Michael Brown joined Middle Georgia State University as the Director of Athletics in November 2023. He is charged with leading the day-to-day operations of the Knights’ 10 intercollegiate athletic programs while also serving on the President’s cabinet.
He most recently served as the Associate Athletic Director for Operations at Purdue University Fort Wayne (NCAA Division I, Horizon League) from July 2021-October 2023. While on staff with the Mastodons, Brown served on the department’s executive leadership team while providing administrative oversight of all athletic facilities, capital projects, game and event operations, media services, and equipment operations. Additionally, he assisted with the leadership of the department’s external units including revenue generation involving ticketing, concessions and community partnership events. He also served as the sport administrator of the PFW baseball and women’s soccer programs.
Brown came to Purdue Fort Wayne following a 13-year tenure (2007-21) within the NCAA Division II ranks at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Fla. His efforts and impact on Sailfish Athletics were recognized by the campus community when he was named the Palm Beach Atlantic University Employee of the Year for the 2016-17 academic year.
He spent his final six years (2015-21) serving in the role of Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations while providing oversight of athletic communications, fan engagement, game operations, corporate sponsorships, marketing, promotions and brand initiatives. He also managed all athletic facilities operations including the 76-acre Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus including the 32,000 square foot Rinker Sports Center as well as the 60,000 square foot Greene Complex. He also served as a sport administrator for the baseball, men’s soccer, men’s lacrosse, beach volleyball, softball and men’s and women’s golf programs during his time at PBA.
Brown began his tenure at Palm Beach Atlantic in 2007 as Sports Information Director before joining the department's senior leadership team as Assistant Athletic Director for Communications in 2010.
He served as Tournament Director for all NCAA and Sunshine State Conference postseason events hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic during his tenure as well as serving as Tournament Director for the National Christian College Athletic Association Softball World Series, which the university hosted from 2008-10. He also served as the Host Site Director for the NCAA Division II men’s and women’s golf national championships in 2019 and 2021. Other NCAA appointments include serving multiple times as a site representative while also as a member of the South Region regional advisory committee for softball from 2020-21.
Brown came to Palm Beach Atlantic after serving as the Sports Information Director at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. A member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as well as the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC), Brown oversaw the athletic communications efforts for 17 varsity sports and nine junior varsity teams.
An alumnus of Indiana Wesleyan University with a bachelor's degree in business administration, Brown began his experience within intercollegiate athletics as a student assistant in the Sports Information office at Indian Wesleyan. He completed his master's degree in athletics administration from the University of California-Pennsylvania in August 2010.
Beyond his experience in intercollegiate athletics, Brown has also spent considerable time working in professional and amateur baseball. During 2005, Brown spent his summer working for the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the eventual 2005 World Series Champion, Chicago White Sox. While working for numerous departments throughout the season, Brown’s focus was mostly in baseball and stadium operations.
Brown’s next stop on the minor-league baseball circuit was in Fort Wayne where he spent time working for the San Diego Padres Single-A affiliate, the Fort Wayne Wizards (now known as the Fort Wayne TinCaps). He has also served as a Public Address Announcer and Official Scorer for the Single-A affiliates of the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Fla.
Additionally, he has also assisted with the hosting of numerous tournaments for USA Baseball and their junior national program in Florida.
Brown and his wife, Jessica, welcomed their first child, Bethany, in September 2022, and a second daughter, Breanne, in September 2024. The family resides in Cochran.
