The Next Next

In this episode of The Next Next, Jason Jacobs sits down with Matt Wheeler and Chris Meade, co-founders of SportsRecruits. The company connects millions of high school athletes with college coaches, helping them find the right fit for their athletic and academic future. Matt and Chris share their entrepreneurial journey, starting from their days at Wesleyan University where they played lacrosse, to identifying inefficiencies in the sports recruiting process, and eventually founding SportsRecruits. They discuss the initial challenges, including their early model of filming lacrosse events and transitioning to a scalable digital platform. They reveal the company's scaling through partnerships with clubs and events, leading to a significant growth in user base. Furthermore, they highlight the company's recent acquisition by IMG Academy, aiming to deliver more value in the increasingly complex recruiting landscape. Beyond business, the conversation also touches on personal experiences and philosophies concerning youth sports, player development, and parenting. 00:00 Introduction to SportsRecruits 00:40 Founders' Background and Early Challenges 01:23 Transition to Digital and Business Scaling 01:44 Recent Acquisition and Future Vision 02:03 Reconnecting and Reflecting on the Journey 02:26 Welcome to the Show: Matt and Chris 03:26 Early Career Paths and Initial Business Idea 03:52 First Steps and Initial Struggles 07:14 Breakthrough Moment and Business Model Shift 17:59 Expansion into Other Sports 22:05 The Role of Clubs in Recruiting 28:21 Challenges and Successes in Scaling 34:42 The Importance of Technology in Recruiting 35:57 Defense vs. Offense in Club Marketing 36:53 The Role of SportsRecruits in Club Success 39:29 The Impact of AI and Future Prospects 40:39 Transitioning to Software and Funding Challenges 44:51 Acquisition by IMG Academy 55:57 Balancing Parenting and Youth Sports 01:06:01 Reflections on the Journey and Final Thoughts

Navigating Hockey Development with Advisor Brock Kautz In this episode of The Next Next, former University of Minnesota goalie and current hockey player advisor, Brock Kautz, shares his extensive journey from a junior hockey player to a college athlete and finally transitioning into coaching and player representation. Discussing his early beginnings in Minnesota hockey, Kautz highlights the importance of multi-sport participation, the evolving role of parents in youth hockey, and the significance of adapting to different roles within a team. He provides insights on player development, the impact of technology, and the essentials of being a good teammate. This episode offers valuable perspectives for young athletes, parents, and anyone involved in hockey. 00:00 Introduction to Brock Kautz 00:49 Brock's Early Hockey Journey 03:50 College and Coaching Career 11:10 Transition to Player Advisor 17:17 Parental Involvement in Youth Hockey 25:04 Hockey IQ and Skill Development 30:58 The Role of Coaches and Video Analysis 33:57 Embracing Roles and Identity in Hockey 36:08 The Rise of Agents and Advisors 41:48 Balancing Development and Exposure 43:56 Key Attributes Scouts Look For 47:16 Training, Burnout, and Multi-Sport Benefits 51:46 The Impact of Technology in Player Development 56:25 Changes in Junior and College Hockey 58:29 Life as a Hockey Advisor01:03:09 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason converses with Jesse Winchester, a former NHL player and player development coach for the Ottawa Senators. Jesse shares his unconventional journey to the NHL, emphasizing the importance of work ethic and passion. They discuss the evolution of the game, contrasting Jesse's development era with the present, and the increasing role of skill at the expense of hockey IQ. The conversation also delves into the challenges of raising young athletes today, balancing ambition, intrinsic motivation, and healthy development. The episode explores the potential for new platforms to better support youth athletes in their development, focusing on skill-building, competition, and balancing passion with structured growth. 00:00 Introduction to Jesse Winchester 00:43 Jesse's Journey to the NHL 01:10 Comparing Past and Present Hockey Landscapes 03:43 Early Influences and Work Ethic 15:32 The Role of Parents in Youth Sports 24:27 Balancing Structure and Freedom in Development 29:30 Building a New Athlete Development Platform 31:04 Emphasizing Joy in Skill Development 32:11 Balancing Development and Joy 33:59 Intrinsic Motivation and Gameplay 35:03 Challenges of Home Training 37:28 The Role of Parents in Development 38:47 Hockey IQ and Skill Development 42:25 The Importance of Video Analysis 44:44 Coaching Philosophy and Player Development 50:04 The Role of Agents in Player Development 52:15 Balancing Competitive and Personal Goals 57:37 Reflections on Personal Development 01:00:52 Future Plans and Advice for Parents

Matt Calvert: From Aspiring Accountant to NHL Veteran In this episode of 'The Next Next,' host Jason welcomes former NHL player and current player agent Matt Calvert. They delve into Matt's journey from a small town in Brandon, Manitoba, to becoming a professional hockey player with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche. The episode explores the contrasts in upbringing and development paths between Matt and his friend and former NHL teammate Colin Wilson. Matt shares his insights on youth player development, the importance of mindset, and how he balances structure with fun in coaching his own sons. They also discuss the role of player agents in today's hockey world and the value of small-scale, personalized player development. 00:00 Introduction to Matt Calvert 00:42 Matt's Early Life and Hockey Beginnings 03:34 The Journey to Professional Hockey 06:53 Draft Day and Early Professional Career 10:32 Making it to the NHL 26:22 Balancing Structure and Freedom in Training 40:01 Engaging Kids in Hockey Training 40:47 The Role of Fun and Competition 41:39 Coaching Styles and Learning from Others 43:16 Balancing Parental Expectations and Child's Enjoyment 44:09 Reading Your Child's Needs 48:14 Different Paths to Success in Hockey 52:31 Parental Involvement in Child's Development 57:13 Team Concepts vs. Individual Skills 01:02:18 Mindset and Handling Adversity 01:08:40 The Role of Agents and Advisors 01:17:09 Final Thoughts and Advice for Parents

Navigating the Evolution of Youth Sports with Coaches Matt Kingsley and Tobin Anderson In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason catches up with Matt Kingsley, associate head coach for Yale's men's basketball team, and Tobin Anderson, special assistant to the head coach at University of South Florida's men’s basketball team. They discuss their wealth of coaching experience across different levels of college basketball, sharing insights into the changing landscape of youth sports, athlete development, and the increasing role of specialization and privatization. The conversation covers the impact of modern sports structures on young athletes, challenges with accessibility, the balance between fun and competition, and the evolving responsibilities of parents and coaches. The episode closes with personalized advice for sports parents and reflections on their own journeys and the joy of seeing their kids thrive in sports. 00:00 Introduction to Guests: Matt Kingsley and Tobin Anderson 00:04 Matt Kingsley's Coaching Journey at Yale 00:27 Tobin Anderson's Diverse Coaching Experience 01:52 Personal Reflections and Catching Up 02:09 Discussion on Athlete Development Across Sports 02:42 Current Roles and Coaching Backgrounds 05:57 Changes in Youth Sports Development 06:49 Impact of Specialization in Sports 10:33 Parental Involvement and Organized Sports 14:54 The Business of Youth Sports 15:26 Positives and Negatives of Modern Youth Sports 19:12 Recruitment and Specialization Debate 26:29 Parental Roles in Athletic Development 31:46 Coaching Challenges and Personal Growth 32:53 Parenting and Coaching Dynamics 34:57 Youth Coaches' Impact 36:38 Balancing Involvement and Independence 41:02 Accessibility in Youth Sports 44:51 Development vs. Competition 48:01 Digital Solutions for Skill Development 57:46 Final Thoughts and Advice for Sports Parents

In this episode, the host sits down with Jack Ramsey, a former pro hockey player who grew up in the hockey-rich state of Minnesota. Jack talks about his journey through high school hockey, junior leagues, and college, as well as his transition to a tech job and roles as a hockey color commentator and high school assistant coach. The discussion covers the evolution of Minnesota's hockey landscape, the increasing specialization and commercialization of youth sports, and the challenges of burnout. Jack shares insights on the importance of balanced development, both on and off the ice, and reflects on how his father's legendary hockey career influenced his own path. The episode also touches on potential digital solutions to make high-level hockey knowledge more accessible to young players and their families. 00:00 Introduction to Jack Ramsey 00:04 Jack's Hockey Journey 00:55 Minnesota Hockey Landscape 02:56 Jack's Early Life and Family Influence 06:33 High School and College Hockey11:55 Youth Sports Specialization 15:18 Balancing Passion and Development 24:03 Minnesota vs. New England Hockey Models 32:41 Nature vs. Nurture in Hockey Development 40:27 Digital Platforms for Hockey Development 44:54 The Role of Assessment in Player Development 46:14 The Business of Youth Hockey Coaching 48:46 Challenges of the Hockey Path 49:36 The Importance of Relationship Skills 52:26 The Junior Hockey Landscape 55:54 Balancing Hockey and Life 57:56 Teaching Hockey IQ 01:00:31 The Value of Shift Reviews 01:02:05 Innovative Ideas for Player Development 01:04:15 The Role of Advisors in Player Development 01:09:35 The Importance of Skating 01:12:29 Making Development Resources Accessible 01:21:26 Jack's Current Endeavors and Future Plans

In this episode, former professional ice hockey player Colin Wilson, who played 11 seasons in the NHL with the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche, discusses his journey in the sport. As a third-generation NHL player, Colin delves into how genetics and family environment (nature and nurture) influenced his development. He shares insights on his upbringing, the mentorship from his father and grandfather, and the competitive landscape of growing up in Winnipeg. Colin reflects on his career, his transition out of professional hockey due to injury and addiction recovery, and his current academic pursuits at NYU. The conversation also explores broader themes of youth sports development, ambition, balancing pressures, and the potential of digital platforms to democratize access to elite training and mentorship. Colin's experiences and reflections offer a thoughtful perspective on what it takes to succeed in hockey and life. 00:00 Introduction to Colin Wilson 00:25 Exploring Nature vs. Nurture in Hockey 01:25 Colin's Journey in the NHL 03:27 Early Beginnings and Family Influence 06:25 Challenges and Competitiveness in Youth Hockey 08:36 Parental Influence and Self-Drive 24:53 Transitioning from Hockey to Life Beyond 31:01 Reflecting on Personal Experience and Stress 31:40 Changes in Hockey Development Pathways 32:15 The Cost of Hockey and Social Inequality 33:23 Positive Developments in Hockey Skills 34:01 Challenges of Balancing Development and Enjoyment 37:42 Potential of Digital Platforms for Hockey Training 40:42 Cross-Training and Year-Round Play 43:09 Parental Perspectives on Youth Sports 52:54 Exploring Career Paths Post-Hockey 54:56 Future Involvement in Hockey and Advice for New Ventures

Elevating Youth Sports: The Journey and Vision of CoachUp with CEO Alex Stone In this episode, the guest is Alex Stone, CEO of CoachUp, a service that connects athletes with private coaches aimed at changing kids' lives through sports. Alex discusses the origins of CoachUp, its growth, and its mission in the youth sports space. He shares insights into the evolution of youth sports, emphasizing the importance of one-on-one and small-group training, and the challenges and opportunities of running a sports-focused two-sided marketplace. Alex also dives into the strategic decision to open physical training centers, blending digital and physical spaces to enhance the athlete and coach experience. Additionally, he recounts his personal journey from being a Marine to working with Under Armour and eventually leading CoachUp. Alex reflects on the current youth sports landscape through the lens of both a business leader and a parent, highlighting the impact of sports on children's development and the crucial role of quality coaching. 00:00 Introduction to Alex Stone and CoachUp 00:31 Jason's Quest for a New Athlete Development Company 02:40 Alex Stone's Background and Journey 04:36 CoachUp's Evolution and COVID Challenges 13:29 Alex's Personal Connection to Youth Sports 14:43 The Changing Landscape of Youth Sports 17:43 Supporting Coaches and Athletes with Technology 24:43 The Challenges of Building a Marketplace 27:05 Flexible Business Structure for Long-Term Growth 28:04 The Logic Behind Opening a Physical Facility 30:22 Benefits of a Physical Location for Coaches and Clients 32:01 Balancing Coverage and Quality in Coaching 39:04 Remote Coaching vs. In-Person Training 41:17 Measuring Progress and Success in Youth Sports 45:19 Growth Strategies and Market Penetration 49:13 Future Plans and Key Priorities 50:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Jason Jacobs, a seasoned entrepreneur, shares his journey towards building a new company focused on youth sports, specifically hockey. He recounts his evolution from exploring AI and flexibility in startups to delving into sports tech due to his experience as a parent involved in his child's hockey development. Jason hosts Kevin McCoy, a long-time friend, and youth hockey coach, to discuss the differences between past and present youth hockey, the role of technology in sports, and the importance of balanced development for young athletes. They also explore the potential of a digital platform to transform player development by providing accessible and structured training at home. The conversation highlights the need for better user experience in sports tech and how AI could revolutionize talent discovery and development. 00:00 Introduction and Host's Journey 00:30 Exploring Sports Tech and Youth Hockey 01:08 Guest Introduction: Kevin McCoy 01:36 Kevin's Hockey Background 04:08 Youth Hockey Development and Coaching 16:21 Differences in Hockey Ecosystems 29:12 Balancing Development and Competition 34:20 Dad's Role in Development and Exposure 35:42 Challenges and Strategies in Youth Hockey 40:27 Importance of Off-Ice Training 43:29 Balancing Skills and Hockey IQ 46:24 The Role of Video in Coaching 48:07 Technology in Hockey Development 53:53 Future of Player Development Platforms 01:00:48 Final Thoughts and Advice for Parents

In this conversation, Jordan Fliegel, co-founder and CEO of Shareholder Ventures, shares his journey from professional basketball to entrepreneurship. He discusses his ventures, including the creation of CoachUp and Draft, acquired for $48 million. The focus shifts to acquisition entrepreneurship, exploring how aspiring business owners can buy existing companies, especially amidst the aging baby boomer population. Fliegel also touches on the evolving youth sports landscape and innovative investment strategies, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and community support in fostering entrepreneurial success.