 | Bryan Blair is the Vice President and Director of Athletics at the University of Toledo. Learn more about why Bryan is one of the EPIC Toledo 2025 Mentors, below: Since his arrival at The University of Toledo in May of 2022, Bryan B. Blair has helped position Toledo Athletics as one of the premier Group of Five athletic programs in the country. In that short time span, Toledo has won 13 Mid-American Conference Championships, earned the MAC’s Cartwright Award as the top overall program in the league in three consecutive years and set numerous academic records. In addition, Blair has been the catalyst behind some important and creative initiatives that have helped elevate Toledo into the national spotlight. Blair is the 14th athletic director in the history of the University of Toledo and the first African-American to hold the post. When he arrived at Toledo, Blair was just 37 years old, the youngest FBS athletic director in the nation at the time. In 2024, Blair was named to the Sports Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” list. Blair, who was also recognized as one of the “20 Under 40” community leaders in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan in 2023, has focused on several objectives with the goal of elevating Toledo Athletics, including increased fundraising, community engagement and student-athlete support. Among the new initiatives that have begun under Blair’s leadership is “Rise Together,” a strategic plan that outlines a roadmap for student-athlete well-being and success, community engagement and facility enhancements that aims to elevate the Rockets into national prominence. |
Blair has put his mark on the Rockets with several high-profile hires, most notably tapping Ginny Boggess to become Toledo’s new head women’s basketball coach in April of 2024. He has also hired new head coaches in women’s volleyball (Brian Wright), women’s swimming & diving (Jacy Dyer), softball (Jessica Bracamonte) and women’s soccer (Mark Batman). In addition, Blair was the catalyst behind the addition of Women’s Rowing as Toledo’s 17th varsity sport. Blair hired Chris Bailey-Greene to lead the rowing program, which will begin competition in the 2025-26 season.
The Rockets’ revenue generation has also achieved unprecedented success due to Blair’s efforts. Known as a relentless relationship builder and fundraiser, Toledo has closed the second largest gift all time and two of the nine largest gifts in Toledo Athletics history under Blair’s leadership.
Blair joined the Rockets after serving as the deputy athletic director and chief operating officer at Washington State University from 2018-22. He also served in administrative roles at Rice University, the University of South Carolina and the NCAA.
Blair holds a law degree from the University of South Carolina and earned his undergraduate degree in history at Wofford College. He played four seasons as a nose tackle for the Wofford football team from 2003-06. He was a team captain as a senior in 2006 and was named the team’s Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Blair and his wife, Jenna, have two children, Brielle (6) and Beau (4).
The Rockets’ revenue generation has also achieved unprecedented success due to Blair’s efforts. Known as a relentless relationship builder and fundraiser, Toledo has closed the second largest gift all time and two of the nine largest gifts in Toledo Athletics history under Blair’s leadership.
Blair joined the Rockets after serving as the deputy athletic director and chief operating officer at Washington State University from 2018-22. He also served in administrative roles at Rice University, the University of South Carolina and the NCAA.
Blair holds a law degree from the University of South Carolina and earned his undergraduate degree in history at Wofford College. He played four seasons as a nose tackle for the Wofford football team from 2003-06. He was a team captain as a senior in 2006 and was named the team’s Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Blair and his wife, Jenna, have two children, Brielle (6) and Beau (4).
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