Jan. 4, 2008

Name: Dale Arens
Institution/Organization: The University of Iowa
Number of years in your position: 5
Alma Mater: Westmar College
Hometown: LeMars, Iowa (Ice Cream Capitol of the World)

Your role in NACDA: ICLA President
Why you became involved in NACDA: Professional development, education, peer relationships.
Favorite part about being in NACDA: New friendships with peers in our industry and at other institutions.
Biggest challenge to working in athletics: Changing dynamics and politics.
Greatest accomplishment to date: I share this with my bride of 25 years. Two children, ages 20 and 16, whose choices reflect the moral, educational, social, and spiritual values with which they were raised.
Most important skill you have developed in your career: Caring. Leadership is accomplished by compelling others to follow through example. You will likely follow any person who cares about you as an employee and likewise your staff will follow you if you care about them.
Best advice you were ever given: Mark 12:30-31
Most influential person in your career: No one person. I have a group of guys who hold me accountable to be a man of integrity both personally and professionally.
Where you see yourself in 10 years: Older, wiser, vertical (hopefully), and still at The University of Iowa.
Advice for those looking to get into athletics administration: This actually applies to whatever you choose... Identify what your God given gifts and abilities are and pursue a career that uses those gifts and abilities. When you do, you will find a job that you love, and if you find a job that you love, you will never work a day in your life.

Dream Job: See above. I have a dream job.
Hidden Talent: I can cook, decorate, and construct. I'm like a love child of Martha Stewart and Bob Villa
Current cell phone ring: Stimulating vibration
One item you cannot live without: My favorite vegetable.., chocolate!
Who would you choose to switch places with for a day: Are you kidding? Superman of course.
If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would you go: Holy Land/Israel
If you could attend one sporting event this year, it would be: Super Bowl and The Masters. Can I pick two? Too late, I just did.
Four people you would like to have dinner with: God and ANY other three individuals who don't think He exists.

My favorite ...
Place to eat: Bob's Drive Inn in my hometown. Best hotdogs in the world!
Flavor of ice cream: Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough with famous homemade Arens Family hot fudge sauce.., low-cal of course.
Sports memory: Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl win in 1970... It's been a long drought.
Movie I've seen this year: Ratatouille
Pro Team: Kansas City Chiefs
TV Show: Seinfeld
Musical group/artist: Mercy Me (Christian rock)
Childhood memories: Hunting with my dad and five brothers. I rarely shot/hit anything, but didn't realize until I was an adult, that it really wasn't about hunting. Rather, it was about spending time together.
Holiday: Christmas
Gift I've received: The last toy and/or the next toy I receive (d) College campus: I actually have never been on a campus that I didn't enjoy. I like the uniqueness of each individual campus.