Dan Blair- NECC Director of Athletics

It’s a good thing Dan Blair ran track and cross country at Newburyport High School and Bridgewater State University, because he hit the ground running when he arrived at Northern Essex last fall as the director of athletics. Blair, who holds a master’s in sport facility management, oversees the college’s eight varsity sports and numerous club sports. He inherited one of the most successful athletic programs at a Massachusetts community college, with a baseball team ranked among the top in the nation. Under Blair’s leadership, the college recently developed a varsity golf team and reintroduced the annual golf tournament.

Home: Newburyport

Profession: Director of Athletics

Hobbies: Golf and travel

Last book read: “The Sacred Acre: The Ed Thomas Story,” by Mark Tabb

Latest accomplishment: Starting here as the AD at NECC and working to grow the program as well as provide the student-athletes with a traditional intercollegiate athletic experience that they would find at a four-year college.

Quote: “You can’t be common, the common man goes nowhere; you have to be uncommon.” –Herb Brooks

Profile: This is my 11th year working full time in college athletics; my first year as an AD. I have previous experiences in athletics including compliance, fundraising, budget development, marketing, promotions, and event management. I have high expectations for success. I’m always looking for ways to grow programs that will provide new opportunities for students.

Why I do what I do: Athletics is a passion of mine. This career allows me to stay involved in it every day. I enjoy working as part of a team to help students achieve their academic and athletic goals. Athletics opened the professional door for me and I hope I can help open doors for students.