Today's Guest: Professional Baseball Player and Founder of Optimal Baseball Performance- Steve Johnson

Born and raised in Baltimore, today’s guest made his mark early at St. Paul’s School, where he became one of the most decorated players in program history. A four‑year varsity starter with a 34–5 record, a 1.54 ERA, and more than 300 strikeouts, he also swung the bat with authority—hitting .365 with 13 home runs and 84 RBI. His high‑school career was packed with standout moments: a no‑hitter, a perfect game, a 20‑strikeout performance, and state records for doubles in a season and runs in a career. He remains the only player ever named first‑team All‑Metro all four years, earned Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2005, and joined an AFLAC All‑American roster filled with future MLB stars.

After being drafted by the Dodgers in 2005, he spent more than a decade in professional baseball, rising through the minors, making his MLB debut with the Orioles in 2012, and later pitching for the Mariners. His first big‑league win came on a date that mirrored his father’s own milestone exactly 23 years earlier—a moment that cemented his place in Orioles lore. Across 14 professional seasons, he logged over a thousand minor‑league innings, posted a 6–1 MLB record, and eventually transitioned into developing the next generation of players through Optimal Baseball Performance, founded in 2019.

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Connect with us on our social platforms and website LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-career-consulting/ and Instagram as well as X: @athcareerpod.

5 Tips and Tricks: for Careers in Athletics Podcast is a show hosted by Dr. Morey Mossovitz and Jen Albanese. Each episode invites a person in an athletic career and asks them their five best tips and tricks for working in athletics.

Today's Guest: Account Manager, Partnership Marketing at LA Clippers- Joe CarelloToday’s guest is someone whose journey through the sports industry reads like a masterclass in turning opportunity into momentum. A proud product of Syracuse, he graduated in 2020 with a degree in Sport Management and wasted no time diving headfirst into the world he knew he wanted to be part of.

From managing for one of college basketball’s most storied programs, to gaining NBA‑level experience with the LA Clippers.

After making the move to Los Angeles in 2021, he sharpened his commercial skill set in sales before returning to sports full‑time, rejoining the very Clippers partnerships team where he once interned. Today, he plays a key role in Partnership Marketing, managing day‑to‑day execution for several major corporate partners, crafting integrated strategies, and ensuring brands get real value from their association with the Clippers.

And if that wasn’t enough, he was on the front lines for one of the franchise’s biggest milestones—the opening of Intuit Dome in August 2024—helping partners activate in a brand‑new arena and bring fan‑facing experiences to life. Strategic, detail‑oriented, and deeply committed to elevating partnerships, he’s become a trusted connector between brands and one of the NBA’s most dynamic organizations.

Follow and like this podcast as well as leave questions in the comments that may be answered on future episodes. Connect with us on our social platforms and website LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-career-consulting/ and Instagram as well as X: @athcareerpod. 5 Tips and Tricks: for Careers in Athletics Podcast is a show hosted by Dr. Morey Mossovitz and Jen Albanese. Each episode invites a person in an athletic career and asks them their five best tips and tricks for working in athletics.

Today's Guest: Former NFL Quarterback, Educator & Social Justice Advocate- Don McPherson

From the days when he commanded a huddle in Central New York, this quarterback set the standard early. As captain of an undefeated Syracuse team in 1987, he rewrote the record book with 22 school marks, led the nation in passing, finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, and collected more than18 national player-of-the-year honors—including the Maxwell Award, the Davey O’Brien Award, and the very first Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He went on to play professionally in both the NFL and CFL, cementing his reputation as one ofthe most accomplished signal callers of his era.

His impact didn’t stop when the cleats came off. In 2000, while serving on the Nassau County Sports Commission, he created the John Mackey Award to honor college football’s top tight end. He became a trusted voice of the game as acollege football analyst for ESPN, NBC, BET, and later as the lead studio analyst for Sportsnet New York. Along the way came lasting recognition: induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the retirement of his iconic number at Syracuse in 2013.

In recent years, his influence has stretched far beyond the field. He published You Throw Like A Girl in 2019, spotlighting decades of work using sport to confront social issues and prevent gender-based violence. He earned the National Football Foundation’s Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award in 2020 and Syracuse University’s William Pearson Tolley Medal for Distinguished Leadership in Lifelong Learning in 2021, honoring a lifetime of service, leadership, and philanthropy. Follow and like this podcast as well as leave questions in the comments that may be answered on future episodes. Connect with us on our social platforms and website LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-career-consulting/ and Instagram as well as X: @athcareerpod. 5 Tips and Tricks: for Careers in Athletics Podcast is a show hosted by Dr. Morey Mossovitz and Jen Albanese. Each episode invites a person in an athletic career and asks them their five best tips and tricks for working in athletics.

Today's Guest: Syracuse University Associate Athletic Trainer- Kat Chaney

Her journey in athletic training began with early recognition, earning multiple honors in 2002 and 2003, including a GLATA Living Memorial Scholarship Award for leadership, service, and excellence. She completed her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology at Michigan State University in 2003.

That same year, she became an AHA‑certified CPR instructor and later earned her master’s degree in exercise science from Syracuse University in 2007. During her graduate studies, she served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer from 2005 to 2007.

She joined the Syracuse University Sports Medicine staff in 2007, spending more than a decade as an assistant athletic trainer before stepping into her current role as associate athletic trainer overseeing women’s lacrosse in 2018.

Along the way, she contributed as the Gatorade co‑manager, taught as an adjunct professor beginning in 2012, and served on the Syracuse University Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Committee from 2016 to 2022. Her professional development included certifications in PBFR, COVID contact tracing, Graston M1, and ACC Coach Whole Athlete training. She has also been an active member of NATA, BOC, and NYSATA.

A dedicated clinician, educator, and leader.

Follow and like this podcast as well as leave questions in the comments that may be answered on future episodes.

Connect with us on our social platforms and website LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-career-consulting/ and Instagram as well as X: @athcareerpod.

5 Tips and Tricks: for Careers in Athletics Podcast is a show hosted by Dr. Morey Mossovitz and Jen Albanese.

Each episode invites a person in an athletic career and asks them their five best tips and tricks for working in athletics.

Today's Guest: CEO of Youth Athletes United - Adam Geisler

We dive into the story of a leader who has spent his entire career shaping the world of sports, performance, and youth development on a global scale. He’s helped legacy brands evolve, fueled explosive start up growth, and managed some of the most iconic names in athletic culture.

From guiding a 118 year old fitness institution through international expansion… to scaling a hyper growth sports performance company from $3 million to $50 million… to overseeing a portfolio of global sports brands representing over a billion dollars in retail sales—our guest has done it all.

But his most transformative work began when he turned his attention to the next generation. Today, he leads the country’s fastest growing youth sports franchise platform—one built on a simple belief: every child is an athlete. Under his leadership, this organization has doubled revenue in under six years, grown to more than 360 units and 220 owners, and now impacts over 400,000 kids every single year through brands like Soccer Stars, Amazing Athletes, and TGA.

Driven by a team first mindset and a mission to positively shape children’s lives through foundational sports experiences, he continues to push this movement forward—one young athlete at a time.

Follow and like this podcast as well as leave questions in the comments that may be answered on future episodes. Connect with us on our social platforms and website LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-career-consulting/ and Instagram as well as X: @athcareerpod.

5 Tips and Tricks: for Careers in Athletics Podcast is a show hosted by Dr. Morey Mossovitz and Jen Albanese. Each episode invites a person in an athletic career and asks them their five best tips and tricks for working in athletics.

Today's Guest: Duquesne University Athletics Assist. Dir. of Creative Content- Hanna Lewandoski From the classroom to the sidelines, today’s guest has built an incredible career in sports media and creative storytelling. Her journey began at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she studied journalism at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism from 2018 to 2021, earning her B.A. in Journalism.After graduation, she stepped into the world of collegiate athletics as a Video Intern for Florida State University Football, producing motivational videos and assisting with game-day operations. In 2022, she advanced to Assistant Director of Creative Content for the University of Pittsburgh Women’s Basketball team, creating dynamic social and recruiting content.Her creative expertise continued to grow at Syracuse University Athletics, where she served as Producer and Videographer from 2023 to 2025, managing content for championship-caliber programs and coordinating coverage for 20 intercollegiate teams.Today, she’s leading storytelling efforts at Duquesne University Athletics as Assistant Director of Creative Content, producing hype videos, overseeing major media projects, and bringing athletic moments to life across multiple platforms.Follow and like this podcast as well as leave questions in the comments that may be answered on future episodes. Connect with us on our social platforms and website LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-career-consulting/ and Instagram as well as X: @athcareerpod. 5 Tips and Tricks: for Careers in Athletics Podcast is a show hosted by Dr. Morey Mossovitz and Jen Albanese. Each episode invites a person in an athletic career and asks them their five best tips and tricks for working in athletics.

Today's Guest: Director of Operations for Olympic Sports at Maryland- Clara Hollander

From Baltimore, Maryland, to the heart of College Park, today’s guest has built an impressive career in collegiate athletics. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Maryland in 2018, she didn’t waste any time diving into the world of sports operations. During her time as a student, she was a four-year operations intern with the Men’s Lacrosse team and held internships across Marketing, Development, and theTicket Office.

Following graduation, she took her talents to the University of Missouri, serving as a marketing assistant during the 2018–2019 season, overseeing promotional efforts for multiple sports. By 2019, she was back with the Terps as a Marketing Assistant for Marketing Strategy and Fan Experience, leading initiatives for women’s soccer and baseball while supporting men’s basketball.

In July 2021, she stepped into her current role as Director of Operations for Olympic Sports at Maryland, where she coordinates and executes day-to-day team logistics for Field Hockey, Wrestling, and Men’s Lacrosse. And along the way, she earned her master’s degree in Strategic Communications from UMGC in 2022.

Follow and like this podcast as well as leave questions in the comments that may be answered on future episodes. Connect with us on our social platforms and website LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-career-consulting/ and Instagram as well as X: @athcareerpod. 5 Tips and Tricks: for Careers in Athletics Podcast is a show hosted by Dr. Morey Mossovitz and Jen Albanese. Each episode invites a person in an athletic career and asks them their five best tips and tricks for working in athletics.

Today's Guest: Dir. of Athletics, PE, and Health @ Liverpool Central School District- Ari Liberman

Today’s guest is a lifelong Central New Yorker whose influence on student-athletics spans decades.

After earning multiple degrees from Syracuse University in Physical Education, Instructional Design, and Educational Leadership, he began his career as a teacher and coach in the Syracuse City School District (1996–2004). In 2004, he became Supervisor of Athletics and Physical Education at Henninger High School, later adding Nottingham HighSchool to his oversight.

His leadership extended regionally as Vice President of the SCAC Conference and Vice Chairman of Section 3 Football and Basketball Committees, roles he has held since 2004.

Since 2014, he has served as Director of Athletics, Physical Education, and Health at Liverpool Central School District, guiding a multimillion-dollar facilities expansion, multiple state championships, and navigating the challenges of COVID-19. He has also led numerous capital improvement projects and advanced professional standards throughspecialized training in Artificial Turf Management and .

A proud product of Syracuse and passionate advocate for Liverpool, he continues to shape the future of student-athletics.

Follow and like this podcast as well as leave questions in the comments that may be answered on future episodes. Connect with us on our social platforms and website LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-career-consulting/ and Instagram as well as X: @athcareerpod. 5 Tips and Tricks: for Careers in Athletics Podcast is a show hosted by Dr. Morey Mossovitz and Jen Albanese. Each episode invites a person in an athletic career and asks them their five best tips and tricks for working in athletics.