Octagon Speakers
Brian Billick
Wade Boggs
Bob Bowman
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Sebastian Copeland
Bill Cowher
Brad Daugherty
Jack Del Rio
Thomas Dimitroff
Jeff Hayzlett
Andrea Kremer
Marvin Lewis
Nancy Lieberman
Joe Maddon
Debbie Matenopoulos
Debbie Phelps
Lou Piniella
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Dr. Brett Reed
Gale Sayers
David Shaw
Ray Sherman
DeMaurice Smith
Mike Smith
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Justin Tuck
Tyrone Willingham
In 2001, Brian Billick led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory only two years into his tenure. A well-respected and successful NFL coach, Billick credits his accomplishments to passion, teamwork, and accountability. This innovative motivator is a leader by example who demands these same values from everyone in his organization. In his presentation, this respected NFL leader continues to prove that with dedicated management, enthusiasm for the cause, and respect and trust for his team, the ultimate goals are achieved. Billick has also written a new book, "More Than a Game: The Glorious Present and Uncertain Future of the NFL," which gives readers an inside look at professional football, both on and off the field. Billick currently serves as Fox NFL Analyst and is also a contributor for the NFL Network.
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Wade Boggs’ major league career was a regimented, meticulous, disciplined journey, taken day by day and step by step across 18 years. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as the 41st first-ballot honoree in Hall history when they resoundingly welcomed Boggs in early 2005. Boggs spent 11 All-Star seasons with the Red Sox in Boston (1982-92). He duplicated his success with the New York Yankees and helped them win a World Series title in 1996. After a short break, Boggs finished his career with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and reached his 3,000th career hit with the organization August 7, 1999. Individual honors included 12 consecutive All-Star appearances (1985-96); five batting titles (1983, 1985-88); and two Gold Gloves (1994-95). Wade’s Hall of Fame credentials were never in doubt. Wade finished his career with a .328 batting. Heavily involved in giving back, the Wade Boggs Foundation for Youth Athletics provides fundraising to help children in the Tampa area acquire sports...
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Coaching the best American swimmer to Olympic greatness might not be easy, but it has been worth it. Bob Bowman achieved great success at the international level as personal coach for the Olympic Legend Michael Phelps. Under the passionate coaching of Bowman, Phelps won an Olympic-record eight gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Summer Games, bringing Phelps' total to 14 Olympic golds overall. Bowman's contribution to the sport has been awarded with the USA Swimming Developmental Coach of the Year and the ASCA Coach of the Year Award. Not one to rest on his laurels, Bowman has already turned his focus to the London Games in 2012 and will surely have Phelps poised to continue his great success.
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As an award-winning photographer, author, lecturer, and environmental activist, Sebastian Copeland has made the fight for the protection of the environment his life’s work, in a way few have imagined. As an international speaker on climate crisis for over a decade, Sebastian has addressed audiences at the United Nations, the World Affairs Council, the General Assembly on Climate in New Orleans, the George Eastman House, Google Headquarters and to Apple’s Senior Design Team amongst others. He has appeared on Larry King Live, NPR, Air America, and Al Gore’s Current TV, as a champion of environmental causes. His early photography ranged from fashion and advertising to album covers and celebrities—with a noted style mixing Madison Ave. sensibility with downtown pop. Subjects included Elijah Wood, Kate Bosworth, Salma Hayek, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Phil Collins, Sandra Bullock, and Orlando Bloom. Amongst his various film studio clients are Disney, Universal, Paramount and Warner Bros....
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Whether it’s football, life, or a business, Bill Cowher believes that everyone should be instilled with three critical points. Everyone needs the right game plan, the right people and environment surrounding them, and the right approach to achieve all your goals. Cowher overcame adversity and many obstacles to win 161 games as he compiled the right game plan, molded the right players, surrounded himself with the right coaches, and had the attitude and mindset to envision victory every day he stepped on the field. The former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach stepped down on January 5, 2007 as the longest tenured head coach in the NFL after a 15 year run. In Cowher’s 15 seasons, the Steelers captured eight division titles, earned ten postseason playoff berths, advanced to six AFC Championship games and made two Super Bowl appearances. In 2006, the Steelers won Super Bowl XL under his direction, his first ever championship. In 2007, Cowher joined CBS Sports...
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Brad Daugherty is a former star basketball player at the University of North Carolina and later with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA. A five-time All-Star, Daugherty was taken first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1986 NBA Draft. During his professional career, he played in 41 postseason games and led the Cavaliers as far as the Eastern Conference Finals in 1992. After retiring due to recurrent back troubles, Daugherty served as a basketball analyst for ESPN. Having both a love for hoops and car racing, Daugherty changed gears in 2007 and became a NASCAR analyst for ESPN. He is a regular on the NASCAR Countdown program that precedes all NASCAR race telecasts and is an analyst on the daily NASCAR Now show. He is also part-owner of JTG Daugherty Racing and Tony Kostelnak Racing.
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Jack Del Rio was the second head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars and made his mark with them since his start in 2003. With Del Rio as head coach, the Jacksonville defense ranked sixth in the NFL in yards allowed (305.2 per game) and fifth in points allowed (19.0). The offense ranked fourth in rushing yards (131.1) and third in fewest turnovers (138). In 2000, Del Rio served as linebackers coach for what is widely considered to be one of the the greatest defenses in NFL history, the Super Bowl XXXV Champion Baltimore Ravens. During his playing career, Del Rio was an All-American linebacker at the University of Southern California, as well as a Pro Bowl selection in 1994 with the Minnesota Vikings. A star in two sports, he was also drafted out of high school by Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays. Although Del Rio has made a career out of playing and coaching college and professional football, he has also been a dedicated philanthropist. Del Rio and his family have been...
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Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has been named NFL Executive of the Year by the Sporting News. Known for his forceful yet charming personality, Thomas Dimitroff has reshaped manager positions in football. Not one to shy away from a challenge, general manager Dimitroff rebuilt the Atlanta Falcon franchise when no one else dared to. The team was plagued with several controversies from quarterback Michael Vick facing dog-fighting charges to coach Bobby Petrino abruptly quitting to take a coaching position at the University of Arkansas in 2007. Even so, Dimitroff rose to the occasion and as a result, has orchestrated the turnaround of the team in just one season. With his experience as a standout defensive back and captain at the University of Guelph coupled with his ascension through the scouting trails as a combine/BLESTO Scout, an Area Scout, National Scout, College Director of Scouting to his current position, Dimitroff has the knowledge and passion to...
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Jeff Hayzlett is a global business celebrity and former Fortune 100 executive. From small business to international corporations, he has put his creativity and extraordinary entrepreneurial skills into play. He has launched ventures blending his leadership perspectives, insights into professional development, mass marketing prowess and affinity for social media. Hayzlett is a well-traveled public speaker, the author of the bestselling book, The Mirror Test, celebrity editor to one of the largest-circulation business publications and one of the most compelling figures in global business. Dubbed “a born leader” by Mark Burnett, Hayzlett has successfully leveraged multiple media appearances on programs like Fox Business News, MSNBC’s Your Business and NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump. Drawing upon an eclectic background in business, buoyed by a stellar track record of keynote speaking, and deeply rooted in cowboy lore, Hazlett energizes his role driving and delivering...
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Andrea Kremer is more than just a role model for women, being the first female correspondent hired by ESPN. Rather, she personifies the kind of individual we should all look to as an example of a model citizen and a wonderfully successful business person. Kremer exudes passion and drive in all of her vastly different, yet complimentary endeavors. Whether it is supporting breast cancer research, which is one of the many areas Kremer is involved in, conducting exclusive interviews with the likes of Michael Jordan and Brett Favre, or spending time with her son, she is constantly practicing what she preaches by testing her physical and mental limits and making a difference in the world in any way that she can. Kremer is a wonderful example of someone who has overcome adversity and attained success by staying true to herself and not succumbing to other’s expectations, but rather creating and abiding by her own. Kremer currently serves as the sideline and feature...
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Marvin Lewis was handed his dream in 2003 when he was named the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. Just two years after joining the franchise, Lewis led the Bengals to their first winning season and division title in 15 years. Prior to coming to Cincinnati, Lewis led the defensive squad of the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens as their defensive coordinator in 2000. Lewis' reputation as a defensive genius and a rising star among the ranks of the NFL's assistant coaches was solidified by the dominating performance of the Ravens. Lewis not only spends time with his players on the field but also with the Cincinnati community and has already made an indelible impression in the community. Lewis made over 100 appearances in just his first two years and has become involved in over 15 different organizations. In 2003, Lewis and his wife Peggy launched the Marvin Lewis Community Fund to empower, educate, and inspire children while enriching the Cincinnati...
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On November 5th, 2009 Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman added a new piece of history to her already illustrious career when she was hired as the Texas Legends' first Head Coach. Lieberman, widely considered one of the most influential figures in women’s basketball history, is the first female head coach to lead an NBA or NBA D-League team. Nancy began coaching the Legends in November 2010. She even led the Legends to the playoffs in her first year. Lieberman then went on to become the Assistant General Manager of the Legends, a position which she currently holds. In addition to her many sports related accomplishments, Lieberman wrote her first business book “Playbook for Success” by Wiley Publishing in 2010. Nancy Lieberman made history again when she signed with the WNBA's Detroit Shock in July of 2008. She became the oldest player to ever play in the history of the league at the young age of 50. This breaks the previous record of 39 years old which Nancy established as a...
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Recently named 2011 AL Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America, Joe Maddon has revolutionized the managerial role of sports organizations. He is the living representation of what hard work, determination, and perseverance can bring to a struggling team looking for a leader. As the fourth manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Maddon has legendarily transformed the face of the team from a “laughable disjoined bunch of rookies and castoffs into a vibrant collection of up-and-arriving talent” (Schwartz). In his first season as manager, Maddon led the Rays to 41 wins at their home turf Tropicana Field, the most in the team’s history. Before Maddon, the Rays never won more than 70 games in their first seasons of existence and went 66-96 last year, the worst record in the American League. However, now with Maddon as their team manager, an individual who has been described by his players as calm, quiet, and trusting, the Rays finished the 2008 season in first place...
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Debbie Matenopoulos has consistently proven herself to be a versatile talent in the entertainment industry. After graduating from New York University with a degree in journalism, Matenopoulos started her career on Good Day Live before she became a part of the E! Netowrk family. For over 10 years, this two-time Emmy Award nominee has successfully sustained her career as a compelling journalist, talk show host and actress. Matenopoulos currently holds hosting positions on both E! and the Style Network. Known for her her quick-wit and keen journalistic skills, Matenopoulos continues to contribute to some of E! Network's other popular programs. In addition to her regular hosting positions, Matenopoulos also hosts the top-rated show Fashion Police.
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Not your typical mother of three children, Debbie Phelps has juggled between raising her children, teaching, and social service work. She is recognized as an innovative, energetic, talented leader and master teacher with nearly three decades of education experience. She co-chairs and has participated in public service announcements for the “One Campaign” for the Harford County Boys and Girls Clubs of America. During her teaching career in both counties she held many responsibilities including, but not limited to, the following: department chair, team leader, acting content leader, and co-coordinator of a Summer Institute. Watching Debbie live through the excitement of Michael's eight gold medal races in the 2008 Beijing Olympics quickly became "must-see TV." She exemplified what every American was feeling as Michael captured a piece of Olympic history. JOHNSON'S ® Baby recognized Debbie's devotion to her children by naming her "Mom of the Olympic Game." Debbie has also...
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Known for his explosive personality and contagious passion, Lou Piniella has redefined manager positions in baseball. Often hailed as a “miracle worker” by Cub fans and players alike, Piniella has leveraged the Cubs’ success substantially in his first two seasons as the 26th manager. Within this time frame, Piniella has guided the club to 182-141 record, consecutive National League central Division titles, and is the first Cubs manager to lead the club to consecutive post-season berths since the early 20th century. According to Cubs Vice-President/General Manager Jim Hendry: “Lou exudes success, is an excellent leader, and brings a humble, confident swagger to our entire organization.”Piniella has served as a Major League manager for a total of 23 seasons, and prior to joining the Cubs, Piniella managed the New York Yankees (1986-1988), Cincinnati Reds (1990-1992), Seattle Mariners (1993-2002), and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2003-2005). Piniella has received much recognition...
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A Waterford, Michigan native, Dr. Brett Reed began his fourth year as the men’s basketball Head Coach at Lehigh University in 2011. Reed is one of only 29 Division I men’s basketball head coaches in America under the age of 40, and one of only three coaches to have earned their doctorate degree. In his four years on the sideline, Reed has the most victories by a Lehigh head coach and collected a Patriot League championship in 2010.
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The “Kansas Comet” was a two time All American tailback whose 99 yard touchdown run as a sophomore against Nebraska is still an NCAA record today. Gale Sayers played four years for his state college, University of Kansas. He played his first NFL game with the Chicago Bears. Despite his short career (1965-1971), Gale Sayers is one of the greatest NFL players of all time. Sayers became the youngest player in NFL history to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Upon retirement from the Chicago Bears, Gale Sayers made his off the field life as exciting and productive as his football career. He has taken stake in a computer technology company, financial management training, and various community related programs. Sayers is also an accomplished author as his autobiography “I am Third” was adapted in the award winning television movie, “Brian’s Song.” Gale is a multi-talented individual who used pride, poise, leadership and loyalty to fuel his success in and out of football.
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David Shaw returned to his alma mater in January 2011 to be the Head Coach of the Stanford Cardinal football team. Shaw became the 34th head coach and just the fifth alum to hold said position. Stanford has emerged as a powerful contended in the Pac-12 and in the BCS, partly due to Shaw's success as an offensive coordinator and head coach.Shaw has also played a key role in the mentoring of quarterback Andrew Luck for the past three years. Prior to returning to Stanford as head coach, Shaw served as a coach on the collegiate and professional level. Aside from coaching, Shaw uses his position to enable change with several charitable organizations and initiatives in the California area. He also encourages his players to be actively involved in the Stanford community and on-campus charitable organizations.
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Ray Sherman is a notable offensive coordinator and position coach in the National Football League. He has coached for 36 seasons, including an impressive 22 seasons in the NFL. Sherman is known for his success in mentoring rookies and young talent through his listening skills and ability to establish great relationships with players. His success mentoring players is exemplified by their on-field success; however, he is credited by serving as a great off-the-field mentor as well.
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DeMaurice Smith was elected by the Board of Player Representatives in March 2009 as the new Executive Director of the NFL Players Association. Previously, he was a trial lawyer and litigation partner at D.C. law firm Patton Boggs, where he concentrated on white-collar criminal defense and tort liability trials. He was also Chair of the firm's Government investigations and White-Collar Practice Group. He has argued numerous cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. In addition, he has defended individuals in high profile criminal cases and Congressional investigations while also representing Fortune 500 companies in criminal and complex civil cases, compliance matters, and internal investigations. He also represented Halliburton, Shell Motor Company and Ford Motor Company during his career. Currently, Smith serves as the voice of all the league’s players in his new role as...
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As the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, one of Mike Smith's basic coaching philosophies centers on his team displaying sustainability. He wants his Falcons to be able to maintain a certain level of performance, not just each season, but from game to game, quarter to quarter and play to play. Smith is building a team that will consistently "be in the hunt" every year. Growing up with educators as influential parents can have a lasting effect on a person. Mike Smith is no different. Teaching is in his blood. It's what he loves to do. Smith’s teaching on the field has certainly paid off. After three seasons as the Falcons head coach he has a 33-15 overall record. In light of his extraordinary success, Smith has been named Sporting News’ 2010 Coach of the Year for his second time in two seasons. General Manager Thomas Dimitroff claims, “It is a true testament to Coach Smith’s leadership, preparation, and focus.” Smith holds a strong coaching background that includes 12 NFL seasons...
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Justin Tuck was drafted by the New York Giants in the 2005 NFL Draft. As a major contributor to the Giant's Super Bowl XLII win, Tuck has become an integral part of the Giants defensive line. Tuck kicked off his 2009 season as Week 1 NFC Defensive Player of the week. He recorded 11.5 sacks and 76 total tackles in 2010 en route to his second career Pro Bowl selection. Most recently, the NFL named Tuck as one of the 2011 Top 100 Players. Outside of football, Tuck and his wife Laura developed R.U.S.H. for Literacy, a program benefiting the children in his hometown community in Alabama as well as undeserved children in New York. Tuck's program donates thousands of new books and funds to children to help instill the ideals of reading at an early age.
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Tyrone Willingham was named the University of Washington's 22nd head football coach on December 13, 2004. A former head coach at Notre Dame and Stanford, Willingham became the first African-American to serve as the Huskies head coach. While he brings an impressive resume with him to resurrect the Husky program, Willingham has placed himself well among his peers for much more than just fielding winning teams. Over the past 28 years Willingham has developed a coaching style that emphasizes toughness, enthusiasm, intelligence, discipline, commitment and unselfish play. The result has provided his players with more than just the opportunity to enjoy victories on the field. His guiding principles have prepared his players to be successful in life.
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