Northwestern University Athletics
Brian Baptiste Selected to Participate in NCAA Pathway Program
6/26/2017 8:23:00 AM | General
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern Deputy Director of Athletics for Capital Projects & Operations Brian Baptiste is one of 25 senior-level athletics administrators from across the country selected to participate in the 2017 NCAA Pathway Program.
The prestigious program is designed to assist senior-level administrators, who have committed to becoming directors of athletics, take the next step in their careers. The year-long program provides participants an unprecedented opportunity to gain insight into every facet of an athletics department, preparing them to become well-rounded leaders who are equipped with the tools an effective athletics director needs.
Each program participant is mentored by a current NCAA athletics director and a current university chancellor or president who have committed to helping the Pathway participants grow during the program and after completing it.
"This is a tremendous and deserved opportunity for Brian, who has made a dramatic impact during his time at Northwestern," said Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips. "Our department is in the midst of a facilities transformation, and he is managing that evolution each and every day. The purpose of the Pathway Program is something I'm extremely invested in as a mentor, I'm thrilled that a member of our Northwestern family will have the chance to take part."
"I am extremely honored to be selected for such an incredible NCAA program," said Baptiste. "This is another example of the wonderful investment the NCAA has made in providing opportunities for athletics leadership development. Throughout this yearlong program, I am excited to be challenged in a variety of areas and experience unmatched professional growth to help me become a better administrator, as we all continue to strive to provide a positive experience to student-athletes every day."
Programming begins in late June with a weeklong session at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, continues with quarterly meetings throughout the year before culminating in June of 2018 at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention in Washington, D.C.
Baptiste arrived at Northwestern in January of 2013 as the Associate A.D. for Compliance and was elevated to his current role as the Deputy Director of Athletics for Capital Projects & Operations in 2016.
He is responsible for all capital projects for athletics and has oversight for athletic facilities, equipment services and recreation. He also serves as one of the department liaisons with community constituencies. As part of the Vice President for Athletics & Recreation's Executive Staff, he works closely with other members of the staff on the strategic path of the department. Baptiste also serves as the sport administrator for men's and women's swimming and diving, women's cross country and women's volleyball.
The Cheverly, Maryland, native, is in the process of overseeing over $400 million worth of facility upgrades for Northwestern athletics. Baptiste leads the construction efforts that are dramatically upgrading the resources available to Wildcats student-athletes, including the $250 million Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Center, and the complete, $110 million renovation of Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Baptiste has already seen the construction of Lanny & Sharon Martin Stadium (lacrosse/soccer), Chap & Ethel Hutcheson Field (football) and Rocky & Berenice Miller Park (baseball).
Within the Big Ten, Baptiste currently serves on the Big Ten Joint Group, Administrators Council and Sport Management Committee. Baptiste previously served as a member of the NCAA Division I Initial Eligibility Waiver Committee. He has participated in the 2016 D1A Athletics Director's Institute and is also a graduate from the NCAA Leadership Institute in 2011.
Baptiste is a 2005 graduate of Towson University. He earned his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2008. He is licensed to practice law in the state of Maryland.
He and his wife, Jessica, have two daughters, Saniya and Jordan.
The prestigious program is designed to assist senior-level administrators, who have committed to becoming directors of athletics, take the next step in their careers. The year-long program provides participants an unprecedented opportunity to gain insight into every facet of an athletics department, preparing them to become well-rounded leaders who are equipped with the tools an effective athletics director needs.
Each program participant is mentored by a current NCAA athletics director and a current university chancellor or president who have committed to helping the Pathway participants grow during the program and after completing it.
"This is a tremendous and deserved opportunity for Brian, who has made a dramatic impact during his time at Northwestern," said Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips. "Our department is in the midst of a facilities transformation, and he is managing that evolution each and every day. The purpose of the Pathway Program is something I'm extremely invested in as a mentor, I'm thrilled that a member of our Northwestern family will have the chance to take part."
"I am extremely honored to be selected for such an incredible NCAA program," said Baptiste. "This is another example of the wonderful investment the NCAA has made in providing opportunities for athletics leadership development. Throughout this yearlong program, I am excited to be challenged in a variety of areas and experience unmatched professional growth to help me become a better administrator, as we all continue to strive to provide a positive experience to student-athletes every day."
Programming begins in late June with a weeklong session at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, continues with quarterly meetings throughout the year before culminating in June of 2018 at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention in Washington, D.C.
Baptiste arrived at Northwestern in January of 2013 as the Associate A.D. for Compliance and was elevated to his current role as the Deputy Director of Athletics for Capital Projects & Operations in 2016.
He is responsible for all capital projects for athletics and has oversight for athletic facilities, equipment services and recreation. He also serves as one of the department liaisons with community constituencies. As part of the Vice President for Athletics & Recreation's Executive Staff, he works closely with other members of the staff on the strategic path of the department. Baptiste also serves as the sport administrator for men's and women's swimming and diving, women's cross country and women's volleyball.
The Cheverly, Maryland, native, is in the process of overseeing over $400 million worth of facility upgrades for Northwestern athletics. Baptiste leads the construction efforts that are dramatically upgrading the resources available to Wildcats student-athletes, including the $250 million Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Center, and the complete, $110 million renovation of Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Baptiste has already seen the construction of Lanny & Sharon Martin Stadium (lacrosse/soccer), Chap & Ethel Hutcheson Field (football) and Rocky & Berenice Miller Park (baseball).
Within the Big Ten, Baptiste currently serves on the Big Ten Joint Group, Administrators Council and Sport Management Committee. Baptiste previously served as a member of the NCAA Division I Initial Eligibility Waiver Committee. He has participated in the 2016 D1A Athletics Director's Institute and is also a graduate from the NCAA Leadership Institute in 2011.
Baptiste is a 2005 graduate of Towson University. He earned his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2008. He is licensed to practice law in the state of Maryland.
He and his wife, Jessica, have two daughters, Saniya and Jordan.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Lacrosse - NCAA Tournament 2nd Round vs JMU Postgame Press Conference (5/10/26)
Sunday, May 10
Baseball - 'Cats Ground Redbirds in 7-1 Midweek Victory (5/5/26)
Tuesday, May 05
Softball - Marina Mason Tosses One-Hit Shutout, 'Cats Claim Series Win vs. Minnesota (5/3/26)
Monday, May 04
Baseball - 'Cats Take Series with 9-6 Victory over Hoosiers (5/3/26)
Sunday, May 03
