“The Days of a Committee of One…are Gone.” — A Conversation with Arkansas Sr. Associate AD Chris Freet

Mark A. Hodgkin
Jul 24, 2017 · 2 min read

In Episode 16 of The Sports Leadership Podcast, Kevin DeShazo and I continue our series on the role of the modern athletics director with a conversation with Arkansas Sr. Associate AD for External Operations and Strategic Communications, Chris Freet.

Above all, Freet stresses the need for great communication, specifically when it comes to listening to all involved constituents.

“The Days of a Committee of One…are gone,” says Freet. “It’s too easy to have an uprising.”

Freet said the best ADs are willing to take risks and look at possible solutions “outside of the main players” in a business space.

And finally, the importance of truly understanding “where your Athletic Department can differentiate. That’s what it’s all about”.

And despite the new factors facing them (such as revenue generating pressures), Freet believes the core role of an Athletics Director has not changed.

“It’s still about graduating student-athletes, giving them a great experience,” he noted. “And helping them win games”.

However, more than ever, it is crucial for athletics departments to be in lockstep with campus leadership.

Chris Freet, Sr. Associate AD, Arkansas

Driving revenue is obviously important and Freet notes that while SEC schools are in great shape from a revenue generating standpoint, there exists a gap between the biggest players in the space like Alabama or Ohio State.

But he does not believe college sports does a good enough job of explaining of where revenue goes and how it benefits student-athletes. “We have to do a better job with that storytelling”.

Freet about the importance of self-awareness and the value he has found in Tom Rath’s StrengthsFinders book and corresponding tests. He notes the “balcony and basement” of each strength. Meaning the what’s great about a strength but also what weaknesses may come along with it.

When it comes to hiring, Freet stresses the impact of hiring for culture, believing that the key to hiring is finding “hungry and humble” individuals that fill a gap on his team. “Resumes get you through the door,” but the crucial piece is fit.

Books Mentioned

Tools of Titans, Tim Ferriss
StrengthsFinder 2.0, Tom Rath
Ready Player One, Ernest Cline

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Mark A. Hodgkin

Written by

Do not pretend to have all the answers, just looking to ask better questions. I write about sports business, technology, social media, work & philosophy.

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