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Duer Sharp

Last College:
B.S., M.S., Afro-American Studies, Wisconsin

COMMISSIONER

The Southwestern Athletic Conference's fifth Commissioner since its founding in 1920, Duer M. Sharp enters his second year as the Conference's full time commissioner. He has guided the SWAC to new heights in technology and national media exposure, while preserving the rich tradition of SWAC athletics and academics by developing its "Honor the Heritage" brand.

Some of the accomplishments and enhancements that the conference has benefited from under Sharp's leadership, since his arrival, have included:

· Implementation and execution of the SWAC strategic and vision plan for 2008-2011

· Implementation of conference-wide video editing and exchange solution (LRS/Dragon Fly Storm-digital) in the sport of football.

· Development of a comprehensive program to improve overall team and officials' performance in the sport of football.

· Negotiated exclusive conference-wide footwear agreement with Nike USA, Inc. in 2008.

· Restructured exclusive conference-wide apparel and equipment agreements with Russell Athletic, Inc. and Spalding providing all member institutions with game uniforms, sideline apparel and game products in football, baseball, softball, men's and women's basketball.

· Implementation of Internet video exchange in the sports of men's and women's basketball

· Negotiated extension with ESPN for the annual MEAC-SWAC Challenge in the sport of football.

· Established weekly conference television show, "Inside SWAC", with a viewing area of 7.7 million throughout southeast.

· Creation of SWAC 365, a community outreach program which conducts athletic camps and clinics partnering with city of Birmingham. In 6 years, over 3,000 elementary and middle schools students have participated in the outreach program. SWAC 365 reflects the SWAC's positive impact on the City of Birmingham 365 days a year.

The 40-year old Sharp is a native of Camden, New Jersey. He received an undergraduate degree in Afro-American Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1991 and a graduate degree in Afro-American Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992. Sharp was also a four-year starter for the Badger football team (1988-1991). He was the recipient of Jay Seiler award for team leadership and was the recipient of Kappa Alpha Psi Tom W. Shick Scholarship awarded for intellectual vigor, concern for social justice and equality.

Sharp launched his athletic administration career at the Big Ten where he served as a Sports Management administrator from 1998-2003. Since then, Sharp has worked at the SWAC (assistant commissioner, associate commissioner), including a stint at Grambling State University as Interim-Director Athletics. Sharp was named Commissioner of the SWAC on January 2, 2008.

Sharp is actively involved in the Birmingham community. In 2009, he was named to the Birmingham Business Journal's "Top 40 under 40 List". Sharp is also actively involved in youth clinics, the Worship Center Christian Church and is a past Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Trustee.

Sharp is married to Sandy and the couple resides in Birmingham

Personal Information

Full name: Duer M. Sharp

Hometown: Camden, New Jersey

Wife: Sandy Sharp

Education

High School: Woodrow Wilson High School

Camden, New Jersey

College: University of Wisconsin, 1991

Madison, Wisconsin

Bachelor of Arts, Afro American Studies

Graduate: University of Wisconsin, 1992