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EVENT AGENDA
8:30 AM
Check-in, Breakfast & Networking
Check in, fuel up with breakfast, and dive into great conversations with peers, speakers, and our event partners!
9:15 AM
John Cunningham
Session: Welcome Address & Leadership in Collegiate Athletics
9:30 AM
Tom Burton + John Cunningham
Join Tom Burton and John Cunningham for a focused conversation on leadership, athletics, and building strong programs.
9:45 AM
Tom Burton
Session: Beyond the Game: Educational Leadership Through Athletics
10:30 AM
Break
Take a quick reset, grab refreshments, and connect with other attendees before the next session.
10:45 AM
Alex Meacham
Session: The Walk of a Lifetime: Leadership, Purpose & Impact Through Sport
11:30 AM
Jeff Damadeo
Session: The 7 Habits Applied to Athletic Leadership
12:15 PM
Lunch & Networking
Enjoy lunch while continuing conversations with speakers, sponsors, and fellow athletic leaders.
1:15 PM
Dr. Tim Baghurst
Session: No One Can Serve Two Masters: Managing Politics, Pressure and Priorities in Athletic Leadership
2:00 PM
Wesley Disbro
Session: Tech & AI for Athletic Leaders
2:30 PM
Break
Take a short break, recharge, and visit event partners before the afternoon activities begin.
2:45 PM
Sponsor Activity / Round Table
Engage with summit partners, explore helpful resources, and join interactive conversations with fellow attendees.
3:15 PM
Dr. David Kelley
Session: Fundraising Reimagined
4:00 PM
Closing Activity
Wrap up the day with an interactive activity designed to turn the day’s ideas into practical next steps.
4:30 - 6:30 PM
Happy Hour + Sheakley Indoor Facility Tour
Wrap up the day with an exclusive tour of UC's brand new Sheakley Indoor Facility, followed by happy hour and networking!
Featured Speakers
From mental health and NIL to leadership and technology, learn practical insights from our speakers to elevate your program.
JOHN CUNNINGHAM
Director of Athletics | University of Cincinnati
Session: Welcome Address & Leadership in Collegiate Athletics
Mr. Cunningham is opening the summit with a powerful welcome address, sharing a leadership perspective from the highest levels of collegiate athletics
BRAD PIKE
Chief of Staff | University of Cincinnati Athletics
Session: Essentials of Emergency Action Planning
Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in sports medicine, Mr. Pike will share practical insights on preparing for critical situations strengthening safety protocols
TOM BURTON
Superintendent – Princeton City Schools
Session: Beyond the Game: Educational Leadership Through Athletics
A proven district leader known for culture-building, Mr. Burton explores how athletics drives broader school and community success
DR. SCOTT GRANT
Founder & CEO | Triple Threat Leadership | NIL-Education.com
Session: Navigating NIL in High School Athletics
As a national expert on high school NIL policy and compliance, Dr. Grant delivers clear, actionable guidance for athletic directors navigating this rapidly evolving landscape
DR. DAVID KELLEY
Professor & Program Coordinator | Sport Admin, University of Cincinnati
Session: Fundraising Reimagined
Dr. Kelley reveals how to build multiple revenue streams for long-term program success. Move beyond one-source fundraising with creative, scalable ideas.
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VICKIE BENSON
President | Texas Basketball Association
Girls Basketball Coach | Austin Westlake HS
Session: Mental Health & the Modern Student-Athlete
Leading one of the nation's top girls basketball programs, Ms. Benson shares real strategies for balancing performance with athlete mental health
JEFF DAMADEO
Director of K–12 Leadership & Career Development | Indian Hill Schools
Session: The 7 Habits Applied to Athletic Leadership
Mr. Damadeo brings The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to athletic leadership, showing coaches and ADs how to develop student-athletes through principle-centered habits that create lasting impact
WESLEY DISBRO
Co-Founder & Director of Partnerships | Motiv
Session: Tech & AI for Athletic Leaders
The Motiv Team shows you live how to use automation tools that work instantly to streamline your athletic program's back office. Elevate your program with AI tools and software
DR. TIM BAGHURST
Director of FSU COACH: Interdisciplinary Center for Athletic Coaching
Session: No One Can Serve Two Masters: Managing Politics, Pressure and Priorities in Athletic Leadership
Learn practical insights on managing the complex tensions and priorities in athletic leadership as Dr. Baghurst draws from his extensive research
ALEX MEACHAM
Author | Speaker | Entrepreneur | Founder of Shining Star Sports
Session: The Walk of a Lifetime: Leadership, Purpose & Impact Through Sport
UC basketball alum under Coach Huggin & author of bestselling Walk Of A Lifetime shares leadership lessons from 300+ speaking gigs and Michael Jordan collaborations
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BARRETT COHEN
Public Relations & Alumni Engagement Specialist
Session: Building Alumni Relations & Strengthening Your Community
A PR & alumni expert in K–12 sports, he shows schools how to connect alumni, strengthen programs, and turn supporters into lifelong advocates
NATALIE BUNCH
Asst. Professor | UC Sports Administration Program
Session: Supporting Student-Athlete Well-Being and College Choice
Ms. Bunch shares practical strategies to bridge the gap between high school athletic departments and school counselors to improve student‑athlete well‑being and college choices.
MATT HUML, PhD
Associate Professor and Doctoral Program Coordinator, School of Human Services, University of Cincinnati
Session: Strengthening the Athletic Director Pipeline Through Flexible Graduate Education
Explore UC’s new online MS in Sport Administration–Executive program, built for athletic directors, coaches, and administrators who want flexible scheduling and credit for professional experience.