Building a Championship Culture at Lewis University

Winning is fun but culture is built long before the scoreboard lights up.

In Part 2 of our conversation, John Ashaolu, Assistant Vice President for Athletics at Lewis University, breaks down what it really takes to build a championship-level athletic department.

From revitalizing alumni engagement and transforming the annual golf outing at Cog Hill into a record-breaking experience, to rebranding the student section as “The Cockpit,” John shares how intentional fan experience drives brand equity and school pride.

We also dive into his philosophy of curating an elite student-athlete experience, why that’s his daily motivation, how it shapes hiring decisions, and how it contributes to Lewis finishing 11th nationally in the Division II Directors Cup rankings.

This episode is about raising standards, refusing to rest on success, and understanding that culture isn’t a slogan, it’s what you do every single day.

Connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jashaolu/