In Episode 4 of the Spidcast, hosts Peter Swiek and Stephen Schaefer reconnect with Georgetown University McDonough School of Business alumnus Todd Cochran. A former Division I lacrosse standout for the Hoyas and an advisory board member for Hoyas Unlimited, Todd dives into the “Professional Pipeline” connecting elite athletics to corporate leadership.
The Reality of the D1 Student-Athlete
Todd walks listeners through the intense daily commitment required at the NCAA Division I level, where training, film study, weightlifting, and recovery routinely demand a six-hour daily commitment alongside heavy coursework.
When a senior-year Achilles tear cut his playing career short, Todd faced the hard truth that 98% of collegiate athletes will not turn professional in their sport. Navigating a transition into Wall Street sales and trading during the 2009 financial crisis, Todd developed a framework for translating athletic experience into corporate currency.
Executive X-Factors & Mentorship
Through his board work at Hoyas Unlimited, Todd mentors student-athletes making the leap into business. Key takeaways include:
- Coachability: The capacity to accept intense, real-time feedback, adapt execution, and internalize growth—a rare trait in corporate environments.
- The Short Memory: Bouncing back quickly from setbacks, failed sales calls, or project hurdles without losing momentum.
- We/They vs. I/Me: Shifting language away from personal ego toward collective execution, mirroring high-functioning team dynamics.
- Telling the Story: Framing off-season jobs (like driving Uber Eats) into quantifiable business metrics (profit margins, route efficiency, time management) to stand out in interviews.
The Roots of Lacrosse
The episode wraps with a deep dive into the rich history of lacrosse—North America’s oldest sport, rooted in Indigenous traditions where games spanned miles and involved entire communities. Todd highlights the Onondaga Nation’s ongoing legacy in the sport and the cultural reverence embodied by the annual Tewaaraton Award.
Where to Catch the Episode
- Listen & Watch: Full episode available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
- Connect with the Guest: Connect with Todd Cochran on LinkedIn and support Hoyas Unlimited through Georgetown Athletics.
- Support Spid Werkz: Support the foundation’s career transition and athletic programs at spidwerkz.com.