Following-up on something that I mentioned back on 8/22 (DAILY DIRT). The hiring of Daniel Marks at Howard is now official. Here’s the release from Howard:
Howard University men’s basketball head coach Kenneth Blakeney named Daniel G. Marks as the program’s first-ever Chief Program Strategist.
In his new role at Howard, Marks will focus on growth in all areas of the program, including basketball operations, community/alumni engagement, NIL issues and long-range development. This hire, and the creation of this position, is an important step in helping Howard stay forward thinking as new trends in college athletics continue to emerge.
“It’s always been my vision to have someone that could help grow the program beyond what is being accomplished on the court and in the classroom,” said Blakeney. “The landscape of college athletics is changing and Daniel Marks will help our program stay on the pulse of today’s evolving space. Daniel’s experience with the World Champion Milwaukee Bucks for the last nine years in various roles within their front office will allow him to thrive as our first-ever Chief Program Strategist.”
With the Bucks, Marks served as manager of prospect information, preparing collegiate scouting responsibilities for the general manager and assistant general manager, along with his own regional scouting at the NBA, G-League and NCAA levels.
“Howard University is one of the very few places for which I would have left the Bucks,” Marks stated. “After hearing Coach Blakeney’s vision for the program, I realized this was a terrific opportunity to combine all my experiences and interests. I am thrilled to be on campus and look forward to helping the Bison achieve new heights, on and off the floor, while immersing myself in the Howard community.”
As part of the Bucks’ front office that took the team from 15 wins in 2013-14 to the 2021 NBA Championship, Marks was involved with all areas of the Bucks basketball operations department, not just scouting but also salary cap analysis, intel gathering, draft prep and G League operations.
Before his arrival in Milwaukee, Marks came to the Bucks from Vanderbilt University, where he was varsity basketball manager for four years (2009-13). During that time, the team enjoyed unparalleled success: three consecutive NCAA appearances (2009-2012) for first time in school history; first SEC Tournament Championship (2012) since 1951 and three players selected in the 2012 NBA Draft.
Beyond his work in basketball, Marks founded Scouting and Scavenging (S+S) in early 2020, to encourage sports professionals – now from over 120 programs, pro to prep – to collect unused hotel toiletries from their travels for under-served communities. Featured in many media outlets, S+S has donated over 2,500 pounds of supplies, mostly via its partnership with the Newark (NJ) Food Relief Program, run by Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka (Howard ’94) and Chief of Staff Amiri “Middy” Baraka Jr. (Howard ’95).
For Howard alumni who would like to get involved with the basketball program, please reach out to Marks via email at [email protected].
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:
“I’ve gotten to work with Daniel through his charitable initiative, Scouting and Scavenging. For the last 3 years, Daniel has organized the local New Jersey basketball community to help distribute toiletries to Newark residents in our Food Relief Program. It has been a wonderful partnership, and I’m thrilled for Daniel to be joining my alma mater in this new role. Go Bison!” – Amiri “Middy” Baraka Jr; Chief of Staff to Mayor Ras J. Baraka (Newark, NJ) and 1995 Howard alum
“Daniel is very smart and extremely energetic. He will do an outstanding job in any aspect of the sports industry on which he focuses, including his new role at Howard.”– Rod Thorn; NBA Hall-of- Famer, former NBA GM and league executive and currently Senior Advisor to the President, Washington Wizards
“I’ve known Daniel for 12 years, and worked directly with him for 4 years during my tenure as GM of the Milwaukee Bucks. Daniel is a creative, outside-the-box thinker who will bring great enthusiasm and a tremendous work ethic to his new role. I’m extremely excited for him to embark on this opportunity at such an historic and well-respected university as Howard.” – John Hammond; Former Milwaukee Bucks GM and Current Orlando Magic GM
“In high school, I played for Frank Williams, one of the best players in Howard University history. Now, almost 40 years later, one of my colleagues with the Bucks, Daniel Marks, steps into a new role at Howard. Daniel’s knowledge of the game and willingness to do whatever is asked of him will serve him well as he joins Coach Blakeney’s staff.” – Milt Newton; Assistant GM, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington, DC native, and 1988 NCAA Champion (University of Kansas)
