Nearly 400 leaders in college athletics gathered in Columbus for the 15^th version of the Collegiate Athletics Leaderships Symposium. Over the next three days, the conversation kept circling back to one idea: great leaders make everyone else better. Few embody that more clearly than Ohio State AD Ross Bjork—host of this year’s CALS and a steady presence in the community since 2014.

As a full house of leaders in college athletics gathered for the CALS 25 Opening Dinner at the Ohio State’s Covelli Center CALS Director Will Reece opened the program by spotlighting the values that have kept the CALS community tight-knit and forward-leaning—and by acknowledging Bjork’s role in that culture.

“Ross joined us in 2014 for CALS in Memphis while he was the AD at Ole Miss and hasn’t missed many CALS since,” Reece said. “There have been very few people who have consistently given back to the next generation of athletics administrators like Ross has. Even as he has risen to the highest levels of the industry, he has made himself available to others—and hosting CALS is just another example of that.”

When Bjork took the stage for his opening remarks, he distilled keys to leadership in a single line:

“The keys to leadership are being a historian, understanding current analytics, and being a prophet.”

The theme of leading at the highest levels carried straight into Sunday night’s Opening Dinner, where Ryan Day joined ESPN’s Joey Galloway and reflected on alignment and what it really means to “have your coach’s back.” He shared how Bjork’s consistency and encouragement after a couple of tough losses helped steady the program and paved the way to last year’s national championship. The message landed: alignment isn’t a corporate buzzword; it’s day-to-day behavior when the temperature rises.

It was a fitting summary for a weekend centered on perspective—knowing where the enterprise has been, understanding where it is, and anticipating where it’s headed.

By Monday morning, Bjork was on stage at the Renaissance Downtown Columbus with two former deputies—Keith Carter (Ole Miss) and Justin Moore (Tulsa)—for a conversation that braided shared history with the hard choices facing today’s ADs. Bjork offered a metaphor that became a throughline for the event:

“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. It’s never about self-preservation when you are in these roles. It is always about the institution, the values, protecting the brand, and protecting the culture of the place.”

In an era of revenue sharing, roster caps, NIL, and real-time media cycles, the line felt less like a flourish and more like a checklist.

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Candid about the math of modern college sports, Bjork noted Ohio State explored every lever—travel efficiencies, scheduling, roster/staff right-sizing, eliminating low-ROI perks, and simultaneously adding roles with a clear revenue or strategic return (fundraising, data analytics, NIL). The principle: tell the truth, show the roadmap, then execute with discipline.

“You have to be brutally honest with your people…show them data and be transparent. They may not like it, but at least you’re explaining it and you’re not running away from it.”

Asked how leaders should navigate the noise of a football season, Bjork went back to a simple mantra:

“Never too high, never too low. Compartmentalize. Sometimes the most strategic move is not to say anything—don’t fuel the fire. And when it’s time to speak, be convicted and clear.”

The national-title run offered living proof: survive the dips, stay principled, and keep perspective. In the expanded playoff era, your season often remains alive—if your leadership does too.

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Zooming out, Bjork expressed confidence in the new governance and enforcement structures being built—but also urgency to finalize rules, penalties, and staffing so coaches, athletes, and administrators can operate with clear guardrails. Simultaneously, he reminded the room of a counterweight: fan passion is at an all-time high. The product is thriving. Now the enterprise must catch up to its moment.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the CALS Female Executive Scholarship, a program created to elevate and empower rising women leaders across college athletics. For Eventellect’s Lisa Walker—who helped spark the initiative alongside CALS Director Will Reece—the milestone represents far more than a number. It reflects five years of access, mentorship, and meaningful connection.

“Even before this program began, I was fortunate to attend CALS for several years while working at Paciolan,” Walker said. “During that experience, it became clear to me that more access for women was needed—period.”

Her vision was straightforward yet transformative: build a vehicle that offered both financial support and a meaningful pathway for athletic directors to recognize and nominate the talented women leaders within their departments. Just as importantly, the program aimed to create a cohort—a true community of women who could engage deeply at CALS and remain connected long after the event.

“The most fulfilling part has been the relationships I’ve built with each of the scholarship recipients,” Walker reflected. “Those personal connections are the lasting impact. When I look back at the first class from 2021, I’m still close colleagues with so many remarkable leaders—like Joey Bailey (Miss State), Alicia Longworth (Tennessee), Cat Zuppani (UConn), and Kristine Fowler (Dartmouth).”

CALS Director Will Reece called the partnership one of the most meaningful in the event’s 15-year history.

“Looking back over the past 15 years of CALS, there’s so much that I’m proud of,” Reece said. “Toward the very top of that list is partnering with Lisa and Eventellect on the Women’s Scholarship Program. I give Lisa all the credit for the vision and passion behind this project—and Eventellect for putting their money where their mouth is and truly investing in this initiative. It has made the women who have attended better, as well as CALS itself.”

The CALS Female Executive Scholarship has quickly become a cornerstone of the event’s commitment to advancing women in college athletics. Each year, the initiative provides an immersive experience for emerging female leaders—covering registration, travel, and accommodations, and culminating in a private dinner hosted by Eventellect that fosters genuine connection and mentorship among women at every stage of their careers.

Athletics Directors across the country are invited to nominate a female administrator from their department at the Assistant AD level or above who has not previously attended CALS. From there, a committee of past honorees and representatives from CALS, NextLevel, and Eventellect selects each year’s class, adding new voices and perspectives to a growing network of women who are shaping the future of the industry.

Since its inception, the scholarship has welcomed an impressive group of leaders whose influence continues to ripple across campuses nationwide—each one strengthening both CALS and the broader college athletics community.

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Eventellect has been one of CALS most consistent and engaged partners, and Walker says the reason is simple: alignment.

“CALS has always been more than just a conference,” she explained. “It’s a place where candid conversations happen—where leaders collaborate, challenge each other, and grow. That environment aligns so naturally with how we approach our work at Eventellect: be real, act with integrity, and keep the partner at the center.”

Recently named a Sports Business Journal Game Changer, Walker sees the recognition not as a personal accolade, but as a reflection of her community.

“When I found out, my first thought was about all the people who’ve been in my corner—family, teammates, mentors, friends,” she said. “This honor is really a reflection of them and the support they’ve poured into me over the years.”

Walker credits her husband and children for their endless flexibility and enthusiasm for what she calls “Mom’s next college adventure.” From family trips to NCAA football games and women’s volleyball championships, to the most heated rivalry matchups of the year, she treasures the shared experiences.

“The first time I attended SBJ Game Changers was in 2019, when Kim Damron—who’s been a mentor and friend for 15 years—was recognized,” she recalled. “I left inspired, not because of titles or accolades, but because of the power of shared purpose and her commitment to service. I’m even more committed now to paying that inspiration forward to other rising women in our space.”

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Walker’s message to women pursuing a career in sports is rooted in resilience and perspective.

“One of my favorite quotes is from Billie Jean King: ‘Pressure is a privilege,’” she said. “No matter where you are in your career, that rings true. My advice? Don’t run from it—get comfortable being uncomfortable. That feeling usually means you’re growing.”

She acknowledges that pressure can feel heavy at times but urges women to stay grounded. “Pause, take a deep breath, and remember: you can handle more than you think. Ladies, I gotcha—and I mean it—call me, and I’ll pick up the phone.”

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Walker’s journey in college athletics began in 2003 as a graduate assistant at Arizona State University under Athletics Director Gene Smith. Though she never competed as a college athlete herself, she’s spent her career working to stay as close as possible to the student-athlete experience she admired.

“My passion for the student-athlete experience and the excitement of competition hasn’t changed one bit,” she said. “If anything, it’s grown. Just like athletes put in the work to win, I love solving problems for athletic departments so they can reach their goals and create amazing experiences for their fan bases.”

From building access for women to innovating alongside partners who share her values, Lisa Walker’s impact continues to ripple across college athletics—proof that leadership, when rooted in authenticity and purpose, truly changes the game.

1. What does your role at Clemson entail? What are your areas of responsibility? Would love to hear any recent successes or exciting projects you’re currently working on.

I currently serve as the Deputy Director of Athletics at Clemson, where I oversee our football and men’s basketball programs. Over the years, our business has evolved quite a bit, and my role now includes helping to lead our revenue-sharing strategy and helping establish a central front office that supports the entire athletic department.

I also work closely with IPTAY, our fundraising arm, serving as a key link between IPTAY and the athletic department, and I oversee our ticket operations and aviation departments. During my time at Clemson, I’ve also had oversight of the business office, human resources, facilities and capital projects, along with administrative oversight of our external units.

This past year, our team launched Clemson Ventures—a first-of-its-kind initiative focused on maximizing revenue opportunities. I’m currently working on an exciting project that could be a multi-million-dollar opportunity and potentially the first of its kind in college athletics. Hopefully, I’ll be able to share more about that soon.

2. It’s always interesting to hear how people started their career. Please share when you knew athletics was for you, what degree path you followed, and how that helped you get started.

My path into college athletics administration started at the University of North Carolina, where I was part of the basketball program. At the time, I didn’t fully understand everything that went into running an athletic department. After graduating from Carolina with a degree in psychology, I began a business career in corporate America. Things were going well, but I missed the energy and competition of sports.

To stay connected, I started officiating youth basketball games on Saturday mornings in Atlanta. One day, I struck up a conversation with the gym administrator, who mentioned he was in the master’s program in sport business at Georgia State. I looked into it and enrolled. While in the program, I worked with the men’s basketball team and thought coaching might be my path.

During that time, I met Marvin Lewis—now the AD at George Mason—who was the CFO for athletics at Georgia State. He opened my eyes to the business side of college sports and encouraged me to consider administration. A few months later, Marvin gave me my first opportunity, hiring me as the travel coordinator for GSU Athletics. That’s where I got my start and discovered how much I loved the operational and strategic side of athletics. I later pursued an MBA at Kennesaw State to strengthen that foundation.

3. During your career, you’ve spent time at other institutions and in other roles. Tell us a little about your path to your current position and how your previous experience helped shape you as an administrator.

I owe a lot to Cheryl Levick, then the AD at Georgia State, and Marvin Lewis, the CFO who hired me. They gave me my first real chance and taught me how to run a business office from the inside out. Because we had a small staff, I was able to learn nearly every aspect of how an athletic department operates. Working at a Group of Five school early on was the best thing for me—it forced me to understand the difference between needs and wants, what matters most to coaches, and how to build systems that work with limited resources.

From there, I joined Rick Hart at SMU, moving from the Sun Belt to the American Athletic Conference. It was a big step and a great experience. Shortly after I arrived, we hired Chad Morris, who had been Clemson’s offensive coordinator, as our head football coach, and I had the chance to work with Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown. I started as CFO and later moved into the Senior Associate AD and Chief Operating Officer role. Rick gave me incredible trust and exposure—beyond managing finances, I helped shape the department’s strategic plan, led staff and board meetings, and handled major contracts.

After three years at SMU, Jim Phillips invited me to join him at Northwestern as one of his Deputy Athletic Directors. I spent four great years working under Jim before he left to become ACC Commissioner and stayed another year under Dr. Derrick Gragg, helping with his transition.

After five years at Northwestern, I got a call from Graham Neff at Clemson, who had just been promoted to AD. He asked if I’d be interested in stepping into the Deputy AD role he had held. Each stop along the way—Georgia State, SMU, Northwestern, and now Clemson—has shaped my perspective. I’ve seen large public institutions and private universities, and I’ve learned how structure, culture, and leadership dynamics differ. Those experiences helped me develop a broad view of how to build and sustain success in college athletics.

One thing I’ve learned is that it’s not always easy to see how your work connects directly to student-athletes, especially early on. But over time, I realized that every role contributes to their experience in some way. Serving as a sport administrator and seeing that impact up close has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

4. Discuss a couple of people who have been role models or mentors to you and what they’ve offered.

There are so many. Marvin Lewis was the first to believe in me and taught me how to operate with precision and professionalism. Cheryl Levick gave me opportunities to grow and modeled how to lead with grace, polish, and poise.

Rick Hart, formerly at SMU has been another tremendous influence. He’s steady, thoughtful, and family-oriented—a third-generation athletic administrator who’s seen it all. From him, I learned the value of composure and consistency.

Jim Phillips is someone my family and I hold in the highest regard. He’s one of the most genuine, positive leaders I’ve ever known and has an incredible ability to make everyone feel like the most important person in the room. From him, I learned the power of being collaborative and people-centered.

I’ve also been fortunate to have a close circle of peers—Brian Baptiste (Miami), Marcus Sedberry (Wisconsin), and Yulander Wells (Notre Dame)—who I talk with regularly about leadership, fatherhood, and life. Those conversations go well beyond athletics and keep me grounded.

Others like Jonathan Holloway, Derrick Gragg, Travis Goff, Bubba Cunningham, Deneé Barracato, Monique Holland, Kosha Irby, Allen Greene, Max Allen, and of course Graham Neff have all shaped how I think and lead. I’m incredibly grateful for their support and friendship.

5. How have you grown as a leader throughout your career?

I’ve grown at every stop, largely by being surrounded by great people and mentors. Early on, I was focused on learning the fundamentals—running a business office, managing budgets, and handling contracts. Over time, I began to see leadership as less about process and more about people. It’s about listening, building trust, and creating an environment where others can succeed.

At places like SMU, Northwestern, and Clemson, I’ve tried to focus on improving both operations and culture—driving revenue while enhancing the student-athlete experience. Competing at the highest level while graduating student-athletes among the best in the country is something I take a lot of pride in.

I’ve also learned to stay steady, not getting too high or too low regardless of what’s happening. This industry moves fast, and there’s always pressure. Staying grounded and focusing on what truly matters is essential.

And honestly, being a husband and father has shaped me just as much as my professional experiences. It’s taught me patience, empathy, and perspective—all qualities that carry directly into leadership.

At this point in my career, leadership is about empowering others, helping them grow, and building something sustainable for the future. That’s what motivates me every day.

6. What advice do you give to people just starting out in their career in college athletics?

Don’t be afraid to start small, and never be too proud to say yes to an opportunity, even if it doesn’t look glamorous.

I got into this profession later than most—at 29, married with two kids, and leaving corporate America. It was a leap of faith. When I arrived at Georgia State, I was the travel coordinator for athletics, but I also volunteered to assist our AD, Cheryl Levick, on football game days as her special assistant. It wasn’t a flashy role, but I took it seriously, and it became my opportunity to earn her trust. That experience changed everything.

By being reliable and steady, I built credibility, which led to more opportunities and promotions. It all started with saying yes to something small.

So my advice is simple: be faithful where your feet are. Take pride in the job you have today, say yes to opportunities that stretch you, and be the person people can count on. Build trust through actions, not words.

And most importantly, stay grounded in your purpose. In college athletics, we get to impact lives—not just through wins and losses, but through helping student-athletes grow, graduate, and succeed. If you stay focused on that, everything else tends to fall into place.

7. Discuss the role that professional development events like CALS and others have played in your career.

Professional development events like CALS have been invaluable. It’s not just the sessions—it’s the people, relationships, and conversations that happen around them. Those moments have shaped how I see leadership and helped me grow far beyond job titles or responsibilities.

Early in my career, I never took for granted the chance to be in the room with experienced leaders who had walked the path before me. I was hungry to learn—to listen, to ask questions, to understand how others approached challenges. CALS gave me that space to reflect, think strategically, and build lasting relationships with peers who continue to inspire me.

Even now, I walk away from every event with new ideas, new energy, and a deeper appreciation for how much we can learn from one another. That’s the real value of CALS—being around people who make you better and remind you why you got into this profession in the first place.

8. Would love to hear about anything fun or unique about Clemson that you really enjoy. Any hidden gems that visitors to the area shouldn’t miss?

What people love about Clemson—especially in athletics—is how special it feels on game days. The town of 18,000 swells to nearly 120,000 every Saturday in the fall, and everywhere you look there’s pride, tradition, and genuine southern hospitality. It feels like one big family reunion.

Beyond that, Clemson is simply beautiful. We’re right on Lake Hartwell, so you can leave the office and be on the water in ten minutes. That mix of intensity and calm is unique. It’s a special community where people truly care about one another—and you can feel that pride every single day, not just on Saturdays.

9. What book, podcast, or TV show are you currently recommending?

My wife has me watching the “Love Is Blind” seasons on Netflix. 😀

Kevin has a comprehensive skill set built by experiences at a variety of roles, schools, geographies and mentors. He has a great pulse for navigating day-to-day athletics issues while leading with a strategic mindset. Most importantly, he leads his family well and is a wonderful representative of Clemson.

— Graham Neff, Director of Athletics, Clemson University