Jamy Bechler

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

Leaders Growing Leaders: Andy Carter

Andy Carter (A.D. at Missouri Western) appeared as a guest on the “Leaders Growing Leaders” series of the SUCCESS IS A CHOICE PODCAST NETWORK. Along with host Jamy Bechler, they discussed …

  • Picking your battles
  • Coaching the coaches
  • Hiring and firing coaches
  • Developing other leaders
  • Running a successful athletic department

Prior to his arrival at Missouri Western State University, Andy Carter was also an A.D. at Missouri Baptist, Newberry College, Armstrong Atlantic State, and Minot State.

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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!!!

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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!!!

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Episode 064: NCAA Director of Leadership Development Curtis Hollomon

Curtis J. Hollomon is the director of leadership development at the NCAA. His primary duties include strategic advancement of the department, marketing and branding efforts, and program oversight of Resolution Initiatives, NCAA Champion Forum for Football, and Pathway Program (DI). Before coming to the NCAA in 2005, Hollomon was the assistant athletics director for operations and development at St. Cloud (Minnesota) State University. Prior to his duties at SCSU, Hollomon served as assistant to the directors at the Georgia Tech Athletic Association, a nonprofit organization responsible for maintaining the intercollegiate athletics program at Tech. A 1999 graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Hollomon was a three-year letterman in football and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in history, technology and society. He holds a master’s degree in sports administration, which he obtained while at St. Cloud State.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • The great work that the NCAA is doing in the area of leadership
  • Knowing your “why” and what your passions are
  • Developing student-athletes to turn pro in something other than sports
  • Winning an ACC Football Championship while at Georgia Tech

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Episode 052: Tim Selgo, 3x National A.D. of the Year

Tim Selgo is the author of the book “Anchor Up: Competitive Greatness the Grand Valley Way”.  He was the athletic director at Grand Valley State University for 20 years. During that time, the Lakers won the Director’s Cup as the top collegiate athletic department an astounding 10 times. Lakers teams won 18 national championships. He was named the national A.D. of the Year three times. He is now teaching part-time at Davenport University and is a Senior Consultant with Athletics Staffing and Consultants.

In addition, GVSU won 18 straight Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Presidents’ Cup titles as the top athletic program in the 16-team GLIAC. The Lakers’ 23 all-time Presidents’ Cup titles top all GLIAC institutions. Grand Valley State, which won 45 GLIAC titles prior to Tim’s arrival, has won 174 GLIAC titles since he was appointed Athletic Director in 1996.

A well respected leader in college athletics throughout his career, Tim served on the NCAA DII Management Council for four years (2007-11), including serving as Chair of the Management Council in 2009. A term on the NCAA DII Management Council is the highest position is DII athletics. He was named the NACDA Division II AD of the Year for the Central Region (2012-13), while also being named the Division II Central Region Astroturf AD of the Year (2006-07). He was also honored as the Central Region AD of the Year in 2002-03. In addition, Tim was President of NACDA for the 2015-16 year. Before getting into administration, Tim served as the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Toledo for three years.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • The “secret sauce” of building culture
  • Working with great coaches like Nick Saban, Brian Kelly, and Gary Pinkel
  • His new book and why all business leaders need to read it
  • How to surround yourself with the right people

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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

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Episode 037: All-Star Leader Podcast Host Daniel Hare

Daniel Hare is the host of the All-Star Leader Podcast. He has interviewed such big-time guests as former U.S. Congressman J.C. Watts, College Football Playoff Committee Chair Kirby Hocutt, Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams, and Jon Gordon. Daniel currently holds the position of Director of Career Development and Employer Relations at Baylor Law School. Daniel is also a licensed attorney with a wills, estate planning and probate practice. He is formerly the athletic director at Western Oregon University. Daniel is involved in the Waco community through a wide variety of organizations and efforts. He is an active member and volunteer leader at Antioch Community Church, where he also mentors elementary school students through the STARS program.  Daniel is also a mentor through the LEAD program of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • Memorable guests and moments that he has had on his show
  • Common traits from guests that have appeared on his show
  • Podcasts that a podcast host likes to listen to
  • Wisdom and discernment when faced with politicians we disagree with

[Read more…]

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