Get to know about the ICLA membership through the monthly 20 Questions segment. This month the spotlight turns to Lindsay Martin, director of athletic marketing& licensing at Butler University.

Name:  Lindsay Martin
Position/Institution: Director of Athletic Marketing & Licensing, Butler University
Number of years in your position: 12
Alma Mater(s): Butler University
Hometown:  Farmersville, Illinois
Twitter (person): @lindsaymartin2
Twitter (licensing): @ButlerUGear
 
1. Why did you become involved in ICLA?
Essentially, I became involved in ICLA because of Brad Stevens and the 2010 Butler men's basketball team. Their run to the Final Four caused our licensing program to expand so rapidly that ICLA became a huge resource for me. I needed all the help I could get!

2. How has your involvement with ICLA influenced your career?
The networking alone has been a huge influence. I have met so many people that are willing to answer a question or help brainstorm an idea.

3. If you could choose one (1) amenity to add to the workplace, what would it be?
After 90 years without it, we had air conditioning inside historic Hinkle Fieldhouse for the first time this summer. I won't be greedy and wish for any other amenities; though, I suppose a soft-serve ice cream machine would be nice too.

4. What is the biggest challenge to working in a university environment?
Right now, the biggest challenge at Butler is the rapid growth and the construction of new buildings. Getting architects and contractors to understand that we have a set process for using our logos has been difficult.

5. What is the most important skill you have developed in your career?
The ability to delegate and have trust that my team can handle the projects I throw at them. Learning to let go used to be a little challenging for me.

6. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren't an issue?
I'd love to watch a game at every MLB ballpark. I'm halfway through and would love to be able to knockout the rest.

7. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?
Our athletics department doesn't have its own graphic designer, so I get asked to make quite a bit of recruiting material for our coaches.

8. Why/when did you decide to pursue a career in collegiate licensing?
I am sure I am not alone in this, but licensing was a classic example of "other duties as assigned." I never really made the decision to pursue it but since it fell onto my plate, I've enjoyed being able to grow our program.

9. Who has been the most influential person in your career?
I was fortunate enough to work with Alfreeda Goff for two years early in my career. She was someone who had done everything there was to do in college athletics – and a lot of it was during a time when it wasn't easy for a woman to advance in the industry. The wisdom she shared with me still affects much of how I approach my job every day.

10. If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
I'd probably sleep or, at the very least, relax in a hammock or on a beach with a good book. We all need to take time to just do nothing.

11. Who's your role model? Why?
My mom and dad. Seriously, I won the parent jackpot.

12. What's your favorite quote?
"For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors and laugh at them in our turn?" – Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice

13. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Indiana drivers and their inability to understand what to do at a four-way stop. I pass through three on my drive to campus, and it's a problem every single day.

14. If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning medal a for?
Gift-wrapping. I've spent years crafting the perfect way to wrap a present.

15. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the field of collegiate licensing?
Before I started my first job in high school, my mother told me to always smile before answering the phone because the caller can hear it in your voice. It's simple, but it goes a long way. Ask questions and do your research. You can learn from other schools, even if their program isn't a perfect match to yours.  

16. In your opinion, where is collegiate licensing headed in the future?
We will continue to see the evolution of e-commerce and social media, which can only help the smaller schools and programs expand their brand reach outside of their local markets.

17. What is your favorite family tradition?
The group text with my dad and sisters during all Butler basketball road games. It's great to be able to share the experience, even if we aren't in the same city.

18. What are you really good at, but kind of embarrassed that you are good at it?
I can recite every word of most Parks & Recreation episodes.

19. What percentage of your work-week is spent in your office?
Because of my athletics marketing responsibilities, I spend a fair amount of time away from my desk. My "office" can be a desk, the press box at the Sellick Bowl, media row at Hinkle Fieldhouse, or behind the camera at a team photoshoot somewhere on campus.

20. What are you most looking forward to at the next ICLA Convention or Winter Symposium?
I'm looking forward to the Winter Symposium education sessions as well as spending time at the tailgate show. Plus, Vegas is bound to be warmer than Indianapolis in mid-winter!