring what makes the sport—and the culture surrounding it—so unique.Ben discusses his role with The 22, a summary of the sport of padel, its history and the growth of a lesser-known sport, the challenges of building a sport from a business perspective, how padel fits within modern consumer and sports industry trends, the development of padel in the U.S. market, and his favorite memories of working in international sports.

    CSS Podcast Ep. 94 - Ben Nichols, Founder/CEO of The 22

  2. Sep 9

    CSS Podcast Ep. 93 - Andy Rang, Director of Athletics & Head Women's Basketball Coach, Trine Univ. Athletics

    In this episode, Trine Center for Sports Studies Director, Zander Atwood, talks with Andy Rang, Director of Athletics and Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Trine University Athletics. Andy’s career has centered around the advancement and development of basketball players through coaching at many different levels, from high school athletics to college athletics. With over 20 years of coaching and administrative experience, Andy’s passion, grit and determination for success have allowed him to hone his skills and provide the best learning experience for many different athletes. Andy discusses his new role as Director of Athletics in addition to his coaching duties, the ability to function effectively in multiple administrative roles within the athletic department, how his coaching philosophy has changed over time, his perspective on recent trends in the college athletic landscape, the impact of new athletic facilities on a college campus, and his favorite memories of working in sports.

    CSS Podcast Ep. 93 - Andy Rang, Director of Athletics & Head Women's Basketball Coach, Trine Univ. Athletics

  3. Aug 26

    CSS Podcast Ep. 92 - Steven Donohue, Associate Athletics Director of Development at Army West Point Athletics

    In the first episode of the 2026-2027 season, Trine Center for Sports Studies Director, Zander Atwood, talks with Steven Donohue, the Associate Athletics Director of Development of the West Point Association of Graduates for the United States Army. Steven’s career has centered on the principles of philanthropic giving and athletic development in college athletics, serving for universities and programs such as Purdue University and Northern Illinois University. In his current role with Army Athletics, Steven is one of many leaders in his department who help accomplish a comprehensive advancement strategy for the athletics department, driving philanthropic growth and donor engagement through ambitious and measurable fundraising goals aligned with university priorities and athletic department needs and initiatives. Steven discusses his role with Army Athletics, the development process of current projects and initiatives for the university, the role a well-organized development team plays in helping universities of all sizes strengthen and grow their athletic programs, the definition of a successful student-athlete experience, and his favorite memories of working in college athletics.

    CSS Podcast Ep. 92 - Steven Donohue, Associate Athletics Director of Development at Army West Point Athletics

  4. Apr 22

    CSS Podcast Ep. 91 - Jake Kinsey, Athletic Director, Fremont High School (IN)

    In the last episode of the 2025-2026 academic year, Trine Center for Sports Studies Director, Zander Atwood, talks with Jake Kinsey, Athletic Director for Fremont High School in Fremont, IN. Jake’s experience in coaching and education has provided him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in his role with Fremont High School, having served as an assistant coach for the Trine University Football team for almost twenty years. His position with Fremont HS Athletics gives him the ability to share his experiences with young students, helping shape their education and growth through high school athletics. Jake discusses his role with Fremont High School, his experience with Trine Athletics, being an influence and advocate for his students and student-athletes, the importance of recruiting students across multiple sports at a small high school, and his favorite memories of working in sports.

    CSS Podcast Ep. 91 - Jake Kinsey, Athletic Director, Fremont High School (IN)

  5. Apr 8

    CSS Podcast Ep. 90 - Mike Avery, Head Coach of Fort Wayne Football Club

    In this episode, Trine Center for Sports Studies Director, Zander Atwood, talks with Mike Avery, Head Coach of Fort Wayne Football Club. Mike’s career has centered around the advancement and development of soccer players through coaching at many different levels, from collegiate athletes to professional athletes. With over 25 years of coaching experience, Mike’s passion, grit and determination for success have allowed him to hone his skills and provide the best learning experience for many different athletes. Mike discusses his role with Fort Wayne FC, his connection to Trine University, how his coaching philosophy has changed over time, his perspective on recent trends and innovations in player development, and his favorite memories of working in sports.

    CSS Podcast Ep. 90 - Mike Avery, Head Coach of Fort Wayne Football Club

  6. Mar 25

    CSS Podcast Ep. 89 - Nikki Maroney, Senior Account Executive of Membership Services, Ilitch Sports & Entertainment

    In this special episode, Trine Center for Sports Studies Director, Zander Atwood, talks with Nikki Maroney, Trine alumna of 2022 and Senior Account Executive of Membership Services at Ilitch Sports & Entertainment as part of the “Trine Trailblazers” series. Nikki’s passion for sports and entertainment has allowed her to grow and excel in her young career, which she credits her education at Trine as a leading factor in her career success. Her education and background have allowed her to achieve greatness and success in her numerous roles in membership services with Ilitch Sports & Entertainment, the ownership group of the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers. Nikki discusses her role with Ilitch Sports & Entertainment, her connection and attachment to Trine University, how her education at Trine has impacted her growth and career advancement, the importance of membership services and building strong relationships with clients and how to measure success effectively in this role, how evolving fan expectations impact the direction an organization will take in fan relationships efforts, and her favorite memories of working in sports.

    CSS Podcast Ep. 89 - Nikki Maroney, Senior Account Executive of Membership Services, Ilitch Sports & Entertainment

  7. Mar 11

    CSS Podcast Ep. 88 - Katie Stumpp, Assoc. Athletic Director of Administration, Pitt Athletics

    In this episode, Trine Center for Sports Studies Director, Zander Atwood, talks with Katie Stumpp, Associate Athletic Director of Administration at the University of Pittsburgh Athletics. Katie is an experienced collegiate athletics administrator with over a decade of leadership across sport administration, operations, compliance, and event management at Power Four institutions, such as Marietta College, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Purdue University and the Ohio State University. Her current role at Pitt Athletics has her overseeing multiple sport programs, leading the event management and sports camps departments, and supporting more than 450 student-athletes and staff in achieving excellence on and off the field. Katie discusses her role with Pitt Athletics, the importance of having a well-rounded administrative staff in a highly competitive Power Four conference, how her experience as a DIII graduate played a role in her career success and longevity, the challenges of hosting major external events related to athletics such as College GameDay, challenges her department faces in regards to NIL initiatives and regulations, and her favorite memories of working in sports.

    CSS Podcast Ep. 88 - Katie Stumpp, Assoc. Athletic Director of Administration, Pitt Athletics

  8. Feb 18

    CSS Podcast Ep. 87 - Dave Serowka, College Instructor of Sport Management, Northern Illinois Univ.

    In this episode, Trine Center for Sports Studies Director, Zander Atwood, talks with Dave Serowka, College Instructor of Sport Management at Northern Illinois University. Dave’s personality and experience in athletics and recreation and sport management have allowed him to excel in his career in numerous opportunities, from working in game day staff with the Schaumburg Boomers and the Chicago Bears, to working with campus recreation at Northern Illinois University and Northwestern University, to now serving in his current role in college education. His passion for connecting classroom concepts to real-world applications have allowed him to foster professional growth and develop the next generation of sports industry leaders. Dave discusses his role at Northern Illinois University, the growth of sport management as a career field over the past few decades, the importance of applied learning as a critical venture for students and young professionals, the skills and abilities required for college students to excel in the industry, and his favorite memories of working in sports and academics.

    CSS Podcast Ep. 87 - Dave Serowka, College Instructor of Sport Management, Northern Illinois Univ.
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About

The Center for Sports Studies podcast is a monthly show dedicated to teaching its listeners about the business-side of sports. Hosted by Trine University professor Zander Atwood, the CSS podcast will interview sports professionals and discuss current research in sports studies.

Information

  • Creator
    Zander Atwood, Josh Hornbacher
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    94
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Trine University