From soccer player to college administrator at Vanguard University, Mike Teague discusses his journey to becoming the Associate Athletic Director at Vanguard University and his experience going through the Master's in Coaching and Athletics Administration Program at Concordia University Irvine.
Show Highlights
- He was a soccer player and graduated from Biola University before entering his current position as the Associate Athletic Director at Vanguard University, where he has thrived for the past six years
- How excited he is for Vanguard University to host the NAIA National Tournament: Opening Round and to see the teams from Tennessee, Oklahoma, and the South Bay compete
- How hosting the Conference Championship helped them prepare for the NAIA National Tournament
- Vanguard University celebrated its 100th year in 2020, has 1600 undergraduate students, and 19 sports with over 400 student-athletes
- The athletic department had only 160 athletes when he started, and since then, the program has grown to over 400 athletes
- The truth about the high quality of play in the NAIA divisions
- What people need to know about athletics and academics at Vanguard University
- How working in hospitality at Hyatt Hotels for eight years prepared him for his position in the Vanguard admissions office and eventually Associate Athletic Director
- Why he switched his career path and decided to get a Master's in Coaching and Athletic Administration
- How taking a risk and entering a new industry impacted his life
- How his role in the Compliance Department contributes to the Athletic Department's overall success
- What important positions work together to develop students, organize activities, and gather funds to improve the student-athlete experience at the collegiate level
- Why his department fundraises about 40% of their budget every year, and how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted this budget
- How previous Athletic Director of Vanguard University and NAIA Hall of Famer, Bob Wilson's "Champions of Character" course impacts student development
- How the now 20-year-old Champions of Character course got 150 new student-athletes this year and how the course's five core values are reflected in its students
- What his four-year leadership development plan entails
- What "Forced Family Fun" is and how he uses that to help student-athletes develop connections with their peers and coaches
- When he decided to enter the Master's in Coaching and Athletics Administration program and how the program's flexibility allowed him to work full time and travel while advancing his education
- How joining the MCAA program helped him decide on his career goals and the path he would take to reach them
- Vanguard University is the number two seed in the 14 NAIA National Tournament and how they feel about winning this year
- How they feel about facing Mid-America Christian University, the undefeated top seed in the top 20 teams, and Cumberland University in the Championship
Tags: Masters in Coaching, Coaching, MCAA Podcast, Athletic Director, Soccer, Alumni