May 27, 2026
Board members and university administrators are spending an increasing amount of time on athletics.
Ryan McCarthy — Board of Visitors Member at Virginia Tech — joined our podcast with insight on the goals of a university and the role that athletics plays in serving its broader mission.
As the former U.S. Secretary of the Army, Ryan has a unique perspective on leadership and navigating a diverse group of stakeholders.
Timestamps:
- 1:10 - Board members spending more and more time on athletics
- 4:25 - Navigate’s engagement with Virginia Tech
- 8:20 - What does VT athletics look like in 2030?
- 12:25 - Ryan’s Background as Secretary of the Army
- 16:50 - Advice for other universities
- 22:40 - Rapid Fire Questions
Show Notes:
- Our interview with Virginia Tech Athletic Director Whit Babcock: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=ae8d2b98dc149a023be6909fd08d9af4
- Book Rec: Team of Rivals, by Doris Kearns Goodwin
For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.