Alumni relations isn’t broken but it is changing.

In this episode, I close out the 12 Days of Player Development by tackling alumni relations in a portal-happy world. With athletes transferring more than ever, programs are being forced to rethink alumni identity, engagement, and connection.

You’ll hear:

• Why alumni relations still matter deeply

• How to define alumni in today’s landscape

• The importance of short-term but intentional engagement

• What current players must commit to

• How to support graduates immediately after they leave

This episode is for player development professionals, athlete engagement staff, coaches, and administrators navigating the new reality of college sports.

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

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

🎙 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

Player development can transform your program. Period.

In Day 11 of the 12 Days of Player Development, I break down 8 specific ways player development improves culture, leadership, communication, alignment, and sustainability in sports organizations.

This episode is for:

• Coaches feeling stretched thin

• Athletic directors seeking long-term stability

• Programs tired of constant distractions and turnover

We cover:

• Culture and accountability

• Player-led leadership

• Reducing noise and drama

• Continuity through change

• Coach burnout prevention

• Better information flow

• Whole-building alignment

If you want a program that develops people and elevates performance, this episode is for you.

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

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

🎙 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

Most sports management students graduate without ever hearing about player development. That is a problem.

In this episode, I explain:

• Why player development is missing from most curricula

• What the role truly looks like day to day

• Who should pursue it and who should not

• The challenges behind the scenes

• Why this role is growing faster than ever

I also share why I wrote The Player Development Guide and how it serves as a blueprint for students, professionals, and departments preparing for the future of sports.

If you care about people more than titles and impact more than credit, this episode is for you.

📩 Speaking and department partnerships
edward@btfprogram.com

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

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

🎙 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