Brown Joins ACU as Assistant VP for Athletics
8/6/2026 10:30:00 AM | Baseball, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Tennis, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, Women's Volleyball, Cross Country, Track & Field, Women's Golf
Da'Ron Brown, a college athletics administrator with more than 10 years of experience in development and fundraising, has been hired as Abilene Christian University's assistant vice president for athletics and chief revenue officer as announced by ACU vice president for athletics Zack Lassiter.
Brown's first official day at ACU will be Aug. 10.
"My family and I are thrilled to join the Wildcat Family of ACU Athletics. I can't wait to meet the passionate alumni base who are excited about the trajectory and momentum within ACU Athletics," said Brown. "This opportunity empowers me to work alongside individuals who have a lot of excitement for what ACU is doing in this current landscape of collegiate athletics. I look forward to the collaboration with Zack Lassiter and the entire ACU staff to continue providing the necessary resources to ensure our student-athletes have an impactful experience at ACU."
Brown has worked with some of the largest brands in college sports, including multiple Power 4 universities. Most recently he was the assistant athletic director for development/major gifts at SMU from 2024-26 where he oversaw major gift fundraising strategies and played a key role in providing resources for various initiatives, including a major-giving platform, The Boulevard Society which was launched with a $50 million commitment to support revenue sharing. Brown was part of a team which had several record-breaking fundraising totals within the transition of SMU into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
"Da'Ron's impressive track record of success at the highest levels of college athletics stood out to me, but he is also a great missional fit for Abilene Christian University," said Lassiter. "I know he will serve our student-athletes, fans and generous supporters well, and help ensure ACU Athletics has the tools and resources we need to compete in an ever-changing landscape."
Brown also served in fundraising at Miami (2021-24), Baylor (2020-21) and Ole Miss (2017-20). His fundraising has fueled campaigns for capital projects, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes, and other athletic initiatives.
As the director of major gifts at Miami, Brown was part of a team that focused heavily on facility enhancements and premium seating which led to record-breaking fundraising totals from philanthropic support.
Brown spent 2020-2021 at Baylor where he oversaw annual giving as the director of resource development in athletics.
From 2017-2020 Brown was part of the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation as an assistant director who helped with ticketing, donations, and other fundraising efforts as a part of the Forward Together Campaign.
"I thrive the most when I am at an institution that has a faith-centered focus," said Brown. "That's what attracted me and my family the most to ACU. I love how this university serves its students in a holistic way. I want to lean into that and not shy away from it."
Brown attended Troy University from 2011-13 where he was a football walk-on and received his bachelor's degree in sport and fitness management, and a master's in public administration while working as a graduate assistant in development with the athletics department. He also is a member of National Association of Athletic Development (NAAD) where he was a recipient of the 2023 Bobby Purcell Mentorship program.
Da'Ron and his wife Alexus have four children: Jayla, Drayson, Oaklynn, and Damir.
Brown's first official day at ACU will be Aug. 10.
"My family and I are thrilled to join the Wildcat Family of ACU Athletics. I can't wait to meet the passionate alumni base who are excited about the trajectory and momentum within ACU Athletics," said Brown. "This opportunity empowers me to work alongside individuals who have a lot of excitement for what ACU is doing in this current landscape of collegiate athletics. I look forward to the collaboration with Zack Lassiter and the entire ACU staff to continue providing the necessary resources to ensure our student-athletes have an impactful experience at ACU."
Brown has worked with some of the largest brands in college sports, including multiple Power 4 universities. Most recently he was the assistant athletic director for development/major gifts at SMU from 2024-26 where he oversaw major gift fundraising strategies and played a key role in providing resources for various initiatives, including a major-giving platform, The Boulevard Society which was launched with a $50 million commitment to support revenue sharing. Brown was part of a team which had several record-breaking fundraising totals within the transition of SMU into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
"Da'Ron's impressive track record of success at the highest levels of college athletics stood out to me, but he is also a great missional fit for Abilene Christian University," said Lassiter. "I know he will serve our student-athletes, fans and generous supporters well, and help ensure ACU Athletics has the tools and resources we need to compete in an ever-changing landscape."
Brown also served in fundraising at Miami (2021-24), Baylor (2020-21) and Ole Miss (2017-20). His fundraising has fueled campaigns for capital projects, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes, and other athletic initiatives.
As the director of major gifts at Miami, Brown was part of a team that focused heavily on facility enhancements and premium seating which led to record-breaking fundraising totals from philanthropic support.
Brown spent 2020-2021 at Baylor where he oversaw annual giving as the director of resource development in athletics.
From 2017-2020 Brown was part of the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation as an assistant director who helped with ticketing, donations, and other fundraising efforts as a part of the Forward Together Campaign.
"I thrive the most when I am at an institution that has a faith-centered focus," said Brown. "That's what attracted me and my family the most to ACU. I love how this university serves its students in a holistic way. I want to lean into that and not shy away from it."
Brown attended Troy University from 2011-13 where he was a football walk-on and received his bachelor's degree in sport and fitness management, and a master's in public administration while working as a graduate assistant in development with the athletics department. He also is a member of National Association of Athletic Development (NAAD) where he was a recipient of the 2023 Bobby Purcell Mentorship program.
Da'Ron and his wife Alexus have four children: Jayla, Drayson, Oaklynn, and Damir.
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