DURHAM, N.C.— The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) announced the addition of Troy Austin, Cheryl Parquet, Monica Brown, Brendan Madigan, and Jaye Pratt to its board of directors. These new board members’ extensive experience in athletics and dedication to community engagement and development are key as the DSC continues to pursue its mission to drive social and economic impact through attracting, supporting and promoting the best sporting and recreation events for the Bull City.
“Bill Kalkhof, Dan Hill, Mitch Moser, Ray Trapp, and Umar Muhammad laid a foundation, provided a vision and charted a path forward for the DSC. And for that we will be forever grateful for their service,” says Marcus Manning, executive director of the DSC. “As the landscape of sports and sports tourism continues to evolve and transform, our new dynamic leaders and forward thinkers led by chair Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree and incoming vice chair Angelique Stallings will play a significant role in the continued growth and sustained success of our city. With future opportunities in front of us, we anticipate witnessing the Durham sports ecosystem continuing to expand and thrive under their innovative leadership, strategic thinking and guidance.”
In his current role, Troy Austin oversees fundraising and development operations for Duke University’s athletic programs. A former star athlete, Austin was a four-year varsity football letterman at Duke, serving as team captain his senior year and earning several prestigious awards including the renowned William J. Griffith Service Award. His deep commitment to athletics extends well beyond his playing days, as he is also a former director of athletics at Longwood University. Austin now plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Duke Athletics, securing significant financial support and driving strategic growth for the programs he oversees, setting him up to contribute to the DSC’s Board of Directors.
As director of community engagement, Cheryl Parquet leads initiatives to enhance Blue Cross NC’s reputation and brand through strategic community investments and partnerships. Offering more than 16 years of experience, she has been instrumental in fostering collaborations with community organizations, civic leaders, and businesses to drive health and wellness initiatives across the state. Parquet’s passion lies in improving the health and well-being of communities, which will be invaluable in her new role as a board member. She holds a Certified Diversity and Inclusion Professional (CDIP) credential from Cornell University and a Corporate Social Responsibility certification from Duke University, which aid her in successfully developing and implementing impactful community initiatives.
As a native of Durham and a distinguished athlete, Jaye Pratt brings a steadfast connection to the local community. A 2011 graduate of Hillside New Tech High School, Jaye excelled in track and field, earning multiple awards and an athletic scholarship to North Carolina Central University (NCCU). At NCCU, he continued to achieve, earning MEAC Conference and NCAA East Regional Honors while serving as vice-president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Pratt is the founder of JCP Fitness, Inc. and JCP Performance, where he promotes fitness and health in the Raleigh-Durham areas. His extensive coaching experience at Hillside High School, where he is the head boys’ soccer coach, showcases his ability to inspire and mentor young athletes. Pratt’s passion for sports, community engagement, and youth development are sure to make him an excellent addition to the DSC’s Board of Directors.
Brendan Madigan is currently the chief financial officer at Limited Run Games in Apex, NC, and is also a licensed CPA in North Carolina with extensive financial expertise. He is committed to community service, having previously served on the Durham County Boxing and Wrestling Commissions and currently serving on the Durham Audit Oversight Committee. Madigan has a master’s degree in accounting from NC State University and a bachelor’s degree in public policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Currently residing in Durham, Madigan’s combination of professional acumen and community involvement make him an ideal addition to the board.
Monica Brown currently serves as the senior director of equity advancement at the YMCA of the Triangle, where she has been a part of the team since 2013, demonstrating her loyal support of the organization. She graduated from NC State University with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in sports management, where she also played for Wolfpack soccer. It wasn’t until after her playing days were over that she discovered her true passion for coaching soccer for athletes at all levels of play. Brown is a mentor and coach at heart and uses this approach to build teams, drive effective communication and facilitate powerful and engaging conversations that lead to more profound empathy and growth. She looks forward to using these skills as a new board member with the DSC.
“We believe in the power of sports to foster community spirit and improve lives, and we look forward to tapping into our new board members’ experience, expertise and passion to support the DSC’s mission,” says Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, chair of the DSC Board of Directors. “We are honored to have such bright, dedicated community members join our team and be a part of what’s next for the Bull City.”
The other notable change includes Ryan Craig stepping in as secretary/treasurer. For more information about the Durham Sports Commission, please visit DurhamNCSports.com.
