Northwestern Now Derrick Gragg will begin July 1. Long-time athletic director and diversity and inclusion leader Derrick Gragg has been named Northwestern Universityâs new Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation, President Morton Schapiro announced Friday (June 4). Gragg, the NCAAâs senior vice president for inclusion, education and community engagement, will begin July 1. âI am thrilled and humbled to join the Northwestern University family at this pivotal moment in college athletics,â Gragg said. âMy career has been shaped by an unwavering belief in the potential of student-athletes to excel in all areas. These young people need more support than ever in the midst of challenging, changing and exciting times.â