Orono, Maine – University of Maine Director of Athletics Ken Ralph has announced the hiring of Deputy Director of Athletics, Brian Faison, effective Sept. 1.
 
Faison brings over 40 years of collegiate athletics experience, with direct expertise in fundraising, marketing, media relations and administration, to UMaine. Faison, who has been involved in all areas of senior management, spent 10 years as the Director of Athletics at the University of North Dakota after a five-year stint as Director of Athletics at New Mexico State and a seven-year appointment as Director of Athletics at Indiana State University from 1988-95.
 
"I am excited to be joining the Black Bear family as Deputy Director of Athletics," Faison said. "I have worked with Ken Ralph for over 10 years on a variety of different projects in our roles as Athletic Directors and I am honored to have been given this opportunity to continue that relationship."
 
Faison, the 2016-17 Under Armour Football Championship Subdivision Athletic Director of the Year, graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1972.
 
"To attract a professional with Brian's experience and skill set is a huge win for UMaine Athletics," Ralph said. "Brian will be a great mentor for our staff while also bringing important perspectives to the table regarding finances, facilities and game experience."
 
At North Dakota, Faison directed and supervised the administration of the men's and women's Division I athletics programs, including all administrative, operational, and business functions of North Dakota athletics. While at UND, Faison successfully completed the department's five-year transition to Division I, stewarding various programs from independent status to memberships in numerous conferences including the Big Sky and Summit League. Faison ushered in and assisted in the formation of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference while providing direct support to UND's 2016 men's ice hockey national championship run.
 
During his term at UND, Faison secured funding for the $19.5 million, 200,000 square foot UND Athletics High Performance Center, provided support for upgrades to both the soccer and softball facilities, added video scoreboards for both volleyball and basketball and set UND annual giving records each year, with total giving reaching $9.2 million in 2017.
 
"Brian has extensive experience with an elite Division I hockey program and many years of experience in FCS football," Ralph added. "He knows how to navigate state educational systems and how to move building projects forward in complex university settings. His value to Black Bear athletics will be immediately evident and impactful."
 
Faison has advanced student-athlete academic excellence with semester and academic year records at each of his stops. Competitively, North Dakota, New Mexico State and Indiana State varsity programs captured 57 regular season or postseason conference championships, including the UND men's ice hockey national championship, while under his guidance.
 
During his tenure as Director of Athletics for 16 varsity sports at New Mexico State, Faison increased the annual giving 46%, in-kind donations 64% and grew the restricted gift giving by 532% while securing the largest, single gift in the history of New Mexico State athletics with a $3 million offering for an academic support, athletic training facility.
 
Externally, Faison has developed radio, television and digital networks to provide wider local, regional and national coverage of his athletic programs and brings with him numerous years of athletic development and fundraising experience. Faison served three years as the Assistant Vice President for Athletics Advancement at New Mexico State and four years as the Assistant Athletic Director for Development at the University of Louisville. From 1995-99, Faison stepped outside of athletics and broadened his expertise while serving as the Director of Development for The National Children's Cancer Society.
 
Over his 40-year career in athletics, Faison has served in various roles at five Universities including stops at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Illinois State University, the University of Louisville, New Mexico State University and the University of North Dakota.
 
"Brian will have sport supervision responsibilities, oversight of select administrative units in athletics, serve as a liaison to campus constituents, and will assist in facilitating cooperation between internal units," Ralph said. "His experience and knowledge base will allow him to be immediately effective in all of these responsibilities."
 
-UMaine-