KC Roo Athlectics 2022

Dr. Brandon E. Martin began his tenure as Kansas City Athletics Director on December 3. 2018. Martin’s leadership has helped change the culture within Kansas City Athletics as his positive energy, passion, and strategic vision has helped elevate the Roos' momentum on and off the field.

Martin has been a visionary focused on comprehensive excellence. Since arriving in Kansas City, he has orchestrated the transformational changes below:

• 91% Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and 3.4 GPA for all student-athletes
• Launched the Roo Athletic Fund—Annual Giving Arm for Athletics, increased donor participation 380% and raised $2.1M  during 18 months from launch of new program
• Navigated the change from the Western Athletic Conference to The Summit League creating
• Increased department non-gift Revenue 438% and all revenue 1,516%  since December 2018
• Completed new brand and identity for Kansas City Athletics June 2019
• Created Corporate Partnership Program increasing revenue 1,044%. Created Founding Partner program and successful secured multi-year partnerships in health care and energy sector.
• Navigated conference realignment transition from the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) to The Summit League
• Accomplsihed $1.1M North Lobby Renovation Program at Swinney Center
• Finalized $600,000 if enhancements in Swinney Center included new completion court, new graphics and installation of four new Daktronics videoboards.
• Completed $700,000 replacement of Durwood Soccer Stadium field

 
In May 2020, Chancellor C. Mauli Agrawal selected Dr. Martin as committee chair of UMKC Forward, a campus-wide Covid-19 strategic initiative aimed at re-envisioning UMKC in regard to efficiency, growth, innovation, and revenue-generation. As chair of the Community Outreach/Auxiliary/Events Committee, Martin assisted in identifying university-wide opportunities for innovation and investment that lead to revenue growth through auxiliary and external services to advance the mission of UMKC.

In September 2020, Dr. Martin was promoted to Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics. In this role, Martin paired his athletics department leadership with strategic initiatives on campus including  leading a task force on retention and graduation for underrepresented, first generation, transfer students, and students of color at UMKC. Martin o-lead’s the task force with Senior Vice Provost for Student Success Kristi Holsinger, an effort launched in fall 2020 by Chancellor C. Mauli Agrawal and Provost Jenny Lundgren.

Since arriving at UMKC in December 2018, Dr. Martin has been appointed Executive in Residence in three academic departments on campus: The Henry Block School of Management, School of Education, and Race, Ethnic, and Gender Studies. In each academic role, he assists with the strategic vision, course development, advising students, and recruitment. These roles also include teaching various courses related to higher education administration, sport management, and diversity and social issues in college and professional sports.