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Troy Austin Named Deputy Athletics Director for Development
8/10/2022 1:02:00 PM | Iron Dukes, Athletics
DURHAM – Duke Vice President and Director of Athletics Nina King has named Troy Austin to Deputy Athletics Director for Development. Austin, a Duke football alum who returned to his alma mater in 2018, replaces the retired Tom Coffman.
Coffman retired from Duke in June after 17 years coordinating fundraising for the entire Athletics Department, including the Iron Dukes Annual Fund, major gifts, principal gifts, varsity club for each specific sports program and campus recreation and club sports.
Austin, who will occupy a similar role, graduated from Duke in 2000 with a degree in sociology after a four-year career as a defensive lineman for the Blue Devils. He was hired by Duke in 2018 as Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Affairs and promoted to Deputy Director of Athletics for Competitive Excellence, People and Culture in July 2021.
"After a national search and through numerous discussions with Troy, it became clear that he is an absolutely perfect fit for the position," said King. "He has an unwavering passion for and commitment to the Duke student-athletes, Duke Athletics, and Duke University. The combination of his experiences as a Duke student-athlete and longtime athletics administrator, including his time as a Division I Athletic Director, along with the depth of his institutional knowledge are exactly what we need for Duke Athletics."
Before returning to Durham, Austin spent the previous 10 years as Director of Athletics at Longwood University in Farmville, Va., where he guided the Lancer athletic department beginning in April of 2008 and spearheaded the school's transition to NCAA Division I active membership. On the national level, he has served on the NCAA Division I Council as well as the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship committee.
"I am excited and honored for this opportunity and look forward to engaging with our staff, fans, alumni and donors," said Austin. "Having graduated from Duke and spent the last five years here, the institution and entire Durham community hold a special place for me and our family. My sincere appreciation and gratitude go to Nina King for her leadership, and to Tom Coffman and the Iron Dukes staff for setting a fantastic standard for athletics philanthropy. I'm eager to build upon their tremendous efforts."
In addition, Austin was affiliated with the Division I-AAA Athletics Director Association Executive Committee, holding roles as secretary (2013-14), vice president (2015-16) and president (2016-17). In 2016, Austin was honored by the I-AAA with the prestigious Builder's Award, an honor which recognizes one Division I athletics director who, for a minimum of five years as an active I-AAA Director of Athletics, has contributed to the enhancement of the organization in such a manner as to bring honor to themselves, their institution, and the profession as a whole.
Austin joined the Longwood athletic department in 2005 as the Director of Development. One year later, he served as the interim Director of Athletics before earning the full-time appointment. Prior to moving to Farmville, Austin was the director of program development and marketing relations for the National Football League Coaches Association (NFLCA) from 2003-05. He also completed internships in the athletic departments at Duke University (2001-02; Life Skills) and Virginia Commonwealth University (2002-03; Marketing & Promotions).
Austin and his wife, the former Kim Fitzgerald, have one daughter, Emery, and one son, Fitz.
#GoDuke
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Coffman retired from Duke in June after 17 years coordinating fundraising for the entire Athletics Department, including the Iron Dukes Annual Fund, major gifts, principal gifts, varsity club for each specific sports program and campus recreation and club sports.
Austin, who will occupy a similar role, graduated from Duke in 2000 with a degree in sociology after a four-year career as a defensive lineman for the Blue Devils. He was hired by Duke in 2018 as Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Affairs and promoted to Deputy Director of Athletics for Competitive Excellence, People and Culture in July 2021.
"After a national search and through numerous discussions with Troy, it became clear that he is an absolutely perfect fit for the position," said King. "He has an unwavering passion for and commitment to the Duke student-athletes, Duke Athletics, and Duke University. The combination of his experiences as a Duke student-athlete and longtime athletics administrator, including his time as a Division I Athletic Director, along with the depth of his institutional knowledge are exactly what we need for Duke Athletics."
Before returning to Durham, Austin spent the previous 10 years as Director of Athletics at Longwood University in Farmville, Va., where he guided the Lancer athletic department beginning in April of 2008 and spearheaded the school's transition to NCAA Division I active membership. On the national level, he has served on the NCAA Division I Council as well as the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship committee.
"I am excited and honored for this opportunity and look forward to engaging with our staff, fans, alumni and donors," said Austin. "Having graduated from Duke and spent the last five years here, the institution and entire Durham community hold a special place for me and our family. My sincere appreciation and gratitude go to Nina King for her leadership, and to Tom Coffman and the Iron Dukes staff for setting a fantastic standard for athletics philanthropy. I'm eager to build upon their tremendous efforts."
In addition, Austin was affiliated with the Division I-AAA Athletics Director Association Executive Committee, holding roles as secretary (2013-14), vice president (2015-16) and president (2016-17). In 2016, Austin was honored by the I-AAA with the prestigious Builder's Award, an honor which recognizes one Division I athletics director who, for a minimum of five years as an active I-AAA Director of Athletics, has contributed to the enhancement of the organization in such a manner as to bring honor to themselves, their institution, and the profession as a whole.
Austin joined the Longwood athletic department in 2005 as the Director of Development. One year later, he served as the interim Director of Athletics before earning the full-time appointment. Prior to moving to Farmville, Austin was the director of program development and marketing relations for the National Football League Coaches Association (NFLCA) from 2003-05. He also completed internships in the athletic departments at Duke University (2001-02; Life Skills) and Virginia Commonwealth University (2002-03; Marketing & Promotions).
Austin and his wife, the former Kim Fitzgerald, have one daughter, Emery, and one son, Fitz.
#GoDuke
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