ATHLETICS ADMINISTRATION
Brian Faison begins his second year as athletics director at the University of North Dakota. Faison assumed his duties at UND in May of 2008. Faison’s first year was a busy one, leading Fighting Sioux athletics through its first year of transition to NCAA Division I status for all of its sports programs. He secured conference membership for 16 of UND’s 18 sports in the Great West Conference, restructured the athletics department and enhanced UND’s statewide profile through community outreach initiatives and an expanded Fighting Sioux Sports Network. North Dakota student-athletes continued their tradition of academic excellence: 12 student-athletes were named academic all-district and a school-record six were named Academic All-Americans by ESPN the Magazine; two student-athletes received NCAA postgraduate scholarships and 80 student-athletes received academic all-conference honors. Alumni and fan support continued to grow: annual giving to the Fighting Sioux Club set a record; football had the largest opening day crowed in the history of the program and set a single-season attendance record; women’s hockey finished seventh in the nation in average attendance; and men’s hockey finished second in the nation in average attendance. Competitively, North Dakota teams also enjoyed outstanding seasons: Men’s hockey won the MacNaughton Cup, its league-leading WCHA championship; women’s basketball went undefeated at home on its way to an 18-win season; men’s basketball had its first winning season in three years and volleyball went from a record of 6-23 the previous year to 24-8 last season. Prior to joining UND, Faison served as assistant vice president for athletics development (2004-07) and director of athletics (1999-04) at New Mexico State University. Before that, he served as the director of development for the National Children’s Cancer Society (1995-1999). Faison gained experience in Division I administration as the director of athletics at Indiana State University (1988-1995), assistant athletics director for development at the University of Louisville (1984-1988) and assistant athletics director for promotions and fund raising at Illinois State University (1979-1984). He also had stints as the assistant manager for athletic public relations at the University of Missouri (1978-1979) and assistant director for alumni activities at the University of Missouri (1974-1978). Faison received his bachelor’s degree in 1972 from the University of Missouri and is also a 1997 graduate of the National Planned Giving Institute. Faison and his wife, Donna, have three sons: Jonathan, Matthew and Bradley. (Above) Brian Faison presents former track and field standout Heidi Evans with her national championship ring. (Left) Brian Faison greets servicemen as they are honored at Military Appreciation Day celebrated during the Aug. 28, 2008 UND football season opener.
2009-10 University of North Dakota swimming & Diving Media Guide
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