Temple University Athletics
Brian Thornburg Named Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development & NIL Strategy
10.6.25 | General
PHILADELPHIA – Temple University Vice President and Debbie & Stanley Lefkowitz '65 Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson has announced the appointment of Brian Thornburg as the new Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development & NIL Strategy. He joins Temple after distinguished roles at The George Washington University and the University of Maryland.
In this key leadership role, Thornburg will advise and act as a liaison to the Vice President and Director of Athletics and the Vice President of Institutional Advancement (IA). As a senior leader within Temple Athletics, he will plan and execute a comprehensive fundraising and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) engagement strategy. He brings a proven record of success in higher education fundraising, donor engagement, and athletics administration.
"We are thrilled to welcome Brian to the Temple Athletics family," Johnson said. "His depth of experience in fundraising, donor relations, and athletics development, combined with his understanding of NIL strategy, positions him to lead our athletics institutional advancement area and strengthen our engagement with supporters across all constituencies."
In his new capacity, Thornburg will oversee the Owl Club's traditional fundraising operations while integrating NIL opportunities that benefit student-athletes. Reporting to both the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and the Athletic Director, Thornburg will cultivate and steward major gift prospects, manage a personal portfolio, and design strategic initiatives that grow support for Temple Athletics while maintaining alignment with NCAA regulations and institutional priorities.
Prior to joining Temple, Thornburg served as Associate Director of Development, Athletics, Major Gifts at The George Washington University, where he managed a portfolio of major gift prospects and led initiatives to elevate philanthropic engagement among alumni, parents, and friends of GW Athletics.
"I'm thrilled to join Temple University and work alongside such a passionate and committed team," Thornburg said. "Temple has a proud tradition of excellence, and I'm excited to help advance that legacy by building meaningful relationships with our donors, enhancing the student-athlete experience, and growing our NIL strategy in a way that positions Temple Athletics for long-term success."
Before his time at GW, Thornburg spent nearly nine years at the University of Maryland, serving as Associate Athletics Director for Major Gifts. In that role, he was instrumental in driving support for facility enhancements and endowment growth during a period of significant expansion for Maryland Athletics, including the launch of the Barry P. Gossett Basketball Performance Center and other capital projects.
Earlier in his career, Thornburg held development leadership positions at Penn State University and Virginia Tech, where he focused on major gift cultivation, annual giving, and strategic donor stewardship to advance athletics fundraising priorities. Across more than two decades in collegiate athletics, he has played an integral role in generating philanthropic investment, managing successful capital campaigns, and building lasting donor relationships that strengthen the student-athlete experience.
Thornburg holds a bachelor's degree in Advertising from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master's degree in Sport Management from the University of Georgia.
