Most Powerful African Americans in Sports


for 2005-2006.”

Damon Evans, Director of Athletics, University of Georgia, 35: “One of the youngest athletic directors in the country and the only black AD in the Southeastern Conference, this Georgia native and former UGA receiver was handpicked to succeed the retiring Vince Dooley last year after serving four years as his top assistant. Evans oversees a 206-member staff, a $45 million budget, and 21 intercollegiate sports teams with more than 500 student athletes. He used his Midas touch to help his alma mater secure tax-exempt financing for $81 million in new facilities and boosted the athletic association’s reserve fund from $1 million to $9.5 million. Highlight Reel: Edwards is currently spearheading a $60 million capital campaign for UGA, which is consistently ranked among the top 25 teams in NCAA football.”

Herman Frazier, Director of Athletics, University of Hawaii, 50: “Since taking over in 2002, Frazier has increased the UH athletics department budget from $16 million to $18 million, broken ground on a new tennis complex, and hired new coaches for men’s tennis, women’s basketball, and women’s golf. He makes his home on the island of Oahu, but this Olympic gold medalist is active in athletics all over the globe. A longtime member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, Frazier served as chef de mission in charge of logistics for Team USA at last summer’s Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Highlight Reel: Frazier received the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award in 2001 in recognition of his distinguished achievements as captain of the Arizona State University National Championship track team.”

Bob Chichester, Director of Athletics, “University of California, Irvine”, 47: “In 2002, Chichester was tapped to lead the intercollegiate athletic program at UC Irvine, which includes 23 sports on the NCAA Division I level. A former Air Force captain, Chichester holds military achievement and commendation medals and earned a law degree from the University of Colorado. He served as legal counsel for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Northrop Grumman Corp. before he switched gears in 1998 to join the athletic department at the University of Colorado as an associate athletic director for administration and academic affairs. Highlight Reel: Chichester was selected as Staff Member of the Year 2000-01 by the student athletes of the University of Colorado.”

Lee Reed, Director of Athletics, Cleveland State University, 43: “In just two short years, Reed has overseen a $2.2 million renovation of CSU’s athletic facilities; hired new head coaches in five sports; and increased private gifts to the athletic department by 27%, including the Avis Fund, the first endowment for men’s basketball. Reed joined the Vikings after spending seven years at Eastern Michigan University and 15 months with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). A native of Cincinnati, Reed attended CSU on a basketball scholarship and later completed his undergraduate degree at the University of New Mexico. He also holds a master’s degree in sports administration from
UNM. Highlight Reel: Reed chairs the John McLendon Memorial Minority Postgraduate Scholarship Awards committee operated through NACDA.”

Gene Smith,


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