Joylynn Brown appointed director of athletics at Wright State

Joylynn Brown is the first woman to serve as the director of athletics in Wright State history.

Joylynn Brown, a longtime leader of Wright State University athletics and a former coach and student-athlete, has been named the director of athletics after serving in an interim role since April.

“Joylynn has provided steady leadership and ensured a seamless transition in Raider Athletics. She brings a wealth of experience and a steadfast passion for the success of Wright State Athletics and its student-athletes,” said Wright State University President Sue Edwards.

Brown is just the fourth director of athletics in Wright State history and the first woman named to the role.

“I have spent nearly my entire adult life at Wright State. It is my home and where I have developed and grown personally and professionally,” Brown said. “Leading this department is an incredible honor. After being involved in every aspect of the program, I am prepared to lead and put my own stamp on the Raiders. I am so thankful that Dr. Edwards and the Wright State administration have the belief in me to be the director of athletics.”

Brown said she will continue the legacy of retired athletic director Bob Grant by valuing Wright State’s student-athletes as a whole.

“I want every student who leaves Wright State to feel valued and have a sense of belonging to something larger than themselves,” she said. “By following the holistic model we have established and implemented more avenues for our student-athletes to be successful. I am confident we can achieve that. I am surrounded by a strong team of administrators, staff and coaches who are all in on creating an amazing experience in our department.”

“In the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, we must focus on what we can control and move forward while staying true to Wright State’s mission,” Brown added. “Our success has a positive impact on the university, just as the university’s growth and success directly benefit us. Collaborating with other departments on campus is an integral part of this growth. I will continue to cultivate the strong foundation that has been built. It’s a great time to be a Raider!”

Brown has been associated with Raider Athletics for nearly three decades.

As interim director of athletics, Brown focused on facility improvements, including securing a $30,000 donation for upgrades and the installation of new turf at Alumni Field and Mulholland Field, benefiting both student-athletes and the general student population; hosted the first-ever men’s and women’s basketball open summer practice event for season ticketholders; collaborated with university administration and community leaders to host the Air Force Academy during a men’s basketball game on Nov. 30, 2024, while also securing a $50,000 sponsorship for community events surrounding the game; and secured a sponsorship agreement with Southern Ohio Brewing to produce and sell a Wright State-themed beer.

In her prior role as deputy director of athletics, she supervised all aspects of Wright State’s day-to-day operations. She also served as the senior woman administrator and the deputy Title IX coordinator for athletics.

She was also Wright State’s NCAA administrative designee in recent NCAA tournament appearances for men’s soccer, volleyball, and both men’s and women’s basketball, with all four capturing their first NCAA victories in program history.

Brown has been actively involved with all facets of the Athletics Department, chairing head coaching search committees since her arrival, including the appointment of new head men’s basketball coach Clint Sargent.

She has played a role in each area of Raider Athletics during her tenure, has had oversight for seven different men’s and women’s programs, and was the secondary supervisor for men’s and women’s basketball for nearly a decade.

In addition to her duties with the Raiders, she has served as the vice chair of the Horizon League’s Senior Woman Administrator advisory group since 2023.

Brown played volleyball for Wright State from 1989 to 1992 and was an all-conference performer. She was the volleyball program’s assistant coach from 1996 to 1998 and head coach from 1998 to 2005. She was named the Horizon League Coach of the Year and the AVCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 2001.

Brown graduated from Wright State in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in communications studies with a concentration in English.