Feb. 5, 2010

 

1. Number of years in your current position?
I have been in my current position as the director of athletics development at the University of Delaware(UD) for 2 ½ years. I have had the opportunity to work at two other distinguished institutions, first with my alma mater, Virginia Tech, and later at The Ohio State University as director of the Buckeye Club. Prior to working at UD, I took several years off to be a stay-at-home Mom until my daughter, Sydney, was of school age.

2. Why/when did you decide to pursue a career in intercollegiate athletics?
Intercollegiate athletics has always been an integral part of my life, growing up in an athletic family. My father was an assistant basketball coach at Virginia Tech, and my brother Jeff played basketball there, so I was around intercollegiate athletics on a daily basis. Even today, my nephew, David Schneider, is finishing his senior basketball season at the College of William & Mary. I think it was simply a matter of time before I pursued a career in athletics. Although, unlike my Dad and brother (who also later coached collegiately) I knew coaching was not for me.

3. What was your career path to working in athletics development?
After graduating from VA Tech and working in unfulfilling jobs, I decided to go back to grad school at VA Tech, although I was unsure what I really wanted to do. During my first semester in education administration/higher ed, I realized ALL my papers dealt with intercollegiate athletics. My second semester, I transferred to sports management. Luckily, I had a wonderful advisor in Dr. Peg Driscoll, who mentored me. I finished my master's in 1 ½ years. After completing my master's, I, like most in sports management, thought I would like to be an athletics director one day. At the time, Dr. Driscoll advised me since were only two female AD's with Division I football and both women had a Ph.D, I should consider earning my doctorate. While working on my Ph.D., I interned in all areas of Virginia Tech's athletics department to obtain as much experience in athletics as I could. One semester I interned in the Hokie Club, where I gained valuable experience. Upon completing my internship, I was hired with Terry Bolt as the first female athletics development fundraisers at Tech.

4. In your mind, who in this industry can serve as a good role model?
Obviously, I am extremely partial to my former colleagues at Virginia Tech. I think what Tech has been able to accomplish as a development team is phenomenal. Lu Merritt and his team have done an excellent job of fundraising, learning from peers and being a true leader in athletics development. Prior to my arrival at Delaware, we did not have an athletics annual fund with various giving levels or a priority point system. I knew from the start the direction I wanted to take UD athletics development, borrowing from my friends at Virginia Tech. I actually took my VP of development (Monica Taylor) to a Hokie Club representative weekend so she could see and understand first-hand what we could do at UD.

5. How has your involvement with NAADD influenced your career?
NAADD has allowed me to learn my profession--to learn & borrow proven ideas and techniques that may be applicable for me. I also have been able to meet wonderful people with similar interests and issues facing our profession. It is reassuring to have the ability to call a colleague to talk through a situation or obtain ideas.

6. What is the most important trait to possess for young professionals in athletics development?
It is important to work hard, work smart and be professional.

7. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best piece of advice I received was when I was first starting out in athletics development. John Moody (VA Tech mentor) simply told me not to be afraid of asking for money, as it is relative to a donor's ability and desire, not mine.

8. What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the field of intercollegiate athletics development?
Learn your profession. Volunteer/intern to gain valuable athletics development experience.

9. Will you please explain a professional failure/mistake and how you learned from it?
I think as an athletics fundraiser we need to continually educate our donors/prospects so they may have a better understanding of an athletics program. At Delaware, we kept information too close to the vest and didn't share our need for donor financial assistance through hard facts/numbers.

10. What is the best example of great stewardship that you have witnessed at your institution?
Here at the University of Delaware we are playing catch up in athletics development. First we had to create an understanding/need for implementing the Blue Hen Club Annual Fund and Priority Point System from a donor, staff and student-athlete standpoint. The best example of stewardship here at UD is the Student-Athlete Thank-A-Thon. The Thank-A-Thon is not new to athletics development but it was to UD. Having our student-athletes contact our annual donors is extremely important/valuable for the donor connection and student-athlete educational experience.

11. What percentage of your work-week is spent in your office?
I spend about 60% of my time on campus. Like most fundraisers, I would like to spend more time meeting with donors/prospects. In July, Bernard Muir became our new AD here at UD. Bernard and I block off Wednesdays and Thursdays weekly for donor visits off campus.

12. How do you maintain balance between your professional and personal life?
A balance between professional and personal life can be very difficult. I am lucky that my position affords me the opportunity to bring my family to sporting events and to participate in other events when appropriate. My 9-year-old daughter, Sydney, is exposed to opportunities and extraordinary female student-athletes who serve as outstanding role models.

13. In our opinion, where is collegiate athletic development headed in the future?
With escalating costs to run a competitive athletics program, traditional revenue streams are not enough and more resources will be needed to fund a program. With state budget cuts and a slow economy, athletics development directors will be asked to take an even larger role in funding an athletics program annually as well as capital improvement. Here at UD, last year for the first time we tied football parking to donations, and soon we will link football seating with donations.

14. What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming Convention in Anaheim?
I look forward to meeting up with colleagues, discussing and reviewing the past year and embracing the future.