HANOVER, N.H. — Mike Harrity, the Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation at Dartmouth College, today announced the hiring of Taurian Houston to serve as the athletics department's executive associate athletics director for administration. This is Houston's second stint on the Big Green staff having begun his career in collegiate athletics as a compliance specialist in 2014-15.

"We are thrilled to welcome Taurian and Tammara to the Dartmouth team," Harrity said. "Taurian brings a demonstrated commitment to the primacy of student-athlete well-being and a deep understanding of what it takes to reach the highest levels of athletic and academic achievement. He is a true impact player. We're excited to have Taurian as a teammate to work toward our collective aim of elevating Dartmouth Athletics and Recreation."

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"Athletics Director, Mike Harrity made a terrific hire! I worked with and have known Taurian for many years, and I can state with high confidence that 'T' is bringing years of success and experience to Hanover. I'm excited for the Big Green student-athletes, coaches, staff, faculty and community to meet one of the most passionate and energetic athletic administrators in intercollegiate athletics. Taurian understands and supports the life changing benefits of attending a premier academic institution while competing at the NCAA Division I level." — Victoria M. "Vicky" Chun, Yale University Thomas A. Beckett Director of Athletics

"Taurian Houston has been an outstanding leader, colleague, and mentor for Rice Athletics these past five years. He has combined a sharp intellect, big heart and warm personality to position our department for success and built meaningful relationships with students, coaches, alumni, and campus partners. Dartmouth is getting a treasure in Taurian Houston. We will miss him on our campus but are rooting for him in this next step of his career." — Joe Karlgaard, Ph.D., Rice University Director of Athletics

"I'm excited to hear that my good friend and colleague, Taurian Houston, has been appointed as the executive associate AD at Dartmouth. Taurian's extensive experience in intercollegiate athletics, demonstrated by his service on multiple committees and his proficiency in working at three highly academic schools, will undoubtedly benefit him in this new position. Additionally, Taurian is an extraordinary individual who truly embodies what it means to be a great human being. Not only is he passionate about his work, but he also cares deeply about making a positive impact in the lives of those around him. I am confident that he will perform exceptionally well in this role and make valuable contributions to both Dartmouth and the wider athletic community." — Kristene M. Kelly, Ed.D., Vanderbilt University Deputy Director of Athletics for Internal Affairs/SWA

"Taurian will be a great addition to the Big Green! He has a remarkable way of connecting with coaches and staff, and he will be a tireless advocate for the student-athletes. The attitude and energy he will bring to work every day will make Alumni Gym an even better place to work, and I have no doubt that his impact will be felt in every corner of the department." — Brian Mann '02, College of William & Mary Director of Athletics

"Taurian is a gifted administrator with a passion for the work in service to the enrichment of the student-athlete experience. It is this passion, along with his commitment to maximize his growth and development at every role along his professional journey, that make him a perfect fit for the Dartmouth Athletics senior leadership team." — DeeDee Merritt, NCAA Director of Leadership Development

"I have had the pleasure of working with Taurian the last 5 years. He has and continues to be a super star in the world of college athletics! His attention to detail along with his willingness to go the extra mile is what sets him apart from his peers! I know that he will be greatly missed at Rice." — Gerard Wilcher, Morehouse College Head Football Coach

In his position, Houston will provide strategic leadership and direction to all 35 varsity sports programs while leading the administration of those programs. He will also have direct oversight of select teams, which will include supervising those head coaches and their staff, and he will be responsible for developing and promoting the department's mission within those teams. Additionally, Houston will serve on the athletics executive team.

"I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to return to the Upper Valley and work alongside Mike and the entire Dartmouth Athletics staff in serving our student-athletes, campus community, fans and alumni," Houston said. "During my first conversation with Mike, the growth and excitement surrounding athletics was apparent and was reinforced when speaking with coaches and administrators. I look forward to building upon the tradition of competitive excellence already established at Dartmouth and supporting our 35 varsity sports teams. My family and I are thrilled to join the Big Green and eager to get started."

Houston returns to the Big Green after four and a half years at Rice University where he began as the associate athletics director of compliance in September of 2018 before earning a promotion to senior associate athletics director of compliance and administration in July of 2021. As a member of the senior administrative staff, he assisted in establishing policies and procedures that directly impacted and supported the college's 350 student-athletes.

As the senior compliance officer, Houston oversaw all areas of NCAA, Conference USA and institutional compliance for Rice's 16 varsity teams and more than 150 department employees. He was the department liaison to several university offices, including undergraduate admission, financial aid, housing and dining, and cashier. He also served as the sport supervisor for football, men's basketball and women's cross country/track and field. On campus, he was Involved In Rice's Task Force on Student Success & Retention and Owl-In Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice Task Force.

Prior to his time in Texas, Houston spent three years as the assistant athletics director of compliance at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, where he managed two full-time staff members and an intern as well as the daily operations of the compliance office for 25 varsity teams. He was responsible for the certification of initial and continuing eligibility for over 500 student-athletes and served as the sport supervisor for a number of teams — volleyball, softball, women's lacrosse, men's and women's swimming and diving, and men's and women's cross country and track and field — and was a secondary supervisor for football.

In addition, Houston was an NCAA site representative for the 2016 and 2017 women's lacrosse championships and the 2016 field hockey championship, plus acted as the championship manager for the 2015 Patriot League Cross Country Championship.

During his initial stint at Dartmouth, Houston was responsible for updating and maintaining a comprehensive database that included academic standing, amateurism certification and competition eligibility for nearly 1,000 student-athletes. Other duties included serving as the primary event manager at various events for men's soccer, women's lacrosse, and men's and women's basketball. He also was the assistant tournament director for the 2014 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship first-round game on campus.

Prior to Dartmouth, he worked at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis as an academic and membership affairs postgraduate intern from 2013-14.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC) and previously was a member of the NCAA Division I Initial Eligibility Waivers Committee (which he chaired in 2021) and the Minority Opportunities Athletics Association (MOAA) Professional Development Committee. He earned NAAC's Rising Star Award in 2016 and is a 2018 graduate of the NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute.

A former Division I track and field student-athlete, Houston is a 2010 graduate of East Carolina with a bachelor's in communications and a minor in business administration. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree from Charlotte School of Law in 2013.

Taurian will be joined in the Upper Valley by his wife, Tammara, when he begins his duties on April 21.