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Mark Brand To Retire After 39 Years At ASU

by thesundevils.com
Jun 16, 2022
Mark Brand with Ray Anderson

Arizona State Senior Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations Mark Brand has announced his retirement, effective July 12, 2022.

Brand joined Sun Devil Athletics back in 1983 as an Assistant SID for baseball, men's basketball, and football before becoming the lead Sports Information Director in 1987. He has worked as a member of the Senior Administration at ASU for many years, overseeing the publicity of football, managing the budget, and handling football scheduling. He will retire after 39 years of dedication to Sun Devil Athletics.

"No one cares more about Sun Devil Athletics than Mark Brand," Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson remarked. "Since the day I arrived at Arizona State, I could not have been more impressed with him. He is the ultimate professional who handles himself with poise and class. I admire the way he treats people and feel very fortunate I got to work with him."

Brand developed and maintained a reputation as one of the best in his profession and it recently culminated in him achieving the highest honor in the industry. The Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) released their 2022 Hall of Fame class back February. Among the six inductees was Mark Brand, who will officially enter the CoSIDA Hall of Fame later this month. He will take his rightful place among the legendary communications figures that have earned a spot as a part of the most exclusive group in the business. 

During his 40+ years in the business, Brand has been in charge of media relations at numerous major events. He served as the Media Coordinator for 11 NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball First & Second Rounds and Regional Championships while at ASU. He has been a member of the Board of Directors and Vice-President of The Valley of the Sun Chapter of The National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame since 1989. Recently, Brand was selected to be a member of the District 7 Screening Committee of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.  Brand has won several other awards previously from CoSIDA for his publications.

His passion and love for Arizona State is unmatched and can be confirmed by the countless student-athletes, coaches, and colleagues who he interacted with. Thanks to his leadership, the Sun Devil Media Relations office has been recognized on many occasions for innovation and resourcefulness. 

During his time running the Arizona State Media Relations Department, Brand has also developed and mentored hundreds of young professionals. He has been extremely influential in the lives of many ASU media relations employees and students, known for his personal touch and genuine intentions. Working closely with Doug Tammaro for the past 25 years, the duo has built one of the most impressive "coaching trees" in the nation. Visit this link for more information about the former staff and students that have come through the Sun Devil Media Relations office and been impacted by Brand. 

Prior to his stint at ASU, Brand was the Assistant Sports Information Director at East Carolina University from 1981 through 1983. At ECU Brand served as the publicity director for baseball, women's basketball, soccer, track and field, swimming and diving, and assisted with football and men's basketball. He also published all media guides and game programs for the aforementioned sports.

He and his wife reside in Phoenix. Their two daughters, Ashley and Lindsey, still live in the Valley. One is recently married and the other engaged. Both kids are also graduates of Arizona State University, with Ashley earning her degree in 2012 and Lindsey in 2016.

Brand is from Muncie, Indiana and graduated from Delta High School in 1977.

In a letter to the employees of Sun Devil Athletics, Brand shared his thoughts on the decision. 

"When Director of Athletics Dick Tamburo and Sports Information Director Paul Jensen hired me at ASU in 1983 I never dreamed that 39 years later I would be sitting here in this same spot. A lot has happened since then and almost all of it has been nothing short of wonderful. After consultation with my family I have decided to retire from ASU on July 12, 2022 from almost the only job I have ever known.  Aside from a two-year stint as assistant SID at East Carolina University upon graduation from Purdue University in 1981, ASU has been the only home I have ever known in my professional life.  And what a glorious life it has been. I've had the privilege to work for every ASU Athletic Director from Tamburo to Ray Anderson.  I've had the opportunity to work alongside every Sun Devil football coach from Darryl Rogers to Herm Edwards. It has been my honor to work with the literally thousands of student-athletes along the way." 

 

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