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By Ed Hill, Howard University Director for Athletic Media Relations
Doug Dull, part of the CoSIDA Hall of Fame class of 2016, is one of the true pioneers of CoSIDA. The author of the saying “a man’s
life is measured by his body of work” must surely have had Dull in mind.His career in the sports information profession spans to almost three decades and five institutions. Currently the Associate AD for Communications at American University, Dull started his career as a sports writer and then as sports editor at the
Hagerstown Herald-Mall from 1982-89.
During his tenure there, he received numerous awards for his outstanding contributions as he covered everything from the World Series, Baltimore Orioles, ACC football and basketball, and the PGA.
After honing his skills as a reporter and editor, Dull transitioned into sports information at Chico State from 1989 to 1991. He quickly made his mark there and it was then time to take on a new task at University of California Davis from 1991-00. From there, he headed to the Midwest and served as SID at Kansas State from 2000-03. Then in 2003, Dull returned to his alma mater, the University of Maryland at College Park and was the SID until 2012.
Never one to shy away from challenges, Dull decided to leave the profession to start his own independent public relations consultancy, DGD Communications, LLC before accepting his current position at American University in 2014.
Two former CoSIDA presidents: Dull (left) with Larry Dougherty (Temple)
Dull has played a major role in the development of CoSIDA. He was instrumental in leading the organization through a period of growth that laid the foundation for its current structure. During the period of his vice presidency and presidential roles, CoSIDA approved, funded and instituted the position of Executive Director. He was part of a leadership succession that provided transformational change for the organization.
Dull served as a College Division representative in addition to his time in the presidential rotation at the University Division. He has presented at a number of workshops and was one of the first to understand the value of integrating PR fundamentals into the college athletics setting.
"Doug had a tremendous influence on me," said Larry Dougherty, current Temple University's senior associate director/communications and the former President of CoSIDA and a fellow Hall of Fame inductee. "I got actively involved in CoSIDA when I met Doug at the convention in Philadelphia. I saw his passion for the organization and its direction. It really made me value the profession more and I certainly owe that to Doug."
A strong mentor to colleagues, 12 of his staff members moved up to take director positions in various SID offices nationally.
Doug Dull with his wife, Dr. Patricia Bricmont
“Doug taught me the business,” says Mike Robles, the assistant AD for communications at UC Davis who succeeded Dull. “Almost everything we do here is a reflection of him. The office is run with the same priorities and practices. He set the standard. I can’t think of anyone who is more deserving of being in the Hall of Fame.”
Justin Moore, the Director of Athletics Communications at George Washington University, echoes Robles in his assessment.
“It was Doug who hired me for my first fulltime job (at the University of Maryland),” recalls Moore. “He has had a great impact on me both professionally, and in some ways personally. Doug's demeanor, his personality and positive attitude shaped the way I try to do business. The example he has set has obviously benefitted a lot of people both locally and nationally.”
Dull is a member of numerous organizations including the Football Writers of America, the Track and Field Writers of America and the Basketball Writers of America. He has received several awards through the years for his contributions to the profession.
A 1981 graduate of the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in athletics administration, Dull lives in Rockville, Md., with his wife, Dr. Patricia Bricmont.