I apologize for the lack of communication, but, well, a few major life events have occurred this summer that have, temporarily, derailed my writing here. Suffice it to say, these changes blew in like a hurricane.
But, now that things are settling in my life, and students are returning to campuses, I am optimistic there will be much to discuss. So, as I sit at home (UNF is closed today) during a literal hurricane (a first for me), let’s get caught up.
On July 22, I began as Dean of the College of Education and Human Services at the University of North Florida. I am extremely excited to work with a tremendous group of colleagues and help improve the communities in the greater Jacksonville area. We have a great team here and provide meaningful career opportunities for students in education, sport management, ASL/English interpreting, counseling, leadership, and more. My time at Baldwin Wallace University helped me grow professionally and experience first-hand the challenges facing small, liberal arts-based institutions. That experience has greatly influenced much of writing on how sport is used to support enrollment at smaller universities and colleges.
In addition, I announced in June that my pandemic project - a biography of former Dodger player and coach Jim Gilliam - would be published by August Publications. It is kind of surreal to see this project, which began as a crazy idea in 2019/2020, in page proof stage. I am creating a separate Substack page focused on the book.
Given the excitement and demands around these transitions, I am hoping you will give me some grace for the lack of original writing here. I have been tracking developments in the world of college sport sponsorship, campus closings, as well as the general state of college athletics, saving articles and creating notes, and plan to begin revisiting these topics soon.
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