Bringing over 20 years of experience in higher education, college sports and athletic curriculum development, Brandon Podgorski is committed to making the Master of Science in Sports Leadership the go-to degree for coaches and administrators interested in incorporating foundational leadership pillars into the sports world. As a former college basketball coach, Podgorski is more than just an avid sports fan. In many ways, he sees himself as his students’ cheerleader, teammate and most importantly, trainer. Hoping to bring more awareness into academia about the importance of sports leadership, good directorships and active learning, Podgorski’s deep passion for developing ethical coaches and administrators makes him the right man for the job.
Surrounded By All Things Sports
Raised in Hoosier country, the world of sports always surrounded Podgorski. Even as a kid, he remembers playing every sport available in the Indianapolis region. From baseball to track, basketball and rugby, Podgorski loved the nature of sports. and started dreaming about the possibility of playing in college. Attending Indiana University, he dedicated the next four years to playing collegiate rugby and earning his degree in sports marketing and management. Highly involved in the university’s massive athletic department, Podgorski knew he wanted to, one day, coach a college basketball team. Fast forward to 2003, he walked the graduation stage – eager for what life was going to throw his way.
“I was really looking for opportunities to intern for a basketball team or something,” Podgorski said. “Sadly, some things fell through and that didn’t happen for me. However, one very unique opportunity came out of it and it really set me up for the next stage of my life.”
Answering a classified advertisement for a local gym manager, Podgorski thought if this was his chance to make it into the sporting world, then he’d take that chance. After a few interviews, Podgorski was managing his own local gym in Bloomington, Indiana. Enjoying the atmosphere of being surrounded by fellow health and wellness fanatics, his work ethic began to shine allowing him to become part owner of his gym. Still, the itch to coach remained. Hearing about the chance to coach a Division I men’s basketball team, Podgorski could feel the yearning to move come up again. Within a matter of months, he sold his stake in the company and moved to Albany, Georgia – home of Darton State College. Working with students and staff members, Podgorski never thought he would be a college professor, much less a teacher. In any case, he knew he needed – and wanted – to be there.
“It was a great experience for me,” Podgorski said. “It really made me value the college institution and what professors go through with students. How students really do look up to you, and that made me feel some things I never felt before.”
As the years went on, Podgorski was continually blessed with bigger and better job opportunities. From becoming an athletic director for Indiana University Kokomo, to earning the title of associate professor of Sport Management and Director for the Center for Sports Studies at Trine University, Podgorski was breaking ground for what his future would hold. Earning master’s degrees from Ohio University and Trine University, and pursuing his doctorate degree at Concordia University Chicago, Podgorski was interested in seeing what else was out there in the field of sports and academia.
Making His Way To ACU
Finding ACU, in Podgorski’s words, was a total “God thing.” After being contacted by some ACU faculty members via LinkedIn, he was asked if he wanted to become an adjunct faculty member in the sports management courses. Eager to continue his professional career, he agreed to the interview. Looking forward to the call, Podgorksi did some digging and found an open position for a program director for the new Master of Science in Sports Leadership program on ACU’s career site. Feeling confident about his capabilities to take on more responsibility, Podgorski decided to make a bold move.
“We were on the call, and all I said was ‘Hey, I know you guys are looking for someone in this position. If you’re still looking, here I am,” Podgorski said. “And I guess they liked that because I soon got into more conversations with them about what that could look like.”
Speaking at length with Dr. Daryl Jones, Vice President of Sports, Leadership, and Learning, Podgorski recognized ACU Online’s long-term plans for sports leadership and organizations – and he was completely on board. Within a matter of weeks, he was named the program director; a dream he didn’t know he had in him. Now, rounding up his first few terms as director, Podgorski sees how his years of coaching, administration, and team-building experiences are serving him in this position. Teaching a wide array of sports marketing and management classes as well as understanding the national issues in sports, he is passionate about his current role. Whether he’s bringing on former collegiate athletes interested in getting their master’s degree, or lifelong coaches wanting to upskill their leadership styles, Podgorski is ready for it all.
“This is really the place God had for me,” Podgorski said. “My family and I are just so blessed to be where we are.” Are you interested in taking courses related to sports leadership and management? Visit our website and learn more about this exciting new program!