Ash Puri became the VP/AD at Saint Joseph’s University in May 2026 and has built a deep connection to the city of Philadelphia after serving as AD at La Salle and a senior administrator at Villanova. I ask Ash what it’s like being an AD in such a crowded Philly sports scene. And what does it take to be an effective AD at a Catholic university in 2026 when college athletics is changing so much? Puri talks about how AI can help an AD and athletic department. The conversation then turns to the inside thought process behind SJU’s Main Line Health uniform patch. Ash discusses how he approached the overall assessment of the athletic department when he took the job at SJU. Puri then shares his leadership style and who he models it after from others in his career. Ash also shares why it’s important to look at different industries for inspiration and understanding what publications are worth the time.
- 0:00 Introduction
- 0:34 Connection to Philadelphia
- 4:20 How does a Philly AD navigate a crowded sports city
- 11:15 What does it take to be an effective AD at a Catholic University?
- 18:54 Initiative for Human Formation in an Age of AI
- 26:55 Background on the SJU & Main Line Heath Uniform Patch
- 34:45 Assessment Upon Arrival
- 39:20 Not Having to Move for your Job
- 41:00 Leadership Style
- 49:30 Studying and Learning for Inspiration
- 53:40 Course Outline for Professor Ash Puri
Thank you to the following HEA Sponsors
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