Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent, named Lenny Brown acting director of intercollegiate athletics. Brown will serve in the role while the national search process for a new athletic director is ongoing and will oversee the day-to-day activities of the department’s 18 intercollegiate sports, and will be the Institute’s representative on conference and NCAA matters.
The announcement follows the departure in late July of Dave Diles, Ed.D., former athletic director, who accepted a similar position at Lake Superior State University after an eight-year tenure guiding Keydet intercollegiate sports.
In July 2020, Brown was promoted to associate athletic director for facilities and compliance after serving as assistant athletic director for the role in January 2017. Brown has been responsible for various aspects of facility usage, as well as serving as the senior compliance officer of VMI’s compliance team and working as the key individual regarding game management. Brown modernized the compliance processing through a digital platform and initiated new compliance education for the department. He also serves a sport supervisor for several sports. Brown is currently on several committees across post and in the Southern Conference. He served as championship director for the 2021 Southern Conference Rifle championship and is the department’s chief liaison with VMI’s Physical Plant.
Brown arrived on post in 2016 and served as the Institute’s director of athletics equipment and services before being promoted into his current position.
As equipment services director, Brown oversaw all aspects of VMI athletics equipment and apparel and worked closely with the football program. Brown supervised equipment acquisition, design, inventory, and repair and assisted the VMI coaching staff with the design and selection of uniforms. Brown also coordinated and supervised laundry services as well as implementation of footwear and apparel contracts.
Brown came to VMI from Iowa State University, where he served as assistant director of equipment operations beginning in 2012. Brown implemented Cyclones Athletics purchase orders though Nike Gameday and other vendors; supervised 12 student managers and three laundry workers; executed the assembly, fitting, and repair of athletic equipment for all athletes; and served as social media director for Iowa State equipment operations. He also assisted in travel and practice operations and including bowl game activities.
Brown also served a 13-month stint at American University from July 2011 through August 2012, where he was assistant equipment manager and oversaw the equipment and clothing distribution of 16 varsity sports.
Brown received a Bachelor of Science degree in apparel, housing, and resource management and later earned a master’s in education degree in health promotion from Virginia Tech. Brown was a three-time qualifier for the Athletic Directors Honor Roll and was also a dean’s list student. He was recognized as a 2010 Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
While at Virginia Tech, Brown served as a graduate assistant for the Hokies football program from 2009 through May 2011 and assisted in many aspects of the equipment operations including student manager work assignments, visiting team equipment liaison, equipment and clothing distribution, and testing prototype equipment and footwear for Nike.
Lenny and his wife, Shauntel, reside in Staunton with their daughter, Serena.
Editor’s Note: This article was first published at vmikeydets.com.
