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What new Northwestern AD Derrick Gragg said during introductory press conference
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There’s a new athletic director in Evanston.
On Monday, Northwestern University held its introductory press conference for new athletic director Derrick Gragg. He was recently named the new leader of the athletic department, replacing longtime AD Jim Phillips, who took the job as the ACC commissioner.
Gragg had previously been an athletic director at Eastern Michigan and Tulsa, bringing more than a decade of experience in the field to Evanston. He was also a staff member in Michigan’s athletic department at one point in his career, having some B1G background.
Gragg spoke with reporters about the opportunity at Northwestern and what he hopes to accomplish while leading the department. Here’s what the new AD had to say:
.@gerrydinardo knew @DrDerrickGragg had AD potential as far back as the '90s.
The new @NU_Sports AD thanked his Vanderbilt coach in today's introductory press conference. pic.twitter.com/T7RfCjaVAs
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 7, 2021
.@DrDerrickGragg is @NU_Sports' new AD.
Watch his introduction and opening statement 👇. pic.twitter.com/aglfEhI1NV
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 7, 2021
Gragg now up. He's thanking the coaches for showing up, Schapiro and various individuals involved in the search process, and his family. Notably, Gragg's mother is here. He says he'll talk a little more about her later.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) June 7, 2021
Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren is in the house, and Gragg is thanking him for their relationship. Says that while talking about his remarks for today with Warren yesterday, Warren prayed for him.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) June 7, 2021
Gragg has three things he'll focus on in his remarks today: "Who am I, why am I here, and where are we going after this press conference?" First talks about himself, and how his mother hammered home the importance of academics from a young age.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) June 7, 2021
On repairing the harm caused by Polisky, Gragg says "the one thing we cannot do is ignore them," referring to students, faculty and "constituents." Says he'll have important conversations and work on action plans to create change.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) June 7, 2021
On the most important issues of this time in college athletics, Gragg mentions NIL rights, trans athlete rights, gender equity, and the question of whether or not student athletes are employees.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) June 7, 2021
On ensuring gender equity for female student-athletes, Gragg said he will talk to the student-athletes and coaches first, then devise a plan.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) June 7, 2021
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB