NETWORKING WITH JONATHAN CHIN AND KEVIN WHITE

Presentation by Michelle Popovitch

As the VP of Integrated Sales at Fenway Sports Group , Chin seeks to maximize FSG's bottom line by selling integrated media, marketing and sponsorship programs across FSG's diverse portfolio, which includes Boston College, MLBAM , etc. In addition, he will work to secure property representation relationships, generate strategic partnership opportunities and assist with new business development.

JONATHAN CHIN

Attended Dickinson College, BA, History (1994-1997) Got his Masters in Sports Leadership at Northeastern University (2008-2010)

In the process of attaining his Masters, he was a Sponsorship Sales Manager with the San Jose Sharks, professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, (Silicon Valley Sports& Entertainment) from 1999-2005.

From there he become the Account Executive for Team Sponsorships with The Madison Square Company for teams such as the New York Knicks and Rangers, where he generated more than $1 million in new sponsorship business revenue.

With such success he transitioned to Senior Director of Corporate Sponsorships with the Boston Bruins from 2007 to 2010. He developed integrated sponsorship packages and generated more than $5 million in new sponsorship business revenue. Chin was responsible for selling media and marketing partnerships for the Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, the Legends Classic hockey game at Fenway Park, TD Garden premium hospitality areas, and the TD Garden Concert Series.

And now, Chin is the VP of Integrated Sales for Fenway Sports Group. Fenway Sports Group is part of New England Sports Ventures, who owns the Boston Red Sox and NESN, has created marketing platforms for clients such as Boston College, Major League Baseball Advanced Media, the Boston Red Sox and the PGA TOUR’s Deutsche Bank Championship.

Jonathan Chin

Advice: “Get your foot in your door any way you can. Volunteer, intern or

do game-night staff.”

 

Interesting facts: Jonathan’s first job was a little league umpire. The biggest risk Chin ever took was leaving a paying job at the

age of 24 to take an internship with the San Jose Sharks. He was able to work in different departments and obviously he enjoyed the sponsorship department the most.

Jonathan Chin

KEVIN WHITE, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT DUKE UNIVERSITY

born September 25, 1950 in Amityville, New York.

General description of what AD’s are responsible for: Athletic directors direct athletic activities, supervise the

coordination of athletic events and manage athletic department budgets at secondary and postsecondary schools. Outside of these requirements, athletic directors may also participate in revenue development planning and fundraising. Additionally, these professionals serve as liaisons with sports conference or division administrators, such as those from the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

HOW MANY HOURS ?!

According to Sports Business Journal, 37% of athletic directors said they work 70 hours or more during

the week with fundraising and budget issues taking 76% of that time. 

In a week, an athletic director may attend up to 9 events. 71% of athletic directors communicate weekly with their school’s

president.

KEVIN WHITE’S PATH Before becoming an administrator, White served as head track and field coach at Southeast

Missouri State (1981-82) and assistant cross country and track and field coach at Central Michigan (1976-80). He began his coaching career at Gulf High School in New Port Richey, Fla., coaching cross country and track and assisting in football and wrestling.

White earned his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University in 1983 with an emphasis on higher education administration. In 1985, he completed postdoctoral work at Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management. He earned his master’s degree in athletics administration from Central Michigan University in 1976 and his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1972 from St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Ind., where he also competed as a sprinter. Additionally, White was recognized with honorary degrees from Loras College (2012), the United States Sports Academy (2007) and St. Joseph's College (2001).

Kevin M. White was named Duke University’s director of athletics on May 31, 2008. White joined the Duke family after leading Notre Dame’s athletics program to success both on the playing fields and in the classroom from 2000-08. Prior to joining Notre Dame in 2000, White served as athletic director at Arizona State University, Tulane University, the University of Maine and Loras College in Iowa, where he originated the National Catholic Basketball Tournament.

KEVIN WHITEBiggest challenge: The overwhelming pressure to make an immediate impact. Becoming familiar with the different properties quickly when first coming to Duke. The evolution of college athletics: “ We have to keep in mind that athletics is part of

the mission to educate. Im slow to move away from our educational roots”.

Why did he choose this career? Kevin White was one of two finalists competing for a head coaching position at

Southeast Missouri. White was the one who got the position and offered his competitor the assistant position. What could have been an awkward situation turned into some of White’s best years. Tim Rademaker, his competitor, gave him some of the best advice “ just be you, and that will always be good enough”. After those few years, Kevin continued to be himself and lead various teams and schools to success.

KEVIN WHITE’S RECOGNITION

In 2006, White was named the GeneralSports TURF Systems Division I-A Central Region Athletic Director of the Year while at Notre Dame. In 2013, White was named one of four NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision recipients of the Under Armour AD of the Year Award presented by NACDA. White earned multiple awards in 2014, including the National Football Foundation’s John L. Toner award and the Sport Business Journal’s Athletic Director of the Year award.

HOW TO MEASURE HIS SUCCESS? In two key elements in tracking a department’s academic success, Duke ranked among the nation’s best

again. Duke posted a 98% Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and 17 teams achieved a 100% GSR. Also, an ACC-best 15 Blue Devil teams were ranked in the top 10% of their respective sports in the most recent Academic Performance Rate (APR) Report, including the men’s basketball and football teams.

25 of 26 Blue Devil varsity teams earned grade point averages of 3.0 or better and more than 86 made the Dean’s List, while 495 Duke student-athletes made the All-ACC Honor Roll (led ACC for the 26th time in the last 27 years).

Under White, Duke has continued its focus on outreach to the local community. Modeling the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program’s commitment to service, learning projects and outreach, over 500 Duke student-athletes across all sports participated in a combined effort of more than 2,000 community service hours during the 2013-2014 academic year.  

In 2013-14, several facility projects were initiated or set for execution, including numerous renovations to Wallace Wade Stadium, modifications to the front of Cameron Indoor Stadium, and the new Scott Pavilion, which will house several of Duke Athletics’ administrative units, as well as new strength and conditioning and sports medicine areas.

It is not surprising that White mentored 23 current directors of athletics.

KEVIN WHITE’S ADVICE

KEVIN WHITE ON LEADERSHIP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4STmzuQIqk