Mike Buddie is in his fifth year as the Director of Athletics at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Buddie leads the athletic department's mission to develop leaders of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country, supporting Cadet-Athletes' 47-month experience at West Point. Under his leadership, Cadet-Athletes have achieved four Rhodes Scholars, 10 conference championships, NCAA postseason appearances, and 12 Patriot League Coach of the Year honors.

In December 2023, private funding was secured to begin the Michie Stadium Preservation Project in Spring 2024, expected to complete in Summer 2026, preserving Michie Stadium’s 100-year history. Buddie played a key role in Army's move to the American Athletic Conference for football only in 2024, enhancing the program's opportunities.

In September 2023, Buddie introduced the "Fruits of Victory" strategic plan, focusing on competitive successes, a premier Division I athletic experience, public engagement, revenue generation, and sustainability. He also announced contract extensions for six Army head coaches, including Jeff Monken for football.

AWPAA extended its partnership with CBS Sports Network for Black Knights football home games and continues facility enhancements, including the $95 million Michie Stadium Preservation Project. Buddie, also NCAA Baseball Committee Chair, has built national relationships leading to an extension with Nike and Bowl partnerships.

Before West Point, Buddie led Furman University’s athletics, achieving significant successes, including a balanced budget, major financial gifts, and 26 Southern Conference Championships. Previously, he spent a decade at Wake Forest University. Buddie, a former MLB pitcher, played for the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers.

A native of Berea, Ohio, Buddie and his wife, Traci, have two children, Zachary and Zoe.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

• The labor of love being done through the Michie Stadium Preservation Project
• The value of authenticity and consistency in leadership
• How Mike’s athletic background instilled a strong work ethic
• The impact of genuine actions and attention to small details
• The importance of constantly seeking knowledge and improving skills
• How clear and honest communication helps build strong relationships and trust
• How having a clear purpose and being driven by it provides motivation and direction
• The value of adapting and responding positively to setbacks and turning challenges into opportunities
• Mike’s mission to create a lasting impact in the lives of athletes through meaningful experiences and memories

Additional Resources:

• Website: goarmywestpoint.com
• Michie Stadium Preservation Project: https://www.michiestadium.com/
• Mike’s LI:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-buddie-a464102/
• Mike’s IG: @buddie52
• Books:
  • No Time For Spectators
  • The Obstacle is the Way

Erin “Big” Diehl is a Business Improv Edutainer, Failfluencer, Author and Keynote Speaker.

Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin created improve it!: a unique professional development company that uses improvisational comedy and experiential learning to sharpen leaders and teams so they can thrive in ever-changing environments, and do it with a whole lot of laughs along the way.

Erin Diehl is a graduate from Clemson University, a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional, and a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theater.

Having spoken on global stages with companies, including Amazon, LinkedIn, McKesson, and the Obama Foundation, Erin has an energy and message to share with the world that creates lasting ripple effects for change. As a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program and member of The Chicago Innovation Awards Women’s Cohort, Erin is a living testament to the power of life-long learning, and how working to understand ourselves helps others to do so, too.

Erin is the proud host of a Top 1% Global Podcast, The improve it! Podcast, which you can find anywhere you listen to pods! She is also a first time author to the Amazon Best Seller & Top New Release book: I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team Through Radical Empathy.

Among her many accolades, Erin is most proud of successfully coercing over 35,000 professionals to chicken dance.

When she's not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys walking on the beach with her husband, son, and eight-pound toy poodle, BIGG DIEHL.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The power of empathy in leadership and relationship building
• The concept of energy in leadership as the capacity to affect others positively
• How combining self-love and selfless leadership can impact culture
• Erin’s 3P’s that led to her becoming the author of Amazon’s Best Seller, “I See You”
• The impact of power skills like vulnerability and compassion in leadership
• The value of exercises and activities in personal and professional development
• How to learn from the experiences of good and bad leaders to improve your own leadership skills

Aditional Resources:

• Website: www.learntoimproveit.com & www.itserindiehl.com
• Podcast: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erindiehl
• Instagram: @itserindiehl
• Book: https://www.itserindiehl.com/i-see-you
• Listen to Previous Episode

Guest Bio:

Pat Carroll is a devoted husband and father of four but also a storied athlete and a respected leader in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. His journey began on the basketball courts of St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where he played as a Division 1 athlete.

Pat was a key player on the legendary SJU team that achieved a perfect 27-0 record during the regular season, earning them the #1 national ranking and a memorable run to the Elite 8 in March Madness.

In his senior year, Pat’s hard work culminated in being named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and the Big 5 Most Outstanding Player. That season, he led the nation with an impressive 135 made 3-pointers and set the record for the all-time leader in career 3-point field goal percentage in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Transitioning from the adrenaline of basketball to the fast-paced world of pharma and biotech, Pat has become a Commercial Director at Inizio Engage. His expertise now drives team development, sales strategies, and innovative practices in the industry.

Pat is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience, regularly contributing tips and best practices on LinkedIn, where he also indulges in his love for the art of shooting—both on the court and in business strategy.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The importance of trust and vulnerability in building high-performing teams

• The importance of preparation to ensure readiness for any situation

• How trust is a key component of a successful team, both 'earned trust' and 'given trust'

• The importance of clear roles and responsibilities within a team

• How overcoming adversity as a team can lead to a stronger, more cohesive unit.

• The importance of learning and teaching every day as a means of personal and professional growth

• How success translates from athletics to business, particularly in terms of preparation, teamwork, and performance

Additional Resources:

• https://inizioengage.com/

• Pat’s LinkedIn

• Pat’s X/Twitter