Shamar Brandy Selected for Rising Stars Academy The athletics equipment services manager will participate in the national leadership program for early-career athletic administrators.
Shamar Brandy, athletics equipment services managerShamar Brandy, athletics equipment services manager at Washington and Lee University, has been selected to participate in the 2025 Rising Stars Academy, a national leadership program for early-career athletic administrators, hosted by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and affiliate program Minority Opportunties Athletic Association (MOAA).
Brandy is one of 10 participants chosen for the prestigious academy, which aims to prepare professionals with fewer than five years of experience for future success in intercollegiate athletics. The program includes a series of virtual and in-person sessions on mentorship, brand development, leadership and industry insights that will kick off on June 7 at the NACDA Convention at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida.
“I’m honored to be selected for the Rising Stars Academy,” Brandy said. “This opportunity will connect me with seasoned professionals who’ve walked the path I’m on, giving me a chance to learn from their insights and experiences in collegiate athletics. It’s a chance to see the field from a broader perspective and bring that knowledge back to Washington and Lee to elevate the experience for our student-athletes.”
“As an equipment manager, my day-to-day responsibilities can sometimes feel narrowly defined,” he added. “This program will help me break out of that box, exposing me to aspects of collegiate athletics that I haven’t yet experienced and in doing so, expanding my skills to the benefit of all of our Generals.”
Program highlights include sessions on resume and cover letter writing, brand building and interview strategies, along with networking events such as a dinners and structured speed networking with senior leaders in the industry
Brandy will participate alongside representatives from institutions including Virginia Tech, the University of Notre Dame, Oregon State University and Tennessee State University.
“We are so proud to have Shamar be chosen to take part in this prestigious program,” said Jan Hathorn, W&L’s Michael F. Walsh Director of Athletics. “An opportunity of this caliber — to learn from, be mentored by and collaborate with some of the top leaders in the industry — is an outstanding honor and one that will help distinguish him in his efforts to build his career in collegiate athletics.”
MOAA President Tim Wise, senior associate athletics director at Notre Dame, called the program “an incredible opportunity to foster the growth of future leaders in athletic administration.”
If you know a W&L staff member who has done great, accolade-worthy things, tell us about them! Nominate them for an accolade.
You must be logged in to post a comment.