"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 thatshort time span, Toledo has won 11 Mid-American Conference Championships, earned the MAC’s Cartwright Award as the top overall program in the league 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 recently 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 swimming & diving (Jacy Dyer), softball (Jessica Bracamonte) and women’s soccer (Mark Batman).
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 (5) and Beau (3)."
A few meeting notes:
As you join us for lunch this week, we respectfully ask that you silence your phones/notifications at the start of program.
If you are paying for your lunch online, please click here to log into your Rotary Account. Then click on "My Account Balance" to pay for your lunch. Lunch is $20.00. We will also be accepting payment at the meeting by check or exact cash. A buffet meal will be hosted at the Carranor Club starting at 11:45am.
To learn more about how to sign up for Fine Master and Prayer and Pledge, please contact Sergeant at Arms, Randy Drewyor.
A Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent out, May 10th, at 9:30 am.
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