Durham Sports Council appoints five new board members

Durham, North Carolina— The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) announces the addition of Troy Austin, Cheryl Paquette, Monica Brown, Brendan Madigan and Jay Pratt to its Board of Directors. These new board members’ extensive experience in sports and dedication to community engagement and development are key as the DSC continues to pursue its mission to drive social and economic impact by attracting, supporting and promoting the best sports and entertainment in the Bull City.

“Bill Kalkhof, Dan Hill, Mitch Moser, Ray Trapp and Umar Muhammad laid the foundation, provided the vision and charted the path forward for DSC. For this, we will be forever grateful for their service,” said DSC Executive Director Marcus Manning. “As the sports and sports tourism landscape continues to grow and transform, new dynamic leaders and forward thinkers, led by Chair Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree and incoming Vice Chair Angelique Stallings, will play an important role in the continued growth and continued success of our city. As future opportunities present themselves, we look forward to watching the Durham sports ecosystem continue to expand and thrive under their innovative leadership, strategic thinking and guidance.”

Troy Austin currently oversees fundraising and development operations for Duke University Athletics. A former star athlete, Austin played varsity football for four years at Duke, served as team captain his senior year, and received several prestigious awards including the prestigious William Griffith Service Award. His love for athletics extended far beyond his playing career as he also served as the Athletic Director at Longwood University. Austin now plays a key role in shaping the future of Duke Athletics, securing significant financial support and driving strategic growth for the programs he oversees, allowing him to contribute to the DSC Board of Directors.

As Director of Community Engagement, Cheryl Parquet leads initiatives that elevate Blue Cross NC’s reputation and brand through strategic community investments and partnerships. With more than 16 years of experience, she has been instrumental in fostering collaborations with community organizations, civic leaders, and businesses to advance health and wellness initiatives across the state. Parquet’s passion for improving the health and well-being of the community 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 Certification in Corporate Social Responsibility from Duke University, which will help her successfully develop and implement impactful community programs.

As a Durham native and standout athlete, Jaye Pratt has a strong connection to the local community. A 2011 graduate of Hillside New Tech High School, Jaye excelled in track and field, winning multiple awards and earning an athletic scholarship to North Carolina Central University (NCCU). At NCCU, he continued his accomplishments, earning MEAC Conference and NCAA East Region honors while serving as Vice Chairman of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Pratt is the founder of JCP Fitness, Inc. and JCP Performance, where he promotes fitness and wellness in the Raleigh-Durham area. He has extensive coaching experience as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Hillside High School, demonstrating his ability to inspire and mentor young athletes. Pratt’s passion for sports, community engagement, and youth development will make him an excellent addition to the DSC Board of Directors.

Brendan Madigan is currently the CFO of Limited Run Games in Apex, North Carolina, and is a CPA in North Carolina with extensive financial expertise. He is committed to community service, having served on the Durham County Boxing and Wrestling Commission and currently serves on the Durham Audit Oversight Committee. Madigan holds a Master’s degree in Accounting from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Madigan currently resides in Durham, and his professional acumen and community involvement make him an ideal choice for the Board.

Monica Brown currently serves as the Senior Director of Equity Advancement for the Triangle YMCA, where she has been a part of the team since 2013, demonstrating her loyal support for the organization. A graduate of North Carolina State University with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Sports Management, she also played for the Wolf Pack Soccer Team. It wasn’t until after her playing career ended that she discovered her true passion for coaching soccer for athletes at all levels. A mentor and coach at heart, Brown uses this approach to build teams, drive effective communication, and facilitate powerful and engaging conversations that lead to deeper empathy and growth. She looks forward to applying these skills as a new DSC Board member.

“We believe in the power of sports to foster community spirit and improve lives, and we look forward to leveraging the experience, expertise and passion of our new board members to support DSC’s mission,” said Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, DSC Board Chair. “We are honored to have such bright, dedicated community members join our team and be a part of the future of the Bull City.”

Another notable change is Ryan Craig taking over as Secretary/Treasurer. For more information on the Durham Sports Commission, visit DurhamNCSports.com.