1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: This is the business of sports where in the situation 2 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: that we haven't dealt with in modern times, pandemic here 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:10,479 Speaker 1: has really accelerated the investments that we've been advocating for 4 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:12,880 Speaker 1: for years. From a Macrow standpoint, I think our sport 5 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: industry is really forced to look at the business a 6 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:19,639 Speaker 1: little bit differently. In depth conversations with the leaders in 7 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:22,759 Speaker 1: the sports industry, who wants to be the sacrificial lambs 8 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:25,599 Speaker 1: That shows up that the first big major sporting event 9 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:27,880 Speaker 1: part of something much bigger than the sports right now, 10 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:30,360 Speaker 1: and the health and tasty of our stakeholders that looks 11 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 1: much important every moment. I think we're all from the 12 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: business respective thinking about the impact that the virus is 13 00:00:35,720 --> 00:00:39,200 Speaker 1: having across the country and Bloomberg Business of Sports from 14 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:43,200 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Radio. Hello, I'm Michael barn and Mike Lynch. Over 15 00:00:43,240 --> 00:00:45,560 Speaker 1: the next hour we will explore the big money issues 16 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:47,120 Speaker 1: in the world of sports and talk to some of 17 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:50,200 Speaker 1: the biggest players in the industry. This week we speak 18 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:54,320 Speaker 1: with Harvard University Athletic Director Aaron McDermott. At is straight 19 00:00:54,360 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 1: ahead on Bloomberg Business of Sports. But first let's get 20 00:00:57,800 --> 00:00:59,760 Speaker 1: to some of the topics of the week. And let's 21 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:04,160 Speaker 1: art with the NFL ratings on Amazon. Yes, they streamed 22 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 1: the game, and Lynchy, I guess the ratings they were, 23 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 1: let's say respectable. They're pretty good. Four point They average 24 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:14,640 Speaker 1: four point eight million UM. Now the games that are 25 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 1: on the NFL network average just about six hundred thousand 26 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:21,920 Speaker 1: more at about five point six million. This is kind 27 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:25,200 Speaker 1: of an interesting concept that they've streamed before, but the 28 00:01:25,240 --> 00:01:27,959 Speaker 1: games have also been available over cable. This is the 29 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:31,480 Speaker 1: first time where you had to go to Amazon Prime 30 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:33,600 Speaker 1: if you want to watch the game. And my first 31 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:36,400 Speaker 1: reaction was, this is crazy. They're gonna take off a 32 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:39,720 Speaker 1: lot of NFL fans. And of course my thirty seven 33 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 1: year old daughter said, Dad, this is a great marketing ploy. 34 00:01:42,720 --> 00:01:45,480 Speaker 1: Now all the people that don't have Amazon Prime, A're 35 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:47,240 Speaker 1: gonna get it for this game, and they're gonna see 36 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:49,040 Speaker 1: all the great things that are on Amazon Prime and 37 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:52,400 Speaker 1: watch the number of subscriptions just multiply after this game. 38 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 1: So I'm gonna go you know, she's more hip than 39 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 1: I am to these things, and I'm gonna go with 40 00:01:56,800 --> 00:02:00,680 Speaker 1: with her and say, maybe it wasn't ingenious By the end, Phil, Well, 41 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:03,760 Speaker 1: I'm with you, Lynchy. I didn't know this on our 42 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 1: TV and a lot of smart TVs have this. They 43 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 1: have Amazon Prime right on there, and and my wife said, 44 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:13,919 Speaker 1: you know we have a subscription to Amazon Prime. I'm 45 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:16,600 Speaker 1: like what, And then I clicked over and it's just 46 00:02:16,639 --> 00:02:20,760 Speaker 1: like watching the game. It was. This is like your 47 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 1: daughter said, Lynchy, this is gonna be the way of 48 00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:25,720 Speaker 1: the future. Yep, it is. And who knows, Michael Barr, 49 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 1: you'll be watching Downton Abbey. Maybe next week it could 50 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:35,360 Speaker 1: be bench watching, thank you very much. Speaking of the NFL, 51 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:38,800 Speaker 1: you know there's gonna be something else that's gonna happen. 52 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:41,840 Speaker 1: Let's like this game, for example, with the San Francisco 53 00:02:41,919 --> 00:02:46,520 Speaker 1: forty Niners. Maybe you'll see something as this play takes 54 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 1: place this third year with a play fake, it's use 55 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 1: check at the six use check lunches. Did he get in? 56 00:02:53,360 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 1: He out San Francisco. What you might see on the 57 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:05,799 Speaker 1: helmets is an ad And I'm just thinking this is 58 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:08,360 Speaker 1: going to happen, Lynchy, I can see it is. It's 59 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:11,400 Speaker 1: gonna be like NASCAR's like you can't have an empty 60 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:14,239 Speaker 1: car out there there. You're gonna sell the a front post, 61 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:17,320 Speaker 1: You're gonna sell the hood and I see this coming. 62 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 1: By the way, the guy that went in and scored 63 00:03:19,919 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 1: that touchdown, Kyle use Check number forty four forty Niners, 64 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:25,400 Speaker 1: played for Harvard, And a little bit later we're gonna 65 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:28,320 Speaker 1: talk with Aaron mcderbott, the athletic director at Harvard. So 66 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:30,359 Speaker 1: it's a nice tie in right there with that sound bite. 67 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:34,239 Speaker 1: Great job, guys. Yeah, you know, the NFL players already 68 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 1: have a logo on their practice jerseys. Uh, nothing yet 69 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 1: on their regular jerseys, but you know, with high definition 70 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 1: and so many tight shots of shoulder pads and helmets, UH, 71 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 1: just won't be far away. Because the NBA is already 72 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 1: doing it. And I'm sure Michael Barr, I'm gonna tee 73 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:52,200 Speaker 1: you up right now to tell you do you have 74 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:55,600 Speaker 1: you tell us what other leagues doing it. I'm gonna 75 00:03:55,640 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 1: say baseball. No, the NHL is gonna do it using 76 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:03,760 Speaker 1: baseball going to do it Baseball. I don't believe has 77 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:07,320 Speaker 1: has has signed on yet, but three NHL teams. The 78 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:11,720 Speaker 1: New Jersey Devils have decal on their helmet, the Prudential Insurance, 79 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 1: the Washington Capitals have a Capital one, and the Nashville 80 00:04:15,720 --> 00:04:18,960 Speaker 1: Predators have bridge Stone on the on their helmets, a 81 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 1: little logo, and this just generates about fifteen million dollars 82 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 1: just from these three teams alone, and you can expect 83 00:04:25,960 --> 00:04:30,200 Speaker 1: other National Hockey League teams to be following suit fairly soon. Um. 84 00:04:30,440 --> 00:04:34,040 Speaker 1: This was gonna happen from my understanding. Um anyway, but 85 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:37,080 Speaker 1: with all the loss of revenue from the COVID the 86 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 1: last season, the loss of games, et cetera, the National 87 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 1: Hockey League decided to accelerate this thing. And it doesn't 88 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 1: really bother me at all. I mean a lot of 89 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:47,360 Speaker 1: the purists would say, well why, but you know, the 90 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 1: the NBA players already have them on their on their jerseys, 91 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 1: and the NFL players have them on their practice jerseys. 92 00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:55,280 Speaker 1: And I don't think it's too long before you're gonna 93 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:57,840 Speaker 1: see him on the NFL helmets and jerseys or Major 94 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:01,360 Speaker 1: League Baseball as well. Aging again of the NFL, and 95 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:06,280 Speaker 1: this is unique. Russell Okung, the Pro Bowl tackle for 96 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:10,840 Speaker 1: the Carolina Panthers, he wanted to be paid in bitcoin. 97 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:15,120 Speaker 1: He made this demand last year. Well now it's coming 98 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:17,920 Speaker 1: to play now. He makes thirteen million dollars a year. 99 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 1: Fifty percent of that salary is going to bitcoin using 100 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 1: zapps Strike product and I just wonder if that's a 101 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:32,560 Speaker 1: good idea or not. I mean, why why can't you 102 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:37,159 Speaker 1: just take your money once you get it and then say, okay, 103 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:39,400 Speaker 1: I'm gonna take half the money now that I have 104 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:43,320 Speaker 1: my thirteen million and put a certain percentage in bitcoin. 105 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 1: But this is the man's money. He can do whatever 106 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:49,160 Speaker 1: he wants. LEGI yeah, he sees it as an investment. Basically, 107 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:52,920 Speaker 1: in mid December, bitcoin broke twenty thousand for the first time, 108 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 1: and the day after Christmas to hit twenty six thousand. 109 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:59,720 Speaker 1: So so far right now, this investment in bitcoin is 110 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:01,600 Speaker 1: pen off. But we all know how a bitcoin is. 111 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 1: You know, what goes up must come down, and that's 112 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:07,279 Speaker 1: been happening with bitcoin for a while. I just wonder, though, 113 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 1: that's the point. It's so volatile, and I just I 114 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:15,000 Speaker 1: don't know, it's a I don't know if if if 115 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:18,080 Speaker 1: it's you know, it's not like buying bonds. I mean, 116 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:21,159 Speaker 1: obviously you know, it's you know, old man bars, like, okay, 117 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:23,840 Speaker 1: you get that shavings, bonders shunned, and you're gonna be 118 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:26,200 Speaker 1: I mean twenty years you're gonna have it. No, we 119 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:28,920 Speaker 1: bitcoin can take you all over the board. Lynch, you 120 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 1: and I just I'm just not a believe it or not, 121 00:06:33,480 --> 00:06:36,640 Speaker 1: I'm not a gambling person in this way. Game for this, 122 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:40,839 Speaker 1: this is the shocker of the year to the next 123 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 1: last day to find out that he's really not again. Yeah, 124 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:47,600 Speaker 1: I just I'm saying that. It's like, you know, Okay, 125 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:50,400 Speaker 1: I can research a game, but with bitcoin, it's like 126 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:52,120 Speaker 1: I don't know what's gonna happen when I wake up 127 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:56,920 Speaker 1: the next day. It's well, okay, call me chicken. Follow 128 00:06:56,960 --> 00:06:59,839 Speaker 1: the bouncing ball. Basically with bitcoin, follow the bouncing ball. 129 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:04,920 Speaker 1: Today we're speaking with Harvard University Athletic Director Aaron McDermott. Aaron, 130 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:07,360 Speaker 1: thank you so much for joining us. Oh my pleasure. 131 00:07:07,440 --> 00:07:10,760 Speaker 1: Thanks for having me. I have to start with you 132 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:15,680 Speaker 1: are the a D at Harvard University. Uh, that is 133 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:18,040 Speaker 1: big news. Can you tell us about that and how 134 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 1: this has impacted your life? Sure, it is big news. Uh. 135 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:28,880 Speaker 1: I have been in this industry UM for quite a 136 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:32,320 Speaker 1: while now, and UM started it out as an athlete 137 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 1: myself at Hofstrew University playing basketball, and you know, sports 138 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 1: and being an athlete were just hugely formative and who 139 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:44,440 Speaker 1: I am and how I became a leader and so 140 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 1: I wanted to pursue this profession, and certainly Harvard UM 141 00:07:50,720 --> 00:07:53,120 Speaker 1: would would has always been a dream job for me, 142 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 1: just one of those that if you ask me, what 143 00:07:55,160 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 1: are your top ten, you know, jobs you'd like to 144 00:07:57,720 --> 00:08:00,520 Speaker 1: have when UM, I was a graduate student you math, 145 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:03,720 Speaker 1: and and going in this direction, Harvard would have been 146 00:08:03,760 --> 00:08:07,960 Speaker 1: in that list for sure, both from the institution being 147 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:10,680 Speaker 1: in the Ivy League and that philosophy that I have 148 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 1: being a student athlete and in the educational model UM. 149 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 1: And also because I'm from Massachusetts and Harvard UM is 150 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:24,080 Speaker 1: certainly the place when you're a student in Massachusetts that 151 00:08:24,160 --> 00:08:27,360 Speaker 1: you think is the pinnacle of education for sure, for sure, 152 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:31,080 Speaker 1: and not just if you live in Massachusetts but globally. UM. 153 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:35,559 Speaker 1: So you know, this is a huge debt and UM 154 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:38,559 Speaker 1: something I'm very grateful for. And at the same time, 155 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:42,599 Speaker 1: I think UM had the requisite experience to be in 156 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:47,120 Speaker 1: that chair. H Yeah, it's Mike Lynch. Great to talk 157 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:50,640 Speaker 1: to you again. UM. Aaron and I communicated when she 158 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:53,520 Speaker 1: first got the job in July one. Because of all 159 00:08:53,559 --> 00:08:56,959 Speaker 1: the social distancing and the density on campus. How many 160 00:08:57,040 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 1: days have you actually been in the office. Do you 161 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:01,880 Speaker 1: have to work from home most of the time I do. 162 00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 1: I do work from home most of the time. Campus 163 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:09,679 Speaker 1: has been very um, you know, mindful about the as 164 00:09:09,720 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 1: you said, the density on campus. So I have actually 165 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 1: only physically been on campus twice UM in my six 166 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:21,960 Speaker 1: months at Harvard, and warrant that I actually saw my office. 167 00:09:22,559 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 1: I didn't fit at the desk, I didn't work in 168 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:28,760 Speaker 1: the office. I was touring, um the building and getting 169 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:33,720 Speaker 1: a sense of where everything was. So it's, uh, it's 170 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:37,679 Speaker 1: it's it's very It's just been a very strange and 171 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:42,559 Speaker 1: different experience to start a job like this, not be 172 00:09:42,679 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 1: physically present with people, um, for the people that I 173 00:09:47,360 --> 00:09:49,839 Speaker 1: work with every day, for it to be through a 174 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:54,240 Speaker 1: screen on zoom for the most part, UM is very 175 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 1: different and very unnatural and very strange, which I guess 176 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:01,240 Speaker 1: is why I'm saying it's very um. And you know 177 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:05,079 Speaker 1: it will continue through the spring semester. As you probably know, 178 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 1: again a very conservative approach to density on campus. So 179 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:14,640 Speaker 1: um without our normal operation kind of happening on a 180 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:18,920 Speaker 1: day to day way, and without so far competition happening, 181 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 1: and um so coaches not having as much presence on 182 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:25,599 Speaker 1: campus as well, and students for sure, UM, you know, 183 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:30,199 Speaker 1: just we're all pretty much working at home except for 184 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:33,640 Speaker 1: really essential operations that need to continue for the maintenance 185 00:10:33,679 --> 00:10:36,880 Speaker 1: of the buildings. I'm not making fun of COVID, but 186 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:41,559 Speaker 1: there's a joke running around on the internet as the 187 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:45,280 Speaker 1: new year comes in and people are saying, I'm going 188 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:48,719 Speaker 1: to be up at midnight not to see come in, 189 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 1: but to make sure leaves. And that's that brings up 190 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 1: the point about and you you touched off onto it 191 00:10:56,600 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 1: how COVID has impacted your job. Can you take us 192 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 1: through more of the steps that you have had to 193 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:07,959 Speaker 1: go through and some of the hurdles taking place with 194 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:11,559 Speaker 1: your job. Yeah, sir, I mean it even starts with 195 00:11:11,679 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 1: the hiring process itself. You know, my my first interview 196 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:19,160 Speaker 1: with Harvard was actually here in Boston in person, but 197 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:24,000 Speaker 1: after that it was literally the timing of everything shutting down. 198 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:28,200 Speaker 1: It was mid March and so um everything went virtual. 199 00:11:28,880 --> 00:11:33,079 Speaker 1: All of my subsequent interviews were through zoom UM and 200 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 1: that was a very different and unsettling experience, honestly. I mean, 201 00:11:37,679 --> 00:11:41,280 Speaker 1: it wasn't something that we were accustomed to at that point. 202 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:47,120 Speaker 1: It was concerning to try to have interviews with that significance. UM. 203 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:50,240 Speaker 1: So the job that I absolutely, you know, in in 204 00:11:50,559 --> 00:11:55,120 Speaker 1: my whole of being wanted and not knowing that it 205 00:11:55,200 --> 00:11:58,760 Speaker 1: would be really the best way to convey who I 206 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:01,240 Speaker 1: am and what I could bring and what we could 207 00:12:01,280 --> 00:12:05,360 Speaker 1: do at Harvard together. So just right from the beginning, 208 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:08,640 Speaker 1: it had a significant impact. And then, you know, the 209 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:12,280 Speaker 1: first time I met members of the department, I was 210 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:16,679 Speaker 1: still living in Chicago, hadn't moved yet here, and met 211 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:20,559 Speaker 1: everyone through zoom UM and had to give again this 212 00:12:20,679 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 1: first impression of of who I am and what I'm 213 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 1: about and what I would hope and want for student 214 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:30,240 Speaker 1: athletes at Harvard. And you know what I hoped, UM 215 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:33,520 Speaker 1: a working relationship would be like with people in the department. 216 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:37,600 Speaker 1: UM was all on that screen. And it has been 217 00:12:37,720 --> 00:12:42,000 Speaker 1: like that ever since, you know, conversations with the coaches, 218 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:48,640 Speaker 1: conversations with student athletes, conversations with alumni, UM, my colleagues 219 00:12:48,679 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 1: across campus. So it's something that we've all had to 220 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 1: adapt to. And that's one thing I've always felt I've 221 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:01,439 Speaker 1: been able to do in a very productive way throughout 222 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:04,520 Speaker 1: my career is adapt to different things in different situations. 223 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: This is one that we've it's all a very strong 224 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:12,400 Speaker 1: test for all of us and you know, I think, um, 225 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:17,400 Speaker 1: if if it feels like we're all kind of moving 226 00:13:17,440 --> 00:13:22,640 Speaker 1: in the same direction, UM, that people are supportive of 227 00:13:22,760 --> 00:13:25,920 Speaker 1: the direction that we're going. And I feel like if 228 00:13:25,960 --> 00:13:29,560 Speaker 1: that can happen in this forum, then we'll be clicking, 229 00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:32,040 Speaker 1: you know, on all cylinders when we can actually come 230 00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:35,040 Speaker 1: together physically. So as strange as it's been and as 231 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:38,520 Speaker 1: challenging as it's been, as different as it's been, UM, 232 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:41,720 Speaker 1: I actually think it's we've been able to move forward 233 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:46,679 Speaker 1: in positive ways and develop rapport and relationships in a 234 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:49,920 Speaker 1: way that will set us in motion in a great 235 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:52,719 Speaker 1: way when we can come together. And that's really been 236 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 1: my focus, is what can we do right now to 237 00:13:56,559 --> 00:13:59,480 Speaker 1: put ourselves in the best position we can be for 238 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 1: when time happens. Aaron, you're uniquely qualified for this job. 239 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:06,360 Speaker 1: I mean, you've worked every single part of an athletic 240 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:09,079 Speaker 1: department at first at Princeton, then Columbia, and then the 241 00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:12,920 Speaker 1: athletic director at the University of Chicago. Combine all those 242 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:16,920 Speaker 1: three experiences into how it's made you just so ready 243 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:21,280 Speaker 1: for this job. Yeah, you know, and that's exactly how 244 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 1: I felt. It was just it's almost the storybook. Um, trajectory, 245 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:29,840 Speaker 1: and it felt like this was very much the perfect 246 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:35,000 Speaker 1: natural progression. At the same time, UM, such a challenging 247 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:39,400 Speaker 1: position to get because of course it's highly sought after. UM. 248 00:14:39,880 --> 00:14:42,680 Speaker 1: Many people would want to be the athletics director at Harvard, 249 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 1: so I had strong competition, I know that, UM. And 250 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:50,600 Speaker 1: it was though, as you're saying, you know, just I 251 00:14:50,640 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 1: couldn't have scripted it better to have started my career 252 00:14:54,680 --> 00:14:58,400 Speaker 1: at Columbia and Ivy League school in New York City 253 00:14:59,080 --> 00:15:01,360 Speaker 1: at a point in my life and career that I 254 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:04,600 Speaker 1: was learning so much, I had to kind of figure 255 00:15:04,640 --> 00:15:06,880 Speaker 1: it out on my own and in a place that 256 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:09,120 Speaker 1: you really have to sink or swim, I mean, you 257 00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:12,240 Speaker 1: have to, um, be able to thrive in New York 258 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:16,640 Speaker 1: as a young person not making a lot of money, UM, 259 00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:19,560 Speaker 1: and figure it out and be resourceful. And it was 260 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:24,120 Speaker 1: from that step being able to move to Princeton, which UM, 261 00:15:24,280 --> 00:15:27,600 Speaker 1: you know, one of the more competitive obviously Ivy League schools, 262 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:32,560 Speaker 1: learned you know, how to kind of make that combination 263 00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:35,960 Speaker 1: really work well within the Ivy philosophy of having successful 264 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:41,920 Speaker 1: teams and still being true to the educational mission and um, 265 00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:46,960 Speaker 1: you know, primary focus for student athletes in that way 266 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:49,720 Speaker 1: that I would hope that we can accomplish at Harvard, 267 00:15:49,760 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 1: and Harvard already has in many ways, but almost just 268 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:55,400 Speaker 1: like when I went to the University of Chicago, a 269 00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:58,240 Speaker 1: place that Division three school but in a very different 270 00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 1: kind of Division three conference. Teams were doing pretty well, 271 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:05,720 Speaker 1: but I felt could be better and could be more 272 00:16:05,840 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 1: dominant within that conference that the University of Chicago is in, 273 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:12,760 Speaker 1: and we're able to make strides in doing that while 274 00:16:12,800 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 1: I was there. So I'm bringing the Ivy philosophy that 275 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 1: I learned and became such a fan of being at 276 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:23,760 Speaker 1: Columbia and Princeton, and now, you know, maybe dis attention 277 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:26,440 Speaker 1: to how do we get better, how do we actually 278 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:29,600 Speaker 1: take something that's really good and make it better and 279 00:16:29,720 --> 00:16:32,480 Speaker 1: requisite with the excellence of the Institution of Harvard like 280 00:16:32,560 --> 00:16:35,120 Speaker 1: we did at the University of Chicago. Aaron, you mentioned 281 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:38,200 Speaker 1: about Zoom and I'm one of those old geezers. I 282 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:40,600 Speaker 1: remember someone said, you know what zoom is, and I said, yeah, 283 00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:42,600 Speaker 1: I used to be a show on PBS for kids, 284 00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:47,640 Speaker 1: and yeah, I was there. It was I saw the debut. 285 00:16:47,880 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 1: That's I'm said, but it's but the best, Oh my 286 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 1: good news. Yes, and everybody was barefoot all on the set. 287 00:16:57,360 --> 00:17:02,040 Speaker 1: It was good. What what one day we will be 288 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:06,840 Speaker 1: out of a zoom society and depending on depending on it, 289 00:17:07,520 --> 00:17:11,879 Speaker 1: and we are going to be past COVID nineteen, and 290 00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 1: we're going to be going full bore in sports from 291 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:19,159 Speaker 1: the football ont to baseball. And then I can go 292 00:17:19,320 --> 00:17:23,639 Speaker 1: on and on and on about sports. What will it 293 00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:29,080 Speaker 1: take for us as a nation to get back to 294 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:33,399 Speaker 1: that point where the stands were crowded and we were 295 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:38,119 Speaker 1: watching sports the way we used to. Yeah, well, you 296 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:40,520 Speaker 1: know you kind of said it as the obvious. We 297 00:17:40,600 --> 00:17:44,639 Speaker 1: need we need COVID nineteen to basically disappear. You know, 298 00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:47,119 Speaker 1: we need vaccinations to be out there in a in 299 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:50,360 Speaker 1: a big way. We need to reach this herd immunity 300 00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:53,800 Speaker 1: we keep talking about of you know, the percentage might 301 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:57,720 Speaker 1: fluctuate depending on um the given day, but to know 302 00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:01,120 Speaker 1: that we're at a point in our population that um, 303 00:18:01,359 --> 00:18:04,399 Speaker 1: we're not as we're not as dangerous to each other, 304 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:08,480 Speaker 1: we're not as in um jeopardy of our own health 305 00:18:08,680 --> 00:18:12,280 Speaker 1: to be in a crowd. And so you know, I 306 00:18:12,640 --> 00:18:17,000 Speaker 1: hope my heart of hearts that that is sooner rather 307 00:18:17,119 --> 00:18:19,840 Speaker 1: than later, and that you know, come fall certainly, as 308 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 1: you said, with a football season with UM soccer seasons 309 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 1: with those, you know what we get through a summer 310 00:18:26,280 --> 00:18:29,200 Speaker 1: where hopefully we're in a much better place that that 311 00:18:29,359 --> 00:18:31,600 Speaker 1: can happen. But I think, you know, I'm sure there'll 312 00:18:31,640 --> 00:18:36,119 Speaker 1: be some trepidation from people even um going back into 313 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:39,640 Speaker 1: that kind of situation. I'm sure for some people will 314 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:42,760 Speaker 1: be just you know, such a hunger to be in 315 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:45,960 Speaker 1: that situation that they'll be um a great demand. And 316 00:18:46,040 --> 00:18:48,440 Speaker 1: at the same time, I'm sure there'll be some hesitation 317 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:50,960 Speaker 1: by others to be back in that kind of situation. 318 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:53,720 Speaker 1: So I think, you know, it could be a gradual 319 00:18:53,960 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 1: transition where there's um certain numbers of people allowed in 320 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 1: spaced out in different ways depending on you know, our 321 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:05,240 Speaker 1: situation come the fall. But UM, you know, I think 322 00:19:05,280 --> 00:19:07,000 Speaker 1: that's what's going to need to happen, is we're just 323 00:19:07,080 --> 00:19:08,880 Speaker 1: going to have to be in a much different place 324 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:11,080 Speaker 1: with this virus, will need to be in a much 325 00:19:11,119 --> 00:19:15,840 Speaker 1: different place with it, um effectiveness on you know, the 326 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:20,160 Speaker 1: population of contracting the virus, that more people are protected 327 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:23,840 Speaker 1: against it, and um, you know that we can ensure 328 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 1: people that they're safe in our venues. I think that's 329 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:31,440 Speaker 1: that's really important. So that's why we need to have 330 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:36,120 Speaker 1: not just the kind of normal approach to crowd control 331 00:19:36,359 --> 00:19:40,879 Speaker 1: and seating and UM sales, but really, you know, have 332 00:19:41,080 --> 00:19:44,840 Speaker 1: some good guidance, some sound guidance of what's safe for 333 00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:47,800 Speaker 1: people in different situations. And at what point can we 334 00:19:48,520 --> 00:19:51,080 Speaker 1: UM introduce a certain level of fans to maybe a 335 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:54,879 Speaker 1: full you know, full number of fans in in the 336 00:19:54,960 --> 00:20:00,280 Speaker 1: arenas and in in the stadiums. Aaron, we are week. 337 00:20:00,640 --> 00:20:06,760 Speaker 1: You have forty two inter intercollegiate varsity teams in varsity sports. 338 00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 1: Many schools, most notably Stanford, has cut a lot of 339 00:20:09,960 --> 00:20:13,840 Speaker 1: varsity programs. Um, how have you been able to keep 340 00:20:13,920 --> 00:20:15,720 Speaker 1: all forty two? Will you be able to keep it 341 00:20:15,760 --> 00:20:20,000 Speaker 1: all forty two if this pandemic keeps going on? Yeah, No, 342 00:20:20,359 --> 00:20:22,960 Speaker 1: you're You're exactly right, and it is we Mike, you're 343 00:20:22,960 --> 00:20:30,960 Speaker 1: one of us. So I'm sorry, always always Crimson, Um, 344 00:20:32,160 --> 00:20:33,920 Speaker 1: you know, I hope. So, I mean, you know, I 345 00:20:34,040 --> 00:20:38,080 Speaker 1: think our model is one that because we're not revenue based, 346 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:42,040 Speaker 1: we are educationally based. That you know, we're not we 347 00:20:42,119 --> 00:20:46,199 Speaker 1: don't have athletic scholarships. Um that because of that model, 348 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:51,320 Speaker 1: we actually can sustain Hopefully you know more at that level. UM. 349 00:20:51,520 --> 00:20:55,200 Speaker 1: You know, it wasn't just Stanford and other scholarships schools 350 00:20:55,320 --> 00:20:57,359 Speaker 1: that have dropped, as you know, a couple of IVY 351 00:20:57,400 --> 00:21:01,240 Speaker 1: schools have and so it doesn't completely protect that from happening. 352 00:21:01,560 --> 00:21:05,520 Speaker 1: But you know, I hope that we can continue, um, 353 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:07,960 Speaker 1: kind of sponsoring the sports that we do at the 354 00:21:08,080 --> 00:21:10,159 Speaker 1: level that we do because I think we so believe 355 00:21:10,280 --> 00:21:14,200 Speaker 1: in these opportunities for students and um, for student athletes 356 00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:17,240 Speaker 1: to be able to you know, compete in these different 357 00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:20,280 Speaker 1: sports at the college level, at the varsity level. UM. 358 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:23,600 Speaker 1: So we've we've not been in a position to need 359 00:21:23,680 --> 00:21:29,280 Speaker 1: to um evaluate that or change you know, what we're doing. UM. 360 00:21:29,920 --> 00:21:33,040 Speaker 1: You never know, things can can change, and especially as 361 00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:36,679 Speaker 1: you said, with this COVID environment and the financial impact 362 00:21:36,720 --> 00:21:39,120 Speaker 1: that that has had and even just how we think 363 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:42,800 Speaker 1: about activities. UM. But I you know, I were not 364 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 1: at that point. I hope to not reach that point. 365 00:21:45,920 --> 00:21:49,440 Speaker 1: And UM, I think just trying to stay within this 366 00:21:49,640 --> 00:21:52,480 Speaker 1: model of why we do what we do and what 367 00:21:52,600 --> 00:21:56,879 Speaker 1: those opportunities mean and UM what they should you know, 368 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:02,920 Speaker 1: kind of fulfill for Harvard and that holistic educational environment 369 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:06,359 Speaker 1: of being a student athlete and having as many opportunities 370 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:09,160 Speaker 1: as we can for people to do that. You know, UM, 371 00:22:09,560 --> 00:22:12,080 Speaker 1: I think it's a it's a model that became one 372 00:22:12,119 --> 00:22:13,920 Speaker 1: at Harvard for a reason, and I hope that we 373 00:22:14,040 --> 00:22:18,440 Speaker 1: can sustain that. And I guess the biggest thing that 374 00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:21,639 Speaker 1: pops out of my mind when you are the a 375 00:22:21,920 --> 00:22:28,480 Speaker 1: D of any major college is that there's talk about sponsorship. 376 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:32,320 Speaker 1: And I'm just wondering, is there any talk about it 377 00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:35,639 Speaker 1: from a local level for the upcoming season or from 378 00:22:35,680 --> 00:22:39,600 Speaker 1: a national level with Nike or whatever. Sure, we we 379 00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:42,480 Speaker 1: certainly are in that as well, even though you know, 380 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:46,440 Speaker 1: not as major part of our program as maybe you 381 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:50,400 Speaker 1: know some higher level Power five type Division one schools, 382 00:22:50,520 --> 00:22:53,879 Speaker 1: but we do have an agreement with Nike. Nike is 383 00:22:53,960 --> 00:22:58,239 Speaker 1: our official provider for all apparel and and footwear. UM. 384 00:22:58,760 --> 00:23:03,840 Speaker 1: We also have UH arrangement with UM J M I Sports. 385 00:23:03,920 --> 00:23:08,320 Speaker 1: That's our UM as you will, kind of corporate sponsor 386 00:23:08,720 --> 00:23:11,479 Speaker 1: UM company that we work with. We had just started 387 00:23:11,560 --> 00:23:14,480 Speaker 1: that agreement really just before COVID, so it's been a 388 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:16,320 Speaker 1: tough time for them to try to come in and 389 00:23:16,920 --> 00:23:19,119 Speaker 1: help us out in that way, but it's a relationship 390 00:23:19,240 --> 00:23:22,480 Speaker 1: that we UM certainly value. They also have a relationship 391 00:23:22,520 --> 00:23:25,159 Speaker 1: with the Ivy League, and so UM we we look 392 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:28,400 Speaker 1: to continue that. So we'll be looking at both UM 393 00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:33,159 Speaker 1: local opportunities as well as national opportunities. UM we have 394 00:23:33,280 --> 00:23:36,920 Speaker 1: to be, you know, certainly again very mindful of this 395 00:23:37,160 --> 00:23:41,439 Speaker 1: is the Harvard reputation, this is the Harvard brand. So UM, 396 00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:44,879 Speaker 1: you won't see as much kind of billboard action uh 397 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:47,840 Speaker 1: for Harvard Athletics as maybe you see with others that 398 00:23:48,119 --> 00:23:51,520 Speaker 1: you know, we carry a stronger identity in many ways 399 00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:56,960 Speaker 1: beyond UM athletics for sure, and institutionally. UM will be 400 00:23:57,119 --> 00:23:59,879 Speaker 1: very conservative with what we do. So we have it 401 00:24:00,359 --> 00:24:03,760 Speaker 1: and we will continue that. It's more to fledgling UM 402 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:07,480 Speaker 1: position than you see it many other places, but it 403 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:10,680 Speaker 1: will probably continue to be a little more subtle than 404 00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:12,800 Speaker 1: what you see at other places, just because of who 405 00:24:12,840 --> 00:24:17,200 Speaker 1: we are Aaron. Once upon a time, the athletic director's 406 00:24:17,280 --> 00:24:20,159 Speaker 1: job was a nice landing spot for a longtime coaches 407 00:24:20,280 --> 00:24:24,080 Speaker 1: sort of was a launching pad into retirement. But somewhere 408 00:24:24,200 --> 00:24:27,040 Speaker 1: before the turn of the century, that role the athletic 409 00:24:27,119 --> 00:24:31,240 Speaker 1: director changed dramatically. You had to become a fundraiser, you 410 00:24:31,320 --> 00:24:34,040 Speaker 1: had to become a network. Coordinating had to be done 411 00:24:34,080 --> 00:24:38,639 Speaker 1: with compliance Uh, do you have different arms of in 412 00:24:38,760 --> 00:24:41,080 Speaker 1: your department that are in charge of fundraising or is 413 00:24:41,160 --> 00:24:43,000 Speaker 1: that sort of an accurate assessment of what the job 414 00:24:43,160 --> 00:24:47,840 Speaker 1: entails now in addition to overseeing forty two sports. Yeah, 415 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 1: it is an accurate assessment of what the job is. 416 00:24:50,040 --> 00:24:54,240 Speaker 1: You're you're very You're exactly right that it changed from 417 00:24:54,359 --> 00:24:59,240 Speaker 1: very much and internally focused position that basically you know, 418 00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:02,880 Speaker 1: manag coaches and day to day operations which were much 419 00:25:02,960 --> 00:25:06,840 Speaker 1: more um, you know, rudimentary. I guess as far as 420 00:25:06,920 --> 00:25:09,720 Speaker 1: you know what that would entail for an athletic department, 421 00:25:10,280 --> 00:25:14,640 Speaker 1: and it has really morphed into all of that along 422 00:25:14,800 --> 00:25:18,480 Speaker 1: with an external focus of the fundraising and these kind 423 00:25:18,480 --> 00:25:21,960 Speaker 1: of sponsorship issues that come into play, um, how you're 424 00:25:21,960 --> 00:25:26,800 Speaker 1: representing yourself publicly. That's why huven Athletic communication, that whole 425 00:25:26,920 --> 00:25:30,760 Speaker 1: area has become so much more media driven and social 426 00:25:30,880 --> 00:25:35,080 Speaker 1: media driven, and so that identity that you project um 427 00:25:35,240 --> 00:25:38,760 Speaker 1: publicly becomes much more part of the job as far 428 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:40,960 Speaker 1: as what you need to be thinking about and how 429 00:25:41,119 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 1: to coordinate that with the larger university interests. So, um, 430 00:25:47,440 --> 00:25:50,879 Speaker 1: it's definitely become a much different job. It is certainly 431 00:25:51,040 --> 00:25:54,600 Speaker 1: more being a CEO a leader you know of UM 432 00:25:54,760 --> 00:25:57,320 Speaker 1: and I don't. I don't say that to to liken 433 00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:02,600 Speaker 1: it to business necessarily because again we are very much 434 00:26:02,680 --> 00:26:07,760 Speaker 1: in the educational you know, industry, UM and profession. But 435 00:26:08,119 --> 00:26:12,200 Speaker 1: it is all those different kind of constituents that you're 436 00:26:12,800 --> 00:26:16,119 Speaker 1: touching on and need to lead in a way UM 437 00:26:16,240 --> 00:26:19,240 Speaker 1: and so yes, within the department we have, you know, 438 00:26:19,560 --> 00:26:23,000 Speaker 1: people that oversee all those different areas that you mentioned. 439 00:26:23,040 --> 00:26:26,040 Speaker 1: As far as fundraising, that's one area that we've actually 440 00:26:26,119 --> 00:26:30,200 Speaker 1: really relied on the university to help us in UM 441 00:26:30,320 --> 00:26:33,159 Speaker 1: so with the University Development Office working with them on 442 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:37,280 Speaker 1: our fundraising needs. But very recently we were able to 443 00:26:37,600 --> 00:26:40,440 Speaker 1: One of the things I wanted to to kind of 444 00:26:40,520 --> 00:26:44,480 Speaker 1: adapt for us UH in in early on in my 445 00:26:44,680 --> 00:26:48,480 Speaker 1: time was really having some people who are truly focused 446 00:26:48,520 --> 00:26:51,640 Speaker 1: on athletic fundraising because it has become such a major 447 00:26:51,800 --> 00:26:55,800 Speaker 1: part of UM having the resources we need to provide 448 00:26:55,840 --> 00:26:58,399 Speaker 1: the kind of student athlete experience that we want to 449 00:26:58,560 --> 00:27:03,560 Speaker 1: and feel is requisite with UM an experience at Harvard 450 00:27:03,600 --> 00:27:06,119 Speaker 1: and within the Ivy League. So we actually will be 451 00:27:06,280 --> 00:27:11,920 Speaker 1: hiring a person soon to oversee athletic fundraising, with me 452 00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:14,480 Speaker 1: being very much a part of that as well. But 453 00:27:15,040 --> 00:27:17,520 Speaker 1: you know it can't all be on me, and we 454 00:27:17,640 --> 00:27:21,680 Speaker 1: do need people who are really solely focused on athletics 455 00:27:21,720 --> 00:27:26,359 Speaker 1: fundraising because of just the continuation and growth of needs 456 00:27:26,440 --> 00:27:29,920 Speaker 1: that we really have to provide the kind of experience 457 00:27:29,960 --> 00:27:32,680 Speaker 1: that we should be. You bring a special set of 458 00:27:32,760 --> 00:27:39,199 Speaker 1: credentials to the job. Not only are you extremely qualified, 459 00:27:39,359 --> 00:27:44,119 Speaker 1: but you played sports, so you know what it goes 460 00:27:44,520 --> 00:27:47,240 Speaker 1: into about when you're trying to do sports. This isn't 461 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:50,280 Speaker 1: like me walking into IBM and saying, let's talk about 462 00:27:50,280 --> 00:27:52,760 Speaker 1: computer components, because I don't know a blasted thing about 463 00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:57,040 Speaker 1: computer components. You know this backwards and forwards. How has 464 00:27:57,200 --> 00:28:03,480 Speaker 1: your sport ground to crossed over to being the a 465 00:28:03,640 --> 00:28:08,440 Speaker 1: D at Harvard? It's it's huge. I mean I can't 466 00:28:08,520 --> 00:28:12,440 Speaker 1: downplay that at all and can't almost talk about it enough. 467 00:28:12,640 --> 00:28:17,840 Speaker 1: You know, I think my my athletic experience, especially going 468 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:20,680 Speaker 1: back to even you know, I'll date myself too, and 469 00:28:20,800 --> 00:28:24,200 Speaker 1: you mentioned zoom. You know, we played sports when it 470 00:28:24,359 --> 00:28:27,000 Speaker 1: was very normal to play at least three sports in 471 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:30,879 Speaker 1: high school and all kinds of different youth sports. And 472 00:28:31,000 --> 00:28:34,960 Speaker 1: so my experience as a high school athlete playing field, hockey, 473 00:28:35,040 --> 00:28:39,240 Speaker 1: playing basketball, track and field, I played softball before that, UM, 474 00:28:39,560 --> 00:28:42,120 Speaker 1: those touch points with all those different sports, and having 475 00:28:42,160 --> 00:28:48,000 Speaker 1: an understanding of being a team sport versus individual sport, UM, 476 00:28:48,120 --> 00:28:51,000 Speaker 1: the kind of motivation and the kind of discipline and 477 00:28:51,080 --> 00:28:53,160 Speaker 1: the kind of work ethic that goes into that, and 478 00:28:53,280 --> 00:28:56,640 Speaker 1: just being a competitive person, you know, I think that's 479 00:28:56,840 --> 00:29:00,960 Speaker 1: really important in what we do, and understanding what drives coaches, 480 00:29:01,240 --> 00:29:05,400 Speaker 1: and understanding what student athletes hope and dream about UM. 481 00:29:05,640 --> 00:29:09,360 Speaker 1: And also having been a strong student myself and knowing 482 00:29:09,480 --> 00:29:13,480 Speaker 1: that UM, you that it's an and equation. You want 483 00:29:13,600 --> 00:29:15,560 Speaker 1: to be the best you can be as a student 484 00:29:15,720 --> 00:29:18,440 Speaker 1: and as an athlete, which is why a place like 485 00:29:18,560 --> 00:29:21,720 Speaker 1: Harvard and the IVY League fits me so well. So 486 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:25,480 Speaker 1: it's it was completely drawing from that experience of being 487 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:28,120 Speaker 1: a student athlete. And I actually think, you know, to 488 00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:30,760 Speaker 1: Mike's point earlier question earlier about it, used to be 489 00:29:30,840 --> 00:29:34,360 Speaker 1: the athletic directors was kind of a position that a 490 00:29:34,480 --> 00:29:40,120 Speaker 1: coach would take on, maybe as their last job before retiring, 491 00:29:40,720 --> 00:29:43,200 Speaker 1: And so that was very common for athletic directors to 492 00:29:43,280 --> 00:29:46,920 Speaker 1: have a coaching background, and it's not necessarily any longer. 493 00:29:47,040 --> 00:29:49,640 Speaker 1: There are still some tpethletic directors for sure who are coaches. 494 00:29:49,760 --> 00:29:52,680 Speaker 1: But I think not having been a coach in some 495 00:29:52,880 --> 00:29:57,000 Speaker 1: ways UM has allowed me to have very much a 496 00:29:57,160 --> 00:30:00,600 Speaker 1: pure student athlete lens that I look at everything that 497 00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:03,400 Speaker 1: we do, I look at all the decisions that we make. 498 00:30:03,640 --> 00:30:05,640 Speaker 1: I look at, you know, what we need to focus 499 00:30:05,720 --> 00:30:08,560 Speaker 1: on in the future through that student athlete lens because 500 00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:12,840 Speaker 1: that's my reference point. And I've now worked with coaches 501 00:30:13,000 --> 00:30:16,520 Speaker 1: and both as an athlete and as an administrator to 502 00:30:16,600 --> 00:30:19,840 Speaker 1: the point that you know, I really also understand coaches 503 00:30:20,080 --> 00:30:23,680 Speaker 1: and UM what you know they're looking for and and 504 00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:26,080 Speaker 1: and want to have. But I think we all have 505 00:30:26,280 --> 00:30:30,000 Speaker 1: to keep the student athlete piece of this center. And 506 00:30:30,160 --> 00:30:32,320 Speaker 1: that's why I always describe myself as a student athlete 507 00:30:32,360 --> 00:30:36,480 Speaker 1: trick leader, and that's because it's my experience as a 508 00:30:36,840 --> 00:30:40,280 Speaker 1: as an athlete. And I can't UM, you know, as 509 00:30:40,440 --> 00:30:42,160 Speaker 1: as I said, I can't kind of give it enough 510 00:30:42,440 --> 00:30:46,640 Speaker 1: credit for being prepared and and driving me to be 511 00:30:46,760 --> 00:30:49,960 Speaker 1: the best I can be UM for them, my dross 512 00:30:50,000 --> 00:30:52,680 Speaker 1: been more because that's something in Germanism. It feels better 513 00:30:52,760 --> 00:30:54,360 Speaker 1: to be a number one than number five. I'll wear 514 00:30:54,440 --> 00:30:56,120 Speaker 1: a number because of my We have a chance to 515 00:30:56,160 --> 00:30:57,760 Speaker 1: go for three in a row because numbers are a 516 00:30:57,800 --> 00:31:00,240 Speaker 1: good time. When I first started wearing a number, would 517 00:31:00,240 --> 00:31:03,880 Speaker 1: just have the Bloomberg business of sports. The number of 518 00:31:03,960 --> 00:31:08,680 Speaker 1: the week. We're not very good at this erin and 519 00:31:08,840 --> 00:31:11,400 Speaker 1: he embarrassed us all the time. I want to give you, 520 00:31:11,840 --> 00:31:16,680 Speaker 1: give you one quick story. Michael barr Um Eron. Eron 521 00:31:16,760 --> 00:31:19,240 Speaker 1: grew up not far from Boston, maybe forty five minutes 522 00:31:19,240 --> 00:31:22,600 Speaker 1: outside of town. She played for Oakmont Regional and she 523 00:31:22,840 --> 00:31:25,320 Speaker 1: was credited one night in the state tournament for holding 524 00:31:25,600 --> 00:31:30,080 Speaker 1: Rebecca Lobo with thirty points. Remember you remember that Eron 525 00:31:32,200 --> 00:31:37,400 Speaker 1: State semi final, and they were they were clearly favored 526 00:31:37,480 --> 00:31:39,720 Speaker 1: to win. Unfortunately, we went on too a lot lose 527 00:31:39,920 --> 00:31:44,080 Speaker 1: the state championships at Milton High School. Who had a 528 00:31:44,280 --> 00:31:47,160 Speaker 1: point guard. He ended up playing for Boston College. Um, 529 00:31:47,760 --> 00:31:53,800 Speaker 1: but anyway, yes, I do recall see in case you 530 00:31:53,880 --> 00:31:56,720 Speaker 1: didn't know, I'm just a degenerate gambler. I wish I 531 00:31:56,760 --> 00:31:59,240 Speaker 1: would have been on that game. A lot of money 532 00:31:59,280 --> 00:32:04,680 Speaker 1: on that one. No, I gotta give you this number 533 00:32:04,720 --> 00:32:06,560 Speaker 1: of the week. This is this is gonna be good. 534 00:32:06,800 --> 00:32:10,800 Speaker 1: Poor Jason Kelly. I'm glad he's off because I usually 535 00:32:10,880 --> 00:32:14,680 Speaker 1: dismiss with his head and he and he aids the 536 00:32:14,760 --> 00:32:16,080 Speaker 1: number of the week. So I want to give the 537 00:32:16,160 --> 00:32:22,120 Speaker 1: number of the week. It is sixty. The number is sixty, 538 00:32:22,640 --> 00:32:25,680 Speaker 1: and I'll let Aaron take a crack at it first. 539 00:32:26,040 --> 00:32:29,520 Speaker 1: What is the significance of the number sixty that I'm 540 00:32:29,600 --> 00:32:36,120 Speaker 1: driving for? The number sixty the age of your favorite 541 00:32:41,720 --> 00:32:46,760 Speaker 1: uh Lynchy. I'm gonna say, since I just got three 542 00:32:46,840 --> 00:32:50,880 Speaker 1: emails from from Harvard University saying thank you for your support, 543 00:32:51,120 --> 00:32:53,520 Speaker 1: I'm gonna say it's forty dollars less than I gave 544 00:32:53,600 --> 00:32:57,520 Speaker 1: to the football program, the baseball program, and the general 545 00:32:57,560 --> 00:33:00,680 Speaker 1: scholarship fund. How's that now everyone knows what I gave. Oh, well, 546 00:33:00,800 --> 00:33:05,800 Speaker 1: that's even better. But sixty the number I'm looking for. 547 00:33:06,320 --> 00:33:10,080 Speaker 1: It is the number of times Harvard has defeated Yale 548 00:33:10,640 --> 00:33:14,160 Speaker 1: in football. And now we got a special treat sixty 549 00:33:14,280 --> 00:33:16,920 Speaker 1: six thousand fans of the Yale Bowl, and they're all here. 550 00:33:17,280 --> 00:33:20,520 Speaker 1: The whole season's right here on the foot of Mike Lynch, 551 00:33:20,960 --> 00:33:24,360 Speaker 1: right footed kicker. It's not from center. Good kick up, 552 00:33:24,760 --> 00:33:31,360 Speaker 1: it is good. It's good. Like let's he's put the 553 00:33:31,600 --> 00:33:36,000 Speaker 1: six yard field goal. Mike Lynch. Barbara takes at ten 554 00:33:36,120 --> 00:33:39,920 Speaker 1: to seven lead, and maybe the IVY League titles. It's 555 00:33:39,920 --> 00:33:45,560 Speaker 1: gonna ride back to Cambridge this afternoon. Baby. We tested 556 00:33:45,640 --> 00:33:48,680 Speaker 1: off that one for you, Lynch. You sure did. I 557 00:33:48,720 --> 00:33:53,920 Speaker 1: didn't know they had requorders back. We had to chisel 558 00:33:54,040 --> 00:33:56,760 Speaker 1: that one out, man. That's what happened with that. Oh 559 00:33:56,960 --> 00:34:00,360 Speaker 1: that is really neat. Oh. Aaron mcderbur thank you so much. 560 00:34:00,440 --> 00:34:03,080 Speaker 1: You've been so kind and thank you for playing along 561 00:34:03,160 --> 00:34:06,000 Speaker 1: with this. Oh you're very welcome. Thank you for having me. 562 00:34:06,160 --> 00:34:08,719 Speaker 1: It was really nice to talk to you both. And 563 00:34:09,400 --> 00:34:13,359 Speaker 1: I know I'll have future conversations with Lynch anyway. Hell yeah, 564 00:34:13,560 --> 00:34:17,160 Speaker 1: oh yeah, many of them. You've been listening to Bloomberg 565 00:34:17,239 --> 00:34:19,160 Speaker 1: Business of Sports. We are here each and every week 566 00:34:19,200 --> 00:34:22,719 Speaker 1: at the same time, plus online wherever you get your podcasts. 567 00:34:23,000 --> 00:34:26,080 Speaker 1: You can catch those Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. I'm Michael 568 00:34:26,120 --> 00:34:29,200 Speaker 1: Barr on Twitter at Big Bar Sports and it was 569 00:34:29,239 --> 00:34:31,480 Speaker 1: a pleasure to talk to the pride of Oakmont Regional 570 00:34:31,560 --> 00:34:34,040 Speaker 1: High School. Aaron McDermott. I'm Mike Lynch. You can follow 571 00:34:34,040 --> 00:34:36,440 Speaker 1: me at Lynch WCVB. I could have made a lot 572 00:34:36,480 --> 00:34:39,040 Speaker 1: of money. You're listening to Bloomberg Business of Sports from 573 00:34:39,040 --> 00:34:41,200 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Radio around the world.