Profile for

Brandy Runyan, Ph.D.

• Alum
• Faculty

Assistant Professor Department of Health and Human Performance

Dr. Brandy Runyan is a seasoned public affairs and communications professional and Canadian Football League Agent Advisor with more than 20 years of experience. Founder of the prestigious Black Diamond PR Firm, LLC, Runyan manages a broad range of communications and public affairs issues for public and private sector clients in various fields, including celebrities, athletes and others within the entertainment industry.

She has also gained considerable experience in assembling and managing alliances to meet communications and public affairs objectives. Her current and past clients include celebrities, athletes, musicians, authors, fortune 500 companies, leading industry associations, high-profile events and not-for-profit organizations. Runyan was recognized in 2019 as one of the top women in business in Dallas.

Runyan has served on the executive board of directors for several non-profit organizations, heading the public relations and marketing divisions for Youth for Empowerment, the Dallas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, the Association for Memorial Stair Climbs, and others.

Runyan’s focus on ethics in sports and athlete management is the driving force behind her current operation and continues to be a focal point for speaking and training events. She took her real-world sport management experience to the classroom to teach the next generations of sport agents and managers as an assistant professor at Texas A&M University-Commerce (now East Texas A&M University).

She resides in Texas where she overseas her firm’s local and global operations. Her philanthropic interest include Team Up Speak Up and The Concussion Legacy Foundation.

A Conversation with Dr. Brandy Runyan

We invite you to hear directly from Dr. Brandy Runyan as she shares her journey, expertise in sport management, and valuable advice for future students and professionals.

Thinking About ETAMU?

East Texas A&M is a wonderful campus to obtain your higher education. Here, you will find knowledgeable mentors, seasoned faculty and a welcoming student body. There is a place for everyone here but most importantly, there is a place for you! Buzzing with activities to keep students connected and engaged with one another, our vibrant campus community is nestled in the small town of Commerce, Texas, which lends us its comforting hometown vibe.

What draws you to your discipline?

I have a passion for professional athlete management and the ethical governance of sport. The ability to teach ethical leadership to tomorrow's future leaders in sport management is a dream job for me.

What has been your favorite course to teach?

I have a huge passion teaching Sport Law and Ethics, as well as Intro/Foundations of Sport Management. I love teaching these classes because it is usually a gateway for students entering the world of professional sport management.

Your Latest Projects

I am currently developing new and exciting classes specific to East Texas A&M instruction locations. These new classes are designed to serve the needs of students seeking an entry point into professional sport management and are suitable for those who aspire to be professional sport agents or sport publicists. I am also working on the second edition of my book “Diamond in the Rough: The Free Agent's Guide to Being Lost and Getting Found.”

Educational Background

Your academic journey showcases a robust educational background in sports leadership and administration.

• Ph.D., Sports Leadership, Concordia University Chicago, 2023
• M.S., Health, Kinesiology and Sports Studies-Athletic Administration, Texas A&M University-Commerce (now East Texas A&M University), 2019
• B.S., Global Education, Texas A&M University-Commerce (now East Texas A&M University), 2017

Honors and Awards

Your dedication and hard work have been recognized with these distinguished honors and awards.

• Marketing Director of the Year, Dallas 9/11 Stair Climb, 2017

Research Interests

You can explore the specific research interests that drive their work in the dynamic field of sports.

• Sport ethics
• Sport law
• Sport leadership
• Mental health in elite athletes

Professional Organizations

Your involvement in the professional community is highlighted by these organizations.

• Canadian Football League Players Association
• Canadian Football League Licensed Football Agent
• Public Relations Society of America
• National Society of Leadership
• The North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM)
• Sport Marketing Association (SMA)

Featured

You can read about one of our outstanding A&M-Commerce alumnae making significant strides in professional athlete management.

• A&M-Commerce Alumna Making Big Plays in Professional Athlete Management