The Journey: Leaders In College Athletics Share Their Wisdom

CSA Search & Consulting
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In this monthly conversation series, CSA Search & Consulting's executive leadership team sit down with special guests from across the intercollegiate athletics, professional sports and higher education landscapes to discuss on their unique career journeys, including the challenges and the triumphs experienced along the way; offer advice for up-and-coming administrators; and reflect on the changing industry landscape.

  1. The Journey: Michael Benson

    JAN 28

    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?

    26 min
  2. The Journey, Season 2: Bill Polian

    12/03/2025

    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.

    32 min
  3. The Journey, Episode 13: Bryan Blair

    08/28/2025

    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.

    36 min
  4. The Journey, Episode 12: Dan Bartholomae

    06/27/2025

    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.

    42 min
  5. The Journey, Episode 11: Val Ackerman

    05/22/2025

    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."

    35 min
  6. The Journey, Episode 10: Debbie Antonelli

    02/19/2025

    The Journey, Episode 10: Debbie Antonelli

    College Basketball Analyst and Hall of Famer Debbie Antonelli joins CSA Senior Advisor and former University of Virginia Athletics Director Craig Littlepage to reflect on a journey that has taken her from the hardwood to the broadcast booth. As she approaches 40 years as a men's and women's basketball analyst for dozens of media organizations, Antonelli shares insight into the challenges and opportunities she experienced as a trailblazer for women in basketball broadcasting. Antonelli opens up about her time playing for Coach Kay Yow and the NC State Wolfpack; her experience walking the parallel path of wanting to coach and wanting to be an AD; her early days as an athletics administrator at Kentucky and Ohio State and how those roles presented her with the opportunity to lead the charge in increasing the visibility of women's hoops on the air. Antonelli: "In women's basketball, there was one game on television and that was the CBS National Championship, so there wasn't all the opportunity and inventory that there is today." Antonelli and Littlepage also discuss Antonelli's philanthropic endeavors, including her annual 24-hour free throw fundraiser that supports the Special Olympics.

    32 min
  7. The Journey, Episode 9: Jeramiah Dickey

    01/23/2025

    The Journey, Episode 9: Jeramiah Dickey

    Boise State Director of Athletics Jeramiah Dickey sits down with CSA President and CEO Drew Turner to open up about his journey in college athletics - including the pivot he made as an undergraduate at the University of Texas Austin from nearly dropping out before senior year to meeting athletics legends such as Mack Rhodes (then at UTEP) and Chris Plonsky (UT) and carving out a path in athletics administration. Dickey shares the origin behind his "What's Next" mentality, crediting his parents and his network of mentors for always inspiring him to push for more: "Whatever your passion is, reach for greatness." Dickey and Turner also discuss the uniqueness of the Boise State AD search, conducted in the heart of the pandemic; offer advice for negotiating an AD contract; and talk about evaluating career opportunities. Dickey: "Go where you can be your authentic self."

    40 min
  8. The Journey, Episode 8: Craig Robinson

    11/07/2024

    The Journey, Episode 8: Craig Robinson

    National Association of Basketball Coaches Executive Director Craig Robinson joins CSA Senior Consultant and former University of Virginia Athletics Director Craig Littlepage for a wide-ranging conversation about his journey in athletics - as a standout men's basketball student athlete at Princeton, a professional player in Europe, a Division I head coach and now with the NABC. Robinson and Littlepage reflect on the evolution of the sport and how coaches and administrators can use the changing landscape to enhance the student-athlete and fan experience; discuss the value of higher education; offer advice for young and mid-career professionals; share their favorite Pete Carril stories; and develop the Mount Rushmore of Princeton University Basketball.

    35 min
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In this monthly conversation series, CSA Search & Consulting's executive leadership team sit down with special guests from across the intercollegiate athletics, professional sports and higher education landscapes to discuss on their unique career journeys, including the challenges and the triumphs experienced along the way; offer advice for up-and-coming administrators; and reflect on the changing industry landscape.

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