For Immediate Release
Contact:Ed Levin
Publicity Director
Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta
levins51@verizon.net
PHILADELPHIA – The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee announced today that La Salle University Director of Athletics Brian Baptiste, Temple University Senior Associate Athletics Director Larry Dougherty and Drexel University Associate Head Coach of Rowing Asiya Mahmud have been named to its Board of Directors.
“We are excited to add these three high quality individuals to our Board of Directors,” said DVROC President Jim Hanna. “Brian and Larry are veteran administrators who bring a wealth of experience and love for the sport of rowing to the Board while Asiya brings a unique and much-needed perspective as she was a Dad Vail Regatta gold medal winner, rowing for Drexel, and has successfully coached more than one Dad Vail championship crews.”
Baptiste, who is in his second year leading the La Salle athletics department, has served in various roles of administration over his 12-year career in intercollegiate athletics. Upon earning his law degree from St. Thomas University in Miami (2008), Baptiste went into the field of compliance working at Georgetown University (2009-10) and the University of Delaware (2010-13) before moving on to Northwestern University in 2013.
At Northwestern, the Cheverly Md. native spent two years as the Wildcats Associate Director of Compliance before being elevated to Deputy Director of Athletics for Capital Projects and Operations in 2015. In this role, he led successful efforts for the completion of multiple athletics facilities, including the $270 million Ryan Fieldhouse, Wilson Field and Walter Athletics Center. The 2005 Towson University graduate also worked closely with Learfield IMG to secure lucrative corporate sponsorship agreements during his time at Northwestern.
“I am humbled and honored to represent La Salle University on the Board of Directors of the pre-eminent regatta on the Schuylkill River,” Baptiste said. “Throughout my career, I have known the significance of the Dad Vail Regatta. In speaking with former Explorers over the past year, their stories reinforced just how important an event it is to the collegiate rowing experience. Philadelphia is the best city in the country for the sport, and I can’t wait to be a part of an historic organization.”
One of the top communications professionals in college athletics, Dougherty has worked the past 32 plus years in the Philadelphia area promoting and publicizing student-athletes at both Temple University (2003-) and Saint Joseph’s University (1988-03). Besides his primary role leading the Owls’ strategic communications department, the Upper Darby, Pa. native has also served as Temple’s varsity sport administrator for men’s crew and women’s rowing for the past six years.
Dougherty, who earned both his bachelor’s (1982) and master’s (1995) degrees from Saint Joseph’s, is a Past President of the College Sports Information Directors of America (2011) and has served on the ECAC-SIDA Board of Directors (2006-08). He also was instrumental in creating Philly-SIDA in 2003, an organization of Philadelphia area communications professionals that have honored over 1000 student-athletes from all collegiate levels for academic and athletic success.
“This is truly an incredible honor to be asked to join such a prestigious Board dedicated to continuing one of Philadelphia’s greatest events – the Dad Vail Regatta,” said Dougherty. “I have enjoyed being a part of the Dad Vail Regatta as an administrator for the past four decades, helping promote Saint Joseph’s and Temple rowers. I look forward to working with my fellow Board members to continue the incredible success of the premier collegiate rowing championship in the United States.”
Mahmud, a 2012 Drexel University graduate, is in her sixth season on the rowing staff of her alma mater. The Mays Landing, N.J. native was elevated this September to the position of associate head coach and in her new role continues direct coaching responsibilities while also assuming an increased role in Drexel Rowing’s operations and fundraising initiatives.
Following her undergraduate rowing career where she won gold at the Dad Vail Regatta, Mahmud served one season (2014-15) as an assistant coach at Bucknell University. In her return to Drexel, she helped lead the Dragons to gold medals in the varsity (2017) and second varsity (2018) eights. Drexel also captured its first Dad Vail Regatta women’s title in 2017.
“After working with the Dad Vail Solidarity Committee this summer, I am humbled to be elected as a member of the board,” said Mahmud. “It is a privilege to serve with the organization having competed and coached in the Regatta. I’m excited to be on the board and to further the goals and mission of the Regatta.”
Baptiste, Dougherty and Mahmud will begin their three-year terms on the DVROC Board of Directors in January 2021.
