UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - SVSU Director of Athletics Mike Watson has announced the hiring of Nedra Brown as the department's Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Academic Services. Brown officially joined the Cardinals in early November.  

Brown is responsible for providing oversight to Compliance and Academics. She will also serve as the SAAC Advisor, budget manager for all athletic scholarships, completing NCAA demographics report, assist in compiling Graduation Rates annually, coordinate CHAMPS/Life Skills, coordinate student-athlete graduation receptions, coordinate Meemic Insurance Student-Athlete Academic Banquet, and serve as athletic liaison for registrar, advising office, financial aid, admissions and housing offices. 

"It is with great pleasure that I welcome Nedra to the Cardinal family," said Watson. "She has a proven track record and tremendous amount of experience in contributing the success of student-athletes. Her addition makes for a seamless transition in making sure our SVSU student-athletes continue the high level of academic achievement displayed over recent years."

I want to thank Mike Watson and the search committee for providing me with an outstanding opportunity to join a great staff and work with awesome student-athletes," said Brown. "I am very excited about working with the University and surrounding community here at Saginaw Valley State University." 

Brown comes to Saginaw with two decades of experience working in intercollegiate athletics including Senior Woman Administrator, coaching, academic services, compliance, sport administration, student-athlete welfare, along with serving as an adjunct professor. 

Before coming to SVSU, Brown spent time at her Alma Mater LeMoyne-Owen College overseeing Compliance and Student-Athlete Services.  Before that she was the Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations and Senior Woman Administrator at Jackson State University (JSU).  Her responsibilities while there included, day-to-day operations, liaison for Residential Life, Student Affairs, member of the Senior Management Team, oversight for the Sports Medicine department, Administrative Assistants, Graduate Assistants/student-workers, and sport oversight for 9 sports programs. 

Brown served on several committees and Task Force at JSU including the Sexual Misconduct Assault Response Team, APR Task Force, Hall of Fame Committee and Athletic Banquet Task Force.  

Prior to her time in Jackson, Brown served as the Head Volleyball and Softball Coach at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL in 2007-2014 also becoming the Senior Woman Administrator during her tenure and Acting Director of Athletics.  During her time in Huntsville, Brown worked with hundreds of student-athletes to ensure success through her programs, eventually assisting administratively working with other departments on campus, including the Business Office, Financial Aid and Residential Life. 

From 2006-2007 Brown enjoyed one year as the Head Volleyball at Kentucky State University working under the leadership of Derita Ratcliff as the Director of Athletics.  

Prior to that Brown was at LeMoyne-Owen College from 1995-2006 as the Head Volleyball Coach, Head Softball Coach, Academic Advisor and Senior Woman Administrator. 

Nedra has been able to graduate about 100 student-athletes, 25 All-Conference student-athletes, 20 years involved with intercollegiate athletics…academically and athletically, 4 consecutive championships, 4 NCAA appearances, 7 consecutive championship appearances and 5 coach of the year awards.  

Brown graduated from LeMoyne-Owen College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Education in School Counseling from Freed-Hardeman University.