Jun 29, 2020
Collegiate Sports Associates' Founder & President Todd Turner and VP of Consulting Brad Bates discuss their experiences and advice in navigating to become an Athletics Director. Turner and Bates chat about career advice, recommended skillsets, building relationships, flexibility and much more. The conversation is moderated by Blue Devil Network Executive Director Dave Harding.
2:21 - What are some of advantageous traits to having when
becoming an athletics director?
4:08 - When you started your career in athletics, was it always
your goal to become an AD or did your career lead you onto this
path?
7:33 - What do you wish you had known before making the jump into
the AD chair?
9:37 - Is there one track that you would recommend people take to
becoming an AD?
11:57 - In the search process, what are some things that will set
you apart from candidates in a negative way?
13:57 - How much emphasis should ADs and senior level
administrators put on managing and making relationships with the
senior level administrators for the institution? (Turner)
15:45 - How important is it for an AD to be flexible during the
course of their career?
18:20 - Are there any areas where people may put too much attention
into certain aspects of their professional career?
19:56 - How do you remain in touch with the student-athletes and
the people on the ground level within an athletic department when
you've got so many different aspects evolving so quickly?
22:24 - How do you value tenure at one institution versus an
individual who has bounced around in making a hire?
24:07 - Is there one piece of advice that you wish you'd known when
you were 35 years old that would have made your careers that much
easier and more enjoyable?
25:41 - How much does have having a resume come across your desk
for someone who did play collegiate athletics change your
perception of them?
28:05 - As an AD, how would you appreciate someone that's coming up
the race asking you for guidance or to stand in a mentorship
position?
29:38 - What is the hardest part about being an Athletics
Director?
29:52 - Who is the most important campus-based leader to form a
relationship with that is not the president or chancellor?
30:47 - What is one decision you made early in your career that was
extremely difficult to make at the time that you were incredibly
glad you made?
32:34 - As an AD, how much time is an amount of time for an
individual to be productive in their role?
35:41 - When you are a senior staff administrator looking to take
the next step into becoming athletic director, what are you looking
for to make sure you're applying for a job that is right for
you?