Following a national search, Le Moyne College named Phil Brown as assistant vice president of intercollegiate athletics and campus recreation on October 29, 2024. Brown came to the Heights from Vanderbilt University, where he serves as executive associate athletic director and chief business officer. He started in his 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."
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.
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."
