Prodigy Search Assists Pop Warner Little Scholars Find New Leader
January 10, 2025 – Prodigy Search, a boutique recruiting firm serving the talent needs of media, sports, and entertainment organizations, has helped to recruit Steve Strawbridge as its next president and CEO of Pop Warner Little Scholars. He succeeds Jon Butler, who retired at the end of the 2024 season after 33 years as executive director. Mr. Strawbridge is only the fourth chief executive to lead Pop Warner Little Scholars since its inception in 1929.
“When we began the search, we set out to find a leader who would embody the long-held values and vision of Pop Warner, possess impeccable leadership qualities, and demonstrate a genuine passion for youth development through sports,” said Wynn Jessup, chairman of the Pop Warner board of directors. “We found that person in Steve Strawbridge. Steve brings an enormous wealth of relevant experience in the sports industry, a respect for Pop Warner’s heritage and a passion for youth sports. Following three decades of extraordinary leadership from Jon, Pop Warner is excited to welcome Steve’s perspective on growing the organization to serve even more young people across football, cheer and dance.”
Mr. Strawbridge was chief administrative officer of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In this role, he managed operations, sales, and oversight of the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week, including the annual NFL game, enshrinement ceremonies, and concert. Mr. Strawbridge helped oversee construction of the youth fields for the National Youth Football and Sports Complex and the 23,000-seat Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, home of the prestigious Ohio State Athletic Association high school football state championship and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. Before this, Mr. Strawbridge served as director of merchandising for the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working on the culmination of a player’s journey, celebrating their achievements and legacies,” said Mr. Strawbridge. “I’m excited to now be part of the earliest stage of those journeys, helping young student-athletes take their first steps, develop their potential, and build character through sport, education, and teamwork. Through football, cheer, dance and academics, Pop Warner’s mission of shaping young lives on and off the field is something I believe in deeply, and I look forward to helping grow that impact.”
For nearly 100 years, Pop Warner has been synonymous with youth football in America and has been a leader in competitive cheerleading and dance for generations. The organization has been recognized as a leader in player safety and the balance of academics and sports. In this leadership role, you will set the vision for the organization, serve as brand steward, and position the organization for growth and long-term stability.
Related: Prodigy Search Assists USA Lacrosse in the Recruitment of New CEO
Through tackle football, flag football, cheerleading, or dance, Pop Warner is committed to creating positive experiences for young people in a structured and supervised environment, where they have fun and develop critical, lifelong values and skills including teamwork, leadership, perseverance, physical fitness, academic success and a respect for others.
Sports and Entertainment Specialists
Prodigy Search, which has been involved with the sports and entertainment business for years, is one of the sector’s leading boutiques. The firm has placed hundreds of candidates into a variety of functions and roles. It represents all disciplines, including senior management, sales, marketing, operations, and administration.
Prodigy’s client roster reads like a Who’s Who of the sports world. It includes: the Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Lakers, Pittsburgh Steelers, TD Garden/Boston Bruins, AEG Worldwide, Liverpool Football Club, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Oak View Group, Live Nation, PGA TOUR, Legends, the TGR (Tiger Woods) Foundation, and Endeavor.
Aside from the traditional sports space, over the years, Prodigy Search has expanded by bringing its expertise from the traditional sports business to the “non-traditional” sports space. Prodigy Search has done work throughout the ever-expanding esports industry; sports technology industry; and education and non-profit industries. Today, the firm’s senior partner involvement, high level of service, and transparency of process have presented opportunities to expand beyond sports and entertainment.
An industry veteran with nearly 40 years’ experience in wide array of disciplines within the sports and entertainment business, Scott Carmichael founded Prodigy Search in 2007. Prior to founding the firm, he served as head of the National Hockey League’s club marketing department for nearly 10 years.
Related: Prodigy Search Assists United States Association of Blind Athletes in Selecting New Board
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
