Brian Baptiste arrived at Northwestern in January of 2013. In less than three years he was elevated to Deputy Director of Athletics for Capital Projects and Operations. In his current role, he is responsible for all capital projects for Athletics and has oversight of athletic facilities, event management, equipment services and recreation, while also serving as the sport administrator for men’s basketball and women’s cross country. As part of the Vice President for Athletics and Recreation’s Executive Staff, he works closely with other members of the Executive Staff on the strategic path of the department.
During his time at Northwestern, Baptiste has overseen unprecedented athletic facility upgrades. He currently leads the construction effort that is transforming the athletics lakefront campus, including the $260 million Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Center. These facilities will provide one of the most versatile practice, competition, and recreation venues in the nation. Offering the best in sports performance, sports medicine, team spaces, academic services and other support units impacting all 19 programs.
The comprehensive development of that area began with upgrades at Lakeside Field in August 2015, with a new artificial playing surface and irrigation system. In March 2016, Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium, received a significant renovation including two turf fields, upgraded fan amenities and LED videoboard. Completed the same spring was an extensive $15 million renovation of Rocky and Berenice Miller Ballpark, featuring all new team clubhouse, synthetic playing surface, press box, LED scoreboard and upgraded fan amenities throughout the ballpark.
Concurrently with the lakefront facilities upgrades, Baptiste is overseeing the $110 million renovation of Welsh-Ryan Arena and McGaw Memorial Hall. This complete overhaul provides a state-of-the-art experience to Northwestern Athletics’ most used and versatile venue. In conjunction with the arena renovation, the Trienens Performance Center will create a dedicated practice facility for basketball and volleyball programs.
Within the Big Ten, Baptiste serves on the Big Ten Joint Group and Administrators Council. He is currently one of 25 senior level administrators selected to participate in the NCAA Pathway Program. A yearlong experiential learning opportunity for those committed to becoming a director of athletics. He previously served as a member of the NCAA Division I Initial Eligibility Waiver Committee. He participated in the 2016 D1A Athletics Director’s Institute and is a graduate of the NCAA Leadership Institute in 2011.
Baptiste originally came to Northwestern as the Associate AD for Compliance. Prior to arriving in Evanston, he held the same position at the University of Delaware and served as the sport administrator for field hockey and softball. During his time in Newark, Baptiste completed programs in leadership development and management essentials. Baptiste was promoted from Delaware's assistant director of athletics for compliance to associate director of athletics in September 2011.
Prior to Delaware, Baptiste worked as the Assistant Director of Compliance at Georgetown University. He also served as a primary source verification specialist with Kaiser Permanente in Rockville, Md., before entering collegiate athletics at Georgetown.
Baptiste is a 2005 graduate of Towson University and earned his Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2008. He is licensed to practice law in the state of Maryland.
A native of Cheverly, Maryland, he and his wife, Jessica, have two daughters, Saniya and Jordan.
During his time at Northwestern, Baptiste has overseen unprecedented athletic facility upgrades. He currently leads the construction effort that is transforming the athletics lakefront campus, including the $260 million Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Center. These facilities will provide one of the most versatile practice, competition, and recreation venues in the nation. Offering the best in sports performance, sports medicine, team spaces, academic services and other support units impacting all 19 programs.
The comprehensive development of that area began with upgrades at Lakeside Field in August 2015, with a new artificial playing surface and irrigation system. In March 2016, Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium, received a significant renovation including two turf fields, upgraded fan amenities and LED videoboard. Completed the same spring was an extensive $15 million renovation of Rocky and Berenice Miller Ballpark, featuring all new team clubhouse, synthetic playing surface, press box, LED scoreboard and upgraded fan amenities throughout the ballpark.
Concurrently with the lakefront facilities upgrades, Baptiste is overseeing the $110 million renovation of Welsh-Ryan Arena and McGaw Memorial Hall. This complete overhaul provides a state-of-the-art experience to Northwestern Athletics’ most used and versatile venue. In conjunction with the arena renovation, the Trienens Performance Center will create a dedicated practice facility for basketball and volleyball programs.
Within the Big Ten, Baptiste serves on the Big Ten Joint Group and Administrators Council. He is currently one of 25 senior level administrators selected to participate in the NCAA Pathway Program. A yearlong experiential learning opportunity for those committed to becoming a director of athletics. He previously served as a member of the NCAA Division I Initial Eligibility Waiver Committee. He participated in the 2016 D1A Athletics Director’s Institute and is a graduate of the NCAA Leadership Institute in 2011.
Baptiste originally came to Northwestern as the Associate AD for Compliance. Prior to arriving in Evanston, he held the same position at the University of Delaware and served as the sport administrator for field hockey and softball. During his time in Newark, Baptiste completed programs in leadership development and management essentials. Baptiste was promoted from Delaware's assistant director of athletics for compliance to associate director of athletics in September 2011.
Prior to Delaware, Baptiste worked as the Assistant Director of Compliance at Georgetown University. He also served as a primary source verification specialist with Kaiser Permanente in Rockville, Md., before entering collegiate athletics at Georgetown.
Baptiste is a 2005 graduate of Towson University and earned his Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2008. He is licensed to practice law in the state of Maryland.
A native of Cheverly, Maryland, he and his wife, Jessica, have two daughters, Saniya and Jordan.