Clunie Honored to Join Black AD Alliance
Davidson College Director of Athletics Chris Clunie
In the days following the tragic death of George Floyd, a number of Black college athletics directors began connecting with one another via Zoom calls. At first, the calls were informal, simply a forum for open discussion on the issue of racial injustice in society at large and in the shared arena of intercollegiate athletics.
But call after call, the group steadily grew, and those conversations of support, shared experiences and a collective desire to make a difference evolved as well.
Now, more than 50 Black athletic directors have joined the newly formed Black AD Alliance. Davidson's Chris Clunie, now in his third year leading his alma mater's athletics program, is proud to be among them.
I'm extremely excited and honored to be a part of the Black AD Alliance. It's important to advocate for current and potential black senior administrators who have the ability to connect with all scholar-athletes and lead impactful athletic communities.
The Alliance, led by co-chairs Allen Greene (Auburn) and Brandon Martin (Kansas City), is committed to promoting the growth, development and elevation of Black athletics administrators at the Division I level. It will engage industry decision-makers to provide exposure for aspiring Black college athletics professionals through purposeful mentoring, and foster connections with those who will aid in positioning leaders in intercollegiate athletics.
In the 2019 Racial and Gender Report Card released by The Institute of Diversity and Ethics in Sports (TIDES), Blacks held 8.7 percent of athletics director positions and 9.3 percent of assistant athletics director positions in 2018-19.
"Members of the Black AD Alliance have a shared responsibility to leave a lasting impact on an industry to which we have dedicated our lives," said Greene. "As many organizations within and connected to intercollegiate athletics search for techniques and programs that produce meaningful change, it's inspiring to be engaged with diverse thought leaders who are dedicated to enhancing the holistic professional experiences of talented individuals."
The group has created several strategic priorities that will provide a framework for moving forward, including:
- Providing a forum for communication among Division I Black Athletics Directors in promoting professional advancement
- Partnering with NCAA senior leadership, Board of Governors, Conference Commissioners, and NACDA to develop and implement policies, and create opportunities for Division I Black athletics administrators
- Developing a support network for Black professionals seeking Division I senior athletic department positions
- Collaborating with MOAA and other minority-focused advocacy organizations nationally
- Providing a mechanism for concerted action in support of racial and social justice
The full list of Division I Black Athletic Directors can be found on DavidsonWildcats.com.