Jamy Bechler

Providing Insights on Leadership and Success. Coach Bechler is a John Maxwell Leadership Team Member.

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Jun 03 2019

Episode 122: Bob Vecchione, NACDA Executive Director

Bob Vecchione is the Executive Director of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. NACDA is THE professional association for individuals working in college athletics. Nearly 16,000 individuals and 1,700 institutions belong to NACDA.

During his tenure, NACDA has initiated a multitude of programs that provide value-added benefits to the ever increasing membership. Programs such as the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup, NCAA Football, the Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year Award, the NACDA Daily Review, the Disney Institute and the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) are examples of those value added membership benefits created under his tutelage. Vecchione was honored with the Tony Snow Award from the WWP in 2013.

Vecchione is also a member of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame National Board of Directors, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission Board and is on the advisory Board of the College Sports Video Summit. He previously chaired the NCAA Football Youth Initiatives Committee.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • What kind of impact NACDA has on athletic programs and student-athletes
  • How athletic directors can best lead
  • Advice for people wanting to become involved in college athletics
  • … and so much more!!!

[Read more…]

Written by Jamy Bechler · Categorized: Podcast Episodes, Teams & Organizations · Tagged: anton goff, Bob Vecchione, Bob Wilson, Chad Briscoe, Christopher Parker, Coaching, Jacqie McWilliams, Jim Carr, larry desimpelare, Leadership, Martin Methodist College, Mike Hamilton, NACDA, NACMA, NAIA, NCAA, NJCAA, Rob Miller, Rusty Kennedy, Tim Hall, Tim Selgo

Feb 13 2019

Episode 117: Jacqie McWilliams, CIAA Commissioner

Jacqie McWilliams became the first female commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 2012. As the first African American female commissioner in the NCAA, McWilliams is a sought after speaker and is recognized on a local, regional, and national level. She has served on numerous boards, and currently sits on Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards, John B. McLendon Foundation Board, NCAA Board of Governor’s Cultural Diversity Committee, Hampton Nation Advisory Board, M&F Advisory Board and the Black Enterprise Charlotte Convention Steering Committee.  She is active in her church community and chairs the HBCU initiative committee for the Crown Jewel’s LINKS of Charlotte, of which she is a member.

The CIAA conference, based in Charlotte, N.C., consists of 13 Division II institutions. Twelve of those schools are historically black colleges and universities. The annual CIAA basketball tournament, the largest of 16 CIAA championships in a variety of sports, features 22 men’s and women’s games in the same week. It generates more than $55 million in economic impact for the host city. McWilliams earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Hampton University, where she played basketball and volleyball. She earned a master’s in sports management and administration from Temple University and went on to work as a college coach and administrator for the NCAA.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • The importance of Historically Black Colleges & Universities on student’s lives
  • How the CIAA is impacting student-athletes
  • Career advice for the athletic administration path
  • … and so much more!!!

[Read more…]

Written by Jamy Bechler · Categorized: Podcast Episodes, Teams & Organizations · Tagged: Alicia Jessop, Betsy Butterick, CEO, CIAA, larry desimpelare, Leadership, NCAA, R-Jay Barsh, Rob Miller, Rusty Kennedy, Sue Enquist

Feb 11 2019

Episode 116: Jim Carr, NAIA President

Jim Carr is the president of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The NAIA provides opportunities for more than 65,000 student-athletes to play sports at the collegiate level. The NAIA is headquartered in Kansas City. The men’s basketball tournament is the longest running basketball tournament in the nation. Under Carr’s leadership, the NAIA has grown a great deal and has been at the forefront of innovative programs such as the “Champions of Character” and the “Return on Athletics”. 

Carr joined the NAIA in July 1998 as Managing Director and General Counsel and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, while retaining the title of General Counsel, in 2000.  In September 2006, Carr became the seventh President and Chief Executive Officer of the NAIA. He is a graduate of Millsaps College, has an M.S. in sports management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a J.D. from Duke University.  He serves on various boards and councils, including USA Basketball, the Kansas City Life, Baptist Trinity Lutheran Foundation, the Police Athletic League of Kansas City, Missouri Bank and Trust and the Downtown Council of Kansas City.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Recruiting tips for parents
  • Qualities that make a good coach
  • Differences between the NAIA and the NCAA
  • Opportunities for student-athletes to grow and develop
  • … and so much more!!!

[Read more…]

Written by Jamy Bechler · Categorized: Podcast Episodes, Teams & Organizations · Tagged: Bob Wilson, Brent Ellis, CEO, Chad Briscoe, Champions of Character, Greg Tonagel, larry desimpelare, Leadership, NAIA, NCAA, NCCAA, R-Jay Barsh, recruiting, RJay Barsh, Rob Miller, Rusty Kennedy, The Blind Side, UNLV

Jan 24 2019

Jamy Bechler Speaks at Midway University

article originally appeared at GoMidwayEagles.com on January 24, 2019

MIDWAY, Ky. — Midway University student-athletes began the second semester in a positive way when nationally recognized leadership expert, speaker and author, Jamy Bechler visited campus and spoke to the student-athletes.

Not only is Bechler a professional speaker, a leadership trainer and an executive business coach, but he also authored an Amazon Best Seller, he has been published in the Huffington Post and is a regular guest on various radio stations and podcasts.

“My desire is to add value to people,” noted Bechler. “I want to see people reach their true potential and achieve their goals. Success is a choice and I love seeing individuals choose to develop and utilize their talents.”

[Read more…]

Written by Jamy Bechler · Categorized: News, Teams & Organizations · Tagged: Champions of Character, Jim Carr, Midway University, Rob Miller, Rusty Kennedy, Student-Athlete Leadership

Jan 23 2019

Episode 114: Bob Wilson, NAIA Hall of Famer

Bob Wilson served as the athletic director at Vanguard University for more than 20 years. He earned the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Athletic Director of the Year honors twice (2002, 2012). Wilson also coached basketball at the collegiate level for more than 24 years. Wilson served the NAIA in significant ways over the years, including chair of NAIA Region II, chair of the National Administration Council, president of the Basketball Coaches Association, men’s basketball rater, and chairman of the NAIA Basketball Tournament. In addition, Wilson served as vice president of the GSAC, and was a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. He conceptualized the Champions of Character initiative on the Vanguard campus when he created VU’s Gold Pride program. During his tenure, the department won 16 Champions of Character Team awards, two student athletes were voted Leroy Walker winners, and two head coaches were named Coach of Character. In March 2007, Wilson was inducted into the NAIA Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame. He is the author of “The Ripple Effect” and currently serves as a partner with Comprehensive Athletics Consulting, LLC.

 
In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Developing student leadership
  • Creating a championship culture
  • Hiring and job search tips
  • … and so much more!!!

[Read more…]

Written by Jamy Bechler · Categorized: Podcast Episodes, Teams & Organizations · Tagged: Brent Ellis, Champions of Character, dwane casey, Greg Tonagel, Jim Carr, larry desimpelare, NAIA, Rob Miller, Russ Davis, Search Firm, Student-Athlete Leadership, Tim Selgo, Vanguard University

Dec 26 2017

Episode 043: Mike Hamilton, Executive Director of Show Hope

Mike Hamilton is the Executive Director of Show Hope, a position that he has held since December 2014. Show Hope is an orphan care and adoption ministry started by Christian music entertainer Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth. A man of deep faith, Mike has extensive experience in leadership and development, serving 26 years in intercollegiate athletics at Clemson University, Wake Forest University. Most notably, he was the athletic director at the University of Tennessee and their $105 million budget.  Mike also served on the board for Show Hope, as well as other local, regional, and national nonprofits. Mike is also the CEO and Founder of Winfred-Henry Partners, LLC, which provides athletic consulting. Mike and his wife, Beth, live in the Nashville area and have five children through adoption.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • The environment and pressures of big-time SEC athletics
  • Job search advise, including why many coaches get hired or fired
  • Ways that Show Hope is impacting lives and making a difference in the world
  • The interesting story of Bruce Pearl getting hired at the University of Tennessee

[Read more…]

Written by Jamy Bechler · Categorized: Podcast Episodes · Tagged: Adoption, Alan Stein, anton goff, Athletic Consulting, Bethany Christian Services, Brian Stanchak, Bruce Pearl, Chad Briscoe, Charity, College Athletics, consulting, Curtis Hollomon, Dan Wood, Daniel Hare, Hiring Process, jason romano, Job Search, Lane Kiffin, larry desimpelare, Management by walking around, NCAA, Pat Williams, Rick A. Morris, Rob Miller, Shemy Schembechler, Show Hope, Steven Curtis chapman, Tennessee, Tennessee volunteers, Tim Selgo, Tom Peters, Tracie Hitz, troy kirby, University of Tennessee, Winfred-Henry Partners

Dec 13 2017

Episode 036: Spring Arbor University President Brent Ellis

Dr. Brent Ellis became the 30th president of Spring Arbor University when he took over the top position in 2013. During his presidency SAU has been ranked by The Economist as the No. 1 in economic value among Christian universities in Michigan and No 2. among all universities in Michigan. Dr. Ellis has also played a pivotal role in key growth initiatives including the accreditation received by the Master of Social Work program and growing expectancies for the SAU Endowment from $30 million to $60 million. Before becoming President, Dr. Ellis served as a vice president at Spring Arbor University. He also worked at LeTourneau University where he served as dean for the Center for the Development of Christian Leadership. Prior to working at LeTourneau, Dr. Ellis spent four years as the director of leadership development and student programs at Taylor University (Ind.).

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • What the difference is between being in the classroom and being the president
  • The importance of Christian higher education
  • Why Spring Arbor isn’t for everyone
  • The difference between wisdom and knowledge

[Read more…]

Written by Jamy Bechler · Categorized: Podcast Episodes · Tagged: Brent Ellis, Chad Briscoe, Christian education, crossroads league, episode 014, episode 016, episode 017, Itunes, larry desimpelare, LeTourneau University, NAIA, NCCAA, Play NAIA, Rob Miller, Spring Arbor University

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