W&M's next director of athletics
President Katherine A. Rowe sent the following message to the campus community on June 23, 2021. - Ed.
Dear William & Mary,
I write to share exciting news of the appointment of Brian Mann, senior associate athletics director at the University of California, Berkeley, as William & Mary’s next director of athletics. Details on his exceptional qualifications are included in the press release linked here. He brings an impressive leadership track record in the athletics departments at Dartmouth University, Rice University and UC Berkeley – as well as achievements as an intercollegiate and professional athlete.
We’ll formally introduce Brian Mann to the community at noon tomorrow, and I encourage you to join us virtually at TribeAthletics.com/ADWelcome.
Mr. Mann is eager to jump into this new role. He begins at W&M July 9 as special assistant to the president for athletics while he transitions from California to Williamsburg. He will become full-time director of athletics August 9. In recent months, we have explored as a community the challenges faced as we create a W&M Athletics that is equitable, more financially sustainable and in which we can excel. I am confident Brian Mann will lead us thoughtfully and effectively as we face these challenges, elevating W&M Athletics as we address them head on.
We owe thanks to a terrific and dedicated search committee – alumni, Board members, faculty, staff, students, current and former student-athletes and coaches – and notably to co-chairs Matthew Lambert, W&M vice president for university advancement, and Interim Athletics Director Jeremy Martin. We are grateful as well to the search consultants led by Craig Littlepage. The committee successfully and expeditiously completed a highly competitive national search.
I also want to express special appreciation to Dr. Martin for exemplary leadership of W&M Athletics as interim director since taking over this position in October. We look forward with great anticipation to his re-engagement in the chief of staff role in the president’s office.
Please join me in welcoming Brian Mann, his wife Hilary, and their two-month-old son, Russell, to the William & Mary family.
Best regards,
Katherine