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University of Massachusets Athletics
Tennis
Merkerson, Da'Mon
Da'Mon Merkerson
- Title:
- Associate Athletic Director for Academic Success
(FB, TEN)
- Email:
- dmerkerson@umass.edu
The University of Massachusetts athletics department announced on June 10 that Da’Mon Merkerson has been named the Associate Athletic Director for Academic Success. Merkerson arrives in Amherst after spending the previous two years as the Associate Director for Student-Athlete Academic Services at Boston College.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Da’Mon to our athletics leadership team,” said Senior Associate Athletic Director/Sport Administration and SWA Kirsten Britton. “Da’Mon is a connector who brings great energy and enthusiasm to his work with student-athletes, coaches and staff. His impressive experience in collegiate athletics will help drive academic excellence for our 21 sport teams. It is my honor to welcome Da’Mon to the Massachusetts Athletics family!”
In his new role, Merkerson will be responsible for the oversight and management of academic success and academic support services for approximately 650 student-athletes participating in the department’s 21 varsity sport programs. In addition, he will provide leadership and operational management for all facets related to student athlete academic success including eligibility, degree progression and graduation, and ensure compliance with all University, Conference and NCAA regulations. Merkerson will also be a member of the department’s executive leadership team.
"I am honored and delighted to join the UMass athletics family and would like to thank Ryan Bamford and Kirsten Britton for this amazing opportunity,” Merkerson said. “As the flagship public university in Massachusetts, UMass excels in providing a nationally competitive experience both academically and athletically for our student-athletes. My wife Katherine and I are both looking forward to being a part of the UMass community."
At Boston College, Merkerson assisted in providing leadership and vision for the office of student-athlete academic services, including the assessment of quarterly budget projections and expenses, and led the implementation of comprehensive academic support for 700 student-athletes across 31 programs. While serving as the primary academic liaison to football, he also collaborated with Boston College’s Director for SAAS to ensure the execution of priorities for the department and provided strategic direction to staff who directly facilitate student-athlete academic support services for football and men’s basketball student-athletes.
In addition to his academic duties, Merkerson was also a secondary sport supervisor for the women’s soccer program, assisted in the management of mental health resources for student-athletes, and was extensively involved in Boston College’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the department.
Prior to arriving at Boston College, Merkerson spent nearly five years at Temple University as the Assistant Director in the Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes. There, he assisted in providing leadership and vision for the student-athlete services department to provide comprehensive career and academic support for 525 student-athletes across 19 programs. He also developed a career certification program for student-athletes to assist in professional growth, and co-created the career development program. While working with the football program, the Owls set consecutive records for highest grade point average and APR during Merkerson’s tenure.
Merkerson graduated from Syracuse University in 2011 with a degree in communications and rhetorical studies. He was a three-year letterwinner with the Orange football program, and was tied for eighth in the BIG EAST with 0.64 passes defended per game as a senior in 2010. Merkerson was also a member of the track and field team while at Syracuse. He closed his football career with 59 total tackles before signing with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. He also played three seasons with the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League.
Merkerson went on to earn his Master’s degree in higher and postsecondary education from Arizona State in 2014 while working as an Instructional Specialist in the Sun Devil athletic department.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Da’Mon to our athletics leadership team,” said Senior Associate Athletic Director/Sport Administration and SWA Kirsten Britton. “Da’Mon is a connector who brings great energy and enthusiasm to his work with student-athletes, coaches and staff. His impressive experience in collegiate athletics will help drive academic excellence for our 21 sport teams. It is my honor to welcome Da’Mon to the Massachusetts Athletics family!”
In his new role, Merkerson will be responsible for the oversight and management of academic success and academic support services for approximately 650 student-athletes participating in the department’s 21 varsity sport programs. In addition, he will provide leadership and operational management for all facets related to student athlete academic success including eligibility, degree progression and graduation, and ensure compliance with all University, Conference and NCAA regulations. Merkerson will also be a member of the department’s executive leadership team.
"I am honored and delighted to join the UMass athletics family and would like to thank Ryan Bamford and Kirsten Britton for this amazing opportunity,” Merkerson said. “As the flagship public university in Massachusetts, UMass excels in providing a nationally competitive experience both academically and athletically for our student-athletes. My wife Katherine and I are both looking forward to being a part of the UMass community."
At Boston College, Merkerson assisted in providing leadership and vision for the office of student-athlete academic services, including the assessment of quarterly budget projections and expenses, and led the implementation of comprehensive academic support for 700 student-athletes across 31 programs. While serving as the primary academic liaison to football, he also collaborated with Boston College’s Director for SAAS to ensure the execution of priorities for the department and provided strategic direction to staff who directly facilitate student-athlete academic support services for football and men’s basketball student-athletes.
In addition to his academic duties, Merkerson was also a secondary sport supervisor for the women’s soccer program, assisted in the management of mental health resources for student-athletes, and was extensively involved in Boston College’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the department.
Prior to arriving at Boston College, Merkerson spent nearly five years at Temple University as the Assistant Director in the Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes. There, he assisted in providing leadership and vision for the student-athlete services department to provide comprehensive career and academic support for 525 student-athletes across 19 programs. He also developed a career certification program for student-athletes to assist in professional growth, and co-created the career development program. While working with the football program, the Owls set consecutive records for highest grade point average and APR during Merkerson’s tenure.
Merkerson graduated from Syracuse University in 2011 with a degree in communications and rhetorical studies. He was a three-year letterwinner with the Orange football program, and was tied for eighth in the BIG EAST with 0.64 passes defended per game as a senior in 2010. Merkerson was also a member of the track and field team while at Syracuse. He closed his football career with 59 total tackles before signing with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. He also played three seasons with the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League.
Merkerson went on to earn his Master’s degree in higher and postsecondary education from Arizona State in 2014 while working as an Instructional Specialist in the Sun Devil athletic department.
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