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Director of Athletics Brian Mann
William & Mary announced Brian Mann as the university’s director of athletics on June 23, 2021. Mann has 18 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, the private sector and professional sports and was most recently the senior associate athletics director at the University of California, Berkeley.
“With the selection of Brian Mann as William & Mary’s next director of athletics, the university will benefit greatly from his exceptional professional and personal leadership experiences in intercollegiate athletics. He has a wonderful habit of exceeding goals at top institutions, which also is a hallmark at William & Mary,” said President Rowe at the time of his hiring.
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Mann is responsible for the daily operations of the athletics department and its approximately 500 student-athletes and 120 coaches and staff. He will oversee a departmental budget of nearly $30 million and the university’s 23 Division I varsity sports.
While he joined W&M Athletics in 2021, Mann is not a newcomer when it comes to William & Mary. “Many years ago, I toured the campus with a friend. I fell in love right then and I’ve been keeping an eye on William & Mary ever since,” he said. “I am so grateful to President Rowe and the search committee for giving me this incredible opportunity.”
The impact of a student-athlete’s experience is intensely personal, said Mann. “While my parents weren’t able to secure their degrees, they instilled in their five children the importance of higher education. I know how difficult it is to earn a college degree, especially at an institution with the rigorous standards of a Public Ivy. Being a former student-athlete, I also understand the commitment, discipline and hard work the Tribe’s student-athletes demonstrate every day.”
As chief development officer/senior associate athletics director at UC Berkeley, Mann was the architect for the athletics department’s $350 million portion of the university’s $6 billion campaign. He helped orchestrate a $12.5 million gift to create a new student-athlete development program, a $10.8 million bequest in support of women’s athletics and the first-ever head coach endowment for a women’s sport at Berkeley. He had sport oversight of the men’s basketball team and was a key contributor to the department’s ongoing strategic plan.
According to Jim Knowlton, director of athletics at Berkeley, “Brian has been a critical leader in Cal Athletics during his time with us in Berkeley. He is an exceptional teammate whose values and vision truly embody what Cal Athletics and UC Berkeley are all about. We are excited for this opportunity for Brian, Hilary and their young son, Russell, and we know that he is truly going to bring excellence to William & Mary. William & Mary is lucky to have a leader of such quality.”
Prior to his stint at UC Berkeley, Mann was chief development officer and senior associate athletics director at Rice, where he was responsible for all fundraising for the Owls’ athletics programs. He also was the single contact between athletics and the office of admission for all 16 sports.
Mann got his start in athletics at Dartmouth College, his alma mater, where he served as director of football operations and began his work in fundraising. Mann holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Dartmouth, where he played quarterback. His 5,912 career passing yards are third on the Big Green’s all-time list. Before beginning his career in academia, Mann played professional football for the L.A. Avengers of the Arena Football League.
Brian Mann
W&M Director of Athletics
