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Need help with recruiting? Want to better understand your athlete's strengths and weaknesses? In this episode of the Athletic Business podcast, Andy speaks with Ben Barnett, president and CEO of BodhiSport, a new tech platform that helps athletes and teams identify and understand sport and position-specific cognitive talent. So what exactly does that mean and how can it help you? Check out our discussion with Ben in the pod. 

We're fresh off AB Show 2021 in San Antonio and ready to get back to podcasting. In this episode of The Athletic Business Podcast, Andy speaks with Christina Hickey, director and staff instructor for Warriors at Ease, a non-profit that offers training in yoga and mediation for the military community. Christina explains the benefits of these alternatives, as well as why the military might be officially adopting these techniques in the future.  Learn more about Warriors at Ease here: www.warriorsatease.org Find the article about Warriors at Ease that was featured in the Nov/Dec issue of Athletic Business magazine here: https://www.athleticbusiness.com/operations/programming/article/15280564/military-harnesses-healing-power-of-yoga-meditation

Two decades into the 21st century and women are still breaking glass ceilings in sports. Midwest-born broadcaster Lisa Byington has been shattering industry glass for years. This year alone, she became the first woman in history to call play-by-play during NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Months later, Byington was named the first full-time play-by-play announcer for an NBA team, the 2021 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks. Byington talked about grunt work and glory jobs with AB editor Tabatha Wethal in September, roughly a week after the Bucks announcement, and by then, sports media veteran Kate Scott had been announced as the second full-time female play-by-play announcer for a major men’s professional sports team as the new voice of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.  

How did the NCAA Independent Accountability Resolution Process come to be? How does it work? What can your athletic department do to ensure proper NCAA compliance? We explore those questions in this episode with our guest, Brian Kappel, an attorney and partner with the law firm Lightfoot, Franklin & White. Kappel, a former collegiate athlete, brings his unique perspective to litigating compliance cases and shares his expertise in this episode.  Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud.  Subscribe to AB Today, our daily email newsletter. Sign up to receive Athletic Business magazine for free.

What are some of the most common legal challenges facing gyms and fitness facilities? What should facilities take into consideration to protect themselves amid the pandemic? We ask these questions and more of Cory Sterling of the online law firm Conscious Counsel.  LINKS: Sterling's piece: "Tips for Gym Owners to Avoid Liability in the COVID Era" Email Sterling at cory@consciouscounsel.ca Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud. 

How can software solutions help to improve your sports or fitness business? On this episode of the podcast, we pose that question to Kevin MacCauley, founder and CEO of the software company UpperHand. Listeners will learn how software implementation can streamline business operations, improve customer/member experience and increase revenues.  Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud. 

What will the future of recreation look like in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? How will recreation centers and programs adapt to new trends, technologies and goals?  On this episode, we speak Rich Mylin, director of recreation at UC San Diego and Amber Luther, architect and market lead with Populous, about the future of recreation.  Thanks to this week's sponsor, Synexis. Click here to learn more.  Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud. 

How can gyms and fitness facilities adapt their business models to better serve clients who are increasingly exercising outside of the four walls of a facility? How can these businesses compete on a national level through digital offerings? How can a hybrid approach to gym membership help maintain and grow a community?  On this episode, we speak with Akshay Ahooja, co-founder and CEO of Trainiac, who recently authored a piece for AthleticBusiness.com titled Gyms and Health Clubs Must Adapt to the 'New Normal', who helps us answer those questions and more.  Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud. 

On this episode, we're joined by Dan Schoof, chief of staff and project manager Beloit College's Powerhouse Recreation Center. We speak about the unique challenges and opportunities of the project, which converted a former power plant into a hub for recreation and campus life. Those with questions about the project can get in touch with our guest at schooffd@beloit.edu. Thanks to this week's sponsor, Synexis.

In this bonus episode, we speak with two leading Black voices in the athletics and fitness industry. First, a conversation with Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association commissioner Jacqie McWilliams on her work amid the COVID-19 crisis and the pride she feels in representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Next, we speak with Cedric Bryant, president and Chief Science Officer of the American Council on Exercise about the fitness industry's efforts to improve diversity, equity and inclusion.  Links:  CIAA American Council on Exercise 

During the pandemic, the NFHS Network, a streaming platform that broadcasts high school athletics and events,  has seen immense user growth. On this episode, we speak with Mark Koski, vice president of the NFHS Network, about the platform and the benefits it provides to students, fans and schools.  Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud.

This episode features audio from a recent webinar Athletic Business hosted with Power Systems Education Coordinator Elisabeth Fouts.  We discuss the challenges facing the global fitness equipment market, and how facilities can overcome these logistical hurdles and obtain new equipment despite the pandemic's knock-on effects.   For more information about the AB Athletic Showcase, please visit:  https://www.athleticbusiness.com/architectural-showcase.html   For more information about AB's past and upcoming virtual workshops, please visit:  https://athleticbusiness.weebly.com/workshops.html   Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud.

In this episode of the Athletic Business Podcast, Andy talks with Don Barnum, the head of DLR Group’s global Sports studio. In a wide-ranging discussion on the future of stadium and arena design, Don offers insights on how the pandemic, as well as spectator preferences are changing the way architects, operators and fans think about and interact with the sports venues that host our favorite pastimes.    For more information about the AB Athletic Showcase, please visit:  https://www.athleticbusiness.com/architectural-showcase.html   For more information about AB's past and upcoming virtual workshops, please visit:  https://athleticbusiness.weebly.com/workshops.html   Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud.

Today's episode features a conversation with Pete Simon of the Prairie Athletic Club — a local health club near AB headquarters in Madison, Wis. Simon shares how his club has been coping with the pandemic and striving to create the safest environment possible for members, all while dealing with state and local restrictions.  Thanks to this week's sponsor, Synexis.  Be sure to subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. 

Check out the audio of this virtual workshop hosted by Ruby Newell-Legner and featuring guest speakers Justin Caron, Shawn DeRosa and Megan Pleli, as we discuss returning to aquatics facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This episode features audio from our virtual workshop series — you can check out on-demand sessions on a variety of topics here, and stay up to date on forthcoming sessions by visiting athleticbusiness.com/webinar Thanks to our sponsor, Synexis. More on our Guest Speakers: Justin Caron | Principal, Aquatic Design Group, Carlsbad, Calif. Shawn DeRosa, JD | Owner, DeRosa Aquatic Consulting, Orlando Megan Pleli, M.S., RN | Aquatic Program Administrator, Bainbridge Island Metro Parks & Rec District

As a championship field hockey coach, Karen Weaver saw firsthand the benefits that come with collegiate sports participation. With the pandemic forcing schools to make difficult budgetary decisions, including the cutting of non-revenue sports, Weaver, a former athletics administrator and current faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania, has focused her regular contributions to Forbes on the severe challenges suddenly facing athletic departments. Weaver joined AB senior editor Paul Steinbach on The Athletic Business Podcast to discuss the financial future of college athletics.   Thanks to our sponsor, Synexis.

Brent Darden, interim president and CEO of the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, joins us to talk about how IHRSA is helping members navigate the pandemic.  Between research, outreach and advocacy, the association has its sights set on helping clubs to reopen and serve their members.  Thanks to our sponsor, Synexis.  Links:  IHRSA  

As racial issues have come to the forefront of the national consciousness, NIRSA — Leaders in Collegiate Recreation are launching the 21 Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge.  We're talking with NIRSA director of advocacy and strategic partnerships Erin O'Sullivan about the program, and the role collegiate rec professionals can play in advancing racial equity on campus.  Links: NIRSA 21 Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge Eddie Moore, Jr. 

Justin Caron of the Aquatic Design Group speaks with us on the special considerations aquatics facilities must keep in mind as they prepare to reopen.   Sponsored by Colorado Time Systems.   If you liked the show, please take a moment to give it a rating or review, or share it with a colleague. You can follow along on SoundCloud, or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Stitcher.    

This week, we're speaking to Rachel Gutter, president of the WELL Building Institute about the work her team is doing to help prepare sports facilities to reopen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's an optimistic episode! Links: https://www.wellcertified.com/health-safety AB's 2020 Architectural Showcase online: https://www.athleticbusiness.com/architectural-showcase.html If you liked the show, please take a moment to give it a rating or review, or share it with a colleague. You can follow along on SoundCloud, or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Stitcher.