Understanding the goals of the University of Denver in athletics takes extra time, since their values are deeply rooted in their mission statement toward student-athletes. Their success isn't as common place as one might think, as lacrosse's 2015 national championship, 7 NCAA Titles For hockey, and 22 for skiing. This means Ryan Peck must pay close attention to fostering each of those priorities in terms of development and external affairs, especially with an across-the-board mentality toward unique sports and their branding opportunities. Peck discusses how the Denver brand is pushed out into the community, as well as ways that he fosters dynamic relationships with alumni over the giving choices that they make. Part of it also becomes a discussion on why Peck has an Associate Vice Chancellor title instead of the common athletic department ones, specifically to provide a continuity across campus in how each person is perceive and their role in the community. Twitter: @Ryan_Peck
Athletic fundraising comes down to the concept of engaging conversations. Joe True has served Marquette University for over 10 years as a member of the athletic development team, rising to the role of Associate Athletic Director. True discusses his strategy to get to know and communicate with the MU alumni base, as well as make the ask, not just friendraising, but actual fundraising. True discusses some of avenues and continual mindsets that have helped MU reach lofty revenue goals and maintain its annual giving levels. Twitter: @MUJoeTrue
Athletic fundraising North of the American border is starting to catch on with its American counterparts. Bruce Logan serves as a foothold reminder of this, at one of the largest collegiate campuses in the entire Canadian system. With Canadian universities turning their attention toward the NCAA model, and joining their academic brothers in the United States, this translates into a huge opportunity for development activities with alumni. Logan discusses how York builds its base, and with a non-traditional Canadian sport of football leading the way, and how it maintains its historical legacy despite affiliation or conference changes. Twitter: @BruceLogan2
Brock Wissmiller is providing that NCAA Division II has just as many revenue opportunities as the big boys at Division I. Wissmiller has several years of development, fundraising, media and sales experience, all of which he brings to the table daily at the Upper Iowa Athletic Department. Wissmiller discusses some of the perceptions and misconceptions at working at a small university athletic department, as well as how anyone can become an asset on staff if they are willing to try. Twitter: @bwissmiller
One of the biggest challenges is fundraising at an FBS directional school, especially when the name-recognition isn't there with the alumni, nor the student body. Eastern Michigan's Associate AD of Development Dan McLean discusses some of the ways that his athletic department meets and exceeds those barriers, as well as the opportunities that are bore out of being able to create an identity where none existed prior. McLean embraces solutions over excuses, and shares his wisdom of how to build the brand, even if it means some of the legacy alumni who don't want to give up a free ride are left behind once the journey requires pay for play. Twitter: @_DanMcLean
Athletic fundraising isn't an easy job to master. Vince Volpe has been successful at three different FBS institutions, and shares his knowledge for ensuring that large capital gifts, as well as building the annual fund for an athletic department, are kept in a continuous harmony. Volpe discusses some of the things that attract him to an athletic department's development office, as well as how to build rapport with alumni of each school in order to do the best job for the institution. Twitter: @Vince_Volpe
Don Scott is at a transition point in his career. After several great years of rising through the ranks of the Samford Athletic Department, working in tickets, marketing and development, Scott is now leading Immersion Media's efforts in helping athletic departments grow revenues and eyeballs as a digital media vendor. Scott discusses some of the challenges that he faced in both driving attendance through the ticket office and marketing, as well as attempt to cultivate new relationships with Samford alumni. Twitter: @Descott4
Ken Halpin has an interesting start in college athletics. Originally as a game equipment manager at a community college, Halpin used resolve to work as a third party corporate sponsorship rep for KP Sports at Eastern Washington University, then left the company for a bank, before jumping back to EWU as an associate athletic director of external affairs. Halpin discusses some of the challenges that he has had, especially in building a cohesive staff unit centering on communication, marketing and fundraising. Aside from mentioning his ardent aversion to reading fiction, Halpin talks about some of the things that drive him personally and professionally as he serves as a senior administration staff member at an FCS university athletic department. Twitter: @HalpinKr
One of the rising stars of college athletics is Adam Haukap, who returns to the podcast as a new member of Arkansas State's Red Wolves Foundation. Haukap talks about a portion of the industry that rarely gets discussed: Transitioning to a new place when you are already at the top of your game. Haukap moved from a senior associate athletic director role at Oklahoma State to Arkansas State, to challenge himself further in the field. Haukap discusses "the move" which meant having his family in one state, working in another, and driving 8 hours back home to become a weekend parent and husband until everything was settled. Haukap also comments on the fact that he is a "dapper dresser" as well as his views on the value of perception that people have when making that first impression. Twitter: @AHaukap
Andy Fee oversees athletic development for UC Santa Barbara and explains how the geographic location of its alumni means expansive reach to various places outside the local area. Fee talks about the goal to get to know the donor, to understand their needs and ensure that long-term gifting is done in manner that helps the university's core mission. A portion of the interview turns toward the subject of the tragedy of May 23, 2014 where the Isla Vista killings near the campus of UC Santa Barbara, where seven people were killed, and thirteen others received non-fatal injuries. Fee talks about how the campus community has sought to react to that worldwide news event, whether it is wise to suspend all funding activities or increase them, and how to respectfully honor those murdered without exploiting their deaths for financial gain. Twitter: @UCSBAndyFee