The CALS Report

Time for year three of the CALS Report. First up, the big interview featuring CALS host and TCU Director of Athletics Mike Buddie. You'll enjoy hearing about his unconventional path from college baseball to the MLB to the AD chair, how TCU balances resources across sports while dealing with revenue sharing, NIL, rising costs and roster investment and his advice for young athletics professionals. He also shares what makes TCU and Fort Worth special as CALS26 approaches. Plus, Airshare Chief Revenue Officer Dylan Haynie joins us for this month’s Sponsor Spotlight to talk about how Airshare helps coaches, administrators, athletes and more make the most of their time with flexible, efficient air travel options built for the demands of college athletics.

In this edition of The CALS Report, Ryan Bradley sits down with DePaul University Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy for an in-depth look at the strategy behind building a stronger, more competitive athletics department. Peevy took over leadership of DePaul Athletics in August 2020, entering the role at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and facing challenges ranging from facilities and revenue generation to brand positioning and organizational culture. Six years later, his leadership has earned him a five-year contract extension through 2031 and an elevation to Senior Vice President. Peevy discusses DePaul’s new five-year strategic plan, Beyond the Dream, and the lessons learned from the university’s first strategic planning cycle. He shares how DePaul has strengthened its facilities, fundraising, organizational culture and brand — including growing annual fundraising from $1.1 million before his arrival to a department-record $15.6 million last year. The conversation also explores how DePaul is setting measurable goals for competitive success, revenue growth, donor engagement and institutional impact while navigating the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics. Peevy explains why investing in people is just as important as investing in facilities, how student-athlete and campus feedback shaped the plan, and why a successful athletics department must demonstrate its value to the university far beyond wins and losses. Plus, Peevy reflects on his longtime involvement with CALS, the importance of developing the next generation of college athletics leaders and why continued learning remains essential — even after reaching the AD chair.

Big Sky Conference Commissioner Tom Wistrcill joins Ryan Bradley to discuss leadership, conference realignment and the rapidly changing college athletics landscape. He shares his perspective on revenue sharing, the transfer portal, the future of FCS football and the NCAA men’s basketball selection process, along with valuable career advice for aspiring athletic administrators.

In Episode 21 of The CALS Report, Ryan Bradley talks with University of Pittsburgh Athletics Director Allen Greene. Greene shares perspective from his journey through college baseball, professional baseball, and athletic administration, along with lessons learned from leading at multiple institutions and building alignment at Pitt. The conversation touches on the realities of modern college athletics, the importance of culture inside a department, and why developing student-athletes still has to stay at the center of the mission. It’s a thoughtful discussion filled with practical perspective for anyone working in or around college athletics.

Georgia Tech AD Ryan Alpert joins The CALS Report for a candid look at his first year in the chair. From navigating high-stakes decisions to empowering his leadership team, Alpert shares what has surprised him most about the role and how he is building a modern athletic department in today’s NIL and revenue-driven era. Plus, registration is open for this year's CALS One-Day event at Georgia Tech in June. Listen in to learn more about this opportunity for athletic departments. 🎧 CALS Report Episode 19 now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.