Trustees and Presidents: A Podcast for University Leaders On College Athletics

Dr. Karen Weaver
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Trustees and Presidents: A Podcast for University Leaders On College Athletics

Hosted by Karen Weaver, EdD, she interviews key leaders, stakeholders and those impacting the business of college sports and higher education. From Division I to Divisions II and III, senior campus leaders now have a chance to learn about the challenges nearly every institution is facing post-pandemic. Today, athletics plays an even more crucial role in enrollment, retention, alumni donations, campus spirit, housing and dining, and marketing This podcast provides higher education leaders a chance to dive into the current issues with experts. linktr.ee/DrKarenWeaver

  1. A President’s Guide to Elevating Institutional Value Through College Sports & Storytelling

    -23 H

    A President’s Guide to Elevating Institutional Value Through College Sports & Storytelling

    Join Dr. Karen Weaver as she speaks with sports media experts/consultants John Kosner and Ed Desser about the evolving landscape of college athletics. John and Ed authored the seminal 2021 NCAA Gender Equity Media analysis which identified $80 million of unrealized revenues the NCAA was leaving on the table in their media contracts. Why? Because the NCAA did not believe the women's basketball tournaments had any financial value. In 2025, it's stunning to think that campus and NCAA leaders were blind to the revenue possibilities back then.Today, we know the landscape has changed and John and Ed want to help presidents understand how use media opportunities to differentiate their campuses. They discuss media rights, gender equity, fan engagement, and the financial opportunities in this new world of college sports. From the rise of women's basketball to the impact of technology and private equity, this episode explores how universities can navigate and thrive in this rapidly changing environment.

    39 min
  2. How Can DI University Leaders Navigate Legal Challenges in the New Landscape of College Athletics?

    10 JANV.

    How Can DI University Leaders Navigate Legal Challenges in the New Landscape of College Athletics?

    With the 2025 NCAA Convention fast approaching, I wanted to visit with an attorney who is regular conversations with Division I campuses to navigate their futures. They ask my guest tough questions and she provides legal clarity (as best as is possible in this crazy upside down era). Kelleigh Irwin Fagan is a former college athlete-she co-founded the Sports Law practice at Church Church Hittle + Antrim. 10 years ago. How does a university leader manage the legal unknowns for DI programs? What advice she might offer for trustees and presidents) at this tenuous time?

    31 min
  3. Accelerating Change: Improving the Athlete Experience Through Active Athlete Involvement

    6 JANV.

    Accelerating Change: Improving the Athlete Experience Through Active Athlete Involvement

    Hello, and welcome to the 150th episode of Trustees and Presidents! I’m Karen Weaver.   Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s at the center of the storm in college athletics—change. Why is it so challenging for college athletics to adapt to this new era of likely revenue sharing, NIL, and its evolving role in campus life? Change has become the defining word for both higher education and college sports, and navigating it successfully requires innovative thinking and strategic leadership.   My guest today, Dr. Julie Wollman, President Emerita of Widener University, brings a wealth of experience and fresh insights to this conversation. A nationally recognized innovator in higher education strategy, Dr. Wollman has spent her career leading change. During her presidency at Widener University, she developed a forward-thinking approach to strategy that embraced scenarios and possibilities, focusing on strategic direction rather than outdated tactical plans—a method now recognized as an emerging best practice.   Dr. Wollman also launched the Common Ground initiative, fostering respectful dialogue on challenging topics, which aligns perfectly with today’s need for thoughtful leadership in higher education and athletics. And by the way, Julie is a University of Pennsylvania “professor of practice” and she is my colleague!   As we explore how to embrace resistance, manage friction, and fuel progress, I’ll also share lessons from my own experience leading strategic planning for an athletic departments. This discussion will challenge us to rethink what qualities we should seek in leaders tasked with guiding our institutions—and college athletics—through this era of accelerated change.

    36 min
  4. Leading Change in Division III: Athletics, Enrollment and the NCAA's Role for College Presidents

    5 JANV.

    Leading Change in Division III: Athletics, Enrollment and the NCAA's Role for College Presidents

    My guest today is a game-changer—both on the national stage and on his own campus.   He’s one of the leading voices in NCAA Division III governance and transformation. As the newly appointed chair of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council, he represents over 430 colleges and universities and 44 voting conferences, advocating for student-athletes and shaping the future of college sports. Oh, and did I mention? He’s also the DIII representative on the NCAA’s prestigious Board of Governors.   But that’s just the start. Back at Juniata College in Central Pennsylvania, where he’s the 12th president, he’s spearheading a renaissance in campus athletics. Under his leadership, Juniata has added five new athletic teams in the past four years, opened a cutting-edge $4 million sports facility, and remains the home of 3-time National Champions in Women’s Volleyball.  Balancing NCAA-level leadership with transformative campus innovations? That’s a story worth telling.

    33 min
  5. The MAC's Mission: Elevating Ethics and Sustainability in College Athletics

    11/12/2024

    The MAC's Mission: Elevating Ethics and Sustainability in College Athletics

    I'm joined on the podcast by President Geoffrey S. Mearns, the 17th president of Ball State University. Since 2017, he’s led initiatives like *Destination 2040: Our Flight Path*, driving record-breaking enrollment, alumni engagement, and fundraising, while shaping the University’s long-term vision.   Joining him is Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher, Commissioner of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) since 2009. With a historic career spanning leadership in all three NCAA Division I Subdivisions, he’s elevated collegiate athletics and championed the student-athlete experience.  The MAC delived a call to action to their colleagues in the NCAA to address the rising levels of post-game altercations (such as the Michigan-Ohio State "flag-planting" incident post-game and fans throwing water bottles at players). Letter: https://www.thepostathens.com/article/2024/12/mac-commissioner-jon-steinbrecher-ncaa-football

    36 min
  6. Are Demographics Destiny? A Look at Higher Ed's Future in the Philadelphia Region

    11/12/2024

    Are Demographics Destiny? A Look at Higher Ed's Future in the Philadelphia Region

    Small, private colleges in the Philadelphia area are undergoing significant financial   philanthropy to stabilize. Institutions can stand out for their financial resilience; others show promising signs of recovery through strategic adaptations; still others,seem to be looking at a dim future. I'm joined today by two exceptional reporters at the Philadelphia Inquirer who have closely followed the financial challenges facing 13 small private colleges in the Southeastern PA area, Susan Snyder and Harold Brubaker.

    31 min
  7. Small Colleges, Big Changes: Serious Challenges at the Intersection of Enrollment and College Athletics

    13/11/2024

    Small Colleges, Big Changes: Serious Challenges at the Intersection of Enrollment and College Athletics

    Welcome to today’s episode, where we're diving into one of the most pivotal and complex topics in college athletics today. I'm Dr. Karen Weaver, and joining me are two leading experts in the field, Dr. Steve Dittmore, Dean at the University of North Florida, and Washington Post reporter Jesse Dougherty. Together, we’ll unravel the challenges facing small colleges as they navigate athletics and financial sustainability in the rapidly changing landscape of higher education. We'll examine real-world cases, like Notre Dame College of Ohio’s recent closure, Mount St. Mary's innovative addition of women’s flag football, and the financial struggles impacting small colleges in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and beyond. Plus, we'll touch on how larger schools like Ohio State are setting new standards for athletic support, and we’ll take a closer look at schools making bold shifts, like the University of Hartford moving from Division I to Division III. Whether you're a college administrator, trustee, or just passionate about the future of college sports, this conversation promises to shed light on the pressing questions and potential paths forward in this evolving world

    37 min
  8. Inside the Game: U. Kentucky Embraces Private Equity Strategies, Growing Revenues and the Future of College Athletics

    07/11/2024

    Inside the Game: U. Kentucky Embraces Private Equity Strategies, Growing Revenues and the Future of College Athletics

    Welcome to the podcast! Today, we’re joined by Dr. Eric N. Monday, Executive Vice President at the University of Kentucky, as he shares insights on the role of UK’s brand in the community and the evolving landscape of college athletics. We discuss revenue challenges, private equity, infrastructure investments, and the future of student-athlete opportunities. Dr. Monday also discusses Kentucky’s strategies in growing revenue, as well as driving greater engagement from leadership to strengthen their position in athletics

    31 min
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Hosted by Karen Weaver, EdD, she interviews key leaders, stakeholders and those impacting the business of college sports and higher education. From Division I to Divisions II and III, senior campus leaders now have a chance to learn about the challenges nearly every institution is facing post-pandemic. Today, athletics plays an even more crucial role in enrollment, retention, alumni donations, campus spirit, housing and dining, and marketing This podcast provides higher education leaders a chance to dive into the current issues with experts. linktr.ee/DrKarenWeaver

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