In this episode, Michael Cheney, President of the UGA Alumni Sports Industry Council, tells us all about the new Council, its mission, and how he was able build it from an idea he had to an illustrious board of advisors of sport industry veterans and providing scholarships to students within the UGA Sport Management and Policy Program in only two short years. The Council currently includes the likes of Vince Thompson, Founder and CEO of MELT; Percy Vaughn VP at Kia Motors America and Chairman of the Chick-Fil-A Bowl Board; Chip Caray, Play-by-Play Announcer for the Atlanta Braves & Fox Sports South; Susan Goodenow, VP of Marketing and Communications for Chicago Bulls; and David Koonin, Agent for Creative Artists Agency Sports, to name a few. Coach Jack Bauerle serves as its Athletic Department Liaison.

The UGA Alumni Sports Industry Council is an external advisory board that serves the students and faculty at UGA by providing access to practical professional experience in and executives across multiple sports business related disciplines. It provides guest lecturers, reviews and contributes to curriculum, fundraises for and provides scholarships thru the UGA Foundation, works with students in career development, provides access to coveted internships, and sponsors an annual on campus internship program.

Michael is a Terry College of Business alumnus with extensive experience in marketing having developed partnership marketing and sponsorship strategies for Coca-Cola, Sprite, PowerAde, Visa, and BMW, among others. He has negotiated with the IOC, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB Media, and multiple sports teams across all major US Sports, the US Open, Pebble Beach, IMG College and many more. He is currently a California Bulldog, but flies cross country to Athens, GA often because he is a parent to current Swim Dog, Teagan Cheney, and to a future Swim Dog, Brennan Cheney! Brennan will be joining the UGA Swim Team in 2021! To inquire about the Council or to donate to the scholarship you may reach Michael directly at [email protected].

33N83W is a podcast curated for the alumni and fans of the University of Georgia. It’s our mission with every episode to remind you of all the reasons why you can be proud to be a Bulldawg! We do this every episode by introducing you to the alumni and people who have made a difference and continue to inspire us!