Every athletic program needs speakers — but not every speaker is the right fit. The wrong choice can cost thousands of dollars and leave your players uninspired. The right choice can transform the room, energize your athletes, and strengthen your culture.

In this episode of The Player Development Pod, Ed Jones II — founder of Beyond the Field and author of The Player Development Guide — shares lessons learned from his time in player development at the University of Houston, Kansas, and Baylor. You’ll hear real stories of speakers who landed with power, and others who completely missed the mark.

We break down:

The 3 questions to ask before booking any speaker

Why video proof and testimonials matter more than social media followers

How to evaluate a speaker’s true lane of expertise

The underrated way to protect your credibility with coaches and staff

Why intentional speaker selection builds long-term trust in your role

If you’re a coach, administrator, or player development professional, this episode will give you a practical framework for finding the right voices to inspire your athletes.

🎧 Tune in and learn how to research, vet, and book speakers who don’t just talk — but truly connect.

The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com

Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1

Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program