Syndric Steptoe
University of Washington Athletics
Seattle,WA
20
years of professional experience
Senior athletics administrator and former NFL athlete with more than 10 years of progressive leadership experience within Power Conference athletics. Proven track record designing and scaling student-athlete development initiatives, leadership curricula, NIL engagement strategies, community impact programs, alumni networks, and career readiness systems. Recognized for building cross-functional partnerships among coaches, student-athletes, parents, academic leaders, donors, alumni, and university stakeholders to enhance student-athlete success and organizational culture. Experienced budget manager, educator, mentor, and strategic advisor committed to developing championship-caliber people and programs.
Work History
Senior Director, Football Affairs
2 Years 5 Months- Provide strategic leadership for football player development, engagement, culture-building, and off-field success initiatives for a nationally recognized Power Conference football program. Serve as a trusted advisor to coaches, student-athletes, families, and university stakeholders.
- Develop and execute crisis management plans for student-athletes.
- Lead NIL engagement initiatives for the student-athletes
- Direct comprehensive player development strategy, including leadership programming, community engagement, NIL initiatives, onboarding, and personal development.
- Directed comprehensive player development strategy, enhancing leadership programming, community engagement, NIL initiatives, onboarding, and personal development.
- Managed department resources and budget to support effective player development and engagement initiatives.
- Manage department resources and budget supporting player development and engagement initiatives.
- Supervised player development personnel, fostering a culture centered on accountability, leadership, service, and personal growth.
Director of Player & Community Relations
4 Years 8 Months- Directed football student-athlete development initiatives while serving as a key liaison among athletics, academics, community organizations, faculty, NIL partners, and university leadership.
- Served as the primary NIL liaison between football operations and external collectives during implementation of new NIL opportunities.
- Developed and managed community engagement efforts resulting in more than 1,100 annual service hours completed by football student-athletes.
- Developed and managed community engagement efforts that led to 1,100+ annual service hours by football student-athletes.
- Created Youth Impact Program to support at-risk and underserved middle school students.
- Founded Next Level Flag Football League, increasing youth athlete participation to over 450 annually.
- Created the Youth Impact Program serving at-risk and underserved middle school students.
- Founded the Next Level Flag Football League, growing participation to more than 450 youth athletes annually.
- Fostered a culture of diversity and inclusion within athletics, promoting equitable opportunities for student-athletes.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Adjunct Professor, Eller College of Management & Sociology
9 Years 3 Months- Created and taught university-level coursework on athlete transition, sports culture, leadership, and identity development, fostering student engagement and critical thinking.
- Developed innovative curriculum for "Life Cycles of Elite Athletes" and "Cultural Study of Sports," enhancing academic offerings and student learning experiences.
- Mentored hundreds of students in athletics, business, and leadership fields, guiding career development and promoting professional growth.
- Developed and delivered engaging course materials aligned with academic standards.
- Facilitated interactive discussions to enhance student understanding and participation.
- Evaluated student performance through assessments, providing constructive feedback for improvement.
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Empowered students to take ownership of their education by facilitating opportunities for independent research projects within specific areas of interest.
Director, Alumni Careers & Professional Development
2 Years- Secured $350,000 in funding for Wildcat Mentor Society initiative, enhancing program reach and impact.
- Co-created Bear Down Network to strengthen alumni engagement and expand mentoring opportunities nationwide.
- Managed career coaching, networking events, and leadership development programming for alumni, fostering professional growth and connections.
- Helped secure $350,000 in funding for the Wildcat Mentor Society initiative.
- Created “50+ back to work” program for alumni over the age of 50.
- Held monthly 1:1 career coaching sessions with alumni
Associate Director, C.A.T.S. Life Skills
2 Years 6 Months- Co-created the program called “Wildcat Way” which is a personal enhancement program for current, future, and alumni student-athletes
- Initiated and developed a new engaging and interactive freshmen summer transition class for all incoming student-athletes
- Advised student-athletes with leadership, public speaking, and networking opportunities
- Planned and led workshops throughout the academic year on topics including finance, career, and self-identity
- Point of contact for employer to student-athlete
- Created professional development series called “Bear Down 4 Life”
- Co-Facilitated Student Athlete Advisory Committee meetings (SAAC)
- Coordinator for bringing in and hosting public speakers for the athletic department
- Creator and Facilitator of student-athlete minority group called “Men and Women of Purpose”
- Athletic department diversity officer chair
Route Sales Representative
1 Year- Sales representative of the month two consecutive months
- Management and customer service experience
- Business to business sales for Frito lay products
- Managed a 1-million-dollar sales route
- Conducted regular route assessments to enhance delivery efficiency and reduce transportation costs.
- Implemented promotional strategies to increase product visibility and drive sales growth in assigned territories.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends and adjust routes for improved performance and customer satisfaction.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline processes, enhancing overall operational effectiveness.
Owner/Franchisee
2 Years- Oversaw business operations and personnel, driving annual revenue generation above $400,000.
- Mentored staff on best practices in food preparation and customer service excellence.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, reducing waste and improving product availability.
- Established strong vendor relationships to enhance quality of supplies and negotiate favorable terms.
- Evaluated operational performance, identifying areas for process enhancements and cost reductions.
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Increased customer satisfaction by implementing efficient business processes and providing exceptional service.
- Managed financial aspects of the business, including budgeting, and financial reporting.
Professional Football Player
3 Years- Executed strategic game plans to enhance team performance and achieve competitive advantages.
- Analyzed opponent strategies to adapt plays effectively during critical moments in games.
- Collaborated with coaching staff to refine tactics that maximized player strengths on the field.
- Volunteered for charitable events and supported positive public team image.
- Interacted professionally with press, fans and members of other teams to maintain positive public image of team.
- Participated in youth player clinics and offered insight into developing form and skills.
- Promoted teamwork by participating in team-building exercises both on and off the field.
Education
Master of Arts - Exercise & Sport Psychology
Bachelor of Arts - General Studies
Skills
Student-Athlete Development
Leadership Curriculum Design
Career Readiness Programming
NIL Strategy & Education
Organizational Culture Development
Executive Stakeholder Engagement
Community Relations
Strategic Partnerships
Budget Management
Staff Leadership & Supervision
Event production
Sports psychology referral coordination
Family engagement
Program evaluation
Athletic department policy development
Leadership Highlights
- Built player development systems at two Power Conference institutions.
- Founded multiple career readiness, youth development, leadership, and community engagement initiatives.
- Managed complex relationships across athletics, academics, parents, alumni, donors, and external partners.
- Developed programming impacting hundreds of student-athletes and thousands of community members.
- Combined experiences as an NFL player, business owner, educator, and athletics executive to create transformational leadership development frameworks.
Timeline
Senior Director, Football Affairs
University of Washington Athletics
03.2024 - CurrentRead More
Director of Player & Community Relations
University of Arizona Athletics
08.2019 - 04.2024Read More
Director, Alumni Careers & Professional Development
University of Arizona Athletics
08.2017 - 08.2019Read More
Adjunct Professor, Eller College of Management & Sociology
University of Arizona
01.2015 - 04.2024Read More
Associate Director, C.A.T.S. Life Skills
University of Arizona Athletics
01.2015 - 07.2017Read More
Route Sales Representative
Frito-Lay
01.2013 - 01.2014Read More
Owner/Franchisee
Froots
01.2010 - 01.2012Read More
Professional Football Player
Cleveland Browns
01.2007 - 01.2010Read More
Argosy University
Master of Arts from Exercise & Sport Psychology
Read More
University of Arizona
Bachelor of Arts from General Studies
Read More