California State University East Bay (CSUEB) assistant athletic director for development Darrell Bailey said the United States Sports Academy was a blessing for his career and a spring board into collegiate athletics administration.
Bailey, who is charged with increasing revenue to the Pioneers athletics department through donor support and corporate sponsorships, earned his Master of Sports Science degree in sports management from the Academy in 2004.
“The Academy was a blessing to me and my career, and I can definitely say it was a spring board for me into college athletics,” Bailey said. “My Academy education directly prepared me for my positions over the past 10 years through helping me understand the skills necessary behind being the athlete. Courses in sport administration, sport marketing, contemporary issues in sport and sport finance and administration prepared me to know what to expect once I got into college athletics because of the real world studies I had gone through at the Academy. The professors at the Academy were professionals with very good insight as part of their instruction, which was extremely beneficial.
“Everyone knows that sports are a billion-dollar business and with so many other majors out there that lead individuals to their chosen profession, the Academy provides the same type of guidance and direction that a person interested in the field needs to make that choice to become a contributor to the world of sports.”
Bailey has worked for CSUEB for nine years, having originally joined the athletic department staff as the athletics business manager, where he oversaw all business and financial operations for 13 sports. He was promoted to his current position in 2017, when he took over management of the athletic department’s corporate partnerships, fundraising initiatives, community engagement, alumni outreach, and giving.
“My goal is to bridge the gap between past and present student-athletes as well as with both the local and campus community,” Bailey said. “I enjoy having the potential to raise funds in support of our student-athletes for scholarships and operational support. This type of work allows our athletes and administrators the ability to focus more on academics and athletics, while we try to enhance their student-athlete experience through increased revenue and more alumni involvement.”
Prior to joining the Pioneers athletic staff, Bailey served nine years in the United States Air Force, where he coached the over-40 base championship basketball team. He also served the city of San Diego, Calif., for 12 years in various roles and also coached girls’ basketball for Mater Dei High School in Chula Vista, Calif., for several years.
Bailey is a member of several professional organizations, including the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA), College Athletic Business Management Association (CABMA), African-American Faculty and Staff Association (AAFSA), Kaleidoscope Program as a Mentor, and North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM). He is also a member of the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD).
“My involvement in these organizations have a common theme of growing my knowledge, applying my knowledge and expanding my knowledge,” Bailey said. “Locally, I am a mentor through our Kaleidoscope program for incoming students to help them adjust and to provide guidance anyway possible.”
