In an effort to display the diverse, accomplished membership of the NAIA-ADA, the Association will feature one athletics director in the monthly Member Spotlight: 20 Questions segment.
In August, the spotlight turns to the Mike Hermann, VP and director of athletics at Kansas Wesleyan University.
Name: Mike Hermann
Position / Institution: Vice President/Director of Athletics / Kansas Wesleyan University
Number of years in your position: Fifth Year
Alma Mater(s): John Carroll University
Hometown: Randolph, OH
Institution Athletics Twitter Handle: @KWUCoyotes
1) Why did you become involved in the NAIA-ADA?
To give back to our profession and understand better the opportunity that ADs have to influence legislation and decisions at the NAIA level.
2) What is your favorite part about being a member of the NAIA-ADA?
Meeting fellow directors of athletics and learning about the priorities of NAIA institutions and the national organization.
3) What is the biggest challenge to working in a university environment?
The biggest challenge is overcome assumptions or stereotypes that exist. I enjoy inviting administrators and faculty "behind the curtain" to see our athletics program in action. They usually find strong student-athletes and excellent teachers and motivators. Our guests are often very impressed with our coaches, student-athletes and athletics administrators. Transparency is an ally in our work.
4) What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment to date?
Ability to develop a strong culture within the athletics program at institutions where I serve or served as the director of athletics.
5) What is the most important skill you have developed in your career?
Listening (still working on it)
6) Who has been the most influential person in your career?
I've had several positive mentors including Jeff Fogelson (AD at Xavier), who invited me into the room when key decisions were made as a learning experience. Another influential person is the football coach at my high school, who encouraged me to pursue a career in athletics administration.
7) What is one item you cannot live without?
My family (I know they expected me to say my Iphone.)
8) Who would you chose to switch places with for a day?
Tom Hamilton, radio play-by-play broadcaster for the Cleveland Indians. What can I say? I grew up an Indians fans. While I would prefer to have a chance to play third base, I know my ability is more suited for the broadcast booth.
9) If you could plan a vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Western Europe - I would like to visit Germany, France and Austria, the primary three countries of my ancestors.
10) What is your favorite sporting that event you have ever attended?
The 1991 Final Four that I had a chance to host in Indianapolis.
11) Why/when did you decide to pursue a career in collegiate athletics?
I enjoy making a difference in the lives of student-athletes. It's such a special team - the four years of college. If I can enhance that experience by hiring the right coach, providing an enhanced game atmosphere or providing added value to the experience, I feel rewarded. Plus, I enjoy connecting the community and the university through athletics. I think a college athletics event can provide a lasting memory, maybe even start to shape that young person's mind so that they consider more strongly a college education.
12) In your mind, who in this industry can serve as a good role model?
I think many NAIA ADs and commissioners are excellent role models. I also enjoyed getting to know John Currie when he was the AD at Kansas State. He provides a great perspective.
13) How has your involvement with the NAIA-ADA influenced your career?
It's provided great insight into the priorities of the NAIA and it's opened my eyes to the many professionals that are doing quality work at the NAIA level.
14) What educational or business experiences best prepared you for a career as an Athletics Director?
You have to be educated and experienced in selling. You need to sell to fundraise, build the corporate sponsor base or build alumni support. I believe in Steve Covey's Seven Habits and I enjoyed some of the professional sales training that helped me and my staff.
15) What challenges do you face when working with student-athletes?
It's a challenge to meet the growing expectations of student-athletes and the desire for instant gratification or immediate rewards/playing time from students.
16) Would you please explain a professional success and how you implemented it?
I purchased Jon Spoelstra's book, How To Sell the Last Seat in the House, and used it as a tool to develop a marketing strategy for basketball attendance at Xavier, leading to selling 98% of the season inventory in my fifth year. It was persistent, systematic drive toward a goal (and the good fortunate of a marketable basketball program and supportive community) that helped achieve the goal.
17) What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? What advice would you give to someone looking to become an NAIA Athletics Director?
Advice received - get to know everyone on your team (including the ushers and janitors) by name. Advice given - Become well rounded. Learn many different aspects of the athletics business and volunteer for as many projects (or maybe one or two more) that you can handle. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
18) What was your biggest professional blunder and how did you learned from it?
I've made plenty of blunders, but I see each one as a learning experience. As a leader, you need to be willing to take some risk. You can't steal second base with your foot on first. And, sometimes, there might be a miscue. You need to own up to it, learn and move forward. There is a good reason why the windshield is much larger than the rearview mirror. Keep looking forward to the next opportunity!
19) What percentage of your work-week is spent in your office?
Probably too much - 65%
20) What are you most looking forward to at the next NAIA or NACDA Convention?
I've been working in college athletics for more than 30 years and I can still gain 1-2 ideas from nearly every session that I attend. I enjoy learning how we can improve and am motivated by sharing those thoughts with colleagues.
About NAIA-ADA: The NAIA-ADA is comprised of athletics administrators from the nearly 250 institutions representing 21 conferences competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The purpose of the NAIA-ADA is to engage our Athletics Directors with meaningful collaboration, forums and national recognition; empower our Athletics Directors in their professional development and leadership roles in the NAIA; and promote NAIA Athletics Directors' collective voice on issues affecting membership and college athletics on a national scale. For more information about the NAIA-ADA, please visit www.naiaada.com. The NAIA-ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 54th year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.
