Lauren MacKeigan’s Post

It’s May and we’ve got Pacers and Racers alive in Indy! As the Indiana Pacers compete in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals and Indy prepares for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500, we gathered experts from the sports world to share insights into the powerful role sports play in our global community.  This afternoon’s panel at the Indiana Global Economic Summit featured Marissa Andretti of Andretti Global, Mel Raines of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Roger VanDerSnick of the Indianapolis Colts and moderator Julie Roe Lach of the Horizon League. From the cultural exchanges on the field to the economic ripples throughout our cities, the influence of sports extends far beyond the final score. Our panelists explored how teams and organizations are navigating their expanding global reach and leveraging the power of social media to elevate the profiles of athletes and teams worldwide.  The economic impact is undeniable – creating jobs, boosting tourism revenue and offering global exposure to brands. Indiana has quickly become a hub for the future of sports technology. The work of Sports Tech HQ will ensure the Hoosier state remains a leader.  As we celebrate the achievements happening locally, let’s also recognize the broader impact sports have on the world stage. The game (and race) continues and so does our conversation on its global influence. #INGlobalSummit #Indiana #sports #economicdevelopment

This may be a BOLD statement! This philosophy shared by Coach Belichick in this :75-second video is why - Bill will thrive at UNC and has the potential to revolutionize college football. It’s also a framework that should be applied across multiple industries, creating opportunities for growth and success far beyond a JOB! Coach Belichick's approach for coaching at UNC - 👍 Pipeline for Talent ✅ Professional Development Programs ✔️ Skill Transfer 🏁 Career-Oriented Education ☑️ Life Skills Development 👊 Networking Opportunities This approach isn’t just for college football— it should be implemented in industries such as: Educational Institutions: To prepare students for both career and life. Recruitment Firms: To match skilled talent with opportunities while providing career coaching. Corporate Training Programs: To grow employee potential and leadership pipelines. Healthcare Systems: To develop programs for nurturing specialized skills and career longevity. Nonprofits & Community Organizations: To build sustainable programs for personal and professional growth. Sports Organizations: To extend development beyond athletic performance into career and life skills. AND of course, can't stop without saying, "DO YOUR JOB!!" What do you think? #CoachBelichick #Development #LifeSkills #VazMan

I've always loved the intersection of sports in our professional and personal lives. Saban's standard of excellence, MJ's competitiveness, Tiger's focus, Kobe's work ethic. This is the 10U Fayetteville AR chili peppers. Last Thursday, we lost our city championship 15-14, but that was the least interesting part of the season. 3 girls had never stepped onto a softball field before this year. We had a few 3rd graders, routinely playing against middle schoolers. Started 3-1, only to limp into the tournament at .500. Fought through the top side of the bracket. Thunderstorms pushed the championship back 2 days, after 1 inning of play. Down 12-2 in the 2nd inning. Summer vacation a day away. Every excuse to roll over, yet.... the girls competed. The business landscape is tricky right now. Certain parts of the economy are really sluggish. Interest rates and inflation are still restrictive. Somewhat paradoxically, this environment is also hyper-competitive - B2B client opportunities, the job market for those active, the pressures to extract more value with fewer resources. These are tough issues, not meant to be trivialized. However, sometimes we teach kids, and sometimes they teach us. For these few short months, our girls controlled what they could - attitude, energy, discipline, teamwork. There is perspective and inspiration in the smallest of details and moments, so keep competing! When least expected, you may find yourself closer than you think.

It’s football season, so it’s time to tailgate - and build community! Question: what schools, teams and fans do it best? (open thread) 🏈 There’s something special about a #football tailgate. It’s more than just a pre-game party—it’s a celebration of community, tradition, and shared passion. 🎉 From college campuses to stadium parking lots, tailgating brings together fans, families, alumni, and businesses to create moments of connection that last a lifetime. But here’s my question: Which schools, teams, and businesses have the best (and most FUN) tailgates for their communities? 🎪🔥 I KNOW y’all must have opinions - so let’s see who shows up and shares them. Yes I’m making this competitive University of Michigan, The Ohio State University, The University of Georgia, Auburn University, University of Notre Dame University of Maryland, Penn State University The University of Texas at Austin AND every other school and team that thinks they have the best tailgating community. (I see you too #HBCU teams! ⭐️🖤🏟️) And as we think about the power of community… it makes me wonder: should the Forbes be teaming up with business schools and their alumni to foster deeper connections and drive real impact through the energy of these gatherings? 🤔 Let’s hear your thoughts! 👇 #ForbesImpactLab #OptimisticAmerica #CommunityBuilding #AlumniEngagement #Leadership #Networking #Partnerships #Impact Estee Portnoy Jeremy B. Becker Dhani Jones Robb Lippitt David Oyler Sachin Shailendra Kevin Plank https://lnkd.in/eMGGqtpv

How do you make a difference when everyone can do what you do? It is not only about the equipment but also about how to use it. It is not just about the product but what it communicates. It is not only about the quality but also its impact. Social media has a short attention span, yet this Trinity Western Spartans video generated 40K+ views across platforms. There are several reasons why this video stood out. It is a combination of using skills, embedding creativity, knowing the subject, understanding the audience, being aware of time and circumstances, and, most importantly, having a vision. The Spartans Athletics Marketing department effectively communicates the athletes' achievements and who they are as people. They highlight more than athletics because Spartans Athletics trains students to become champions in all areas of their lives: academic, athletic, leadership, personal, and spiritual. An organization must align all initiatives with the corporate strategy, reflect the corporate mission, and support the corporate vision, including social media. Congratulations on a job well done. Michael Ezinga

Last week I had the honor to speak with athletes at my alma mater, Oconomowoc High School. It was the first time I delivered a talk with family in the audience, as my niece is an incoming Sophomore. I shared my journey from a high school athlete at OHS to pro baseball, and how one can sustain success long after sports are over. Sports can have a big impact on the rest of your life. The lessons you learn and the habits you apply can last long after sports are over. Someday you will play your last game, but it doesn't mean success ends there. I shared 3 lessons I learned on the pitcher's mound that have had a profound impact on my business career: 👉 You can't control what people will say or do, but you can control how you show up. 👉 Put in the work off the field when no one is watching. 👉 The final tally on the scoreboard does not dictate your worth. You are not your results. Words of wisdom we can all use in our careers today. If you have a minute, share a lesson you learned in sports that has greatly impacted your career today... share below 👇. And, feel free to share this post if you have a young athlete living in your house.

Physical growth is one of the most actionable metrics with the largest potential impact in youth sports. Yet, it's often overlooked... At Kontich Wolves, we're changing that narrative, under the leadership of Michael Krikemans. Discover how we're making a difference:

Calling all coaches, student-athletes, and investors! This article is an imperative read for those eager to innovate sports and propel business endeavors for college students. 🏀💼 Reaching Audiences Worldwide our Latest article dives into the groundbreaking journey of Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, a marketing maverick who has harnessed the transformative power of NIL in collegiate sports. From a historic million-dollar deal with the Houston Cougars basketball team to expanding his reach with the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) basketball team, McIngvale's success story speaks volumes. Coaches, learn how to leverage NIL partnerships to amplify your team's brand visibility and secure vital financial support for your athletes. Empower them to build their personal brand and embark on entrepreneurial ventures, setting them up for success on and off the field. Student-athletes, dive into the potential of NIL and discover how it can unlock opportunities for you, regardless of your sport or background. From endorsement deals to entrepreneurial pursuits, the possibilities are endless. Seize the chance to showcase your talents, connect with your audience, and leave a lasting impact. Investors, recognize the immense potential of NIL partnerships in college sports. Collaborate with collegiate athletics programs to drive brand growth, connect with loyal fanbases, and support student-athletes during their transformative journey. Be at the forefront of this revolution and witness the power of authentic engagement and community connection. Together, let's revolutionize the game, innovate sports, and propel business endeavors for college students. Embrace the evolution of NIL and unlock the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. Don't miss out on this imperative article that will shape the future of collegiate sports and business. 🔥💪 #NILRevolution #SportsInnovation #EntrepreneurialOpportunities #CollegeSports #BrandVisibility #StudentAthletes #Coaches #Investors #BusinessVentures #AuthenticEngagement #LimitlessPossibilities #GameChangers #InnovateSports #AmplifyBrands #UnlockSuccess Want to learn more about Reaching Audiences Worldwide (R.A.W.) Pre-register on our website to today and stay up to date on our R.A.W Talk Series and content! https://lnkd.in/gjQysHX6

Jersey Mike's 'Wakey Wakey' is the brilliant creative, with so much to admire, that we covered for this week's AdMiration. I'll focus here on one key learning but there is a link in the comments to the full piece should you want to dive deeper into the many things they got right (and the data behind the consumer response)! Perfect use of a celebrity! Too often brands jump to using a celebrity to gain attention. And of course that can work. But often it just gains attention for the celeb, not the brand. So what can we learn about how to use a celeb well? 1 - pick a celebrity who fits with your brand 2 - use them in a way that is relevant to who they are/what they are famous for 3 - be single minded in the message you want to convey about your brand 4 - develop a story which uses the celeb to convey that message in a highly engaging and relevant way that heroes your brand/product, not just the celeb 5 - use them again and again Congratulations to Rich Hope and the team at Highdive for this great ad and campaign. #consumerinsights #advertising #creativeandeffective #effectiveadvertising #admiration Jersey Mike's Subs https://lnkd.in/e-sSdvJN

This week, I had the opportunity to visit the University of Florida. During the visit, we were hosted to a tour of the Florida Gators practice area, Gary Condron Field. The field held a number of inspiring sentiments, including the following, hung above the turf... "Own the ball, attack the ball." "Situation experts." "Master your Craft." It was obvious to me that there are so many similarities between competing athletically and competing in business.  Business is: 🏈 A journey where adjustments need to be made;  🏈 Where we need to be in the position to play offense;  🏈 We need to strive to be situation experts;  🏈 We need to be students of the hospitality industry so we can master our craft;  🏈 We need to strive to overwhelm the competition;  🏈 We need to always finish strong. HDG Legacy, LLC applies these sportsmanship values to the operations and growth of our business. We continue to evolve as we learn, then apply our learnings to achieve successes. It takes hard work, and vision, but every step of the way, we know we can do it. Steve Spurrier said it best, so I pulled from his insights to nail my point home. 🏆 What lessons of sportsmanship and athletic competition do you also apply to business? Let's have a dialogue in the comments! #Florida #business #economicdevelopment University of Florida #floridagators #hospitality #sportsmanship