Dr. Jamil Northcutt

CSO

Sports Leadership | Strategic Growth | Partnerships & Advancement | Player Development & Engagement | Business Strategy & Operations

Dr. Jamil Northcutt is a seasoned sports executive with over 20 years of experience across the NCAA, NFL, and MLS. As the Founder/CEO of Strategic Transitions Advisors LLC, he specializes in strategic growth, leadership development, and business development. Jamil has held key leadership roles, including Senior VP of Player & League Advancement at MLS, overseeing player engagement, league advancement, business development, risk management, and club relations. An Ole Miss alum with a doctorate in higher education, Jamil has dedicated his career to helping athletes, people, and organizations thrive by helping them navigate dynamic environments strategically.

Marques Colston

Founding Partner

Business Strategy | Brand Strategy | Operational Strategy

Marques Colston is a former NFL star who defied the odds, rising from the 252nd draft pick to become the New Orleans Saints' all-time leader in major receiving categories. Following his 10-year career, Marques transitioned seamlessly into business, applying the same Creating Separation mindset that defined his football success. Over the past 15+ years, he has become a trusted leader in business strategy, private equity, and sports business, driving sustainable growth for companies across various sectors. As a founding partner of Champion Venture Partners, Marques focuses on innovative investment opportunities that generate meaningful returns in the sports ecosystem.

Kyle Auffray

Operations | Sports Tech | Venture Growth | Strategic Partnerships | Business Development | Sports Management | Fundraising

Principal

Kyle Auffray, a former NFL player turned entrepreneur, brings a wealth of experience in sports tech, venture growth, and business development. After a professional football career, Kyle transitioned into the sports tech space with Comcast, where he has driven revenue growth and business expansion for numerous startups. With extensive connections in the sports industry, he has played a pivotal role in developing strategic partnerships and overseeing business development initiatives. As a venture partner at Champion Venture Partners, Kyle leads value-added initiatives for portfolio companies, particularly within the sports tech ecosystem.

Milton Overton

Athletic Director, Kennesaw State University

Milton Overton is the Athletic Director at Kennesaw State University (KSU), where he leads the department in advancing its mission to provide a comprehensive and competitive athletic program. He joined KSU in 2020, bringing over 20 years of experience in collegiate athletics. Prior to KSU, Overton served in various roles at multiple institutions, including as Athletic Director at Florida A&M University and Assistant AD at the University of Memphis. His leadership is focused on student-athlete success, academic achievement, and overall program growth. Overton is committed to fostering a culture of excellence and community engagement within the KSU athletics program.

Tamica Jones

Chief Operating Officer, Kennesaw State University

Tamica Smith Jones serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Kennesaw State University’s Department of Athletics, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Owls Athletics. Since joining KSU in February 2021, she has overseen key areas such as strategic planning, game operations, budgeting, scheduling, and facilities management. Tamica also serves as the program administrator for men's and women's basketball and acts as the department's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) liaison. Her leadership has been instrumental in achieving milestones such as the women’s basketball team’s first home and conference-winning seasons in nearly a decade and hiring impactful coaching staff, including men’s basketball coach Antoine Pettway following the team's historic March Madness appearance. With over two decades of experience in collegiate athletics, Tamica is committed to advancing Kennesaw State’s mission of academic and athletic excellence.

DR. Elaine Venter

Lecturer, School of Communications and Media, KSU

Dr. Elaine Venter is a media communication strategy and content professor and professional. She coaches students and clients to develop and evolve their brand identity and plan and create winning communication strategies and content. A sports and esports enthusiast, she is a former esports coach and director of a collegiate esports program.

Dave Walens

Founding member KSU Owls Collective, Owner, Explorer Inc.

Dave Walens is a founding member of the KSU Owls Collective, a group focused on enhancing opportunities for student-athletes at Kennesaw State University. He is also the owner of Explorer Inc., where he leads initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and business growth. Walens combines his entrepreneurial expertise with a passion for advancing collegiate athletics, working to create pathways that support both athletic performance and community engagement at KSU.

Reggie King

Former KSU MBB Student-Athlete, KSU Black Alumni President, NBA analyst

Reginald King is a two-time Emmy-winning sports journalist with over 12 years of experience in editorial and digital media. A former Kennesaw State University men’s basketball student-athlete, he now serves as the President of the KSU Black Alumni Association. King has worked with ESPN, WBD Sports, and the NBA, covering major events such as the NBA Finals and All-Star Weekend. Known for his in-depth analysis and innovative storytelling, he is passionate about community engagement and giving back to his hometown of Macon, GA.

Kali Terza

Track and Field Athlete, KSU

Kali Terza, Senior at Kennesaw State University, majoring in Criminal Justice and excelling as a record-breaking athlete on the KSU track and field team. Specializing in the hammer throw, weight throw, and shot put, she has earned multiple ASUN Conference titles, NCAA Championship qualifications, and represented Team USA at the U20 World Championships. A standout both on the field and in the classroom, Kali is an Academic All-American and a trailblazer in NIL partnerships, including a high-profile deal with WWE. She is passionate about empowering student-athletes to succeed in sports, academics, and branding opportunities.