Temple Athletics Study Notes

Introduction to Temple Athletics

  • Arthur Johnson, Vice President and Director of Athletics
      - Oversees daily operations of Temple Athletics.
      - Supervises 150 full-time staff members and 550 student athletes.
      - Directly reports to President John Brock.

Arthur Johnson's Background

  • Career Overview
      - Four and a half years at Temple University; over thirty years in college athletics.
      - Previous role at the University of Texas at Austin for nearly a decade.
      - Educational background from the University of Georgia and various institutions across the country.

Reflection on Change in College Athletics

  • Notable changes happening rapidly in college athletics.
      - Example: Comparison of the evolution of communication technology and its impact on social interactions.
      - Discusses how change is like a river, constantly flowing and evolving.

Current Status of Temple Athletics

  • Diversity Among Student Athletes
      - Over 500 student athletes hailing from 28 different countries and 42-43 states.
      - Involved in 19 different sports.

Typical Day for an Athletic Director

  • Daily Responsibilities
      - Meetings: Weekly leadership meetings, cabinet meetings with the president, and various meetings sprinkled throughout the week.
      - Special projects and team practices are part of the agenda as well.

  • March Madness Participation
      - Roles in NCAA Division I Men's Basketball community regarding selections and bracketing.
      - Participated in site visits and meetings to prepare for the tournament events.

Personal Life and Work-Life Balance

  • Family Structure
      - Married for 26 years with a 14-year-old son.
      - Discusses the importance of having a partner who supports career transitions and relocations.

Transition from Risk Management to College Athletics

  • Background in risk management and insurance; intended to work on Wall Street but transitioned into athletics due to opportunities.

  • Developed skills in event operations and management organically over time.

Role on NCAA Selection Committee

  • Committee Functionality
      - Involvement in all aspects including selections, regional locations, compliance letters, etc.
      - Shared decision-making responsibilities with committee members and conference monitors.
      - Experience with automatic NCAA tournament bids (31 bids; 37 at-large bids).

Basketball Program Evaluation

  • Discussed team success variances and evaluation based on player turnover and skill development.

  • Circumstantial Challenges:
      - Involvement in evaluating coaches and program direction, taking into account both success and failures.

Revenue Sharing Strategies in College Athletics

  • Discussed the implementation of revenue-sharing systems to increase funds for athletics.

  • Insights into fundraising efforts and maximizing ticket sales and sponsorships.

Future of Athletics at Temple

  • Engaging Student Body
      - Emphasis on increasing attendance at games, especially for basketball and other athletics programs.
      - Strategies to improve outreach and awareness among students regarding athletic events.

Career Advice for Aspiring Sports Professionals

  • Various areas within athletic departments offer opportunities based on specialties (compliance, marketing, ticket sales, etc.).

  • Discussion on the impact of coaching placements and stability within sports careers.

Conclusion

  • Emphasized the evolution of the industry and the ongoing need for innovative ideas to improve student engagement and community involvement in athletics.

  • Open invitation for student involvement and cooperation in fostering a vibrant athletics culture at Temple University.