Eastern Michigan Athletics
Derrick Gragg Named EMU Athletic Director
2/21/2006 9:05:00 AM | General
Former U-M administrator takes over top athletic post
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YPSILANTI, Mich.--Derrick Gragg, deputy athletic director at the University of Arkansas and a former member of the University of Michigan athletic administration, has been named athletic director at Eastern Michigan University, president John A. Fallon, III announced today. Gragg takes over for Dave Diles who left the position, April 26, 2005. EMU’s director of intramurals, Bob England, has served as acting athletic director since Diles left the post.
The 36-year-old Gragg (11-19-69) becomes Eastern Michigan’s 11th athletic director after spending the last six years at the University of Arkansas. He first joined UA in 2000 as an associate athletic director and in 2003 he was promoted to senior associate athletic director and then deputy director. During his tenure at Arkansas, Gragg was responsible for a variety of areas including: athletic administration management, sport program oversight, marketing, recruitment, budget, student-athlete support, compliance, facilities and game management and fund-raising and research.
Prior to joining the Arkansas athletic program, Gragg was an assistant athletics director for compliance at the University of Michigan from 1997-2000 During his tenure at Michigan, Gragg completed work on his master’s degree at Wayne State University in 2004.
"Derrick Gragg has served as a senior-level athletic administrator at four Division I institutions and received accolades for his work at each," Fallon said. "He has the administrative skills, and the vision for what a program at this level should be, and that makes him a perfect fit for Eastern Michigan University."
"I am honored and excited to be joining the Eastern Michigan University team," Gragg said. "EMU has a sound program, administrative support and outstanding coaches and student-athletes. I believe that together we can build upon those strengths to restore a winning tradition in athletics."
A former wide receiver for the Vanderbilt University football team, Gragg earned four letters while completing his undergraduate degree in human development in 1992. He was named to the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll during his senior season.
After completing his undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt in 1992, Gragg stayed at his alma mater to become an academic counselor before adding the title of director of student life in his final year.
In 1995, Gragg was named director of compliance and operations at the University of Missouri. During his two years at Missouri he was the game event manager for Olympic sports programs and served on the Big 12 Compliance Coordinators Group during his last year.
THE DERRICK GRAGG FILE
Name: Derrick Lamont Gragg
Born: Nov. 19, 1969 - Huntsville, Alabama
High School: Lee (Graduated in 1988)
College: Vanberbilt University - graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in human development
Wayne State University - graduated in 1999 with a master’s degree in sports administration
University of Arkansas - completed work on his doctorate in higher education administration in 2004
Married: Wife: Sanya (Whittaker)
Daughter: DeSha (10-25-93)
Sons: Avery (3-11-97) and Phillip-Raymond (3-14-01)
Intercollegiate Athletics Experience
Year School Position
2000-2006 University of Arkansas
2003-06 Deputy athletic director; Senior associate athletic director
2000-03 Associate athletics director and director of compliance
1997-2000 University of Michigan Director of compliance
1995-97 University of Missouri Director of compliance and operations
1993-95 Vanderbilt Academic counselor for two years, director of student life for his final year
