When we talk about people who truly understand the ins and outs of college sports, especially where money and athletes meet, one name often comes up: Brad Wolverton. He spent a good deal of his time writing about these very topics, making sure people knew what was happening behind the scenes. You know, it's almost like he was there for a long stretch, watching how things changed and developed.
Brad Wolverton, a writer who used to work for The Chronicle, started his reporting journey back in 2005. He gave a lot of his attention to college athletics, really digging into how money and sports became so closely linked on school grounds. He looked at the ways financial matters influenced the games and the students who played them, which, you know, is a pretty big deal when you think about it.
His work has gone beyond just writing articles, too. He has helped many different media companies and brands make their content better and reach more people. It's like he has a special way of helping them show what they do and how they affect others, so you know, they can really make a difference.
Table of Contents
- Getting to Know Brad Wolverton - A Brief Overview
- What Did Brad Wolverton Write About at The Chronicle?
- Brad Wolverton's Role Beyond Reporting
- How Does Brad Wolverton Help People Find Money for Sports?
- Brad Wolverton's Recognition and Contributions
- Why Was Brad Wolverton Given the Drake Hero Award?
- Brad Wolverton's Current Work and Focus
- What Kind of Stories Does Brad Wolverton Think Are Important?
Getting to Know Brad Wolverton - A Brief Overview
Brad Wolverton has a rather interesting path, one that mixes his love for sports with his skill in writing and helping others. He spent a good many years as a senior writer, giving his attention to college athletics for a well-known publication. This means he has seen a lot of things happen in the world of college sports, and he has a good sense of how things really work. He is also someone who likes to share what he knows, which is why he has taken on different roles over time. For example, he helps businesses make their messages clearer and more powerful. It's like he has a special touch for making words work for people, so, you know, they can get their ideas across better.
Personal Details and Background of Brad Wolverton
| Role at The Chronicle | Former Senior Writer (started 2005) |
| Educational Background | B.S. from the University of Maine; M.B.A. |
| Academic Affiliation | Adjunct Faculty at UMPI (University of Maine at Presque Isle) |
| Podcast Host | Sports Scholarship Stories |
| Current Role | Director of Content at The Hustle |
| Key Reporting Area | Confluence of money and sports on college campuses |
| Notable Recognition | Inaugural Drake Hero Award recipient |
What Did Brad Wolverton Write About at The Chronicle?
Brad Wolverton, during his time as a senior writer for The Chronicle, spent a lot of energy writing about college athletics. He didn't just cover the games themselves, but he truly looked at the connection between money and sports on school grounds. This involved figuring out how financial matters influenced everything from team decisions to the lives of student athletes. He often wrote about the various ways money flowed through the system, and how that affected the people involved. For instance, he looked at how schools spent money, how athletes might get paid, and how all of that played a part in the larger picture of college sports. It's actually a pretty important topic, as it shapes so much of what we see in college athletics.
One very notable piece of work Brad Wolverton helped with involved bringing to light a group of companies that tried to stay hidden. These companies were offering college students a way to get help with cheating for money. This was a significant discovery, showing a side of college life that was not supposed to be there. It's a kind of story that really makes you think about what goes on behind the scenes, and Brad Wolverton played a big part in showing it to the public. He had a way of finding these hidden things, so, in some respects, he was very good at investigative work.
Brad Wolverton's Role Beyond Reporting
Brad Wolverton's work isn't just about writing articles for publications. He also puts his skills to use helping other companies and brands. He works with them to make their content better and to get their messages across to more people. This means he helps them figure out what to say and how to say it, so their words have a stronger effect. It's about making sure their stories are clear and interesting, which, you know, is a big part of how businesses connect with their audience these days. He really tries to help them do their best work.
He is also a part-time teacher at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, which is often called UMPI. This shows that he shares his knowledge with others, helping to educate new generations. It's a way for him to pass on what he has learned from his many years of working in writing and media. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Maine and also has a master's degree in business, which, you know, gives him a broad base of understanding for his work.
How Does Brad Wolverton Help People Find Money for Sports?
One of the ways Brad Wolverton helps people is through his podcast, which is called "Sports Scholarship Stories." This podcast is all about helping young athletes and their families figure out how to get money for sports. It's a very practical kind of help, giving them information and ideas on how to secure financial support for their athletic pursuits. He talks to people who have been through the process, sharing their experiences and advice. This is a big deal for many families, as finding money for college sports can be a tough thing to do. He gives them a lot of good ideas, so, in a way, he makes things a little easier for them.
As the host of this podcast, Brad Wolverton brings his deep understanding of college athletics and the money side of things directly to those who need it most. He has a knack for breaking down what can seem like a complicated topic into something that is easy to grasp. It's about giving people the tools they need to make good choices and to find opportunities they might not have known about otherwise. He helps them see the path forward, and that, you know, is a very valuable thing for young people with big dreams.
Brad Wolverton's Recognition and Contributions
Brad Wolverton has received special recognition for his work, showing that his efforts have been noticed and valued by others in his field. He was picked to be the very first person to receive the Drake Hero Award. This award was given out at a special event put on by The Drake Group, an organization that cares a lot about college sports and making sure things are fair. Getting this award means that his work has had a real effect and that he is seen as someone who stands up for what is right in the world of college athletics. It's a big honor, and it speaks to the quality of his reporting and his commitment to important topics, so, you know, it's a testament to his character.
His reporting on important legal cases also shows his dedication. He was a reporter covering the O'Bannon v. NCAA trial back in 2014. This was a legal situation that questioned the rules around how college athletes could be paid for their names, pictures, and how they looked. It was a very significant case that brought up many questions about fairness in college sports. Brad Wolverton was there, reporting on what happened, helping people understand the details of this important legal fight. His work helped shine a light on the issues at play, which, you know, is a vital part of good journalism.
Why Was Brad Wolverton Given the Drake Hero Award?
Brad Wolverton received the Drake Hero Award because of his contributions to the discussion around college sports, especially his reporting that brought important issues to light. The Drake Group often recognizes individuals who show courage and integrity in standing up for academic values and the well-being of college athletes. His reporting on the connections between money and sports, and his willingness to look at the tough questions, likely played a big part in him being chosen. It suggests that his work went beyond just reporting facts; it helped push for changes and better ways of doing things in college athletics. He truly made a difference, and that, you know, is what makes someone a hero in their field.
The award also recognizes people who are committed to fairness and accountability in college sports. Brad Wolverton's stories often looked at the less glamorous side of college athletics, where big money and complex systems could sometimes overshadow the students themselves. By bringing these stories to the public, he helped create a more open discussion about what needed to change. This kind of work is very important for making sure that college sports serve the students first. It's pretty clear that he was picked for this award because he cared deeply about these things, so, you know, his dedication really stood out.
Brad Wolverton's Current Work and Focus
Today, Brad Wolverton is the person in charge of content at The Hustle. This means he helps guide what stories are told and how they are presented for a company that shares news and information in a quick, engaging way. It's a role that lets him use his skills in storytelling and his understanding of what makes content interesting to a wide audience. He helps shape the voice and the message of The Hustle, making sure that their readers get information that is both useful and fun to read. He is constantly thinking about how to make stories better, which, you know, is a big part of his daily work.
He also contributes as a guest columnist, sharing his thoughts and insights on various topics. This shows that he continues to be an active voice in the world of media and journalism. His experience as a reporter who covered the O'Bannon v. NCAA trial means he brings a deep understanding of complex issues to his writing. He is someone who looks at the details and explains them in a way that makes sense to people. It's clear that he enjoys sharing his thoughts and helping others understand the world around them, so, in a way, he is always teaching.
What Kind of Stories Does Brad Wolverton Think Are Important?
Brad Wolverton believes that to make a story better, you need to add something called "conflict." This doesn't mean fighting, but rather showing the different sides of a situation, the challenges, or the things that make a story interesting and real. It's about showing the struggles and the triumphs, the things that make people care about what they are reading. He thinks that when a story has these elements, it becomes more powerful and stays with the reader longer. He really tries to find the heart of a story, and that, you know, often involves looking at where things are not simple.
He has written very moving stories, like one about a football player named Cathey. Brad Wolverton spent three months with Cathey, getting to know his life and experiences. This kind of deep reporting allows for a story that is not just about facts, but about the human side of things. It's often described as a powerful and sometimes heartbreaking story, showing the dedication Brad Wolverton has to telling a full and honest account. He truly gets into the lives of the people he writes about, and that, you know, is what makes his stories so impactful.
His article portfolio on Muck Rack gives a good look at the many different pieces he has written over time. It shows the range of his interests and the depth of his reporting. You can find his contact information, like his email address and links to his social media, if you want to connect with him. He is a professional who is quite active online, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, where he is part of a very large community of members. He is someone who truly understands how to communicate, and that, you know, is a very useful skill.
