Army West Point Athletics Association (AWPAA) Senior Leadership Team Changes Announced

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- Mike Buddie, Director of Athletics, unveiled today the latest advancements within the Army West Point Athletics Association (AWPAA) Senior Leadership Team.

Tricia Brandenburg becomes Deputy Athletics Director, Chief Leadership Officer (CLO) & Senior Woman Administrator, while Abigail Howard assumes the role of Deputy Athletics Director, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) & General Counsel. Dan McCarthy maintains his leadership position as Deputy Athletics Director but adds Chief Operating Officer (COO) to his title. Additionally, Tom Theodorakis steps into the role of Deputy Athletics Director, External Operations & Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). Lastly, COL Gretchen Nunez continues her role as Deputy Athletics Director, Military. These changes reflect a strategic effort aimed at strengthening the leadership and operational capabilities of the AWPAA.

Tricia Brandenburg
Title: Deputy Athletics Director, Chief Leadership Officer & Senior Woman Administrator
Sport Oversight: Football (secondary), Men's Soccer, Women's Basketball, Wrestling and Softball

Tricia Brandenburg, a seasoned college athletics administrator, represents Army West Point Athletics on several committees within the Patriot League, American Athletic Conference and NCAA, while fulfilling the role of Senior Woman Administrator. Leading the sport administrator program, Brandenburg also assumes oversight of Compliance, Sports Medicine, Sports Performance, and Nutrition. She also holds a position on the Army-Navy Steering Committee, which coordinates and manages the iconic rivalry game, steeped in tradition and history, between the two esteemed institutions.

Abigail Howard
Title: Deputy Athletics Director, Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel
Sport Oversight: Women's Soccer, Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving, Men's and Women's Tennis

With more than a decade and a half of legal and administrative experience across collegiate athletics, local government, and with USA Swimming, Abigail Howard brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Howard is responsible for the daily operations pertaining to legal affairs, employment, corporate and administrative contracts, policy & procedure, and diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives. Additionally, she offers consultation and guidance to the Director of Athletics on critical matters concerning Army West Point athletics. Howard also holds a position on the Army-Navy Steering Committee, actively involved in the bidding, organization, and execution of the historic and revered rivalry game between the two institutions.

Dan McCarthy, PhD
Title: Deputy Athletics Director, Chief Operating Officer
Sport Oversight: Football, Ice Hockey, and Baseball

Dan McCarthy plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategic vision for Army West Point Athletics, collaborating closely with the Director of Athletics. He serves as the department's liaison in various governance functions within the United States Military Academy (USMA). McCarthy's responsibilities encompass overseeing internal operations, including game and event operations, team support, procurement and contracting, camps, equipment operations, and admissions support for all 30 teams. He spearheads the management of the department's capital projects, ensuring the upkeep and modernization of athletic facilities and the construction of new ones. Additionally, he represents Army West Point as a member of the Patriot League Sports Management Committee, as a director of the Atlantic Hockey Association, and with the Football Sport Administrators of the American Athletic Conference. Moreover, McCarthy leads the planning and operational aspects of the annual Army-Navy football game as a member of the Army-Navy Steering Committee. McCarthy previously held the position of Senior Associate Athletic Director of Administration and served as Interim Director of Athletics in the spring of 2019 during the transition to a new director of athletics.

Tom Theodorakis
Deputy Athletics Director, External Operations & Chief Revenue Officer
Sport Oversight: Men's Basketball and Men's Lacrosse

Tom Theodorakis assumes leadership of all external units within the Army West Point Athletics Association. This encompasses various areas such as Development, including involvement in a comprehensive $600M campaign for the Academy. Additionally, Theodorakis oversees Strategic Communication, which includes athletics communications, digital and social strategies, creative and video services, and broadcasting. Furthermore, he is responsible for Licensing and Branding, as well as Business Development & Revenue Generation, which includes marketing, fan engagement, ticketing, ticket sales, and sponsorships. Theodorakis also serves as a member of the Army-Navy Steering Committee that bids, organizes, and executes America's most traditional and enduring rivalry game.

Army West Point Athletics

Army West Point Athletics Association (AWPAA) Senior Leadership Team Changes Announced

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