Northern Essex Community College Athletics

Dan Blair is in his seventh year as Director of Athletics at Northern Essex Community College during the 2023-24 year. He officially joined Northern Essex Community College in September 2017 and in addition to his duties at the college, Blair also serves as the Region 21 Men's Director. 

The 2022-23 year was a record setting year for the Knights athletic program under Blair, as Northern Essex recorded the programs first ever top 30 finish the NATYCAA/Daktronics Cup standings finishing 28th overall by virtue of national top 5 finishes from the men's basketball (5th) and baseball (3rd) teams.

Named a 2021-22 NACDA Cushman & Wakefield Athletic Director of the Year, Blair oversaw one of the most successful years in the program’s history. The Knights captured three MCCAC Championships (volleyball, men’s basketball and baseball), while baseball and golf captured Region 21 Championships and the baseball team captured the Northeast District Championship to advance to the programs eighth NJCAA World Series. Additionally, both the men’s basketball and baseball teams set new school records for consecutive wins.

During the 2020-21, Blair navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic to lead the Northern Essex athletic program as one of only two institutions in Region 21 to compete. Six of the Knights programs were able to compete in intercollegiate competition, while the remaining programs were able to participate in practice opportunities.

In his first year, the Knights saw significant success and growth across all areas of the program. The volleyball and baseball teams captured Region XXI Championships, with baseball going onto win the District F Championship and advanced to the College World Series in Greeneville, TN. The department increased its revenues by more than 150%, which included the inaugural fundraising golf tournament for the athletic program. Additionally, the college announced the return of the intercollegiate golf program for the 2018-19 academic year which had previously been dormant for almost 20 years.

In 2018-19, the volleyball team captured a second consecutive Region XXI Championship and the men's cross country team competed at the national championships finishing 22nd overall. Individually, four members of the track and field team competed at the national championship meet, while the golf program saw two individuals earn qualifying spots in the national tournament in the programs first year back at the varsity level since 2000. The college inducted its first Hall of Fame class in February 2019, redesigned the fitness center over the course of the fall semester, and announced further expansion of the program for the 2019-20 year with the return of the men's soccer and women's basketball programs, along with the addition of Esports.

Blair came to Northern Essex after spending 10 years at NCAA Division II Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. During his tenure there, he was the university's first NCAA Compliance Coordinator, before being named Assistant Athletic Director and then Associate Athletic Director and spent his final two and half years in Rindge overseeing all day to day operations of the Ravens 25 sport athletic program.

During his time at Franklin Pierce, Blair served on numerous committees on campus as well as at the regional and national level. He served five years as a member of the NCAA Division II Men's Lacrosse Championship Committee, including three years as the national committee chairperson. He also spent seven years serving as Franklin Pierce's representative on the Northeast-10 Conference Committee for Sports Administration. 

Blair currently resides in Newburyport, MA with his wife, Amy, and daughters, Kenzie and Kennedy. He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Bridgewater State University and added a master's degree in athletic facility management from Franklin Pierce University. Outside of NECC, Blair also serves as the President of the Newburyport Youth Soccer Association.