Syracuse University Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair today announced the appointment of three senior leaders to the Department of Athletics’ executive team. Nicole Harris, Charles Small, Ph.D., and Yulander Wells Jr. each bring extensive experience in intercollegiate athletics administration and will drive the department’s strategic priorities across operations, student-athlete development and institutional growth.

“Championship programs are built on elite people, and Nicole, Charles and Yulander are among the most accomplished leaders in college athletics today,” says Blair. “They bring experience across the ACC, B1G, Big 12 and SEC, as well as at Notre Dame, with a proven track record of postseason success. What makes this group especially powerful is that they have lived this experience as student-athletes and led it at the highest administrative levels. They understand the demands, the opportunities and the responsibility we have to deliver an unmatched experience for our student-athletes, and the forward-thinking mindset required to compete in this modern era. I’m thrilled to welcome them and their families to this incredible community. This is a significant step forward for Syracuse Athletics—one that reflects both our ambition and the level of talent we are able to attract. I’m grateful to Chancellor Haynie for his continued support as we position Syracuse for sustained national success.”

Nicole Harris, Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator

Harris comes to Syracuse from the University of Toledo, where she served as deputy athletic director, chief operating officer and senior woman administrator. In her role, she provided executive leadership for strategic planning and daily operations across a 17-sport program and direct oversight of student-athlete support services, strength and conditioning, and NIL strategy and implementation. She served as sport administrator for football, women’s basketball and multiple other programs, while representing Toledo on the Mid-American Conference Administrators Council. During her tenure, Toledo experienced one of the most successful periods in department history, marked by sustained conference championship contention and postseason success. The football program’s performance included three top-65 NFL Draft selections over the past three years, one of just 13 programs nationally to achieve that distinction. Women’s basketball consistently led the conference in attendance and advanced to postseason play.

Prior to Toledo, Harris held senior leadership roles at Grand Canyon University and Florida Atlantic University, where she was recognized with the Award for Excellence and Innovation in Undergraduate Advising. She earned a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in sport administration from the University of Louisville, where she was a four-year varsity student-athlete for the women’s rowing team.

“Bryan’s vision for Syracuse is truly inspiring, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to join the department during such an exciting time,” says Harris. “Syracuse has an incredible tradition, strong momentum and a bright future ahead. I look forward to working alongside Bryan and the entire athletics team to support our student-athletes and help build sustained success. My family and I are excited to join the Syracuse community and contribute to the continued growth of Orange Athletics.”

Charles Small, Ph.D., Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Strategy Officer

Small joins Syracuse from the University of Washington, where he served as senior associate athletic director for sport administration and led the Big Ten department’s post-House Settlement strategy, coordinating more than 67 strategy sessions to modernize operations and build new infrastructure for the revenue-sharing era.

Small previously served as director of athletics at Valparaiso University, where he led the planning for a $120 million capital project and guided the program to consecutive years of record academic performance. Prior to his time at Valpo, Small spent four years at Iowa State University, where he served as sport administrator for men’s basketball and wrestling while leading sports medicine, compliance, strength and conditioning, academic support services and former student-athlete relations. Earlier in his career, he also held positions at the University of Arkansas and the University of New Orleans. Small holds a doctor of education from the University of Pittsburgh, along with a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Pitt. He was also a four-year member of the Pitt’s men’s basketball program, where he won a pair of Big East championships, advanced to four NCAA Tournaments and made two Sweet Sixteen appearances.

“The vision Bryan has laid out for Syracuse Athletics is not only compelling, it’s inspiring,” says Small. “The work ahead is exactly the kind of challenge I came to this profession to take on. I look forward to helping shape the strategy and the structures that allow this program to compete at the highest level, on and off the field.”

Yulander Wells Jr., Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer

Wells comes to Syracuse from the University of Notre Dame, where he has served as deputy athletics director for revenue, business and finance operations and most recently as deputy athletics director for athletics strategy. In those roles he had primary oversight of an operating budget in excess of $250 million, led the negotiation of a 10-year apparel partnership, provided strategic guidance for the department’s lucrative one-of-a-kind media rights extension with NBC and provided executive leadership oversight for more than $200 million in construction projects, as well as generating record ticket sales, and corporate partnership revenues. Additionally, he also helped lead a comprehensive NIL and revenue-sharing cap strategy for the department’s 26 teams.

Prior to Notre Dame, Wells served as deputy athletic director for external operations and relations at Harvard University and held multiple senior roles at the University of South Florida, including chief financial officer. He began his career in intercollegiate athletics at the University of Florida and with Gator Boosters. Wells holds an MBA in operations and a bachelor of arts in finance from North Central College, where he was a three-year captain on the men’s basketball team.

“Syracuse is a program with a national brand, an incredibly passionate fan base and a director of athletics with a clear vision for where it is headed,” says Wells. “I would like to thank Bryan Blair for selecting me to join him and the Syracuse community during this transformative time in college athletics. My family and I are excited, and I look forward to putting my experience to work building the business and operational foundation that gives our coaches and student-athletes every advantage and every resource they need to excel in the classroom, in the community and in competition.”