Pat Kraft on Sustaining Excellence at Penn State
Release Date: 04/07/2025
Central Michigan AD Amy Folan on Leadership, Fundraising, and Community
On the Fly by Playfly Sports
Host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Amy Folan, the Director of Athletics at Central Michigan University. They dive into Amy's career journey from a student-athlete at UConn to her current role at CMU. Amy shares her impactful experiences in compliance, fundraising, and the various leadership roles she assumed at institutions like Georgia and Texas. The discussion also covers the qualities she looked for in hiring CMU's new football coach, preparing for the upcoming House Settlement, the importance of innovation and community in her leadership approach, and more.
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Pat Kraft on Sustaining Excellence at Penn State
On the Fly by Playfly Sports
In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Pat Kraft, the Director of Athletics at Penn State. They discuss the success of Penn State's football program, including their recent achievements and coaching hires. Pat also gives an in-depth look at the $700 million renovations for Beaver Stadium, the dominance of Penn State in collegiate wrestling, and the remarkable story of Katie Schumacher-Cawley and the women's volleyball team. They touch on challenges in the new era of college athletics and how everyone at Penn State, from administrators to coaches and student-athletes,...
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USF Athletics Director Michael Kelly on Facilities and Expansion, Managing Growth, and more
On the Fly by Playfly Sports
In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Michael Kelly, the Director of Athletics at the University of South Florida (USF), for an in-depth discussion about the developments and strategic initiatives happening at USF. Michael shares insights into the financial strategy behind funding the new football stadium, the importance of new revenue streams in the face of revenue-sharing models, adding lacrosse, and more.
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JMU Athletics Director Matt Roan on Strategic Growth, Leadership, and more
On the Fly by Playfly Sports
Host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Matt Roan, Director of Athletics at James Madison University, for a wide ranging discussion about his career progression to his current role, the growth and transformation of JMU, and the strategic decisions that have positioned JMU to compete at a high level. Matt also talks about the advantages of having a legal background in athletics, the impact of collegiate athletics changes, and the supportive community at JMU.
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Denver AD Josh Berlo on Advancing Sports, Academics, and Culture
On the Fly by Playfly Sports
In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo interviews Josh Berlo, Director of Athletics at Denver University. They discuss Josh's career journey from the University of Massachusetts to his current role at Denver. Josh shares insights on building successful athletic programs, creating a culture of academic excellence, and navigating challenges unique to non-football institutions. They also highlight Denver's remarkable achievements, including multiple national championships across various sports.
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Craig Sloan, CEO of Playfly Sports, on Leadership, Strategic Revenue Growth, and more
On the Fly by Playfly Sports
In this episode of On The Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Craig Sloan, CEO of Playfly Sports, for an engaging conversation about Craig's career journey and the growth of Playfly Sports. Craig discusses his experiences from his early days after graduating from the University of Iowa to his current role and Playfly's strategic approach to maximizing sports revenue through media rights, technology, and fan engagement. He also shares insight into Playfly's expansion into international markets, his views on the evolving landscape of college athletics, and the importance of maintaining a...
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AAC Commissioner Tim Pernetti Talks Innovation, Football, and the Future of College Athletics
On the Fly by Playfly Sports
Tim Pernetti, Commissioner of the American Athletic Conference (AAC), joins host Gene DeFilippo for an in-depth discussion around the future of college athletics and the strategic directions for the conference. The conversation dives into Pernetti's experiences, the challenges of modern collegiate athletics, innovative strategies for the AAC, and the importance of alignment and coaching. Pernetti also shares insights into the upcoming bowl games, the evolving landscape of college sports, and the personal stories that have shaped his career. *Disclaimer: This interview was recorded on...
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BIG EAST Deputy Commissioner Vince Nicastro talks TV Deals, Expansion, and more
On the Fly by Playfly Sports
BIG EAST Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Vince Nicastro joins Host Gene DeFilippo for an insightful conversation about his 30-year career in college athletics and the rebuilding of the BIG EAST Conference in 2013. The two also touch on conference and tournament expansion, streaming partnerships, the unique culture of the BIG EAST Tournament Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden, and more.
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Boise State AD Jeramiah Dickey on Leadership and Navigating the Changing Landscape of College Athletics
On the Fly by Playfly Sports
Host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Jeramiah Dickey, Director of Athletics at Boise State University, for a wide ranging discussion about his career journey, his leadership and vision for Boise State Athletics, and transitioning from the Mountain West to the Pac-12. Dickey also shares insights on navigating the changing landscape of college athletics, including the implications of the House Case, NIL, and conference realignment.
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Oklahoma State AD Chad Weiberg talks Conference Realignment, 'Super League' proposals, Bedlam, and More
On the Fly by Playfly Sports
Host Gene DeFilippo sits down with Chad Weiberg, the Director of Athletics at Oklahoma State University, who begins by recounting his rise from unpaid intern to his current leadership role. The discussion goes on to cover the challenges and strategic moves amidst Big 12 conference realignment and the departure of Oklahoma and Texas. Chad reflects on the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of 10 members of the OSU basketball family, including his brother, 23 years ago, and how the OSU community continues to "Remember the Ten." He also delves into the changing landscape of college...
info_outlineIn this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Pat Kraft, the Director of Athletics at Penn State. They discuss the success of Penn State's football program, including their recent achievements and coaching hires. Pat also gives an in-depth look at the $700 million renovations for Beaver Stadium, the dominance of Penn State in collegiate wrestling, and the remarkable story of Katie Schumacher-Cawley and the women's volleyball team. They touch on challenges in the new era of college athletics and how everyone at Penn State, from administrators to coaches and student-athletes, are aligned for continued success. Pat emphasizes the importance of academics and a strong, united culture in achieving excellence in athletics.