天美传媒

by Stephen Levine

For Darryl Conway ’95, there have been several different stops along the way since he received his and from . Mr. Conway has interned and worked full time for pro football鈥檚 . He also worked at several universities until one well-known institution created a position just for him.

On June 5, 2013, Mr. Conway became the University of Michigan鈥檚 first-ever associate athletic director of student-athlete health and welfare. His responsibilities include supervising Michigan鈥檚 athletic trainers, nutritionists and equipment managers, while also serving as a liaison to the university鈥檚 team physicians.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredible honor,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly lucky and blessed to be in this position.鈥�

After earning his graduate degree in 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 and before arriving on the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus, Mr. Conway worked in the athletic departments at the University of Delaware, Morgan State University, the University of Northern Iowa, the University of Central Florida and, most recently, the University of Maryland. At Maryland, he supervised 16 athletic trainers, eight team physicians and three physical therapists.

Each position prepared Mr. Conway for his current role by allowing him to experience 鈥渢he administrative side and see the vision and know how to complete that vision,鈥� he said. Upon his arrival at Michigan, he was already knowledgeable about the business of athletics and what it takes to succeed in the field.

鈥淒arryl is an excellent addition to our athletic department and comes in an area of great importance,鈥� Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said. 鈥淭he health and welfare of our student-athletes is critical to our success as an athletic department.鈥�

Player safety in professional and collegiate athletics has become a major topic of discussion, and Mr. Conway said he takes seriously his responsibility to protect the student-athletes in his care.

鈥淢y biggest goal is to improve the health and wellness of the student-athlete鈥攏ot just physical health, but mental and emotional health as well,鈥� he said.

Mr. Conway believes the new rules emphasizing safety in the are beneficial to the welfare of the players. Still, he thinks that professional players and coaches need to become more aware of the possible long-term effects of concussions and other head injuries. He advocates a raise in consciousness, similar to what occurred in the NFL after former Minnesota Vikings player Korey Stringer died from dehydration during a team practice in 2001.

鈥淪ince Stringer鈥檚 death, heat and hydration were put at the forefront,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ince that time, coaches have been shunned [for not] giving water breaks. We鈥檙e on our way because of this heightened sense of awareness.鈥�

Although he graduated from Adelphi nearly two decades ago, Mr. Conway still credits the University as the biggest factor in landing the job he now holds. The sport management program allowed him to learn from the best professors in the , he said.

鈥淭he Adelphi sport management program was instrumental for me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be where I am without it.”