Brian Fleming came to Mount Royal University in 1985 to oversee an intramural program on what was intended to be a nine-month maternity leave contract. At the time, Fleming viewed the role as a possible stepping stone to gain some valuable experience and move his career forward. Little did he know this would turn into a 30 year tenure, that is now being permanently recognized with his induction onto the Cougars Athletics Wall of Fame. 

Fleming's career growth at MRU unfolded in lockstep with the growth of the school itself. As Mount Royal evolved, so did the athletics program with Fleming playing a central role in ensuring that they did so together. According to Fleming, that parallel growth was something that was both natural and intentional. "The College just kept expanding, when I got to Mount Royal there were about 2800 students and by the time I left there were over 12,000 and as I grew and took on senior positions, I always made sure that Athletics was going to come with me."

One of the most significant milestones of Fleming's tenure came when he spearheaded Mount Royal's transition from an institution that competed at the ACAC level to competing at the CIS level. Fleming credits the CCAA Supremacy Award that recognized MRU as the most successful athletic program as the "ammunition" needed to build a meaningful case he could bring to senior management to argue for the importance of athletics. Fleming believes this helped dismantle the lingering "dumb jock" stereotype associated with college athletics. Instead, Fleming was able to use the leverage the CCAA Supremacy Award provided to highlight student athletes as high achievers across a wide array of academic backgrounds.  

As Mount Royal prepared for life as a university, Fleming was tasked with shifting the focus from a successful college program to building a university model that could have sustained success. Fleming claims the central part to that evolution was a focus on "the student athlete experience." Programs were developed to emphasize this mindset change so athletics could become "a source of pride and a reputation builder for the university." A shift that becomes even more relevant when Fleming notes that there was once a time in which athletics "flew under the radar" when evaluating the success of the university.  

Fleming's impact on the university can still be felt to this day, as his crowning achievement was leading the decade-long effort that resulted in the opening of the MRU Recreation Centre in 2002. Although it was designed to serve the entire student population, the facility has played a critical role in advancing the vision of the university from an athletic perspective. Fleming describes it as "the first piece that made us a really strong applicant to join CIS." 

When asked what the Wall of Fame induction means, Fleming explained it is an honour that is both personal and meaningful. He says he is "really proud" to join a group of people he respected and worked closely with. "Everyone on that wall was extremely dedicated to Cougar Athletics and I felt like I did the same thing. The program was always front and center for me. While I was taking on a variety of other senior positions, Cougar Athletics was always my favourite role by far." Fleming explained that he "defended athletics a lot" from the purely academic based perspective that saw athletics as "frivolous" or "something that wasn't needed." Fleming says "I can't tell you how many times I had to defend Cougars Athletics in public forums."

Upon reflection, Fleming also recalls a full circle moment he shared with current Athletic Director Karla Karch. "Karla and I used to debate how long it would take to win a national championship, she said 'I don't know Brian, 15 years might be a good guess.' I always thought it would take 10 years; and then almost 10 years later I was at the rally with the women's hockey team celebrating the national championship." Fleming compares that feeling to the wall of fame induction as they both invoke a sense of "absolute validation" for him and the work he was able to accomplish during his tenure. 

When asked what advice he would offer future builders, Fleming says "They need to understand why they are doing the job…being involved in sports at any level, but especially at the University level is a skill building opportunity and a magnificent career… so my advice to builders is to realize that's why you're doing this. Cougars Athletics is about building really solid citizens for the future and I believe this is one of the best avenues in which to do that."

Brain Fleming joins the Cougars Athletics Wall of Fame in the Builders category alongside Al Bohonus, Dr. Don Stouffer and Reid Olsen.