Testimonials
Purdue Men's Basketball
I think the effectiveness of your training was magnified by having someone from outside our program come in to talk. The tips you gave were not only good for the players to hear, but the coaches as well.
I would certainly recommend your training session to other basketball programs around the country.
Matt Painter
Head Basketball Coach
Gonzaga Men's & Women's Basketball
It was evident you had done your homework prior to arriving on campus, and I think you related well to them. It was obvious you earned their respect - and attention - from the beginning.
Your social media presentation - both in the one-on-one and group sessions - provided a great wake-up call to our student-athletes as well. The message coming from you, as an outsider who had easy access to their information and as someone they didn't know prior to walking into the room, made a huge impact on how they now view and utilize social media.
Oliver Pierce
Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
North Carolina State University Wolfpack
"PROTECTING BRAND YOU ON FACEBOOK" SOCIAL NETWORKING RESPONSIBILITY PRESENTATION
MVP's presentation on social networking responsibility to our student-athletes was outstanding. You captured and held their attention for the entire time. More importantly the message you gave them about both the positive and negative sides of social networking showed them the importance of being concerned about their online reputations. Consider this my highest recommendation to other schools -- and they all need you to deliver your message whether they think so or not.
Sherard Clinkscales
Associate Athletic Director
University of South Florida Bulls
"PROTECTING BRAND YOU ON FACEBOOK" SOCIAL NETWORKING RESPONSIBILITY PRESENTATION
MVP's Social Networking presentation provided our student-athletes here at the University of South Florida with a deeper understanding of how to use social networking outlets. MVP's presentation encourages the audience to use wisdom and responsibility while expressing their thoughts, views, and feelings through Facebook, Twitter, etc. On behalf of USF Athletics, we thank MVP for sharing his time and experience to benefits our student-athletes.Brian Clark
Academic and Student-Athlete Development Coordinator
Northern Illinois Huskies
"PROTECTING BRAND YOU ON FACEBOOK" RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL NETWORKING PRESENTATION
Your presentation was an invaluable tool for our coaches and staff while also creating a forum for further discussion amongst our student-athletes. Your ability to find real examples of poor decisions student-athletes make on their social web pages provides a phenomenal teaching opportunity. Our student-athletes were surprised you could so easily locate information on their social sites.
Many students do not clearly understand what postings are harmful to their future. Therefore, consistent monitoring and education is necessary to avoid unpleasant outcomes.
Monique Bernoudy
Associate Athletic Director for CHAMPS/Life Skills
CIAA -- All Athletic Directors & Head Coaches
"PROTECTING BRAND YOU ON FACEBOOK" RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL NETWORKING PRESENTATION
I have received a number of very positive reviews from our ADs and head coaches who attended our CIAA spring meeting.
Your message the mentoring and educating our student-athletes is as or more important than disciplining them for mistakes they make was a real eye-opener to many in attendance.
Your casual and engaging presentation style not only relates well to staff, but also would endear you to student-athletes as well.
I would certainly recommend you, your presentation and UDiligence service to other schools and conferences as it's the best I've seen.Monique A.J. Smith
Associate Commissioner
Lewis University Flyers
"PROTECTING BRAND YOU ON FACEBOOK" RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL NETWORKING PRESENTATION
I believe our athletes benefited from your presentation and it can only help them down the road.
Brian Summers
Assistant Athletic Director
Mizzou Rec Services & Wheelchair Basketball Team
"PROTECTING BRAND YOU ON FACEBOOK" RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL NETWORKING PRESENTATION
Missouri State Bears Men's & Women's Basketball, all other athletes & Head Coaches
MVP lived up to its name with a comprehensive and inclusive media seminar for our entire department. They were able to spend extra time on the areas we wanted to emphasize, provided simulated interviews, and helped our student-athletes and coaches understand how to stay calm and in control in an interview setting. I would highly recommend Kevin and the MVP team.
Rick Kindhart
Assoc AD for Media RelationsJust like we have a game plan between the lines, Kevin provided our team with a game plan for working with the media and protecting our brand.
Cuonzo Martin
Men's Basketball Coach (now at Tenn)
Big Ten Network
BLOG & MEDIA MONITORING/ANALYSIS
The information, statistics and analysis your service provides is helpful in our decision-making process and helps us better understand our viewers and other Big Ten fans as well.
I would recommend MVP and your blog monitoring service to anyone who wants to drill down into information contained in new and traditional media.
Elizabeth Conlisk
Vice President of Communications
George Mason Patriots Men's Basketball
I was so pleasantly surprised by their response when I asked our players afterwards. They raved about what they had learned and how much fun it was.
We appreciate the professional manner in which it was presented. We know it was worthwile. We will be sure to let others know how our athletes benefitted from your expertise.
Jim Larranaga
Head Men's Basketball Coach (now at U Miami)
Temple Owls Mens & Women's Basketball
Your engaging presentation kept held the players' attention the entire time, and that's not an easy thing to do. Additionally, the on-camera interviews provided in-depth opportunity to show our high-profile players the mistakes they were making in a direct-but-effective way and provided them immediate instruction on how to improve their interview skills.
Several athletes have commented to me about the effectiveness of the program and how they were able to implement your suggestions in their subsequent interviews with reporters.
You have an effective, engaging and interactive media training program that I would highly recommend to any of my fellow SID's. It is the best we have experienced here at Temple. I look forward to having you back.
Larry Dougherty
Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
Andretti Autosport -- IZOD Indy Car
Drivers: Danica Patrick, Marco Andretti, Tony Kanann,
Hideki Mutoh & Owner: Michael Andretti
MVP's trainers were well prepared and posed very specific challenges to our participants that spoke to exact topics and questions we faced in the months that followed. It was obvious they were there to train us in our environment and did not ask us to deal in generalities that would have to be applied later. I would not hesitate to contract with MVP again and hope to have that opportunity again soon.Al Larsen
Director of Media and Promotions
US Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team
It was apparent that you took time to learn about each athlete ahead of time. The sessions were very professional, but came across as personal to our athletes. That left a great impression on our athletes, and the feedback from them has not only been positive, it has been enthusiastic.
USSS could not be more pleased with the results, and I would highly recommend MVP to any NGB that is interested in doing media training. In fact, USSS plans on engaging MVP for a follow-up session prior to the Olympic Games.
Taylor Payne
Media Relations Director
MLS - Chicago Fire
The feedback from our players and coach was very positive -- I have been told by one player already that he has put your tips to use in his latest interview.
Hopefully Chicago will be the first of several Major League Soccer (MLS) teams that utilize your services.
Daniel Jankowski
Media Relations Director
Winthrop Eagles
ONLINE MEDIA TRAINING PROGRAM
Over the 20 years I have been at Winthrop, I have met with our teams prior to each season to provide media interview tips. This year we utilized your online media training program and found it exremely superior to what we were trying to do in-house.
Our athletes found it helpful with how to respond to media interviews and improve their physical appearance and mannerisms during an interview.
I would highly recommend MVP's online media training program to any intercollegiate athletic department.
Jack Frost
Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
Indy Racing League
The drivers were able to experience interview sessions firsthand and then have the opportunity to critique themselves and learn from their mistakes.
I had several drivers tell me they appreciated the session.
I would not hesitate to recommend you to any sports organization and hope we can continue to work together in the future.
Tim Harms
Media Relations Director
Oregon State Beavers
You relate well to the student-athlete; making them feel the heat without being in the fire; making them think before they engage their mouths, and providing them the skills to control an interview.
I have witnessed a new level of confidence in the students who participated in the training have had since working with you.
I would definitely recommend you to any institution that inquires.
Linda A. Johnson
Associate Athletic Director for Life Skills
St. Joe's Men's & Women's Basketball
I feel that it was well received by the student-athletes and that they enjoyed the interactive nature of the presentation. The individual on-camera sessions with the players were beneficial, especially since we had a successful season and had a good amount of media coverage.
I would recommend MVP to any school seeking to do a media training presentation with its athletes.
Marie Wozniak
Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
Arkansas Razorbacks Men's Basketball
The one-on-one sessions were exremely valuable. For some that may be the first time they've seen what they look and sound on television. The tough questions were perfect.
The group session at the end of the day was a nice way to wrap it up. The example interviews, both good and bad, tied together many of your suggestions.
Robby Edwards
Associate Sports Information Director
Drexel Dragons
It was the first time that we brought in a company to help train our student-athletes and overall we were very pleased with the results.
A few of our players, who didn't necessarily feel they needed the training, have told our staff that the session they had with MVP has made them feel more comfortable interviewing with the media this year, which is exactly the result we wanted.
Nick Gannon
Senior Associate Athletics Director
Longwood Lancers
Your presentation was clear and concise in addressing the best practices when taking part in an interview. Furthermore, you explained the proper way to conduct oneself when representing the institution in public forums. Your media clips and presentation format made the process enjoyable for all. Based on the feedback I received, this program was a great success.
Troy Austin
Athletic Director
Air Force Academy Falcons
The individual practice sessions you conducted with me and members of the staff were outstanding. I'm confident we'll see benefits of this training in the months ahead.
Dr. Hans J. Mueh
Director of Athletics
Coast Guard Academy Bears
Our student-athletes have a great deal of interaction with the American public by virtue of their affiliation as cadets at one of the nation's federal service academies. The skills they learned in your training sessions and the information that you provided will enhance their professionalism in dealing with the media and the public -- both as college athletes and as future leaders in our nation. As a result, I can strongly recommend your sports media training to all levels of student-athletes, from large universities to small colleges.
Just as an athlete must respond in the sports setting, so too must individuals be prepared to be agile and effective in dealing with media. I am sure that the skills and knowledge you provided for our athletes will be just as helpful in their future careers as officers in the Coast Guard as they are now as collegiate student-athletes.
Ray Cieplik
Athletic Director
Strutmaster's Racing - Nationwide East Series
Driver: Matt Lofton
Your class was excellent and we couldn't have been more please with the detail and depth of your program.
I was also impressed with the information you provided beyond interview skills. It is extremely important to brand a professional athlete, particularly in NASCAR, and the tips and pointers you provided are greatly appreciated. I'm certain as racing season moves on, we'll be calling on you again.
Will Ansardy
Crew Chief
Fordham Rams
Nearly all of our student-athletes were in attendance and I have heard only positive feedback from them about the program.
Spending the time with our higher profile athletes in one-on-one sessions really benefitted them throughout the year. They were able to put your instruction to use and have all been enthusiastic about your guidance to them.
We would certainly recommend your program to any school that is looking to educate their student-athletes about improving their interview skills.
Marianne Reilly
Senior Associate Director of Athletics
Baylor Bears Football
UTEP
Oral Roberts Eagles Men's & Women's Basketball & Baseball
For a reference, please contact Cris Belvin, (918) 495-7181.
Cris Belvin
Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
Oregon Ducks Women's Basketball
Mount Saint Mary's - The Mount - Women's Basketball
We now feel very confident when dealing with interview situations and we truly feel that we have grown in our communication skills and in our appreciation of the job and service that the media provides for our program. The training that you provided has been one of the important ingredients in strengthening our team this season.
Vanessa Blair
Head Women's Basketball Coach
Colorado State Rams Men's Basketball
Many of our players never thought about how they appeared in the media before your session. All of your examples really helped them understand how professional the need to act any time they are in the public's eye.
All of our players, coaches and administrators were very pleased with your presentation and interaction.
Mike Lefler
Assistant Sports Information Director
Texas Tech Red Raiders
"YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE IS YOUR RESUME" PRESENTATION
Felicia Martin
Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services
Southern Mississippi Eagles
ONLINE MEDIA TRAINING PROGRAM
The MVP online media training is a valuable tool for student-athletes, especially with the ever-increasing media coverage in every facet of athletics. The training you provide is invaluable, because not only does it demonstrate realistic interview scenarios in the sports world, but it is also a great tool for general communication. While every student-athlete won't have the opportunity to be in the news media, at some point, they will all have to interview for a job.
The student-athletes at Southern Miss enjoyed the training. Many of them gave feedback such as "after going through the media training exercises I have a better idea of how to be in control, instead of situations controlling me" and "I feel like even if I never get the chance to speak to a news reporter, I am better prepared for job interviews and learned communication skills and tips that can help me in everyday life."
MVP online sports media training is a great tool for all student-athletes!!
Lauren Hillman
CHAMPS/Life Skills Director
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing -- IZOD Indy Car
Drivers: Tim Conway & Justin Wilson
Elizabeth Cannon
Director of Media Relations
Rutgers University Scarlet Knights
Training just completed, details coming soon!
