Gems From An Awesome NCAA AASP Conference

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, courage and change.” – Brene Brown a well-known author and vulnerability researcher at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work

by ROB KNOX

Attending the NCAA’s fifth annual Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP) in New Orleans on July 31 and August 1 provided me with an opportunity to speak passionately about the creative art of storytelling and the impact of positive and proactive messaging.

In addition, I had the pleasure of listening and learning leadership lessons from some of the best in the world like Dawn Staley (United States women’s basketball national team and University of South Carolina head coach), Yolette McPhee-McCuin (University of Mississippi head women’s basketball coach), Jennifer Williams (Alabama State Director of Athletics), Dr. Maurice Stinnett (Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Culture of BSE Global) and Billy McBride (Assistant Athletics Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Amherst College).

The biggest takeaway was that every awesome leader displays vulnerability. Each speaker shared their journeys, fears and motivating factors that helped them reach the pinnacle of their respective professions. Some people may think that vulnerability is bad trait to have in a leader. It’s actually the opposite, because being vulnerable allows one to be service-orientated, humble, empathetic and transparent.

In addition to being confident in asking for assistance and not feeling threatened, vulnerable leaders inspire, are more authentic, and build bonds, which leads to increased performance. Vulnerability is a supreme skill in an emotionally intelligent leader's toolbox.

Stinnett encouraged the audience: “don’t sympathize our student-athletes into mediocrity and speak truth to power on behalf of our student-athletes. Our presence has power” for student-athletes. Stinnett also challenged everybody by telling attendees: “You can’t be everything you’re supposed to be unless those students who cross your path have the capacity and ability to be everything they’re supposed to be.”

In order for student-athletes to be their best versions of themselves, vulnerable and courageous leaders need to depart their comfort zone and leverage their skills, knowledge and talent into making genuine connections while inspiring innovation and learning.

The women of color panel moderated by Dena Freeman-Patton was phenomenal. Staley, Williams and McPhee-McCuin provided real talk on the struggles and obstacles of women of color in athletics administration. They were vulnerable and transparent when describing the best practices for closing the gap.

McPhee-McCuin’s road to Ole Miss included stops at Clemson, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Arkansas Pine-Bluff, Portland and Frank Phillips College. She continued to believe that her hard to work to provide value at various institutions would lead to her achieving the next step in career path/journey. McPhee-McCuin also shared a situation when she thought she was ready to move on, but it turned out she still had more work to do at one of her places before leaving.

Sometimes, we may think we are ready to move, but it’s not time.

Staley never wanted to get into coaching, but since she’s started at Temple and won a national title at South Carolina, she has set the standard of excellence in her profession.

It was awesome witnessing them embrace moments of vulnerability. While their stories were different and motivational, they also made sure to provide several strategies for success.

 1. Always bet on yourself.

2. Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.

3. Be persistent with your sponsors & mentors.

4. Win/succeed when you get the opportunity.

5. Pull somebody up.

6. Be solution-oriented.

7. If a job needs to be done, just do it!

Vulnerable leaders are confident, caring, insightful and secure. They viewed situations more holistically while creating a synergistic set of positive vibes that motivated others to perform at a higher level.

What I learned at this conference can benefit me as an athletic communicator. The message for me was to continue working with athletic administrators in my department to find creative ways to share successful off-the-field stories that emotionally connect student-athletes and the university to fans and stakeholders. In addition, I learned that it’s OK to be vulnerable and transparent.

Remember, we are change agents, advocates of hope and possibilities, vital connections between the public and our athletics programs, and vulnerable, which is perfect.

A huge fan of women's basketball, Rob Knox is currently the Associate Director of Media Relations at Towson University a CoSIDA past president. An award-winning communications professional, Knox has over 15-years of experience in several sectors of the media including sports information, newspapers and television. A member of The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania Athletics Hall of Fame, graduate of the NCAA Leadership Institute and 2011 CoSIDA Rising Star Award winner, Knox is one of the most influential, passionate and accomplished athletic communications professionals in the country.