University of Minnesota Athletics
Former Big Ten Commissioner, Jim Delany, speaks to the Leadership Council
1/6/2020 2:07:00 PM | Student-Athlete Development, Leadership U
During the 2019 Leadership U retreat to the Big Ten Conference headquarters in Rosemont, IL the student-athletes and facilitators were able to hear from former Big Ten Commissioner, Jim Delany. Delany has held the position as commissioner since 1989 and finished his 30 year tenure on January 1, 2020.
As briefly mentioned by University of Minnesota Director of Athletics, Mark Coyle, this speaking engagement was Delany's first time talking in front of an individual group of student-athletes from the Big Ten Conference. Commissioner Delany spoke to the group for an hour about the exponential growth the Big Ten Conference has seen since the beginning of his tenure.
Delany spoke to the growth of the conference through several statistics and noting, "The Big Ten market is much more than just sports. There's a certain quality of the Big Ten that makes it so special."
After Delany gave his opening remarks, the student-athletes were encouraged to ask questions. Below are some of the questions asked by the student-athletes with Delany's responses.
Tina Kreinis (Women's Tennis): What challenges defined you or helped you become the person you are today?
Commisioner Delany: Not being the best player on the UNC basketball team has ultimately led to me recognize I can contribute to teams in different ways. It also taught me to do the best you can in whatever role you are currently serve in. Be sure to recognize, know, and own your strengths and areas of development.
Kate Lillie (Women's Golf): How are the values in the Big Ten upheld as new staff transition in?
Commisioner Delany: Cross communication is key when new staff joins the Big Ten. Clear communication from the top leaders and across the network's departments is extremely important when onboarding new staff. Teammates and staff come from different backgrounds and experiences so it is important to have transparency among a team.
As a native of South Orange, New Jersey, Commissioner Delany received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of North Carolina and Juris Doctorate degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law. While at UNC, Delany was a three-year member of the varsity basketball team, serving as tri-captain in 1970 and made two appearances in the NCAA Final Four competition. In 2012, Delany received the UNC Distinguished Alumni Award. Under Delany's oversight, the Big Ten has grown to 14 member institutions, the Big Ten Network was created, the first collegiate football version of instant replay was developed, and postgraduate scholarships and sportsmanship awards were initiated.
Kevin Warren, former COO of the Minnesota Vikings and Leadership U advisory group member, has just begun his role as the sixth commissioner of the Big Ten. Warren brings 20 years of experience within the NFL to this new role and becomes the first African-American commissioner of a Power Five conference. In March 2019, Kevin Warren was a Speaker Series guest for the Leadership U program. Warren is looking forward to advancing and focusing on the total student-athlete experience among all Big Ten schools.
The University of Minnesota Leadership U program and Athletics Department wishes Delany and Warren the best of luck in their newest endeavors.
As briefly mentioned by University of Minnesota Director of Athletics, Mark Coyle, this speaking engagement was Delany's first time talking in front of an individual group of student-athletes from the Big Ten Conference. Commissioner Delany spoke to the group for an hour about the exponential growth the Big Ten Conference has seen since the beginning of his tenure.
Delany spoke to the growth of the conference through several statistics and noting, "The Big Ten market is much more than just sports. There's a certain quality of the Big Ten that makes it so special."
After Delany gave his opening remarks, the student-athletes were encouraged to ask questions. Below are some of the questions asked by the student-athletes with Delany's responses.
Tina Kreinis (Women's Tennis): What challenges defined you or helped you become the person you are today?
Commisioner Delany: Not being the best player on the UNC basketball team has ultimately led to me recognize I can contribute to teams in different ways. It also taught me to do the best you can in whatever role you are currently serve in. Be sure to recognize, know, and own your strengths and areas of development.
Kate Lillie (Women's Golf): How are the values in the Big Ten upheld as new staff transition in?
Commisioner Delany: Cross communication is key when new staff joins the Big Ten. Clear communication from the top leaders and across the network's departments is extremely important when onboarding new staff. Teammates and staff come from different backgrounds and experiences so it is important to have transparency among a team.
As a native of South Orange, New Jersey, Commissioner Delany received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of North Carolina and Juris Doctorate degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law. While at UNC, Delany was a three-year member of the varsity basketball team, serving as tri-captain in 1970 and made two appearances in the NCAA Final Four competition. In 2012, Delany received the UNC Distinguished Alumni Award. Under Delany's oversight, the Big Ten has grown to 14 member institutions, the Big Ten Network was created, the first collegiate football version of instant replay was developed, and postgraduate scholarships and sportsmanship awards were initiated.
Kevin Warren, former COO of the Minnesota Vikings and Leadership U advisory group member, has just begun his role as the sixth commissioner of the Big Ten. Warren brings 20 years of experience within the NFL to this new role and becomes the first African-American commissioner of a Power Five conference. In March 2019, Kevin Warren was a Speaker Series guest for the Leadership U program. Warren is looking forward to advancing and focusing on the total student-athlete experience among all Big Ten schools.
The University of Minnesota Leadership U program and Athletics Department wishes Delany and Warren the best of luck in their newest endeavors.
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