Remember the Fundamentals: Senior Leadership and College Athletics
Explore the fundamental purpose of college athletics & other big questions surrounding college sports in 2025.
Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi said that excellence stems from perfecting the basics of the sport. This message may prove helpful for college leaders today, as many struggle to coach their own campus communities through the increasingly complex game that is college athletics.
Join us for a conversation about the fundamental purpose of college athletics and other big leadership, academic, ethical and business-oriented questions surrounding college sport in 2025—plus insights from leaders who have found effective ways to address these tensions on their own campuses.
Key discussion points include:
- What role does senior leadership typically play in their college’s athletics program, and what role should they be playing to best advance their institution’s mission?
- How can campus leaders help their institutions – and each other – navigate the big shifts in college athletics, such as those related to Name Image and Likeness allowances, unionization and media-sharing rights?
- How can the institution best safeguard the student experience for students involved in college athletics?
- How can higher ed leaders manage expectations and otherwise communicate effectively with governing boards, alumni and other campus stakeholders around college athletics?
- How do athletics hurt or help college budgets?
Moderated by Sara Custer, Inside Higher Ed’s editor-in-chief, panelists Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., president of Baylor University; Jere W. Morehead, J.D., president of the University of Georgia; Bill Hardgrave, Ph.D., president of the University of Memphis; and Rob Vischer, J.D., president of the University of St. Thomas; will explore these topics and more.
