Rocket Report with Bryan B. Blair - February 2025 - University of Toledo Athletics

By Bryan B. Blair, Vice President and Director of Athletics
February 27, 2025

Rocket Report with Bryan B. Blair

Team Toledo,

It's hard to believe, but this week is the three-year anniversary of my official introduction as the 14th athletic director in the history of the University of Toledo. I could not have possibly imagined back then what an amazing experience the last three years have been!

As I reflect on the past three years as Vice President & Director of Athletics, I am filled with immense gratitude and pride for what we have accomplished together. I am honored to lead such a dedicated and passionate team of student-athletes, coaches, staff, and supporters. From thrilling victories and championships, to unprecedented academic success, to making new connections in our #TeamToledo community, we have celebrated countless moments that exemplify the excellence of Rocket Athletics. Our shared commitment to success has reinforced Toledo's position as the leader in the Mid-American Conference and beyond. None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our fans, alumni, and community, and for that, I am truly thankful.

While we have achieved so much together, our future is incredibly bright as we navigate the evolving landscape of college athletics. I recently discussed many of these issues and more in a recent Toledo Blade Q&A with our amazing sports reporter, Kyle Rowland. Click HERE for the article.

I am energized by the opportunities before us and remain committed to building a program that continues to make our University and community proud. Thank you for believing in our mission and for being a part of this amazing journey. Here's to many more years of Rocket pride, success, and unforgettable moments!

Bryan Blair and Launch Pad at Basketball Game

UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO EARNS R1 CLASSIFICATION AS A TOP-TIER RESEARCH INSTITUTION

I'm always happy to share important updates here about our University, and the news we received earlier this month is a real game-changer.

The University of Toledo recently earned the prestigious R1 classification. This designation is given to universities that are in the top 5% of research universities in the United States. R1 institutions are known as economic engines that teach innovation and inspire entrepreneurship. The designation is synonymous with academic excellence, societal impact and research innovation. As one of only 187 universities in the nation to earn this prestigious designation, UToledo is now recognized among the country's top-tier research institutions. This accomplishment not only elevates our academic profile but also strengthens our ability to attract high-achieving students, world-class faculty, and groundbreaking research opportunities.

The impact of R1 status extends far beyond the academic realm — it is a catalyst for growth and opportunity across our entire University, including Athletics. With over $72.2 million in competitive external research awards in fiscal year 2024, UToledo is making significant contributions to solving global challenges in areas like clean energy, water quality, and human health. This level of research activity not only enhances our institutional reputation but also creates unique opportunities for collaboration and partnership, which can benefit our athletic programs. As we continue to build on this momentum, the R1 classification will help us attract even more support for our University and Athletic initiatives, ensuring that we remain a leader in both academic and athletic excellence.

For our Athletic Department, this distinction is a game-changer. It reinforces the symbiotic relationship between academic excellence and athletic success, as we continue to recruit student-athletes, along with the coaches and staff that support them, who are driven to excel both on the field and in the classroom. The newly achieved status is just the achievement that Toledo Athletics hopes to promote regionally and nationally via our athletic success. While Athletics will never be the most important aspect of a university, we are the most visible and act as a powerful megaphone for accolades such as this R1 Carnegie classification!

Together, we are shaping a future where UToledo is recognized not just for its research prowess, but for its unwavering commitment to developing well-rounded, successful individuals who make a difference in the world. As we often say when discussing #TeamToledo, when one wins, we all win!

ROCKETS IN THE SUPER BOWL!

If you were among the nearly 130 million viewers of this year's Super Bowl, you probably noticed the Toledo connection to the biggest spectacle in all of sport.

Three former Rockets were represented in the game – Quinyon Mitchell and Dallas Gant of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Kareem Hunt of the Kansas City Chiefs. It was a monumental moment for them as well as for all of us in Rocket Nation. Their presence on football's biggest stage underscores the University of Toledo's growing reputation as a launching pad to the NFL and highlights the ability of Head Coach Jason Candle and his staff to develop players who can compete at the highest level of professional football. Since 2017, there have been 10 Rockets selected in the NFL Draft, the most in the Mid-American Conference in that span. With Darius Alexander and Maxen Hook earning invitations to next month's NFL Combine, that number could continue to grow.

While we are justifiably proud of their athletic exploits, Quinyon, Dallas and Kareem are more than just football players who happened to have attended the University of Toledo. They are examples of the kind of outstanding young individuals who earn their college degrees and go on to become fantastic ambassadors for our University and for our community. There are hundreds of former Rockets who are thriving in their careers, a select handful in their sport but far more in the fields of business, engineering, medicine, education, science, etc.

So while we will always celebrate the athletic achievements of our Rockets, it's good to keep perspective on our primary goal – to transform the lives of our student-athletes while elevating the University and our community through the power of sport.

MANUFACTURED IN THE GLASS CITY
I had a chance to catch up with Dallas Gant after the Super Bowl and to learn more about his journey through his rookie season in the NFL. Our conversation was recorded as the first in a series we are calling "Manufactured in the Glass City." As you may know, Dallas is a Toledo native who chose to finish the last two years of his college career in his hometown, where he was a two-time All-MAC linebacker while earning his MBA in administration. His story of hard work and perseverance is a perfect example of the kind of young people who make us proud to be Rockets!

Look for future editions of "Manufactured in the Glass City" here and on social media.

ANDREW HAWKINS: FORMER ROCKET MAKES NFL "50 UNDER 40" LIST

Another former Rocket who is making a huge impact is Andrew "Hawk" Hawkins, who was recently named to The Athletic's "NFL 50 Under 40" list. Hawk played for the Rockets from 2004-07 and played six seasons in the NFL, serving as a team captain for the Cleveland Browns & Cincinnati Bengals. He then earned a master's degree from Columbia University with a 4.0 GPA while playing in the NFL and began setting the groundwork for a career in sports entertainment after retirement.

Hawk began his media career at ESPN, becoming one of the founding anchors of the 2x Sports Emmy Award-nominated SportsCenter on Snapchat and later, an analyst at the NFL Network. The NFL veteran is currently on-air talent for ESPN shows NFL Live, Get Up, First Take, SportsCenter and various ESPN digital shows. He has also written and produced award-winning comedy content, including a 2020 Academy Award for Best Animated Short.

Hawk's work with ESPN and sports media is noteworthy, but his biggest impact may be in the business world. The Rocket alum is the co-founder and chief business officer of StatusPro, a sports software company. StatusPro produces Pro Era, a first-person VR football game that uses real player data to bring NFL action to life. The game is the first NFL-licensed virtual reality game, with over a million users hitting the virtual field. Prior to founding StatusPro, Hawk was the Head of Business Development for LeBron James and Maverick Carter's media company, The SpringHill Company.

Hawk is a true trailblazer in the sports business, and continues to represent Rocket Nation with excellence, innovation, and class. We're proud to call him one of our own!

Click HERE for Athletic article to read more

HOMETOWN HEROES GLASS CITY IS COMING TO THE GLASS BOWL

Glass City Live, one of the biggest musical events ever to be held in Toledo, is coming to the Glass Bowl!

Zac Brown Band will headline the show on Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 24, along with special guests Dustin Lynch, Luke Grimes, and Gaelic Storm.

This concert is a transformational moment for the University of Toledo and our entire Northwest Ohio community. Glass City Live will not only celebrate the incredible talent of A-list performers but also pay tribute to the brave veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. The event will also offer special ticket promotions for UToledo students. This will be more than a concert — it will be a celebration of music, community, and the heroes who have served our nation.

As the largest outdoor entertainment venue in Northwest Ohio, the Glass Bowl is the perfect stage to kick off what we envision as an annual event featuring world-class entertainment. Concerts in football stadiums are a growing trend across the nation. Glass City Live will pack nearly 25,000 fans in the iconic Glass Bowl, eliminating the need for our community to travel to other locales for these memorable experiences. We're proud to partner with JAC Management, an Ohio-based company, to offer an experience that rivals any major city, right here in our own backyard, and shine a spotlight on everything Toledo has to offer!

Thank you to our presenting sponsors JobsOhio, NUTRL & Treu House of Munch, and UToledo Health for making this amazing event possible.

Click HERE for Glass City Live Tickets.

ROCKET RISE: NETWORKING AND NIL NIGHT

More than 250 of our student-athletes took a meaningful step toward their futures at the "Rockets Rise: Networking and NIL Night" on Feb. 12 in Savage Arena. This incredible event provided a platform for our student-athletes to connect with local leaders, exploring employment, internship, mentorship, and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. It was a powerful example of how #TeamToledo comes together to support our student-athletes both on and off the field. By fostering these connections, we're not only helping our student-athletes prepare for life after graduation but also showcasing the talent and potential within our program. Events like this remind us why Toledo is such a special place—where our community, university, and athletics department unite to build something truly great!

BASKETBALL: MARCH MADNESS IS HERE

The basketball season is hitting the home stretch, with several key home games coming up at Savage Arena, followed by the always electrifying MAC Basketball Tournament in Cleveland!

Both our men's and women's teams are once again having terrific seasons and figure to be in the thick of the battle for a championship title! Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk's men's team currently is in third place in the MAC and finishes out its home schedule with huge games vs. first-place Akron (March 4) and Ohio (March 7). Our women's team, led by first-year Head Coach Ginny Boggess, is in second place, with its final home game on March 1 vs. CMU.

Our teams feed off the energy of our fans and help make Savage Arena one of the toughest places to play in the MAC. So come out and pack Savage for these final home games as we look to build momentum and secure our seeds in the MAC Tournament! Then we need you to come to Cleveland and make Rocket Arena (love that new name!) our home court for the MAC Tournament (March 12-15)!

Sixth Man Special

EXCITING MAC ACTION AHEAD FOR WINTER AND SPRING SPORTS
As our winter sports season closes out, I want to wish our women's swimming & diving and women's track & field squads the best of luck as they compete at MAC Championships this week. First-year Head Coach Jacy Dyer's team enters the MACs coming off a big rivalry win over That Team Down South, while Andrea Grove-McDonough's track squad is pumped up after breaking records in three events during the indoor season.

We are also very excited for our spring sports teams, most of which are already underway. We hope you can come out and support our student-athletes as they battle to become the latest Rocket MAC Champions!

Click HERE for the full Toledo Athletic Schedule of Events

ROCKET ROUND-UP PROGRAM: THE NEWEST WAY TO SUPPORT THE ROCKETS
There are so many ways you can support the goals and aspirations of our student-athletes, whether it's through the Rocket Fund, the 1923 Society or simply by being a fan and attending our games. One of the newest and most innovative ways to support Toledo Athletics is by enrolling in the Rocket Round-Up Program through our partners at GameChange. By enrolling at UTRockets.com/Roundup with your Visa or Mastercard, you can round up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar, with the extra change directly benefitting Toledo Athletics. Your small change can make a big impact!

Click HERE to enroll now!

BRAGGING RIGHTS….

I'd like to recognize these fantastic accomplishments from the past month:

Baseball: Shout-out to Head Coach Rob Reinstetle's squad for their 5-3 victory over No. 12 Oregon on Feb. 15, the highest-ranked opponent ever defeated by the Rockets! In addition, outfielder Luke Walton made ESPN SportCenter's Top 10 Plays of the Day with his incredible diving catch in the fourth inning of that game. Click HERE to watch Video.
Football: Congratulations to Anthony Torres and Maxen Hook, who were recently named Academic All-America by College Sports Communicators! This accomplishment is even more amazing when you consider that both Anthony and Maxen are All-MAC players on the field as well. Also, kudos to punter Emilio Duran for being named the 2024 "Buddy of the Year" by TOPSoccer for his volunteer work with children with diverse abilities.
Track & Field: Four Rockets set school records for the indoor season: Laura Nicholson (mile), Samantha Thomas (400m), Mercy Kinyanjui (3000m) and Dominic Serem (mile/3000m). Also, our women are the only school in the nation to rank in the top 30 in the 800m, mile, 3,000m and 5,000m!
Women's Basketball: Sammi Mikonowicz grabbed her 1,000th Career rebound in a game vs. Miami on Jan. 29, becoming just the second Rocket women's basketball player to crack the 1000 mark!

As you can probably tell by now, I can't say enough about the incredible things that are happening in our Athletic Department, our University and our community. We have experienced unprecedented success over the past three years, but I feel like we've only just started on this journey. If we want to turn these incredible moments into a movement, we have to keep exploring new ways to Rise Together and fulfill our mission.

Working together as #TeamToledo, we will continue to increase the national prominence of our athletic programs, University, and community, while graduating champions who will one day change the world.

This Community. This University. This Athletics Department.
Together, we will accomplish the "impossible."

Go Rockets!

Rocket Report with Bryan B. Blair - February 2025

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