Name: Kyle Muncy
Position/Institution: Director of Strategic Partnerships, University of Connecticut
Number of years in your position: 10 years, 27 years overall at UConn
Alma Mater(s): UConn, 1992
Hometown: Amityville, New York
Twitter (licensing): @UConnTrademark

1. Why did you become involved in ICLA?
When I moved into this job at the end of 2011, I was looking to meet as many people as I could in the industry. Going to CAMEX and the ICLA Winter Symposium in Kansas City was a great way to do that and I have been involved ever since.

2. How has your involvement with ICLA influenced your career?
It has been all about the people that I have met through ICLA. So many great people and new folks show up every year. It is hard not to have an impact when you see so many people doing so many good things for their schools.

3. Why/when did you decide to pursue a career in collegiate licensing?
I had worked as the basketball SID for 17 years and our President asked me if I wanted to take over as our first full-time licensing person and run our rebrand with Nike. I honestly had never ever considered licensing before that moment, but I thought the challenge would be amazing and I have not regretted it for one minute.

4. What is the biggest challenge to working in a university environment?
Every day is different and so are all the people. There is no doubt that the Licensing Director is among the five people on campus who interact with the biggest portion of your population. You need to be up for a challenge to handle that.

5. What is the most important skill you have developed in your career?
In the ten years I have been in licensing, I have had to learn long range planning and patience. That is very different from working in athletics and being focused on the next game.

6. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?
I like to think that it is something different almost every time. I pride myself on being someone that will help people get the job done, no matter what the job is.

7. Who has been the most influential person in your career?
Jim Calhoun was my boss for 17 years and he used to roll out of bed looking for a fist fight every day. Never satisfied and always another mountain to climb, definitely the most influential in my career.

8. Who's your role model? Why?
No particular person is my role model, but I am fascinated with the Founding Fathers. The idea that they could all be so flawed, so brilliant and so aware that they were creating something for the long haul. They knew it wasn't perfect and that they certainly weren't, but they did what they needed to in order to start a country.
 
9. 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?
Do every job like it is the only thing you have to work on. Whether it is collegiate licensing or any field, say yes. Someone is going to ask you to do something, help on a project, take on a task. Say yes. You never know if they will ask again.

10. In your opinion, where is collegiate licensing headed in the future?
I am not sure it can survive on the current trajectory. COVID-19 has shown us all that collegiate licensing is ultimately about playing football games. And that is a harsh reality for a lot of folks in our industry. I just hope everyone can get through this year, so we can figure out together how to hit the reset button.

11. If you could choose one (1) amenity to add to the workplace, what would it be?
Nothing, my office is fantastic. It is one of the best parts of my job, I am so lucky! But I do want to start bringing our new puppy to work, so that would be pretty awesome too!

12. What percentage of your workweek is spent in your office?
Pre-COVID-19 I was traveling 60 days per year and I cannot wait to get back on the road and piling up the Marriott points. So, to answer the question, too much right now.

13. If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning a medal for?
I would have a good chance at winning an award for checking in beers on Untappd, give me a follow @KyleMuncy.

14. What's your favorite quote?
"Nobody cares. Work harder."

15. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren't an issue?
I already play golf, but with the time and money I would do whatever I could to get my handicap to low single digits.

16. What is your favorite family tradition?
Our version of the feast of the seven fishes on Christmas Eve is my favorite family tradition. We are not Italian, but when I was growing up, we had great Italian friends who hosted us a few times. I love replicating that with our own twist.

17. What are you really good at that might surprise people?
People might surprised that I know my way around a kitchen for sure. I don't cook as much as I used to because my daughter loves to cook also, but I still love to make a big meal for a party or for the holidays.

18. If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
If I didn't have to sleep, I would read more with the extra time. Unfortunately, reading makes me sleepy, so it's a vicious cycle.

19. What is your biggest pet peeve?
My biggest pet peeve is people complaining about how busy they are.

20. What is your favorite binge-worthy show right now?
The West Wing.