Brian Campbell ’08 - A Journey of Growth

Brian Campbell, Assistant Vice President for Athletics Development at the University of Miami, shares his journey from growing up in Columbus, Ohio, to becoming a leader in athletics fundraising, his experiences as a cadet at the Air Force Academy, the challenges he faced, and the resilience he developed. 

SUMMARY

In this conversation, Brian Campbell, Assistant Vice President for Athletics Development at the University of Miami, shares his journey from growing up in Columbus, Ohio, to becoming a leader in athletics fundraising. He discusses his experiences as a cadet at the Air Force Academy, the challenges he faced, and the resilience he developed. Brian emphasizes the importance of leadership, surrounding oneself with great people, and the impact of private investment in athletics. He also reflects on his transition from military to civilian life and his current role in shaping the future of athletics at UM.

 

OUR TOP 5 FAVORITE QUOTES

 

1. "I think it's important to be really authentic with people, and that has worked. It's worked well for me, especially when those decisions are consistent with being authentic to what we're trying to accomplish."

 

2. "I think a lot about the elements that we put into it, because it's hard on a daily basis to know if you're doing a good job being a leader, but if you take those pieces of the fabric that we learned at the Academy, and you keep doing it the right way and thinking about these things and surrounding yourself by people with with surrounding yourself with people of those kinds of values, and people that you can take little pieces of what they do and try to try to bring them with You. I think it's the right road."

 

3. "I don't think I've arrived as a leader and I but I started to think that I probably that I would be willing to bet that General Clark might say the same thing, and Coach Calhoun might say the same thing. So I think it's always a work in process."

 

4. "If you take those pieces of the fabric that we learned at the Academy, and you keep doing it the right way and thinking about these things and surrounding yourself by people with with surrounding yourself with people of those kinds of values, and people that you can take little pieces of what they do and try to try to bring them with You. I think it's the right road."

 

5. "I think it's always a work in process, but I think it's important to be really authentic with people, and that has worked. It's worked well for me, especially when those decisions are consistent with being authentic to what we're trying to accomplish."

 - Brian Campbell ’08, the Long Blue Leadership Podcast

 

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CHAPTERS

00:00: Introduction to Brian Campbell 02:52: Growing Up in Columbus and Early Athletic Influences 06:14: The Journey to the Air Force Academy 08:59: Life as a Cadet: Challenges and Resilience 11:53: Leadership Lessons from the Academy 15:10: Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life 18:06: Fundraising and Philanthropy in Athletics 21:00: The Kutra Legacy Center: A Personal Connection 23:53: Current Role at the University of Miami 27:06: Leadership Philosophy and Key Takeaways

 

TAKEAWAYS

• Brian's journey highlights the importance of resilience in overcoming challenges.
• Authenticity in leadership fosters trust and connection with others.
• Surrounding yourself with talented individuals can enhance personal growth.
• Private investment plays a crucial role in the success of athletic programs.
• Experiences at the Air Force Academy shape leadership philosophies.
• Fundraising in athletics is about building relationships and trust.
• Transitioning from military to civilian life requires adaptability and networking.
• The Kutra Legacy Center represents a significant investment in future cadets.
• Leadership is a continuous journey of learning and growth.
• Engaging with alumni can create impactful opportunities for current students.

 

ABOUT BRIAN CAMPBELL ’08BIO

Brian Campbell ’08