Athlete Ally Welcomes New Advisory Board Member Drew Martin
Today, Athlete Ally welcomes Drew Martin as the newest member of the Athlete Ally Advisory Board. Martin is the Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs at the University of Texas, and the first openly gay man to serve in this role.
Martin is a trailblazer for LGBTQ representation in athletics. Since coming out over a decade ago while working in the athletic department at Texas A&M University, he has strived to champion inclusion and diversity. He serves on the leadership committee of the NCAA’s Common Ground program, which was created to provide individuals at public and private colleges and universities, faith-based organizations and LGBTQ affiliations with an opportunity to discuss what makes them similar and different and how they can work more cohesively within athletics populations with the main goal of fostering environments in athletics that respect dignity and support the well-being of student-athletes and those who teach and lead them. In June, Martin worked closely with Athlete Ally Board Member Robert York to plan the first-ever LGBTQ reception at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and Affiliates annual convention. After the convention, Martin was selected as a member of NACMA’s inaugural diversity and inclusion committee. Martin was also an active participant of the annual Nike LGBT Sports Coalition Summit.
“Athlete Ally is proud to welcome Drew to our Advisory Board,” said Hudson Taylor, executive director of Athlete Ally. “Through his leadership and visibility, he helps break down the barriers LGBTQ athletes face and lets them know that they’re not alone. We’re thrilled to have his expertise to guide us as we work to make sport inclusive for athletes everywhere.”
“It is an honor to serve on the advisory board of such an important organization as Athlete Ally,” said Martin. “The connectivity among LGBTQ student-athletes and the ally community is vital to furthering equality for all people in sport. Athlete Ally provides valuable training, education and resources at all levels of sport in an effort to ensure that inclusive environment.”