Marshall University Athletics
Marshall’s Mike Valentine Chosen For 2026 NACDA Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute
5/13/2026 10:00:00 AM | General, Big Green Scholarship Foundation
Two-part professional development program takes place June 7-10 in Las Vegas, Sept. 20-22 in St. Louis
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Mike Valentine, Marshall's Senior Associate Director of Athletics and General Manager, has been selected by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) to participate in the 2026 NACDA Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute.
Valentine was one of a select number of senior level administrators annually to receive a grant through 'NACDA U' to participate in the institute, which incorporates a two-part programming model aimed at enhancing professional development for members.
"We are incredibly proud of Mike and excited for him to have the opportunity to grow and develop on a national level through the NACDA Senior Administrators' Mentoring Institute," said Gerald Harrison, Marshall's Vice President and Director of Athletics. "Mike has quickly established himself as an outstanding leader within our department and someone who is deeply committed to the success of Marshall Athletics and our student-athletes. As we continue striving to build one of the premier athletic departments in the country, it starts with surrounding our programs with the strongest and most prepared staff possible. This recognition is a reflection of Mike's work ethic, leadership and potential, and it is another example that it is a great time to run with The Herd."
Programming for the 2026 NACDA event begins with the NACDA & Affiliates Convention in Las Vegas, which runs from June 7-10. Mentoring Institute programming gets underway on location in Las Vegas on the final day of the convention.
Those selected for the 2026 NACDA Senior Administrators' Mentoring Institute will then re-convene in St. Louis for the final part of the institute's programming from Sept. 20-22 in St. Louis, Mo.
The programming's purpose is to bring the nation's top senior level athletics administrators together with athletics directors to share ideas and best practices that will build the pathway for the future of intercollegiate athletics.
Valentine was named Senior Associate Director of Athletics and General Manager by Harrison in August 2025, continuing his ascent as an administrator and leader within Marshall Athletics.
Prior to that elevation by Harrison, Valentine started his tenure at Marshall in April 2023 as Senior Associate Athletic Director with an emphasis in oversight of Equipment Operations – a role he maintains today as he manages Marshall's partnerships with Nike and BSN Sports.
Valentine also provides oversight over Strength and Conditioning, Sports Nutrition and is the Sport Administrator for Marshall Football.
Valentine's grant came through 'NACDA U', which was created in 2022 to elevate and enhance member athletics directors and senior level administrators through the changing world of collegiate athletics.
NACDA U's centralized purpose is to provide educational opportunities and serve as a networking vehicle for information and advocacy for the profession while also providing insight into the new era of intercollegiate athletics.
Valentine will join Andrew Brown, Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Capital Projects and Championship Facilities, as Marshall Senior Administrators selected for the NACDA Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute in 2026.
Brown was announced as a grant recipient in January.
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