The Role of Athletics in Liberal Arts

Hosts:

• Jakob Barnard and Scot Loyd

Guest:

• Brian Mistro, Head Coach of Football at the University of Jamestown

Main Topics Discussed:

1. Introduction and Background of Brian Mistro:
   • Brian Mistro shares his journey from Arizona to becoming the head coach at the University of Jamestown.
   • His experiences in higher education included working at the University of Phoenix and coaching at Northern State and Concordia College before joining UJ in 2019.
2. Athletics and Liberal Arts:
   • The integration of athletics within the liberal arts framework at UJ.
   • The holistic student experience emphasizes the development of students beyond the classroom and athletic field.
3. Benefits of Being a Student-Athlete:
   • Mistro discusses the profound impact of athletics on student development, including learning through adversity, teamwork, and leadership.
   • The importance of being a well-rounded individual with skills learned outside the classroom.
4. College Experience and Relationships:
   • Building lifelong relationships and the value of the college experience.
   • Mistro shares personal anecdotes highlighting the long-term friendships and connections formed during college.
5. Balancing Academics and Athletics:
   • The importance of maintaining academic performance while participating in athletics.
   • Emphasizing student-athletes need to focus on their studies to ensure a successful future.
6. Recruiting Philosophy and Student-Athlete Profile:
   • UJ looks for qualities in student-athletes, including character, teamwork, and academic diligence.
   • Evaluating potential recruits through their high school coaches and academic performance.
7. Challenges and Changes in College Athletics:
   • Discussion on the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals.
   • The potential benefits and abuses of the transfer portal and how it impacts student-athletes.
   • The impact of NIL deals at the NAIA level is limited compared to larger universities.
8. Leadership Development:
   • The role of athletics in developing leadership skills in student-athletes.
   • Encouraging students to be leaders in various aspects of their lives, not just on the field.
9. Final Thoughts and Recruitment Pitch:
   • Mistro emphasizes the importance of choosing to come to UJ and the opportunities it provides for personal growth and development.
   • The value of surrounding oneself with amazing people and the supportive environment at UJ.

Conclusion: The episode highlights the integration of athletics within the liberal arts framework at the University of Jamestown, emphasizing the holistic development of student-athletes. Through personal anecdotes and discussions on leadership, relationships, and the challenges in modern college athletics, the podcast underscores the value of a well-rounded college experience that prepares students for life beyond sports and academics.

As mentioned at the show's end, a journal article by Coffey and Davis (2019) entitled "The Holistic Approach to Academia: Traditional Classroom Instruction and Experiential Learning of Student-Athletes" is well worth the read!