#263: Jess Riden-University of North Carolina

🎙️ **Gill Connections Podcast - "Impressing at Every Turn with Jess Riden"**

**Host:** Mike Cunningham, National Business Development Manager

**Guest:** Jess Riden, Associate Director of Track and Field at the University of North Carolina

In this insightful episode of the Gill Connections Podcast, Mike Cunningham sits down with Jess Riden, the Associate Director of Track and Field at the University of North Carolina. Jess brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective on the operational side of collegiate track and field. 🏃‍♀️🎽

**Episode Highlights:**

1. **Housekeeping and Shoutouts** 📣:

- Mike starts with a shoutout to a listener's review, highlighting the success of the state meet qualifying podcast series.

2. **Introduction to Jess Riden** 🌟:

- Jess's impressive journey from Reedsville, Pennsylvania, to her current role at UNC.

- Her background as a multi-sport athlete in high school and her path to collegiate track and field.

3. **Role of a Director of Operations** 📋:

- Jess discusses her transition from sports journalism to sports information director roles at Bucknell and East Tennessee State before moving into operations.

- The evolution of her role at Penn State, Washington, Stanford, and now UNC.

- The importance of organization, communication, and creating a supportive environment for coaches and athletes.

4. **Challenges and Successes** 🏆:

- The complexity of managing large-scale meets and the intricacies of compliance, budget, and travel logistics.

- Jess shares anecdotes about significant meets and the behind-the-scenes efforts that ensure their success.

5. **Career Development and Leadership** 🌱:

- Jess emphasizes the significance of networking and continuous learning.

- Insights into how to maintain professionalism and advance in a career without necessarily moving into coaching.

- The role of mentorship and building strong relationships within the athletic department.

6. **Quote of the Episode** 💬:

- Jess's memorable quote, "You never know who you're going to impress," serves as a reminder of the importance of always putting your best foot forward.

7. **Looking Ahead** 🔮:

- Future goals and aspirations for Jess in her career.

- Advice for young professionals looking to enter the field of sports operations and management.

**Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jess Riden as she shares her journey, the importance of operational roles in collegiate sports, and how her leadership has made a lasting impact on track and field programs across the country.**

**Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts to let us know what you think!**

🌟 Explore Our Archive: Dive into over 200 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends like Sean Carlson of Univ of Tennessee, Dave Smith of Oklahoma State, Kyle Rutledge of Pitt State, and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.

📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow him on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), shoot him an email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or send a text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from our listeners! 🎧👍