Todd Turner founded CSA Search & Consulting, then known as Collegiate Sports Associates, in 2010 following a 32-year career as an intercollegiate athletics administrator. After supporting the establishment of a collegiate consulting and executive sport practice with Winston-Salem-based International Sports Properties, Turner founded CSA to provide similar services to a broader range of collegiate sports partners. During Todd’s tenure as President, CSA led over 250 executive search and consulting projects with more than 100 NCAA Division I schools, conferences, and affiliated organizations. In January 2023, Todd transitioned to serving as CSA’s Chairman and remains actively involved in the firm’s search and consulting practices.
Todd has led search and consulting projects with a diversity of partners, including recent work on:
- Director of Athletics at The Ohio State University
- Commissioner for the Southern Conference
- Sports Sponsorship study with Texas A&M University
- Associate Commissioner for the Big East Conference
- Athletics Program Review with University of California, Los Angeles
- Commissioner for the Big South Conference
Prior Experience
Todd served as the Director of Athletics at four major NCAA Division I Universities over a twenty-one-year period: the University of Connecticut (1987-90); NC State University (1990-96); Vanderbilt University (1996-2003), and the University of Washington (2004-2008). He is most noted for his work on NCAA Academic reform while at Vanderbilt University. Through his determined leadership, the concept of applying competitive rewards and penalties to the academic performance of student-athletes became a reality in 2005 when the NCAA membership voted to adopt the principle.
Todd began his career in collegiate sports administration at the University of Virginia (1976-1987).
Education
Todd received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1973. In 1976, he earned his M.Ed. in Sports Administration from Ohio University where he was honored with the Ohio University Graduate School’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993.
Recognition and Service
Todd is a past President of the Division 1A Athletic Directors’ Association (now FBS AD’s Association) and a former member of the Association’s Board of Directors. He is also the author of the Association’s original “Code of Ethics” and “Statement of Core Values” for Division 1A Directors which are foundational documents for the profession. In 2012, he was named the recipient of the Homer Rice Award, presented by the Association to a former athletic director with a distinguished career, who has made a significant impact on the profession and intercollegiate athletics. A frequent presenter and speaker on intercollegiate athletics issues, he is often engaged by thought leaders in the industry such as the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics where he serves as a consultant.
Personal
Todd currently resides in West End, NC with his wife, Sara. The Turner’s have four adult children and eight grandchildren.