In this episode, Trine Center for Sports Studies Director, Zander Atwood, talks with Tim House, the Deputy Athletics Director for Development and Strategic Initiatives of Michigan State University Athletics. Tim’s career has centered on the principles of philanthropic giving and athletic development in college athletics, serving for universities and programs such as Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, Duke University, the United State Military Academy at West Point, the University of Pennsylvania, and Purdue University. In his current role with MSU Athletics, Tim leads and elevates a comprehensive advancement strategy for the athletics department, driving philanthropic growth and donor engagement through ambitious and measurable fundraising goals aligned with university priorities and athletic department needs and initiatives. He also serves on the athletic department’s leadership team and manages several Spartan teams and a variety of key initiatives that position Michigan State for success amid an evolving intercollegiate athletics landscape. Tim discusses his role with MSU Athletics, the development process of current projects and initiatives for the university, the role a well-organized development team plays in helping universities of all sizes strengthen and grow their athletic programs, the definition of a successful student-athlete experience, and his favorite memories of working in college athletics.

In this episode, Trine Center for Sports Studies Director, Zander Atwood, talks with Matt Bomberg, President of the Great Lakes Division of Northwoods League Baseball and President/Managing Partner of the newly formed Richmond Flying Mummies in Richmond, IN. Matt’s entire career has centered on business development and talent evaluation in baseball, having worked for organizations such as the St. Paul Saints, the former Fort Myers Miracle, the former Green Bay Bullfrogs, Glitnir Ticketing, STATS LLC, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. In his current roles, he utilizes and leverages his career experience as the league liaison for the Great Lakes Division of the Northwoods League summer collegiate baseball league, coordinating schedules and business development opportunities for the division. He also serves as Co-Owner of Northwoods League Softball, a new enterprise built on the same premise as its baseball counterpart, and is President and Managing Partner for the newly formed Richmond Flying Mummies team, building a new organization from scratch and beginning a new era of baseball in Eastern Indiana. Matt discusses his roles with the Northwoods League, the development process of initiating new teams and organizations in an already enormous league, why hiring the right people for the right opportunity is critical to maintain both short- and long-term success, the importance of integrity and good business ethics when wearing lots of hats in job responsibility, the changes in the game of baseball over time and how they have impacted many facets of business operations, and his favorite memories of working in sports.

In this episode, Trine Center for Sports Studies Director, Zander Atwood, talks with Dr. Lacee’ Carmon-Johnson, Director of Basketball Advancement for the Toronto Raptors NBA team. Lacee’s career has centered around the education and advancement of athletes and students alike, having worked in numerous capacities with athletic programs and universities such as Stephen F. Austin State University, Marshall University, Purdue University, and Western Kentucky University. Currently, her role with the Toronto Raptors sees her in a player service and development role that helps to benefit many different areas of the organization, such as daily operations, community engagement, philanthropy, player programs and resource implementation, and cultural enhancement. Lacee’ discusses her role with the Toronto Raptors, the importance of continuing education both for students and professionals alike, the challenges of running a player development program for a professional organization, the development of prospects’ personal brands and value of NIL in college athletics and its impact on professional organizations, and her favorite memories of working in sports.