Martin Jarmond

Martin Jarmond. He is an American collegiate athletics administrator serving as the Alice and Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Appointed in 2020, he became the first African American athletic director in the history of the UCLA Bruins and the youngest sitting athletic director at a Power Five conference institution at the time. His career has been marked by strategic leadership at major programs like Boston College and a focus on integrating athletic success with academic achievement and broad departmental revenue growth.

Early life and education

Born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he was raised in a military family, which included time living in Germany. He attended Jack Britt High School before pursuing higher education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business administration while also competing as a walk-on member of the UNC Wilmington Seahawks men's basketball team under coach Jerry Wainwright. He later obtained a Master of Science in Sports administration from the Ohio University College of Business, a program renowned for developing sports industry leaders.

Athletic career

His collegiate playing career was with the UNC Wilmington Seahawks basketball program within the Colonial Athletic Association. Although not a star player, his experience as a student-athlete provided a foundational understanding of the demands of NCAA Division I competition. This period, which included participation in the 1998 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, directly informed his later administrative philosophy, emphasizing the holistic development of athletes. His time under coaches like Jerry Wainwright and within the competitive landscape of the CAA shaped his perspective on program building.

Administrative career

His administrative career began with internships and roles at his alma mater, Ohio University, and Michigan State University. He rose to prominence through a series of strategic positions at Ohio State University, serving under athletic director Gene Smith. At Ohio State Buckeyes, he held significant roles in development and external operations, contributing to major fundraising initiatives for facilities like the Schottenstein Center and engaging with the Big Ten Conference. In 2017, he was named the athletic director at Boston College, becoming the youngest AD in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the first African American to hold the position for the Boston College Eagles.

Tenure at UCLA

Appointed in May 2020, his tenure at UCLA began during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has overseen the Bruins' historic move from the Pac-12 Conference to the Big Ten Conference, a landmark shift in college athletics designed to secure long-term financial stability. Key hires include football coach DeShaun Foster and a renewed contract for storied basketball coach Mick Cronin. He has prioritized major facility projects, including renovations to Pauley Pavilion and the Wasserman Football Center, while also navigating complex issues like Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy and the 2024 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament run. His leadership aims to bolster the brand of the UCLA Bruins nationally.

Personal life

He is married to Kelcey Jarmond, a former track and field athlete at the University of Michigan; the couple has two daughters. He is actively involved in various professional organizations, including the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and the National Association of Black Journalists Sports Task Force. His community engagement extends to involvement with the Southern California Leadership Network and other civic groups in the Los Angeles area, focusing on mentorship and leadership development.

Category:American sports executives Category:University of California, Los Angeles people Category:University of North Carolina Wilmington alumni Category:Ohio University alumni