University at Buffalo Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt and Kent State Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Randale L. Richmond sit down with Norfolk State’s Jazmin Elliott to reflect on how they align their foundational values with a changing industry. Richmond: “Throughout this time period of change is when your values are the most important… Where do you go to focus on what your soul purpose is?” Alnutt concurs: “Your values and change coincide with each other.” Alnutt and Richmond offer insight into their personal core values and how they inform their decision-making process in terms of being proactive versus reactive to change. The trio also focus on the foundation of the industry – the student-athletes – and how they use their values to connect with today’s athletes despite a changing value proposition for athletics. Richmond: “You cannot discredit the access to higher education and the opportunity to get a degree and be prepared for life after sport.”
The conversation is indexed below for efficient viewing (click the time stamp to jump to a specific question/topic).