Staff

Think of us as the play callers in the press box, or the team mangers dealing with the logistics behind team success both at home and on the road. We’re a tight knit crew, orchestrating both internal and external relationships to ensure amazing experiences on and off the field.

Our Durham Sports Commission team was assembled and established in 2016, and is governed by a Board of Directors that is made up of nine members appointed by the City of Durham, Durham Chamber of Commerce, and Durham County. Our three full-time members are supported by the full staff of Discover Durham. Consider us the team behind your team. Our goal is your success.

The DSC frequently has unpaid internship opportunities available. For more information, please contact Alyssa Duke.


Marcus Manning

Executive Director

Top 5 Things to Know:
  1. Family is the most important part of life. My parents, Frank and Gina Manning, are my role models. And, I’m the proud husband of Sarah Manning and dog dad of two golden retrievers, Hines and Bettis.

  2. I am a proud member of Steeler Nation, a die-hard fan for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

  3. Prior to joining the DSC team, I was most recently the Director of Athletics and Recreation at Centenary College of Louisiana as well as Maryville University’s Director of Athletics and Vice President for Athletics and Recreation.

  4. I have had the great honor of serving on several boards, committees and councils throughout my career, including the Minority Opportunities Athletics Association (MOAA), NCAA Pathway Program Selection Committee, Division 2 Athletic Directors Association Board of Directors (D2ADA) Committee, NCAA Foundation for the Future Task Force, National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Executive Committee and USA Cheer-STUNT Advisory Board.

  5. Christmas is my favorite holiday.



Alyssa Duke

Senior Manager, Events and Operations

Top 5 Things to Know:
  1. My husband went to NC State, I’m a UNC-Chapel Hill alum and our last name is Duke.

  2. I played competitive soccer my entire life and have torn 4 ligaments in my right knee.

  3. Prior to joining the DSC, I worked for the Atlantic Coast Conference where I was a part of five ACC Women’s Basketball Championships, four ACC Men’s Basketball Championships, four ACC Football Championships, four ACC Baseball Championships and was the point person for the 2015 NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional hosted in Greensboro.

  4. My favorite sports moment thus far was my ride on the Syracuse Women’s Basketball 2016 NCAA Tournament Run. As the ACC representative, I traveled for three weeks from Syracuse, NY, to Sioux Falls, SD, to Indianapolis, IN with an underestimated Syracuse team who consistently knocked off higher seeded opponents on their way to the National Championship game.

  5. I grew up in “The Happiest Seaside Town in America,” Southport, NC.



India Johnson

Sports Services and Internal Operations Coordinator

Top 5 Things to Know:
  1. My family is everything to me, and I talk to my family members every day.

  2. I have a mentoring program called UpGrowth Mindset which focuses on young girls ages 14-18 who come from low socio-economic backgrounds. Our mentors help provide them with the necessary tools to elevate their confidence, mental health, and heighten their growth mindset.

  3. Due to playing basketball, I have been fortunate enough to have visited 26 of the 50 states. I've also played basketball internationally in Italy.

  4. Prior to joining the DSC team, I worked for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) where I assisted in helping student-athletes obtain and remain eligible in their respective sports. I was able to create mobile site guides to help students easily navigate the NAIA website from their mobile devices, and I put on multiple presentations for high school counselors and students on future opportunities in sports at the NAIA.

  5. My favorite animal is a shark. I never miss Shark week and plan on going shark cage diving soon.