CHICAGO – UIC Senior Associate AD – Health, Wellness, Performance Dr. Galen Duncan was named a NACDA U Sr. Administrators Grant Recipient by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
As a 2023 recipient, Duncan will receive a grant to attend the 2023 NACDA and Affiliates Convention, held June 11-14 in Orlando, Fla.
"I am humbled and honored to have been selected for this educational opportunity," Duncan said. "I have spent most of my career working in professional athletics, college presents a new experience. I look forward to learning from those who have mastered the space of Division 1 college athletics. Thank you NACDA for selecting me. Thank you, Director of Athletics Michael Lipitz and Deputy Athletics Director - Chief Operating Officer and Senior Woman Administrator Farrah Manthei, for giving me a chance to grow at University of Illinois Chicago."
Duncan was named UIC's first-ever Senior Associate Athletics Director of Health, Wellness and Performance in September 2021. Known as the 'Development Doctor', Duncan provides leadership for all aspects of student-athlete wellness and performance, including athletic training, athletic medicine, mental health, nutrition, and data analytics. He also serves as UIC's sport administrator for men's tennis, women's tennis and golf.
Duncan arrived in Chicago after four years as Vice President of Kings Academy and Professional Development for the NBA's Sacramento Kings. He was directly responsible for the implementation of a player-centric curriculum that aligned organizational philosophies and ideals to help athletes mature into well-rounded professionals. During his time in Sacramento, Duncan created an organization-wide mental health awareness and treatment program. Prior to working for the Kings, Duncan served as the Senior Director of Player Development for the NFL's Detroit Lions for more than a decade.
NACDA is the largest association of collegiate athletics administrators, boasting a membership of more than 22,000 individuals. Members include athletics directors, associate and assistant athletics directors, conference commissioners and affiliate individuals or corporations.
In its second year, the NACDA U initiative is a way for NACDA to invest in its membership through professional development, supporting athletics directors and senior level administrators as they advance in their careers and navigate the continually evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.
NACDA's 58th Annual Convention will take place at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Fla.
