Brent Ayer is one of the top runners in Frederick history, and he has used that success as a runner to establish a solid foundation for Hood's men's and women's cross country and track and field programs. After starting with just six athletes in 2003, the programs have grown to more than 40 athletes due to Ayer's relentless drive and determination.

Both programs have shown continued improvement under Ayer's direction. The 2009-10 season was highlighted by 17 school-record setting individual performances in track & field. Jessica Parrish earned her third consecutive 100-meter title at the CAC meet, while Chris DiGangi defended his pole vault title at the conference meet. Parrish became the first individual Hood College student-athlete to capture athlete of the year honors in the Capital Athletic Conference and to qualify for the NCAA Championships in 2009. In addition, Ola Komolafe and Jessica Stanley earned second team honors, both at 400 meters, while the women's 4x100 meter relay squad of Stanley, Megan Cahill, Jessica Talley and Parrish became the first Blazer relay squad to capture all-conference accoaldes.

Ayer and the Blazer cross country teams served as host of the 2009 Capital Athletic Conference championship at Heritage Farm Park in Walkersville.

For the fifth year in a row the Blazer women's squad was named an NCAA Division III All-Academic Team by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA), and the men's team earned its first selection in 2006.

Ayer's commitment to the sport extends beyond Hood College, as he serves as the president of the Road Runners Club of America in 2008-09. In May 2008, Ayer was elected President of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), an association of 975 running clubs and events from around the nation. He was re-elected to a second two-year term in April 2010.

He was honored by the RRCA with the President's Award at the RRCA National Awards Banquet March 11, 2006 in Houston. The President's Award is a prestigious honor that acknowledges the service to the RRCA and the sport of running by a dedicated individual. Ayer received the award for his significant service to the RRCA when he stepped in and voluntarily handled the affairs of the RRCA National Office during a time of organizational transition.

Ayer, who holds USATF Level II Endurance Coaches Certification, won numerous awards and honors during his collegiate running career and held the records for every distance from one mile to the marathon competitions at Frederick Community College. His career bests include a 31:23 6-mile; a 2:36:38:0 marathon; and a 6:19:10:0 50-mile. Ayer has finished 17 marathons and three ultra-marathons. He was named a Masters All-America for the 3000-meter steeplechase in 1999 and the 3000-meter run in 2001 and Runner of the Year by Frederick's Steeplechasers Running Club in 1994.

As distance coach of the Frederick Striders Track and Field Club since 2000, Ayer has guided athletes to two national championships at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics. Of the athletes he's coached, 15 have been national qualifiers, 30 regional qualifiers and 12 state champions. In addition, he serves on a number of committees for USA Track & Field, the Olympic governing body of the sport.

Ayer is a graduate of Lewis University, where he briefly held the record for the 3,000-meter steeplechase. He holds a master's degree from Frostburg State University and has worked as a staff member for the United States House of Representatives for the past 30 years.

In May 2010, Ayer was inducted as an honorary member of the Ionic Society for exemplary service to Hood College.

Ayer is married to Mary Catherine Keegan and they, and their three children, reside in Frederick, Md.