June 22, 2022 • 37 mins
Kristen sits down with Nicole Tepper, the Team Owner and Chief Administrative Officer of the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Football Club, to discuss her day-to-day responsibilities for both teams and commitment to create a family-oriented company culture. The pair also unfolds the vision behind the Tepper Scholars Program, an education initiative that provides scholarships to sports and entertainment management students at The University of South Carolina.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
I don't really ever shut off, and I think it's
because I love everyone in this building. I want to
see everyone succeed in this building. I also want to succeed,
and I really took on a role that means something,
and I want everyone to know that, starting from literally
(00:24):
operations all the way up to business office, even on
football side, every single person to me is important. Every
single position to me is important, so it's hard to
shut off. Welcome to the Inspired Podcast presented by Atrium Health.
This is a podcast series for Panthers fans where we
(00:44):
highlight admirable women from across the Carolinas as they share
stories and lessons from their lives and careers. And I
am so thrilled because today's guest is someone who has
done so much, not just for me personally, although she has,
she has done so much for our organization, Shan and
our community. And to know her is to love her
and Panthers fans, if you have met her at a
(01:06):
game or out in the community, you know exactly what
I am talking about. It is the owner of the
Panthers and Charlotte FC and the chief administrative officer of
Temper Sports and Entertainment, Nicole temper Nicole. I am so
excited because we get to have these chats quite a bit,
and now we get to do it in front of
a microphone. It's been so long, so fun. I'm so
(01:27):
glad you chose me to do this with you. It's
so easy. Are you knowing you? Are you embarrassed by
the intro that I gave you? Maybe a lot, but
that's okay, But thank you. You know that you know
that I'm going to do that because that is one
thing about you is that you don't like to talk
about yourself or the stuff that you do. And it's
one of the reasons that I love you so much,
(01:48):
you know, and and that we all do because the
stuff you're doing is just incredible. So in that vein
I want to go through, I love to ask all
of our guests what does a day in the life
look like? And I'm so excited for you to tell
everybody because it is just non stop when you are
in the office. So what does a typical day look like?
A typical day? Um, well, it depends storing season. Let's
(02:14):
let's say like right around this time of year, and
then let's do the season two. Okay, So during the
off season now, UM, a day in the life for
me is meetings, UM, getting out in the community, making
sure all the different philanthropic foundation organizations that we're dealing
(02:36):
with are you on track. UM. It's the chief administrative
officer position kind of really comes heavy into play on
the all the time, but on the off season, just
making sure each department is happy. The culture is where
we needed to be, just taking everybody's temperature. People will
have meetings with me about certain issues or problems, or
(02:59):
not even issue their problems, just kind of talking things
out or talking it through, UM, all that fun stuff.
And I want to ask you about the chief administrative officer.
It's a risky position to have, UM because a lot
comes with it, a lot of responsibility and a lot
of responsibility. But for me, if you're honest and you're
(03:24):
it's pure than the responsibility lessons. And so culture is
really important to me. People are really important to me. UM.
Having happy employees, which I know I can't make every
single one of them happy, although I try, is important.
And UM kind of having the uncomfortable conversations which nobody
(03:46):
wants to do, I actually love and I think the
uncomfortable conversations is what helps the individual grow, whether they're
here or whether there's someplace else. And so that's really
important to me. And I think that if I have
an employee that works underneath or with me, I say,
with me, that leaves this organization and that has taken
(04:08):
what I've given them and applied it to make them
better someplace else, and I've done my job, and that's
really important to me. I love that you talked about culture.
I do want to tell a story. I don't want
to embarrass you again, but since we're in front of
the microphone, you know I probably will already started. I'll
let you just go the first. The first time we met, um,
(04:29):
you were my second interview with the Panthers. I met
you before a lot of the team that I work
with now ay before Dave, and I will be honest,
I was nervous. I was nervous to meet you because
I wanted this job so badly. I grew up a
Panther's fan. My husband and I wanted to come back
to North Carolinas, as you know. But if if people
(04:49):
are listening, may not know that. And what better opportunity
than to work for the team that you grow up loving.
And so I was nervous because there was a lot
of I wanted to impress you, right, I want you
to see that I was going to be a good
fit um for this organization. And Nicole, we sat down,
as you and I have talked about before, I think
within like three minutes of of talking to you, I've
(05:13):
I forgot that I was doing an interview. I think
we talked to our lunch for like two hours. We
hugged within a couple of minutes, you know, and then
as we were leaving, I forgot it was an interview,
and it just felt like I was having lunch with
a girlfriend. And I I just I just can't tell
that story enough. And I'm glad I could tell it
on a recording because it is. It is how everyone
(05:33):
feels about you here. And I am so grateful you
know that you saw that in me, and just even
if it didn't work out, it just made me feel comfortable.
I was like, no matter what happens, this was a
great time. Like we had an awesome time together. But
you talked to me almost immediately about culture, and so
that was you were even newer along in the process
of being an owner then, and you came in almost
(05:55):
with this vision, and so can you kind of explain
what the culture means to you, what the importance is
of having a culture really a family oriented one here.
I think it's hard because I don't know if people
like you were nervous. Right, So when I when I
think about culture and I think about people even talking
(06:15):
to anyone, I talk to them like they are human,
and so the culture should be you are human. So
you're going to have a bad day, you have to
take off, your baby is gonna be sick, You're going
to be sick. Um, You're gonna work long hours, you
may take a vacation, and it's balanced too. Um. But
human and happy is the culture that I want people
(06:39):
to be here. And so human and happy will make
you successful. So you're going to be human and have
all these things in your life. But if you're not happy,
then you're not going to be great at your job.
And so to me, um, having a human conversation with
somebody just because om Nicole Tepper doesn't mean that I'm
not going through what you're going through, or I haven't
(07:02):
gone through what you may be going through now in
my past. And I want to give that back to
people and create that culture here where they could come
to me and say this is what's happening in my
life or I'm really piste off and because this is
what's happening here and it's and come to me with it.
Because if I'm not that person, how are we going
(07:25):
to fix anything? Or how are we going to create
the culture where people are comfortable? And there's a fine
line because some people may say, well, well, what if
somebody takes advantage of that open that openness, but you
kind of know you could balance that. I could balance that,
I know where if it's not and ye, so, but
(07:47):
I don't want to ever change who I am because
I think that creates a really successful place. And so
it's hard work. It takes a long time to get there,
and it kind of takes a long time for people
to really try us that what you know of me,
how you talk to me about our interview. I don't
think a lot of people really believe that, not believe
(08:08):
it in a bad way, but they'll say to you,
really like she did that you sat there for lunch
for two hours and talk like girlfriends, and we did.
But it really helped me get to know who you
are and how you would fit in this culture, and
obviously it was the best joy. Well, I'm incredibly grateful.
People will come up to me now and say, oh
(08:29):
my god, Kristen's amazing and she's great and best higher
ever and I agree, And but I couldn't get to
that by a formal interview. It wouldn't work for me,
and it wouldn't work for this building. And so I
think the formal process has to happen, but it has
it happens with other people, and then the the other
(08:50):
part comes to me. And so we're in process of
hiring other people right now, and the formal interviews are happening,
but the people interview happens with me. And so when
I get to that person, I actually laugh and say,
this is a people interview. Yeah, this is not a
formal interview. Your your resume speaks for itself. And I
know you had these interviews with X y X, but
(09:11):
now you're here with me to see if you fit.
Because if you don't fit, or if you don't have
that ability to fit in this culture and understand who
we are, then you're not going to be happy here.
And so it's that's important. We're all rowing in the
same direction. And that's I think you brought up such
a good point that I just want to make that clear.
(09:33):
And I think that I can really speak for all
the employees here, which is just you know, I do
have a forward facing role for the Panthers. But that
is how the interview that we had is how you
could ask any Panthers employee or any Charlotte FC employee
and they've had the same experience with you. Because you
know everyone's kids names. You take the time to talk
to everybody, like you can't go down the hall without
(09:54):
it's someone like reaching out to hug you and and talk.
And the fans that's why I said at the beginning,
the fans if if they got a chance to meet
you at a game or a community event, um, it
just it emanates from you. But now, knowing that you
are such a caretaker, how do you turn it off
like just like not even because that's a question I
ask a lot on this podcast. How do you decompress
(10:16):
or take some time for yourself because you know we're
just chatting before if if something is going on at
any point, you care so deeply that you take it on.
I don't think I turn it off. I don't want
anybody to be like, oh, you don't turn it off,
Like I don't say I don't ever turn it off
for people to say, oh, she's superhuman it I just don't.
(10:39):
But it does affect me. There is a negative side
to that. So I will get exhausted, I will lash
at up people. My poor husband. Something tells me you
can hold his own. Yeah, but it's a problem. It
actually is a thing. And I don't shut it off.
I go to bed at night thinking like, how can
we do this better? Or how could I make this better.
(11:01):
Sometimes I'll get up at three o'clock in the morning
and be like, oh my god, I have to do
this tomorrow. Do you know who said that? She does
the exact same thing, Christie. So she wakes up at
three am at Christie Coleman ar President, which we did
a former episode UM episode two of the season with her,
but she said exactly three am. She keeps a note
beside her bed, right stuff down and then she can
go back to sleep. UM. And I know the So
(11:25):
I don't. I don't really ever shut off. And I
think it's because one, I love everyone in this building.
I want to see everyone succeed in this building. I
also want to succeed UM, and I really took on
a role that means something. There's like, you know, a
(11:46):
purpose behind it, and so I think if I could
speed it up, I would, But I know it takes
so much time and effort to get into every little
nook and cranny in the building, and I want, we
want to know that starting from literally operations all the
(12:07):
way up to business office, even on football side, every
single person to me is important, Every single position to
me is important. So it's hard to shut off because
I think, like, oh, I was in the building today
and I went with David Monroe and we were in
the archive room, which happens to be if you haven't
been in the arts, you have to get there. It's phenomenal.
(12:29):
It's you literally have chills down your spine. And he
is beyond amazing. Okay, I'm going to email him ahead
of this amazing UM. And then I feel bad because
I didn't get to the you know, social media department,
you know, you just and so at night I'll think, shoot,
I didn't get there, but I'll get there tomorrow. And
so it's like that's like the never shut off that
(12:51):
is the thing, because because you care. And that's and
I truly I'm not blowing smoke. And it's not because
we're in front of a microphone. I just I you
do so much and and we're grateful for My husband
will say, you cannot talk about work from this time
to this time. Okay, Well that was my next question.
Is a little hypocritical because then then I'll say okay,
(13:13):
and I'll go in the other room and I hear
him on the phone with like Christie or something. I'm like,
that was my next question. What is it like working
with your spouse? Because I've said this on a previous episode.
I love my husband dearly. We've been together for a
long time. We would both knowing each other so well,
would say like, no, we should not work together, like
we're better. So how is it working with your husband?
(13:35):
So the way I kind of spell it out is
it's both of our second marriages, right and so, and
we had not had children together, even though we have
step children and we love them just like our own.
This is like our baby, right, and so you talk
about this like it's your child, like you know, when
you sit down for dinner and you say, oh, well,
(13:57):
what did little Sally do today? And Sally kicked three
field goals or you know, scored seven baskets, or she
gotta be on her test, or you know she's having
a sleepover. We like, this is the baby, and so
when I sit down to dinner, I start talking about
the baby. And I may talk about the baby too much.
It's like having an obsessive you know, parents, like a
(14:19):
stage mom who's constantly talking about her kid. And so
I think, you know, that's our common But he's the
same way, even though he may complain like this is
his baby too, in a way with me and um,
he's constantly thinking about it and talking about it and
loving it too. And so it's like kind of funny
because I'll say, you can't talk about the baby anymore,
(14:42):
like I want the attention now. And so it's kind
of like that. But we have the same common love
for what we do. And he has an incredible work
ethic and you know, I learned so much from him
and he doesn't stop. He actually makes me look like
I'm lazy, and um, the two of you incredible. Yeah,
(15:06):
and he you know, he's an unbelievable father. He's a
grandfather now, so he takes pride in that. But um work.
I mean, listen, we bicker like everybody else. Um, we
fight like everyone else, and you know it maybe about
this baby every once in a while. Yeah, the baby
(15:26):
needs her diaper changed or whatnot. Who's going to do it? Yeah,
I think the uncomfortable conversations happened. Sometimes we don't see
eye to eye. Probably most times we don't see eye
to eye, but we're actually seeing eye to eye and
we don't even know it. Different perspectives to kind of
come around to it. Um, but I think we're like
the Ying and Yang, like we balance each other. Like.
He's definitely much more patient, and you know, he sees
(15:49):
things differently and he'll take his time and he'll investigate
and understand where I'm like booming this right now. So
he balances me a lot. And it's a great Yeah,
it's a great team or great UM parenting. Um, your
parenting the baby, co parenting the baby very very well.
I want to ask you about the thing that I
(16:10):
know your your job now touches all departments, but I
know the thing that has your heart the most is
community community outreach, whether it is with the Panthers or
Charlotte f C or the David Nicletepper Foundation, and you
have always been that way, and I probably will embarrass
you again, but I know that when you first bought
the team, there was like what six months where you
(16:31):
would go and just learn different communities and volunteer your
time without anyone knowing who you were. Where does where
did that start for you? Because giving back in a
way that you do or Riley Fields in our entire
community department, it is a it is beyond a full
time job, and it requires so much planning it it
(16:52):
is incredible. Well it's twofold one. I think you're just
born with it. It's in your d n A. You
are that person, empathy, the yes yes and then um
I credit learning, um not learning. Watching my family. So
I had an uncle, my mother's brother, UM, who worked
(17:16):
in New York City, who happened to be my best friend, UM.
And he would take home homeless people and so and
he would and at that time, oh my gosh, it
was probably like late seventies eighties, so you were able
to get a job by just filling out an application.
There was no background and this and that. So he
(17:39):
would take home homeless men and women. He would feed them,
he would give them, they would shower, he would give
them clothes, and he would bring them back on the
train to New York and he would get them a job.
He would help them fill out applications and they would
be working at like McDonald's or Wendy's or Roy roger
(18:00):
Is at the time. And I remember watching him do
this and being a part of it and developing relationships
at the time with homeless people, just helping them, and
I remember loving it and saying, oh, I want to
do that one. It's within your family, it's within you,
it's in your blood and um and I remember just
(18:21):
doing little things for people, and I remember how it
would make me feel, and it was just that feeling.
It's almost like a drug. I know, it's like we
are to explain it that way, but it's like that
feeling of like, oh my god, I love the way
that that just made me feel that that person feels
that way. And it just kind of goes from there.
And we had no mind. It's not like I came
(18:42):
from a wealthy family. UM, So the littlest things that
we could do for people, just even opening our door
food being Italian and having a big family. Opening our
door to neighbors and letting them in and eating around
the table was that was a little part of it too.
And just you know, giving our clothes or every year
my mom during um the holidays would say, well, if
(19:04):
Santa is coming, you have to give your toys to
so and so, like just all those little things. And
it just kind of built and built as I got older.
And then I meet my husband who has the same heart,
who was you know, already doing this as well, even
before he was successful and um, and then coming here
(19:29):
and meeting Riley, it was like, you know, you guys
are you guys are very similar people and what Riley
has done as as the head of our community department
for for years and years and years is just incredible.
And so I never feel like, um, you know, being
(19:50):
in the spotlight doing it is something that was for me.
I did it because I just want to do it
and I don't want it to be a thing. Um.
But then coming here again, it changed that people want
to see it. People think that there's this platform where
you have to show people what you're doing because somebody else,
and I do do that, but I pick and choose
(20:12):
the ones that I keep quiet and silent because they're
so pure and authentic and I want to keep them
that way. Um, but it is my number one. If
I could do that and only that it would I would.
I probably would. What are some of the events or
moments that you've had in doing it through the Panthers
(20:33):
or Charlotte FC that you've been the most proud of
because you guys have pulled off some really incredible things
and you love to get out and meet people. Is
it Joy to the Carolinas? Joy to the Carolinas is definitely,
you know, for me my most favorite. I think it's
because it's the time of the year, very magical. I know. Um,
(20:56):
you know holidays in general. You know we're happy and
we love them, but there's people out there that are
really really depressed. It makes them sad and makes them
nervous and anxious because they don't have money to give
their children what other children are getting, and it just
kind of brings a lot back to people. So for joy,
(21:19):
um making that season because it is about the season, right,
it's Joy to the Carolinas. But I don't want people
to ever think that it doesn't go beyond the season,
because it's happening all year round, but it just makes
that season much more magical and to see a smile
on a kid's face during the holiday season or all
(21:40):
the time really, but honestly with the lights and the
music and the presence, and you know, they know that
it's that season two and they know they see commercials
where people are getting presents and just social media. So
to give them that moment and that night for them,
for me is like beyond. I can't I cry every time.
(22:02):
I know I'm starting to get a little. We have
cracked plenty of times on this podcast, so it would
not be the first time. So joy is probably for
me the number one, but it's there's like one are all,
there's so many. What I've been wanting to ask you this,
So in the role as chief administrative officer, of course,
(22:23):
as I said, community holds the biggest piece of your heart.
As you said, you'd be doing it no matter what.
What are some of the other departments or whether it's
Charlotte FC or concerts or whatever. What have you enjoyed
getting to learn about and know about and interface with
those departments. Well, Charlotte FC, their social digital team, they're
(22:44):
rock stars. I love that. I mean, I love it's
a shout out to everything, of course, of course, but
you know, I really enjoyed seeing that blank canvas come
to life and have now a beautiful picture. UM, watching
them grow, watching them like kind of just mold into
(23:05):
their roles and understand what they're doing, and um loving
what they're doing, and seeing the community really um embrace them.
It has been really awesome. What was that moment like
when the microphone went out during the national anthem and
the entire crowd like, I have goose bumps. I was
(23:26):
very newly postpartum or I would have been there. I
tried to get to that game and I was just like,
we just could not make it work. And I was
watching it on TV and I had goose bumps. I
can't imagine. It was amazing. I just went along with it.
I think it hit me after like what just happened,
Like that was pretty cool. And then my phone started
blowing up and people were saying that was the coolest
(23:48):
thing I've ever seen. Well, they love it too. I
talked to Christian about that recently. I mean, he's got
the crow he's getting, you know, with the coor Nation,
He's got the crown on it. It was so cool.
It's Jeremy. During the first inaugural game, they were in
the suite next to us and they were having so
much fun. So for me that was like a moment
of seeing them enjoy something that we never had before. Also,
(24:12):
there was another moment soccer um and this goes back
to community. So Dave and I during COVID, maybe during
the end of COVID, had gone to the French Quarter
for lunch and it was empty, really really quiet, and
I forget the name of the restaurant, and I'm sorry,
I forget the name of the restaurants on the corner.
(24:33):
And the owner came out and introduced himself. He was fantastic.
He was so nice, and but he was like kind
of sad because they had no business for so long
during COVID and they thrive on, you know, the happy
hour and the games and and everything was shut down
and they were just starting to reopen and I think
(24:54):
the business was in the family, I want to say,
for twenty five years, and they were so scared that
they were going to have to close. Um. He kept
saying to my husband, you know, I can't wait for soccer.
Maybe soccer, you know. And so this inaugural match comes
and there's seventy people and we go to the French
Quarter that afternoon and you couldn't even walk and Um
(25:20):
basically said to Dave, you know this, this sport, this
what's happening right now is saving my family, is saving
my business. And so for me, that was the number
one thing. You know, giving soccer to the community of
Charlotte had such a domino effect. It wasn't about the game,
(25:44):
the sport. It was really the it was the community.
Like it really took people from all over the community
to come together. They needed it. There was a lot
of people who needed it. And I think it's great
for the city. It's great for Charlotte to have this
soccer team. It's nice to have all these different things.
But it's those moments where you realize, oh my gosh,
(26:05):
like that's what it's about. And I will say, you know,
just even leaving the draft this year, um, I we
got done, um the draft um last day and I
was walking out and there was the Kenny Chesney concert
later that day, and so I wrote down on the
elevator with coach Rule and his wife and family members
(26:28):
and they were, you know, meeting the players who were
there to come and watch. And then so I walk
out of the gate and there's all these people around,
and it was just so neat to see that aspect
as well, the different concerts and um, you know, stuff
going on, Whereas the past two years I've walked out
of the draft and he was like, all right, bye,
see you everybody. We had just finished up the one
(26:49):
of the biggest events on the football calendar, and there
was something just as big happening in the music world
within the next few minutes, and it was just really
neat and it's cool to see, like you said, how
the players response to with how the staff response to it,
and and then just everyone else. Enough to Charlotte kind
of humanizes everyone. And so at the Kenny Chesney concert
with the players, I remember standing there. We were on
(27:12):
backstage and they were um like hugging each other and
kind of swaying back and forth to the music. And
I was probably like this little mama on the side
side eyeing them, watching them just having that moment but
being human, because I think sometimes people forget that they
(27:33):
are human, and so for me to see them enjoy
the night they just got done with this whole four
day draft. And you know, for players, it's you know,
a lot for them to we don't realize with their
feeling behind the scenes, and um, to watch them come
together and be able to be human even with me
(27:54):
and have fun and let loose was awesome. And so
that's another elm of why like all the hard work
of even just the entertainment aspect of it. And isn't
it fun to see when people are so good at
things of a player or whatever to see them get
a little star struck by whether it is the soccer
players or by someone like Kenny Chesney. And then Kenny
(28:16):
Chesney feels the same way. It's just a it's a
neat thing that is awesome. I want to ask you
about the the Temper scholars program at the University of
South Carolina, and then I have a story about this.
I tell you probably another story that will embarrass you.
But again, well I get I'm on the mic and
I get to say this stuff. When you guys launched
(28:36):
this program, it was during COVID and it was on
Zoom and I happened to be on a call. You
didn't know I was on there. I was helping one
of our videographers out by just pressing a record button,
UM for something. And you met with the first group
of scholars and you gave every single one of them
your phone number and we're like, please check in with
(28:58):
me if you need anything at all, UM. And and
I remember there were a few that were like okay, cool,
like I've texting you right now, and You're like, oh yeah,
they check in all the time. And so so for
anyone who doesn't know, can you just explain what this
program is and and why you wanted to do it?
So okay. So education obviously is very important. It's part
(29:18):
of our families foundation. I mean even before I met
my husband that was very important to him too. Education
was huge UM. And he has this wonderful business school
at Carnegie Mellon UM and he has done so many
amazing things there, just how the business school operates, and
(29:44):
I would sit back and go to all these different
things and really take notes and understand how things are
happening and want to pay that forward to someplace else. UM.
And I'm still going to do that. And but when
we came here to the Panthers getting involved with different
(30:06):
universities like Johnson, C. Smith and Clemson South Carolina, all
of them. And it's an open door policy. We were
open to meeting with everyone. I had gone down to
South Carolina for something, an event, and I met the
professors at the Retail and Hospitality and Sports Management School
(30:28):
and a light bulb went off in my head at
that moment, and I'm like, oh, my goodness, and we
have a lot of alum here, a lot of game
cock alum. Now my daughter is a game cock um.
But besides that, I I realized that how awesome these
employees that we have here. They all come out of
this school, right, and so all the more so that
(30:51):
my brain started working over my heart. At this point,
I'm like, wait, wait a minute. We could do two
things here. We could give people scholarships and create a
pipeline for for for students who probably can't afford to
be at this school but deserve to be. And how
(31:11):
great is it to create the pipeline for them to
either come work for us, or we could set them
up to go work someplace else, whether it's the Hornets
or um, the Hurricanes or anyone in the business. Like
now we have the platform, so we could create this
pipeline of diversity and everything else along with it. And
(31:34):
so that's kind of where when it happened. And we're
on the third cohort so we keep it small. It's four.
I actually want to go up to six, but I
think that will eventually happen. And it's a process, like
you have to really have you earn it. It's you know, um,
and you have to keep your your grades up and
(31:54):
you have to keep there's a lot of boxes you
need to check to keep the scholarship. So it's not easy. Um,
but they are. They're killing it. That three are actually
interning here this summer. I'll have to meet that. I
was gonna say, I remember them from the first cohort um,
and um, they are incredible. They're incredible humans. Um. And
(32:18):
I know one day I will see them paying it forward.
And that's really what it's all about, is mentoring them.
And so that's the other part of the scholarship, is
really mentoring them and not just giving the scholarship and leaving.
And that that's what I wanted to point out because
I know you would never say it yourself, as just
there's no one on this call. It was not for anything,
and you said to them exactly what you're saying. You said,
(32:41):
we it's going to take a lot to finish this program.
We expect a lot of you, but just know that
we are here for you to support you, to mentor you.
And that's when you're like, and in fact, here's my number.
So everyone whipped their phones out, you know, and you're like, oh, yeah,
they keep in touch. They do, which is just with
you know, they had a hard time for you COVID.
I'm sure keeping that interaction with them through COVID was
(33:03):
really important. I'm excited for Cohort three um, and so yeah,
we're just going to grow it and keep it going
and create this awesome pipeline and give you know, young
deserving students an opportunity that they probably wouldn't have had.
I mean, one girl actually said to me, if it
(33:23):
wasn't for the scholarship, I could not come to South Carolina.
So for me, that's like a big deal. And to
give them that opportunity and really work hard for it,
because that's really you know, the most important thing is
to work hard for it and understand, you know, what
they have is you know, priceless. I'm excited to meet them.
(33:45):
Now that I know that they're here interning, I can't wait.
I asked, UM, everyone who is a Panther's employee this Um,
But it could be Charlotte FC too. I know we
talked about a few. What is your favorite to end this?
What is your favorite Panthers or Charlotte FC memory so
far or one of your favorites? Oh my gosh, only
(34:07):
one my favorite? Or a moment that sticks out to you.
There's so many there are, UM, I would say I'll
give you a most recent memory. Perfect. I would have
to say it was Tommy Trumbull Um at Best Buddies.
(34:29):
He has a buddy. I believe his name is Eric,
but if I'm wrong, I'm sorry. UM. And he has
been friends with Eric for a very long time and
that's how he got involved in Best Buddies. And we
just did, um a like a small event together. But
UM having Tommy come in as a rookie and UM
(34:52):
watching him at this Best Buddies event, knowing that this
is something that he loves and it's a passion of
his knowing he's a player of ours. I don't know
a lot of the like I do all these things
with all the players but for whatever reason, the Tommy
Tremble moment for me was one that was it hit
me like, holy cow, like this is actually happening. Like
(35:15):
look at this player doing this stuff for this community,
um and loving it and having the support of his
other players, like his brothers as you would call them,
come and support him. There. It happens all the time.
But for whatever reason, that moment for me with Tommy
was like it just hit me. I don't know if
it's because it was so many of them had happened.
(35:38):
It wasn't about winning a football game or you know those.
It really was that for whatever reason, that was one
of the moments for me, watching him thrive in this
life after this will be life after football for him, right,
and so to see that was a moment. I have
so many moments. I know, as you said, you just
picked one of the most recent ones, but I think
(35:59):
it's a great sample of the things that are important
to you and that makes you proud. I mean, let's
not be you know, I love winning. I want to
win a Super Bowl. I want to be the best
at everything, of course, but you could have picked any moment,
and I love I'm not surprised. Also that the moment
that came to you when I put you on the
spot is one of watching the Graham Gono, you know,
(36:26):
beating Philly at Philly the first year. Um, that came
to me to know, but it's really seeing the locker
room or everyone just grow and really like watching them
do great things that they love in front of my
eyes is really probably the most important thing to me here.
So whether you're on football Charlotte FC, whether you're in
(36:49):
sponsorship or social media or legal, like you're just if
you're doing something that you love and I could support
you then and it's not your job, it's your community
or something that you're passionate about, then that's what makes
me happy. I am so glad that we got to
sit down and do this because I know that you
don't love to talk about yourself, and I know I
(37:10):
embarrass you and tell stories that you're like, that's not
for you not to publicized what you are. I am
so thankful and I'm some thankful that you took the
time to do this because, like you said, I know
that schedule is jam packed. Um, but you just you're
one of my favorites. You bring a smile to my face.
(37:31):
I'm so glad that we got to sit down and
take this time to do this. Thank you so much
for having
I don't really ever shut off, and I think it's
because I love everyone in this building. I want to
see everyone succeed in this building. I also want to succeed,
and I really took on a role that means something,
and I want everyone to know that, starting from literally
(00:24):
operations all the way up to business office, even on
football side, every single person to me is important. Every
single position to me is important, so it's hard to
shut off. Welcome to the Inspired Podcast presented by Atrium Health.
This is a podcast series for Panthers fans where we
(00:44):
highlight admirable women from across the Carolinas as they share
stories and lessons from their lives and careers. And I
am so thrilled because today's guest is someone who has
done so much, not just for me personally, although she has,
she has done so much for our organization, Shan and
our community. And to know her is to love her
and Panthers fans, if you have met her at a
(01:06):
game or out in the community, you know exactly what
I am talking about. It is the owner of the
Panthers and Charlotte FC and the chief administrative officer of
Temper Sports and Entertainment, Nicole temper Nicole. I am so
excited because we get to have these chats quite a bit,
and now we get to do it in front of
a microphone. It's been so long, so fun. I'm so
(01:27):
glad you chose me to do this with you. It's
so easy. Are you knowing you? Are you embarrassed by
the intro that I gave you? Maybe a lot, but
that's okay, But thank you. You know that you know
that I'm going to do that because that is one
thing about you is that you don't like to talk
about yourself or the stuff that you do. And it's
one of the reasons that I love you so much,
(01:48):
you know, and and that we all do because the
stuff you're doing is just incredible. So in that vein
I want to go through, I love to ask all
of our guests what does a day in the life
look like? And I'm so excited for you to tell
everybody because it is just non stop when you are
in the office. So what does a typical day look like?
A typical day? Um, well, it depends storing season. Let's
(02:14):
let's say like right around this time of year, and
then let's do the season two. Okay, So during the
off season now, UM, a day in the life for
me is meetings, UM, getting out in the community, making
sure all the different philanthropic foundation organizations that we're dealing
(02:36):
with are you on track. UM. It's the chief administrative
officer position kind of really comes heavy into play on
the all the time, but on the off season, just
making sure each department is happy. The culture is where
we needed to be, just taking everybody's temperature. People will
have meetings with me about certain issues or problems, or
(02:59):
not even issue their problems, just kind of talking things
out or talking it through, UM, all that fun stuff.
And I want to ask you about the chief administrative officer.
It's a risky position to have, UM because a lot
comes with it, a lot of responsibility and a lot
of responsibility. But for me, if you're honest and you're
(03:24):
it's pure than the responsibility lessons. And so culture is
really important to me. People are really important to me. UM.
Having happy employees, which I know I can't make every
single one of them happy, although I try, is important.
And UM kind of having the uncomfortable conversations which nobody
(03:46):
wants to do, I actually love and I think the
uncomfortable conversations is what helps the individual grow, whether they're
here or whether there's someplace else. And so that's really
important to me. And I think that if I have
an employee that works underneath or with me, I say,
with me, that leaves this organization and that has taken
(04:08):
what I've given them and applied it to make them
better someplace else, and I've done my job, and that's
really important to me. I love that you talked about culture.
I do want to tell a story. I don't want
to embarrass you again, but since we're in front of
the microphone, you know I probably will already started. I'll
let you just go the first. The first time we met, um,
(04:29):
you were my second interview with the Panthers. I met
you before a lot of the team that I work
with now ay before Dave, and I will be honest,
I was nervous. I was nervous to meet you because
I wanted this job so badly. I grew up a
Panther's fan. My husband and I wanted to come back
to North Carolinas, as you know. But if if people
(04:49):
are listening, may not know that. And what better opportunity
than to work for the team that you grow up loving.
And so I was nervous because there was a lot
of I wanted to impress you, right, I want you
to see that I was going to be a good
fit um for this organization. And Nicole, we sat down,
as you and I have talked about before, I think
within like three minutes of of talking to you, I've
(05:13):
I forgot that I was doing an interview. I think
we talked to our lunch for like two hours. We
hugged within a couple of minutes, you know, and then
as we were leaving, I forgot it was an interview,
and it just felt like I was having lunch with
a girlfriend. And I I just I just can't tell
that story enough. And I'm glad I could tell it
on a recording because it is. It is how everyone
(05:33):
feels about you here. And I am so grateful you
know that you saw that in me, and just even
if it didn't work out, it just made me feel comfortable.
I was like, no matter what happens, this was a
great time. Like we had an awesome time together. But
you talked to me almost immediately about culture, and so
that was you were even newer along in the process
of being an owner then, and you came in almost
(05:55):
with this vision, and so can you kind of explain
what the culture means to you, what the importance is
of having a culture really a family oriented one here.
I think it's hard because I don't know if people
like you were nervous. Right, So when I when I
think about culture and I think about people even talking
(06:15):
to anyone, I talk to them like they are human,
and so the culture should be you are human. So
you're going to have a bad day, you have to
take off, your baby is gonna be sick, You're going
to be sick. Um, You're gonna work long hours, you
may take a vacation, and it's balanced too. Um. But
human and happy is the culture that I want people
(06:39):
to be here. And so human and happy will make
you successful. So you're going to be human and have
all these things in your life. But if you're not happy,
then you're not going to be great at your job.
And so to me, um, having a human conversation with
somebody just because om Nicole Tepper doesn't mean that I'm
not going through what you're going through, or I haven't
(07:02):
gone through what you may be going through now in
my past. And I want to give that back to
people and create that culture here where they could come
to me and say this is what's happening in my
life or I'm really piste off and because this is
what's happening here and it's and come to me with it.
Because if I'm not that person, how are we going
(07:25):
to fix anything? Or how are we going to create
the culture where people are comfortable? And there's a fine
line because some people may say, well, well, what if
somebody takes advantage of that open that openness, but you
kind of know you could balance that. I could balance that,
I know where if it's not and ye, so, but
(07:47):
I don't want to ever change who I am because
I think that creates a really successful place. And so
it's hard work. It takes a long time to get there,
and it kind of takes a long time for people
to really try us that what you know of me,
how you talk to me about our interview. I don't
think a lot of people really believe that, not believe
(08:08):
it in a bad way, but they'll say to you,
really like she did that you sat there for lunch
for two hours and talk like girlfriends, and we did.
But it really helped me get to know who you
are and how you would fit in this culture, and
obviously it was the best joy. Well, I'm incredibly grateful.
People will come up to me now and say, oh
(08:29):
my god, Kristen's amazing and she's great and best higher
ever and I agree, And but I couldn't get to
that by a formal interview. It wouldn't work for me,
and it wouldn't work for this building. And so I
think the formal process has to happen, but it has
it happens with other people, and then the the other
(08:50):
part comes to me. And so we're in process of
hiring other people right now, and the formal interviews are happening,
but the people interview happens with me. And so when
I get to that person, I actually laugh and say,
this is a people interview. Yeah, this is not a
formal interview. Your your resume speaks for itself. And I
know you had these interviews with X y X, but
(09:11):
now you're here with me to see if you fit.
Because if you don't fit, or if you don't have
that ability to fit in this culture and understand who
we are, then you're not going to be happy here.
And so it's that's important. We're all rowing in the
same direction. And that's I think you brought up such
a good point that I just want to make that clear.
(09:33):
And I think that I can really speak for all
the employees here, which is just you know, I do
have a forward facing role for the Panthers. But that
is how the interview that we had is how you
could ask any Panthers employee or any Charlotte FC employee
and they've had the same experience with you. Because you
know everyone's kids names. You take the time to talk
to everybody, like you can't go down the hall without
(09:54):
it's someone like reaching out to hug you and and talk.
And the fans that's why I said at the beginning,
the fans if if they got a chance to meet
you at a game or a community event, um, it
just it emanates from you. But now, knowing that you
are such a caretaker, how do you turn it off
like just like not even because that's a question I
ask a lot on this podcast. How do you decompress
(10:16):
or take some time for yourself because you know we're
just chatting before if if something is going on at
any point, you care so deeply that you take it on.
I don't think I turn it off. I don't want
anybody to be like, oh, you don't turn it off,
Like I don't say I don't ever turn it off
for people to say, oh, she's superhuman it I just don't.
(10:39):
But it does affect me. There is a negative side
to that. So I will get exhausted, I will lash
at up people. My poor husband. Something tells me you
can hold his own. Yeah, but it's a problem. It
actually is a thing. And I don't shut it off.
I go to bed at night thinking like, how can
we do this better? Or how could I make this better.
(11:01):
Sometimes I'll get up at three o'clock in the morning
and be like, oh my god, I have to do
this tomorrow. Do you know who said that? She does
the exact same thing, Christie. So she wakes up at
three am at Christie Coleman ar President, which we did
a former episode UM episode two of the season with her,
but she said exactly three am. She keeps a note
beside her bed, right stuff down and then she can
go back to sleep. UM. And I know the So
(11:25):
I don't. I don't really ever shut off. And I
think it's because one, I love everyone in this building.
I want to see everyone succeed in this building. I
also want to succeed UM, and I really took on
a role that means something. There's like, you know, a
(11:46):
purpose behind it, and so I think if I could
speed it up, I would, But I know it takes
so much time and effort to get into every little
nook and cranny in the building, and I want, we
want to know that starting from literally operations all the
(12:07):
way up to business office, even on football side, every
single person to me is important, Every single position to
me is important. So it's hard to shut off because
I think, like, oh, I was in the building today
and I went with David Monroe and we were in
the archive room, which happens to be if you haven't
been in the arts, you have to get there. It's phenomenal.
(12:29):
It's you literally have chills down your spine. And he
is beyond amazing. Okay, I'm going to email him ahead
of this amazing UM. And then I feel bad because
I didn't get to the you know, social media department,
you know, you just and so at night I'll think, shoot,
I didn't get there, but I'll get there tomorrow. And
so it's like that's like the never shut off that
(12:51):
is the thing, because because you care. And that's and
I truly I'm not blowing smoke. And it's not because
we're in front of a microphone. I just I you
do so much and and we're grateful for My husband
will say, you cannot talk about work from this time
to this time. Okay, Well that was my next question.
Is a little hypocritical because then then I'll say okay,
(13:13):
and I'll go in the other room and I hear
him on the phone with like Christie or something. I'm like,
that was my next question. What is it like working
with your spouse? Because I've said this on a previous episode.
I love my husband dearly. We've been together for a
long time. We would both knowing each other so well,
would say like, no, we should not work together, like
we're better. So how is it working with your husband?
(13:35):
So the way I kind of spell it out is
it's both of our second marriages, right and so, and
we had not had children together, even though we have
step children and we love them just like our own.
This is like our baby, right, and so you talk
about this like it's your child, like you know, when
you sit down for dinner and you say, oh, well,
(13:57):
what did little Sally do today? And Sally kicked three
field goals or you know, scored seven baskets, or she
gotta be on her test, or you know she's having
a sleepover. We like, this is the baby, and so
when I sit down to dinner, I start talking about
the baby. And I may talk about the baby too much.
It's like having an obsessive you know, parents, like a
(14:19):
stage mom who's constantly talking about her kid. And so
I think, you know, that's our common But he's the
same way, even though he may complain like this is
his baby too, in a way with me and um,
he's constantly thinking about it and talking about it and
loving it too. And so it's like kind of funny
because I'll say, you can't talk about the baby anymore,
(14:42):
like I want the attention now. And so it's kind
of like that. But we have the same common love
for what we do. And he has an incredible work
ethic and you know, I learned so much from him
and he doesn't stop. He actually makes me look like
I'm lazy, and um, the two of you incredible. Yeah,
(15:06):
and he you know, he's an unbelievable father. He's a
grandfather now, so he takes pride in that. But um work.
I mean, listen, we bicker like everybody else. Um, we
fight like everyone else, and you know it maybe about
this baby every once in a while. Yeah, the baby
(15:26):
needs her diaper changed or whatnot. Who's going to do it? Yeah,
I think the uncomfortable conversations happened. Sometimes we don't see
eye to eye. Probably most times we don't see eye
to eye, but we're actually seeing eye to eye and
we don't even know it. Different perspectives to kind of
come around to it. Um, but I think we're like
the Ying and Yang, like we balance each other. Like.
He's definitely much more patient, and you know, he sees
(15:49):
things differently and he'll take his time and he'll investigate
and understand where I'm like booming this right now. So
he balances me a lot. And it's a great Yeah,
it's a great team or great UM parenting. Um, your
parenting the baby, co parenting the baby very very well.
I want to ask you about the thing that I
(16:10):
know your your job now touches all departments, but I
know the thing that has your heart the most is
community community outreach, whether it is with the Panthers or
Charlotte f C or the David Nicletepper Foundation, and you
have always been that way, and I probably will embarrass
you again, but I know that when you first bought
the team, there was like what six months where you
(16:31):
would go and just learn different communities and volunteer your
time without anyone knowing who you were. Where does where
did that start for you? Because giving back in a
way that you do or Riley Fields in our entire
community department, it is a it is beyond a full
time job, and it requires so much planning it it
(16:52):
is incredible. Well it's twofold one. I think you're just
born with it. It's in your d n A. You
are that person, empathy, the yes yes and then um
I credit learning, um not learning. Watching my family. So
I had an uncle, my mother's brother, UM, who worked
(17:16):
in New York City, who happened to be my best friend, UM.
And he would take home homeless people and so and
he would and at that time, oh my gosh, it
was probably like late seventies eighties, so you were able
to get a job by just filling out an application.
There was no background and this and that. So he
(17:39):
would take home homeless men and women. He would feed them,
he would give them, they would shower, he would give
them clothes, and he would bring them back on the
train to New York and he would get them a job.
He would help them fill out applications and they would
be working at like McDonald's or Wendy's or Roy roger
(18:00):
Is at the time. And I remember watching him do
this and being a part of it and developing relationships
at the time with homeless people, just helping them, and
I remember loving it and saying, oh, I want to
do that one. It's within your family, it's within you,
it's in your blood and um and I remember just
(18:21):
doing little things for people, and I remember how it
would make me feel, and it was just that feeling.
It's almost like a drug. I know, it's like we
are to explain it that way, but it's like that
feeling of like, oh my god, I love the way
that that just made me feel that that person feels
that way. And it just kind of goes from there.
And we had no mind. It's not like I came
(18:42):
from a wealthy family. UM, So the littlest things that
we could do for people, just even opening our door
food being Italian and having a big family. Opening our
door to neighbors and letting them in and eating around
the table was that was a little part of it too.
And just you know, giving our clothes or every year
my mom during um the holidays would say, well, if
(19:04):
Santa is coming, you have to give your toys to
so and so, like just all those little things. And
it just kind of built and built as I got older.
And then I meet my husband who has the same heart,
who was you know, already doing this as well, even
before he was successful and um, and then coming here
(19:29):
and meeting Riley, it was like, you know, you guys
are you guys are very similar people and what Riley
has done as as the head of our community department
for for years and years and years is just incredible.
And so I never feel like, um, you know, being
(19:50):
in the spotlight doing it is something that was for me.
I did it because I just want to do it
and I don't want it to be a thing. Um.
But then coming here again, it changed that people want
to see it. People think that there's this platform where
you have to show people what you're doing because somebody else,
and I do do that, but I pick and choose
(20:12):
the ones that I keep quiet and silent because they're
so pure and authentic and I want to keep them
that way. Um, but it is my number one. If
I could do that and only that it would I would.
I probably would. What are some of the events or
moments that you've had in doing it through the Panthers
(20:33):
or Charlotte FC that you've been the most proud of
because you guys have pulled off some really incredible things
and you love to get out and meet people. Is
it Joy to the Carolinas? Joy to the Carolinas is definitely,
you know, for me my most favorite. I think it's
because it's the time of the year, very magical. I know. Um,
(20:56):
you know holidays in general. You know we're happy and
we love them, but there's people out there that are
really really depressed. It makes them sad and makes them
nervous and anxious because they don't have money to give
their children what other children are getting, and it just
kind of brings a lot back to people. So for joy,
(21:19):
um making that season because it is about the season, right,
it's Joy to the Carolinas. But I don't want people
to ever think that it doesn't go beyond the season,
because it's happening all year round, but it just makes
that season much more magical and to see a smile
on a kid's face during the holiday season or all
(21:40):
the time really, but honestly with the lights and the
music and the presence, and you know, they know that
it's that season two and they know they see commercials
where people are getting presents and just social media. So
to give them that moment and that night for them,
for me is like beyond. I can't I cry every time.
(22:02):
I know I'm starting to get a little. We have
cracked plenty of times on this podcast, so it would
not be the first time. So joy is probably for
me the number one, but it's there's like one are all,
there's so many. What I've been wanting to ask you this,
So in the role as chief administrative officer, of course,
(22:23):
as I said, community holds the biggest piece of your heart.
As you said, you'd be doing it no matter what.
What are some of the other departments or whether it's
Charlotte FC or concerts or whatever. What have you enjoyed
getting to learn about and know about and interface with
those departments. Well, Charlotte FC, their social digital team, they're
(22:44):
rock stars. I love that. I mean, I love it's
a shout out to everything, of course, of course, but
you know, I really enjoyed seeing that blank canvas come
to life and have now a beautiful picture. UM, watching
them grow, watching them like kind of just mold into
(23:05):
their roles and understand what they're doing, and um loving
what they're doing, and seeing the community really um embrace them.
It has been really awesome. What was that moment like
when the microphone went out during the national anthem and
the entire crowd like, I have goose bumps. I was
(23:26):
very newly postpartum or I would have been there. I
tried to get to that game and I was just like,
we just could not make it work. And I was
watching it on TV and I had goose bumps. I
can't imagine. It was amazing. I just went along with it.
I think it hit me after like what just happened,
Like that was pretty cool. And then my phone started
blowing up and people were saying that was the coolest
(23:48):
thing I've ever seen. Well, they love it too. I
talked to Christian about that recently. I mean, he's got
the crow he's getting, you know, with the coor Nation,
He's got the crown on it. It was so cool.
It's Jeremy. During the first inaugural game, they were in
the suite next to us and they were having so
much fun. So for me that was like a moment
of seeing them enjoy something that we never had before. Also,
(24:12):
there was another moment soccer um and this goes back
to community. So Dave and I during COVID, maybe during
the end of COVID, had gone to the French Quarter
for lunch and it was empty, really really quiet, and
I forget the name of the restaurant, and I'm sorry,
I forget the name of the restaurants on the corner.
(24:33):
And the owner came out and introduced himself. He was fantastic.
He was so nice, and but he was like kind
of sad because they had no business for so long
during COVID and they thrive on, you know, the happy
hour and the games and and everything was shut down
and they were just starting to reopen and I think
(24:54):
the business was in the family, I want to say,
for twenty five years, and they were so scared that
they were going to have to close. Um. He kept
saying to my husband, you know, I can't wait for soccer.
Maybe soccer, you know. And so this inaugural match comes
and there's seventy people and we go to the French
Quarter that afternoon and you couldn't even walk and Um
(25:20):
basically said to Dave, you know this, this sport, this
what's happening right now is saving my family, is saving
my business. And so for me, that was the number
one thing. You know, giving soccer to the community of
Charlotte had such a domino effect. It wasn't about the game,
(25:44):
the sport. It was really the it was the community.
Like it really took people from all over the community
to come together. They needed it. There was a lot
of people who needed it. And I think it's great
for the city. It's great for Charlotte to have this
soccer team. It's nice to have all these different things.
But it's those moments where you realize, oh my gosh,
(26:05):
like that's what it's about. And I will say, you know,
just even leaving the draft this year, um, I we
got done, um the draft um last day and I
was walking out and there was the Kenny Chesney concert
later that day, and so I wrote down on the
elevator with coach Rule and his wife and family members
(26:28):
and they were, you know, meeting the players who were
there to come and watch. And then so I walk
out of the gate and there's all these people around,
and it was just so neat to see that aspect
as well, the different concerts and um, you know, stuff
going on, Whereas the past two years I've walked out
of the draft and he was like, all right, bye,
see you everybody. We had just finished up the one
(26:49):
of the biggest events on the football calendar, and there
was something just as big happening in the music world
within the next few minutes, and it was just really
neat and it's cool to see, like you said, how
the players response to with how the staff response to it,
and and then just everyone else. Enough to Charlotte kind
of humanizes everyone. And so at the Kenny Chesney concert
with the players, I remember standing there. We were on
(27:12):
backstage and they were um like hugging each other and
kind of swaying back and forth to the music. And
I was probably like this little mama on the side
side eyeing them, watching them just having that moment but
being human, because I think sometimes people forget that they
(27:33):
are human, and so for me to see them enjoy
the night they just got done with this whole four
day draft. And you know, for players, it's you know,
a lot for them to we don't realize with their
feeling behind the scenes, and um, to watch them come
together and be able to be human even with me
(27:54):
and have fun and let loose was awesome. And so
that's another elm of why like all the hard work
of even just the entertainment aspect of it. And isn't
it fun to see when people are so good at
things of a player or whatever to see them get
a little star struck by whether it is the soccer
players or by someone like Kenny Chesney. And then Kenny
(28:16):
Chesney feels the same way. It's just a it's a
neat thing that is awesome. I want to ask you
about the the Temper scholars program at the University of
South Carolina, and then I have a story about this.
I tell you probably another story that will embarrass you.
But again, well I get I'm on the mic and
I get to say this stuff. When you guys launched
(28:36):
this program, it was during COVID and it was on
Zoom and I happened to be on a call. You
didn't know I was on there. I was helping one
of our videographers out by just pressing a record button,
UM for something. And you met with the first group
of scholars and you gave every single one of them
your phone number and we're like, please check in with
(28:58):
me if you need anything at all, UM. And and
I remember there were a few that were like okay, cool,
like I've texting you right now, and You're like, oh yeah,
they check in all the time. And so so for
anyone who doesn't know, can you just explain what this
program is and and why you wanted to do it?
So okay. So education obviously is very important. It's part
(29:18):
of our families foundation. I mean even before I met
my husband that was very important to him too. Education
was huge UM. And he has this wonderful business school
at Carnegie Mellon UM and he has done so many
amazing things there, just how the business school operates, and
(29:44):
I would sit back and go to all these different
things and really take notes and understand how things are
happening and want to pay that forward to someplace else. UM.
And I'm still going to do that. And but when
we came here to the Panthers getting involved with different
(30:06):
universities like Johnson, C. Smith and Clemson South Carolina, all
of them. And it's an open door policy. We were
open to meeting with everyone. I had gone down to
South Carolina for something, an event, and I met the
professors at the Retail and Hospitality and Sports Management School
(30:28):
and a light bulb went off in my head at
that moment, and I'm like, oh, my goodness, and we
have a lot of alum here, a lot of game
cock alum. Now my daughter is a game cock um.
But besides that, I I realized that how awesome these
employees that we have here. They all come out of
this school, right, and so all the more so that
(30:51):
my brain started working over my heart. At this point,
I'm like, wait, wait a minute. We could do two
things here. We could give people scholarships and create a
pipeline for for for students who probably can't afford to
be at this school but deserve to be. And how
(31:11):
great is it to create the pipeline for them to
either come work for us, or we could set them
up to go work someplace else, whether it's the Hornets
or um, the Hurricanes or anyone in the business. Like
now we have the platform, so we could create this
pipeline of diversity and everything else along with it. And
(31:34):
so that's kind of where when it happened. And we're
on the third cohort so we keep it small. It's four.
I actually want to go up to six, but I
think that will eventually happen. And it's a process, like
you have to really have you earn it. It's you know, um,
and you have to keep your your grades up and
(31:54):
you have to keep there's a lot of boxes you
need to check to keep the scholarship. So it's not easy. Um,
but they are. They're killing it. That three are actually
interning here this summer. I'll have to meet that. I
was gonna say, I remember them from the first cohort um,
and um, they are incredible. They're incredible humans. Um. And
(32:18):
I know one day I will see them paying it forward.
And that's really what it's all about, is mentoring them.
And so that's the other part of the scholarship, is
really mentoring them and not just giving the scholarship and leaving.
And that that's what I wanted to point out because
I know you would never say it yourself, as just
there's no one on this call. It was not for anything,
and you said to them exactly what you're saying. You said,
(32:41):
we it's going to take a lot to finish this program.
We expect a lot of you, but just know that
we are here for you to support you, to mentor you.
And that's when you're like, and in fact, here's my number.
So everyone whipped their phones out, you know, and you're like, oh, yeah,
they keep in touch. They do, which is just with
you know, they had a hard time for you COVID.
I'm sure keeping that interaction with them through COVID was
(33:03):
really important. I'm excited for Cohort three um, and so yeah,
we're just going to grow it and keep it going
and create this awesome pipeline and give you know, young
deserving students an opportunity that they probably wouldn't have had.
I mean, one girl actually said to me, if it
(33:23):
wasn't for the scholarship, I could not come to South Carolina.
So for me, that's like a big deal. And to
give them that opportunity and really work hard for it,
because that's really you know, the most important thing is
to work hard for it and understand, you know, what
they have is you know, priceless. I'm excited to meet them.
(33:45):
Now that I know that they're here interning, I can't wait.
I asked, UM, everyone who is a Panther's employee this Um,
But it could be Charlotte FC too. I know we
talked about a few. What is your favorite to end this?
What is your favorite Panthers or Charlotte FC memory so
far or one of your favorites? Oh my gosh, only
(34:07):
one my favorite? Or a moment that sticks out to you.
There's so many there are, UM, I would say I'll
give you a most recent memory. Perfect. I would have
to say it was Tommy Trumbull Um at Best Buddies.
(34:29):
He has a buddy. I believe his name is Eric,
but if I'm wrong, I'm sorry. UM. And he has
been friends with Eric for a very long time and
that's how he got involved in Best Buddies. And we
just did, um a like a small event together. But
UM having Tommy come in as a rookie and UM
(34:52):
watching him at this Best Buddies event, knowing that this
is something that he loves and it's a passion of
his knowing he's a player of ours. I don't know
a lot of the like I do all these things
with all the players but for whatever reason, the Tommy
Tremble moment for me was one that was it hit
me like, holy cow, like this is actually happening. Like
(35:15):
look at this player doing this stuff for this community,
um and loving it and having the support of his
other players, like his brothers as you would call them,
come and support him. There. It happens all the time.
But for whatever reason, that moment for me with Tommy
was like it just hit me. I don't know if
it's because it was so many of them had happened.
(35:38):
It wasn't about winning a football game or you know those.
It really was that for whatever reason, that was one
of the moments for me, watching him thrive in this
life after this will be life after football for him, right,
and so to see that was a moment. I have
so many moments. I know, as you said, you just
picked one of the most recent ones, but I think
(35:59):
it's a great sample of the things that are important
to you and that makes you proud. I mean, let's
not be you know, I love winning. I want to
win a Super Bowl. I want to be the best
at everything, of course, but you could have picked any moment,
and I love I'm not surprised. Also that the moment
that came to you when I put you on the
spot is one of watching the Graham Gono, you know,
(36:26):
beating Philly at Philly the first year. Um, that came
to me to know, but it's really seeing the locker
room or everyone just grow and really like watching them
do great things that they love in front of my
eyes is really probably the most important thing to me here.
So whether you're on football Charlotte FC, whether you're in
(36:49):
sponsorship or social media or legal, like you're just if
you're doing something that you love and I could support
you then and it's not your job, it's your community
or something that you're passionate about, then that's what makes
me happy. I am so glad that we got to
sit down and do this because I know that you
don't love to talk about yourself, and I know I
(37:10):
embarrass you and tell stories that you're like, that's not
for you not to publicized what you are. I am
so thankful and I'm some thankful that you took the
time to do this because, like you said, I know
that schedule is jam packed. Um, but you just you're
one of my favorites. You bring a smile to my face.
(37:31):
I'm so glad that we got to sit down and
take this time to do this. Thank you so much
for having
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