Following a national search Le Moyne College has named Phil Brown as assistant vice president of intercollegiate athletics and campus recreation. Brown comes to the Heights from Vanderbilt University, where he serves as executive associate athletic director and chief business officer. He will start in his new role at Le Moyne on Jan. 1, 2025.

Brown was selected from a strong list of finalists who interviewed with a search committee representing students, faculty, administrators and alumni. "Beyond his impressive knowledge of the changing landscape of college athletics, Phil demonstrates a strong commitment to the focus on academics for our student-athletes," said Le Moyne President Linda LeMura. "It was clear throughout the interview process that he recognizes the importance of the student athlete model with 'student' always coming first. He also understands and embraces Le Moyne's strong tradition of service to others, which is a hallmark of Jesuit education. His overall knowledge and varied background will serve him well in this role."

"I am genuinely grateful and excited to join Le Moyne as athletic director, and want to thank President LeMura and the Board of Trustees for their confidence in me," said Brown, who will become the fifth athletic director in the College's 78-year history. "During the interview process I was impressed with the campus and Syracuse community, and Le Moyne's overall commitment to the Jesuit mission and academic excellence for student-athletes. I look forward to working with our coaches, staff and students as we continue to transition to D1 and work to create a long-term vision and strategy to compete at the highest level of college athletics. I believe we have the blueprint to win and look forward to celebrating many championships with the Dolphin family."

Brown joins Le Moyne athletics at a key juncture in its history. The Dolphins are currently in the second year of playing at the Division I level after joining the Northeast Conference in 2023. Earlier this year Le Moyne announced that the Thomas J. Niland Jr. Athletic Complex would undergo a $45 million renovation (including $12 million in state funding) for improvements to the existing facilities, a new track and field and tennis complex, a team community center including locker rooms and sports medicine facilities, and the addition of a fitness center and a strength and conditioning facility for student-athletes. The College has also entered into a five-year agreement with Legends to help with fundraising efforts.

In his current role, Brown, who has been at Vanderbilt since 2015, oversees the university's facilities and event management, capital projects and equipment staff. In addition to his administrative operations duties in finance, facilities, event management and equipment, he serves as the baseball and women's bowling sport administrator and previously oversaw ticket operations. Brown's first season as baseball sport administrator ended with the program raising the 2019 national championship trophy in Omaha and a return visit to Omaha in 2021 as the national runner-up.

Prior to Vanderbilt, Brown worked in a similar role at Texas A&M-Kingsville as the assistant athletic director for financial operations for athletics and campus recreation. He began his career in trust tax accounting with Regions Financial before transitioning to a small public accounting firm where he primarily worked in audit on governmental and non-profit clients.

A native of Louisiana, Brown earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from Houston and a master's in business administration from Texas A&M-Commerce. He earned a master's degree in sports management from Georgia Southern and is also a graduate of the Sport Management Institute Executive Programs conducted at Michigan and Texas. Brown is married to Alison Fontenot Brown and they are the parents of three children, Charlotte, Owen and Emmett.

LeMura expressed her appreciation for Mike Lindberg '79, who has served as interim athletic director since June. "I appreciate Mike's critical role in guiding athletics over the past five months while we searched for a permanent replacement. He is a true Dolphin with a deep love for his alma mater, and I thank him for his work."

LeMura also thanked the committee who worked on the search for the new AD:
Margie Ierlan, associate professor of marketing (search chair)
Belal Aly '25, swim team member
Pete DiLaura '78, current trustee 
Peter Folan, S.J., past trustee 
Joe Grasso, vice president for finance and administration
Wayne Grove, Ph.D., economics professor 
Barb Karper, associate provost for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging
Tim Lee, Ph.D., vice president for enrollment management and marketing
Amy Mann, director of donor relations 
Scott Peterson, associate athletics director for sports medicine 
Bob Reklaitis '75, current trustee 
Pat Rogers, S.J., vice president for mission integration 
Tracey Roman, women's softball coach 


What They Are Saying About Phil Brown
Candice Storey Lee, Vanderbilt Athletic Director
"I am thrilled for Phil and his family, and excited for the Le Moyne College community. Phil's journey has prepared him for this moment. His commitment to the student-athlete experience has contributed to Vanderbilt's success in numerous ways and will continue to guide him as he takes the reins at Le Moyne. We'll be cheering him on from Nashville." 

Tim Corbin, head baseball coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores
"Phillip has been a very loyal, trustworthy, colleague of mine for the last six years. He sees only positives and possibilities when it comes to program building and growth. He has been a significant part of a national championship culture here, and has helped our program remain consistent. He genuinely cares about the "kids" and how we can continue to make their experience special as a student athlete. He's very intelligent, direct, hard-working and caring and I have enjoyed him very much and will miss him personally. Being born and raised in the northeast, and knowing the challenges that take place for northern Division 1 schools, Phillip is the very best hire to help face those challenges and help Le Moyne grow as a department and institution. I am excited for Phillip and Le Moyne."

Tommy McClelland, vice president and director of athletics at Rice University
"Le Moyne College has made an excellent choice in Phil Brown. I have known Phil for over 10 years and most recently worked with him for three years at Vanderbilt University.  He is a great administrator and an even better person. He and his family will be a welcomed addition to the local and campus community.  I look forward to following the success of the Dolphins now that he is leading the program." 

D. Scott Gines, Ed.D., former vice president of intercollegiate athletics at Texas A&M University-Kingsville
"I can't lie, it fills my heart to know Phillip Brown will be leading Le Moyne Athletics.  He's a leader worthy of following.  On a personal front, he is a man who embraces his faith, adores his family, and is present in his community. Professionally, Phillip is a brilliantly adaptive leader and financial mind who thinks creatively, knows how to build strength, and values every program."