Brad A. Wachler, Member

Brad A. Wachler is a member of the Sports Advisory & Consulting Practice Group at Lewis Rice. With more than 20 years of experience at various levels in college athletics, Brad has led and managed projects of all scope and size within an organization. At Lewis Rice, Brad conducts various reviews for intercollegiate athletic departments to ensure their mission, vision, and goals are in perfect alignment with the institution and are able to meet the needs of today’s student-athletes, fans, alumni, donors, and all other constituent groups.

Brad conducts full-scale external investigations covering a variety of topics that impact the athletics department, including general personnel matters, sexual harassment, discrimination, hazing and bullying, compliance infractions, among others. Through the investigation process, Brad advises departments on recommended corrective action, risk mitigation, and communication strategies.

Moreover, Brad guides universities through the complete divisional reclassification process from initial consideration to acceptance, and he offers comprehensive program reviews to ensure efficient, effective, and sustainable operations in an ever-changing landscape. 

He also partners with athletic departments on developing a visionary strategic plan that will provide a roadmap for success in a competitive marketplace. This strategic plan can be broad in scope or more limited to focus on specific areas of need, such as fundraising, marketing, or alumni engagement.

Brad counsels colleges and universities on measures to reduce risk and promote a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and supportive environment. This includes, among many other things, proactive Title IX and gender equity reviews, strengthening overall hiring practices, implementing employee retention strategies, and creating a safe and engaging student-athlete experience.

In the evolving era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), Brad advises and educates colleges and universities, student-athletes, and private businesses to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws.

He proudly serves institutions throughout all divisions of the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA along with athletic conference offices.