Alfred University names Associate VP for Student Experience, Athletics and Recreation

Deb Steward Named Associate VP for Student Experience, Athletics and Recreation

ALFRED, NY – Following a successful national search led by CarrSports Consulting, Deb Steward has been appointed as the Associate Vice President for Student Experience, Athletics and Recreation, as announced by Vice President for Student Experience Amy DeKay.

Steward previously served as the Interim Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Recreation since hired in January of 2023.

“I am honored to serve in this leadership role,” Steward said. “The last three months have shown me the authenticity and kindness of the AU community and the passionate commitment to the student experience.  I am extremely appreciative of the support I have received from Amy DeKay, President Mark Zupan, and COO/Provost Beth Ann Dobie and look forward to working with our athletics staff and Saxon Nation to build on our strong foundation of success.”

Since joining Alfred University, Steward led the design phase of the Saxon Hill Sports Complex project. She was also instrumental in the success of the program’s inaugural Alfy’s, which was an award night to recognize and celebrate graduating student-athletes as well as department award winners.

“I am honored that Deb Steward has accepted my offer to join Alfred University,” DeKay said. “She has extensive experience in athletics and recreation and has demonstrated in her career, the ability to lead staff with a focus on the process to achieve results.  As a strategic visionary, she will serve in a leadership role within Student Experience while focusing on athletics and recreation. We are lucky to have gained such a seasoned and talented individual.”

An award-winning administrator at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Steward was named the 2014 ECAC Division III Female Administrator of the Year and the 2017 Women Leaders in College Sports Division III Administrator of the Year. At HWS, she hired 20 head coaches, led record-breaking single day fundraising records, and was instrumental in improving multiple athletic and recreation facilities. Steward was central in the planning and fundraising efforts of the Caird Center for Sports and Recreation, established the William Smith Athletics Endowment Fund and added women’s ice hockey as the department’s 12th varsity sport in 2014. Under her supervision, the Statesmen and Herons received dozens of postseason tournament bids and won the 2013 NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer National Championship.

Prior to HWS, Steward served as the Assistant Director of Athletics at Ithaca College. A native of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Steward previously worked at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire as a successful softball coach and administrator and began her professional career at St. Mary’s (Minn.) University as a three-sport coach.

Alfred University Saxons compete on 23 varsity teams including 17 NCAA Division III sports, one USCSA (United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association) sport, one NCA (National Cheerleading Association), and three IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) sports. Roughly 30% of all undergraduates play a varsity sport, and approximately half of all AU students participate in either intramural or club sports

About CarrSports Consulting, LLC
Founded in 1997, CarrSports Consulting, LLC is recognized as a standard of excellence in executive search and management consulting services to intercollegiate athletics. CarrSports is well-respected and known for integrity, expertise and creativity. Our unique record of achievement includes the successful completion of over 130 leadership searches and 70 intensely-focused management consulting projects conducted from coast to coast, providing our clients with outstanding service and best options for meaningful solutions.

CarrSports remains dedicated to its deliberate, yet cutting-edge approach to excellence through professional objectivity, practical application and innovation. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.


CarrSports Assists Wayne State University in naming Tyrone Wheatley as Head Football Coach

CarrSports Assists Wayne State University in naming Tyrone Wheatley Head Football Coach

Tyrone Wheatley

DETROIT – Wayne State University Interim Director of Athletics Erika Wallace has selected Tyrone Wheatley as the next football head coach for the Warriors.  He will become the 20th head coach in program history, which enters its 106th year and 105th playing season (due to COVID in 2020).

“I am beyond excited to welcome Coach Wheatley and his family to the Wayne State community,” stated Wallace.  “Coach Wheatley has a passion for developing the student-athlete not only on the field, but off.  His ability to mentor men, develop talent, and recruit will elevate our football program.  I’m looking forward to watching his leadership as he guides our Warrior student-athletes into a new era.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t thank CarrSports Consulting for its professionalism and guidance throughout the search process as well as the search committee which consisted of staff, coaches, faculty and football alumni,” remarked Wallace.

“First of all I would like to thank Wayne State University, President M. Roy Wilson and athletic director Erika Wallace for the opportunity to lead a great university and its football team,” commented Wheatley.

“Throughout the interview process, Mrs. Wallace showed that Wayne State was well prepared and very detailed in what they wanted in the football program and the direction of the athletic department.  This made me really excited about the job.  I am looking forward to coming home, as they always say there is no place like home.  No matter where I have been, I’ve always tried to recruit the state of Michigan and the city of Detroit.  I am pleased, honored and blessed to be back home and to coach at Wayne State University.”

Wheatley is a 16-year coaching veteran, including five years in the National Football League.  He most recently served as the running backs coach for the Denver Broncos.

Prior to joining the Broncos, Wheatley served as Morgan State’s head coach for three seasons from 2019-21.  During his tenure, he led the program to five wins despite the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s cancelation of the 2020 fall football season (COVID-19).

Overseeing Jacksonville’s running back room from 2017-18, Wheatley helped orchestrate a rushing attack that averaged 124.6 rushing yards per game over his two seasons. In 2018, the Jaguars posted the NFL’s best rushing attack (141.4 YPG) and tallied the second-most rushing touchdowns (18) that year.

Before Jacksonville, Wheatley spent the 2015-16 collegiate seasons coaching running backs for his alma mater, the University of Michigan. Wheatley was part of a coaching staff that guided the team to consecutive 10-3 seasons and back-to-back appearances in a bowl game.

In his first season at Michigan, the Wolverines rushing attack collected over 2,000 yards on the ground with 27 touchdowns. The following year, Michigan rushed for 212.9 yards per game and registered 304 rushes for 2,768 yards (4.8 avg.) with 41 scores.

Wheatley’s first stint in the NFL came as running backs coach for Buffalo from 2013-14.  In his first season with the team in 2013, the Bills produced the league’s second ranked rushing attack (144.2 YPG) and had two rushers (C.J. Spiller & Fred Jackson) who each collected over 850 yards rushing while combining for 11 rushing scores.

Preceding his time in the NFL, Wheatley spent five seasons coaching running backs in the collegiate ranks. He spent the 2008 season at Ohio Northern before spending one season (2009) at Eastern Michigan and three years (2010-12) at Syracuse.

Wheatley began his coaching career at Robichaud High School where he served as head football coach for the Bulldogs in 2007.  That season, Robichaud went 9-2 in the regular season and was a perfect 6-0 in league play.

He earned three consecutive All-Big Ten accolades (1992-93-94) after graduating from Dearborn Heights Robichaud High School.

As a sophomore in 1992, Wheatley won the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year award and concluded that season with a 235-yard game in the Rose Bowl earning him the game’s MVP award.  He rushed for 1,357 yards and 13 touchdowns, while adding three receiving TD’s and one on a kickoff return.

Wheatley would surpass the 1,000-yard rushing plateau each of his finals two seasons garnering 1,129 yards and 1,144 yards, respectively.   He completed his Wolverine career with 4,187 rushing yards, 510 receiving yards and 53 total touchdowns.

In addition, he had a standout track and field career for the Maize and Blue winning three letters (1993-95).  Wheatley earned an All-America citation for his eighth-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles at the 1995 NCAA Championships.  He won the Big Ten’s Outdoor title in the 110-meter hurdles in 1994.  Wheatley still owns top-10 times in Michigan history in the 100-meter dash (8th / 10.46) and 110-meter hurdles (5th / 13.77).

He was a first round draft selection by the New York Giants in 1995 (17th overall) and concluded his 10-year professional career by spending the last six seasons with the Oakland Raiders.  Between the two organizations, Wheatley rushed for 4,962 yards and 40 touchdowns, while adding 900 receiving yards and 705 kickoff return yards.  He played in the 2003 Super Bowl as a member of the Oakland Raiders.

Wheatley earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology in 2008 from Michigan.  He and his wife Kimberly have five children:  Tyrone, Jr., Terius, Tyrique, Tiana and Tamari.  Tyrone Jr. is currently a member of the Cleveland Browns organization as an offensive tackle, while Terius played running back at Virginia Tech in 2018 and 2019, before finishing his collegiate career in 2021 at Morgan State playing for his father.

The Inkster native was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.  He was also selected as the top Michigan High School athlete of all-time by State Champs in 2017.

What They Are Saying About Tyrone Wheatley
Fred Jackson (former Michigan running backs coach) – I’ve coached a lot of great players, the difference was Tyrone was always searching for ways to get better on the football field, and off the field as well.  He didn’t just want to be great.  Tyrone was always chasing greatness.  He was always trying to put himself in a position to be a better player.  I knew he would be a fantastic coach.”

Doug Marrone (former Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach) — “Wayne State got it right with the hiring of Tyrone Wheatley as the school’s head coach. He’s a Michigan man through and through, and he’s extremely proud of his home state and that’s an excellent starting point for his new endeavor. I’ve known Tyrone for close to 30 years and I’ve had the good fortune to have worked closely with him on a few different occasions and I’ve seen the attention to details and I’ve seen how he interacts with people and that’s an excellent combination. Then you combine his knowledge of the game with the varied and multiple offenses that he’s overseen and implemented with great success.  He’s a leader and he’s a very strong person and he’s going to be a tremendous asset to Wayne State and the Detroit community.”

Tyrone Wheatley Coaching Experience
Year Team Position
2008 Ohio Northern University Running Backs Coach
2009 Eastern Michigan University Running Backs Coach
2010-2012 Syracuse University Running Backs Coach
2013-2014 Buffalo Bills Running Backs Coach
2015-2016 University of Michigan Running Backs Coach
2017-2018 Jacksonville Jaguars Running Backs Coach
2019-2021 Morgan State University Head Coach
2022 Denver Broncos Running Backs Coach
2023 Wayne State University Head Coach

About CarrSports Consulting, LLC
Founded in 1997, CarrSports Consulting, LLC is recognized as a standard of excellence in executive search and management consulting services to intercollegiate athletics. CarrSports is well-respected and known for integrity, expertise and creativity. Our unique record of achievement includes the successful completion of over 130 leadership searches and 70 intensely-focused management consulting projects conducted from coast to coast, providing our clients with outstanding service and best options for meaningful solutions.

CarrSports remains dedicated to its deliberate, yet cutting-edge approach to excellence through professional objectivity, practical application and innovation. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.


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Florida A&M Athletics Chooses Brittney Johnson as Senior Associate Athletic Director of Compliance/SWA

Florida A&M Athletics chooses Brittney Johnson as their new Senior Associate Athletic Director or Compliance and SWA

Brittney Johnson

Brittney Johnson, who has served in many roles in collegiate athletics over the past 14 years, joined Florida A&M Athletics on January 4, 2023, and will serve as the senior associate athletic director for compliance and senior woman administrator (SWA).

Before joining Florida A&M, Johnson served as the associate athletic director for student-athlete development and academic success at South Alabama for most of 2022. She joined South Alabama Athletics after spending nearly a decade at Prairie View A&M University, where she served in many roles. Johnson was responsible for ensuring compliance for the Panthers’ 18 Division I programs per NCAA, SWAC and PVAMU standards, while also overseeing the maintenance of the institution’s NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR) reports, and the National Letter of Intent (NLI) program.

Johnson was elevated to associate athletic director for student-athlete support services in August 2016, garnering more responsibility in addressing annual academic reports submitted to the NCAA. During this time, she implemented numerous programs geared to the total student-athlete experience, including, but not limited to, the Panther Pride program and the Panther 3.0 Club. Under her tutelage, the Office of Athletic Compliance & Academic Services became one of the premier units in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, allowing her to serve as the conference’s Compliance Committee Chair from 2015-17.

She was named assistant athletic director for student-athlete support services the year prior. In addition to overseeing the athletic compliance area, she oversaw the athletic academic unit and student-athlete development efforts.

During this time, Johnson was instrumental in securing an additional $495,000 from the NCAA to supplement the athletic budget, which assisted in creating of the fueling station, the hiring of academic support graduate assistants, the purchase of laptops and portable Wi-Fi for student-athletes travel and the fifth-year financial aid program.

Johnson joined Prairie View A&M in April 2013 as an athletic compliance officer. She assisted compliance in the day-to-day operation of the compliance department with a primary focus on rules education efforts for faculty, staff, boosters, coaches, and student-athletes.

Before Prairie View A&M, Johnson began her career in athletic administration as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Alabama A&M University, where she worked her way up to assistant director of compliance. While at Alabama A&M, her responsibilities included initial eligibility, monitoring of playing and practice seasons, squad list management, official and unofficial visits, and she served as co-advisor to AAMU’s Student-Athlete-Advisory Committee (SAAC). She also worked closely with Alabama A&M’s Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) to create the General Studies degree program.

Johnson is a native of Bessemer, Ala., where she was a two-sport athlete in basketball and softball at Jess Lanier High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in health sciences from the University of Alabama in 2007, then her master’s degree from Alabama A&M in 2010. She is working on her doctorate from Walden University in higher education.

She is an active member of the National Association of Athletic Compliance (NAAC), where she is also a certified compliance officer, the National Association for Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals, Women Leaders in College Sports (WLCS), and Minority Opportunities Athletic Administration (MOAA). She is active on the national, conference, and institutional levels, serving on numerous committees and participating in workshops and speaking engagements. She is a graduate of the NCAA/NACWAA Institute for Administrative Advancement and the prestigious Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute (2017).

Johnson is the eldest daughter of Kenneth Sr., the late Vickie Johnson, and the adoptive daughter of the late Sgt. Major James Warmley, Jr. and Johnnie Mae. She is the oldest of three siblings, with two brothers.


About CarrSports Consulting, LLC
Founded in 1997, CarrSports Consulting, LLC is recognized as a standard of excellence in executive search and management consulting services to intercollegiate athletics. CarrSports is well-respected and known for integrity, expertise and creativity. Our unique record of achievement includes the successful completion of over 130 leadership searches and 70 intensely-focused management consulting projects conducted from coast to coast, providing our clients with outstanding service and best options for meaningful solutions.

CarrSports remains dedicated to its deliberate, yet cutting-edge approach to excellence through professional objectivity, practical application and innovation. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.


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New Head Coach, Erik Martin, chosen for South Carolina State Men's Basketball

New Head Coach, Erik Martin, chosen for South Carolina State Men’s Basketball

erik martinORANGEBURG, S.C. – Erik Martin, one of the top assistant coaches in Division I basketball, has been selected to lead the South Carolina State University men’s basketball program by Bulldogs Athletics Director Stacy L. Danley.

“Coach Martin is — without a doubt –a rising star in the men’s basketball coaching world,” Danley said. “He has an excellent pedigree after playing and working for Hall of Fame head coach Bob Huggins (at West Virginia University) and is well prepared to assume the position of head men’s basketball coach for our program.

“During the search process, Coach Martin exuded an infectious will to win and the ability to develop a culture where winning will be expected on and off the court,” the athletic director said. “I’m confident that he will represent our university in exemplary fashion, and we are undoubtedly well-positioned for success moving forward as one of college basketball’s elite programs under Martin’s leadership.
“I am absolutely thrilled for Erik to join Bulldog Athletics as we prepare to embark on the next chapter of our program,” Danley said.

Martin was named to The Athletic sports website’s list of “25 College Basketball Assistants Ready to Lead Their Own Program” in 2020 and “30 Coaches to Watch” in 2018.

Erik Martin
“I’m so excited to be the next head coach at South Carolina State,” Martin said. “It has always been my dream to lead a Division I program as well as guide young men on and off the court as they prepare to graduate and move on to the next phase of their lives. It’s a great day to be a Bulldog.”

With over 20 years of coaching experience, Martin is in his 17th season as a Division I coach. He most recently served 16 seasons as an assistant coach under Huggins at West Virginia.

As a Division I assistant, Martin has worked with numerous professional players, including five NBA players (All-American Kevin Jones, Joe Alexander, Devin Ebanks, Bill Walker, and Cartier Martin) as well as Derek Culver, Sagaba Konate, Devin Williams and John Flowers.

While at West Virginia in 2007, the Mountaineers won the 2010 Big East Championship and have advanced to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2010 Final Four and five NCAA Sweet 16s. Martin has helped guide the Mountaineers to 326 victories.

At West Virginia, Martin was responsible for post player development as well as assisting with game scouts, recruiting, along with scheduling, camps, fundraising and community appearances.
During Martin’s tenure in Morgantown, his impact has extended into the community:

From 2007-19, he organized the United Way Clinic in Fairmont, W.Va., which paired WVU newcomers with youth from the Fairmont area.

From 2016-18, he teamed with Nate Zinn and Donnie Tucker to host Mountaineer Days. This event linked the WVU men’s basketball team with youth from Fairmont and Morgantown in a day of multiple activities that benefited the youth as well as the WVU men’s basketball team.

In 2021, he established a non-profit foundation, Helping Hand Charities WV, a mission of aiding children from single-parent homes as well as underprivileged youth.

Coach Martin’s community involvement is a direct reflection of his passion for working with youth and connecting them with the WVU community.

Prior to West Virginia, Martin spent a year as an assistant at Kansas State with Huggins. Before that, he spent two years as an assistant coach at Cincinnati State and Technical College in Cincinnati for head coach Andre Tate from 2004-06.

In 2005-06, he helped the Surge post a 26-9 overall record en route to winning the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference and NJCAA Region XII District 7 tournament titles. The program advanced to the NJCAA Division II championship where it lost to eventual national runner-up Kirkwood (Iowa) Community College to finish fifth nationally.

Martin helped coach several outstanding players at Cincinnati State, including Cincinnati signee John Williamson, who was named a first team NJCAA All-American and the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

Martin jumped into the coaching ranks at Jacobs Center High in Cincinnati, where he served as the junior varsity coach and assistant varsity coach from 2003-04.

As a player, Martin signed with TCU out of high school and redshirted as a true freshman in 1989-90. He transferred to Santa Ana (California) Community College for one season before moving to Cincinnati the next two seasons. A standout power forward, Martin was a two-year letterman and one-year starter for Huggins at Cincinnati from 1991-93.

Martin helped the Bearcats to a combined 56-10 overall record en route to Final Four and Elite Eight appearances and back-to-back Great Midwest Conference regular season and tournament championships from 1991-93.

Playing with All-American Herb Jones and future NBA stars Corie Blount and Nick Van Exel, Martin helped Cincinnati to a 29-5 overall record and the 1992 NCAA Final Four.

In his senior year, Martin guided Cincinnati to the NCAA Tournament where the fourth-ranked Bearcats lost in overtime to eventual national champion North Carolina in the East Regional finals.

The team’s leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, Martin led the Great Midwest Conference in field goal percentage and was named to the all-conference second team. He was a member of the league’s All-Tournament squad after guiding Cincinnati to its second straight title. Martin continued his stellar performance in the NCAA Tournament, where he was named to the East Regional all-tournament team.

Following his playing career at Cincinnati, Martin spent nine years playing professional basketball around the world, including a four-year stint with various franchises in the Continental Basketball Association and five years overseas.

In addition to his professional experience, Martin has also spent time with the U.S. National team, helping the squad to a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games in Argentina. Martin also assisted USA in winning the gold medal at the 1997 Tournament of the Americas.

Martin earned his associate of arts degree from Santa Ana Community College in 1990 and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Cincinnati in 1993.

A native of West Covina, California, Martin has three daughters, Amiyah, Eleyna and Erika. He married the former Anita Woodley in 2010.

Both the men’s and women’s basketball candidate searches at SC State were assisted by CarrSports Executive Search and Consulting.

 


About CarrSports Consulting, LLC
Founded in 1997, CarrSports Consulting, LLC is recognized as a standard of excellence in executive search and management consulting services to intercollegiate athletics. CarrSports is well-respected and known for integrity, expertise and creativity. Our unique record of achievement includes the successful completion of over 130 leadership searches and 70 intensely-focused management consulting projects conducted from coast to coast, providing our clients with outstanding service and best options for meaningful solutions.

CarrSports remains dedicated to its deliberate, yet cutting-edge approach to excellence through professional objectivity, practical application and innovation. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.


south carolina state university athletics logo

CarrSports Congratulates Coach Tim Eatman being chosen as South Carolina State Women's Basketball Coach

CarrSports Congratulates Coach Tim Eatman being chosen as South Carolina State Women’s Basketball Coach

TIMOTHY EATMANORANGBURG, SC. –  Veteran coach and recruiter Timothy Eatman has been named the new South Carolina State head women’s basketball coach by Bulldogs Athletics Director Stacy L. Danley.

“After an extensive, comprehensive, and efficient national search, during which we had the privilege of speaking with an impressive group of coaching candidates, it became clear to the search committee that Coach Eatman was exactly what we needed in the next leader of our women’s basketball program,” Danley said. “He has a distinguished pedigree, having spent the last seven years under Hall of Fame Coach C. Vivian Stringer at Rutgers.

“A proven recruiter, strong evaluator and an innovative teacher of the game, Coach Eatman has played an integral role in signing several top 10 national recruiting classes,” Danley said.

SC State introduced Eatman as the new Bulldogs head coach Tuesday at a news conference on campus. He thanked Danley and SC State President Alexander Conyers for the opportunity.

“I am so humbled to take on this role at this institution,” Eatman said. “I am honored to be returning to my roots at a HBCU. My father was a graduate from Stillman College. My mother graduated from Alabama State University, and I am a proud graduate of Talladega College where I began my coaching career.

“I am thrilled to be joining the staff at South Carolina State University. I am excited to build on the past women’s basketball success to create the  future,” he said. “As I take on this role I would encourage Bulldog nation to dream so big that you are afraid to say it out loud, because I am.”

During the 2018-19 season, Eatman stepped into the role of acting head coach for the final six games of the year, helping the Scarlet Knights to their highest ever Big 10 finish (third), as well as its first-ever Big 10 Tournament semifinal appearance. Under his guidance, Rutgers returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2019.

In 2019-20, Eatman was promoted to the role of associate head coach, as Rutgers capped off their fifth 20-plus-win season during his tenure.

Eatman has prior head coaching experience at the University of Illinois at Chicago and his alma mater, Talladega College. Prior to arriving “On The Banks” at Rutgers, he served as the recruiting coordinator at Rhode Island. He was reunited with Stringer at Rutgers, having served with the Hall of Fame coach during her final season at Iowa in 1994-95, putting together the nation’s top ranked recruiting class.

Over the course of his career, Eatman has played a major role in bringing in 11 top 30 recruiting classes. He was recognized by Lindy’s Magazine as the nation’s top recruiter while he was at Iowa in 1994. Additionally, six of his former players have gone on to play at the next level in the WNBA, and 13 have joined the coaching ranks.

Following his collegiate playing days, Eatman began his coaching career as the head women’s coach at Talladega College, instantly turning around his alma mater’s program. After posting an 0-26 record prior to his appointment, the Tornadoes improved to a 20-9 ledger in 1989-90 under Eatman’s guidance.

Eatman made the move to the Division I level as an assistant coach at Mississippi State from 1990-92 and University of Houston from 1992-93. With the Cougars, he put together the No. 4 rated recruiting class in the country.

Joining Stringer at Iowa for the 1994-95 campaign, Eatman helped construct the top-ranked recruiting class that featured the nation’s top point guard, Nadine Domond, 1995 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Tiffany Gooden, and 1998 Big Ten Player of the Year Tangela Smith.

Eatman had two stints at Kansas, serving as an assistant from 1996-98 and again from 2002-04. He helped the Jayhawks win the Big 12 title in 1997 and reach the NCAA Sweet 16 in 1998. He was the position coach for Kodak All-American and first-round WNBA pick Tamecka Dixon during the 1996-97 season.

In between his two turns as a member of the Jayhawks’ staff, Eatman was at the helm of the Illinois-Chicago program. During his four seasons with the Flames, he brought in two top 20 recruiting classes and recorded the program’s highest win total in seven seasons.

Eatman’s career continued at Louisville from 2004-07, where he helped the Cardinals reach three-straight NCAA Tournaments and was involved in the recruitment of eventual BIG EAST Player of the Year Angel McCoughtry.

He also spent four seasons as the associate head coach at Arkansas from 2007-2011. While with the Razorbacks, Eatman was the team’s defensive coordinator as they set the school record for fewest points allowed in an SEC contest — 42 against Mississippi State.

Making the move to the Northeast, Eatman spent one season at Boston College and was elevated to interim head coach for the end of the 2011-12 season. He then joined head coach Daynia La-Force’s staff at Northeastern in 2013 and followed her when she took over the top position at Rhode Island in 2014.

On Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., SC State will announce the new men’s head basketball coach in a news conference on campus. Both the men’s and women’s basketball candidate searches at SC State were assisted by CarrSports Executive Search and Consulting.

 


About CarrSports Consulting, LLC
Founded in 1997, CarrSports Consulting, LLC is recognized as a standard of excellence in executive search and management consulting services to intercollegiate athletics. CarrSports is well-respected and known for integrity, expertise and creativity. Our unique record of achievement includes the successful completion of over 130 leadership searches and 70 intensely-focused management consulting projects conducted from coast to coast, providing our clients with outstanding service and best options for meaningful solutions.

CarrSports remains dedicated to its deliberate, yet cutting-edge approach to excellence through professional objectivity, practical application and innovation. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.


lamar logo

Jeff O'Malley named Lamar University Director of Athletics

Lamar University Welcomes O’Malley as New Director of Athletics

BEAUMONT, Texas — Lamar University President Jaime Taylor announced today the selection of Jeff O’Malley as the university’s new Director of Athletics. O’Malley joins the Cardinal family after a highly successful 20-year tenure at Marshall University serving as the Associate Director of Athletics/Chief of Staff and liaison to the university’s General Counsel.
Taylor states, “Jeff O’Malley is a trusted collaborator who understands it takes all facets of a university to support student-athletes. He established very positive relationships with faculty and with academic affairs at Marshall University and has an absolutely stellar reputation for ensuring student-athletes are successful in the classroom as well as on the field of play.”

O’Malley will take the reins of Lamar University Athletics effective July 1 and the university will introduce the new AD at a press conference on Friday, June 17 at 11 a.m. in the Lamar University Dauphin Athletic Complex.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to lead Lamar University Athletics. This is a program with a proud tradition of excellence, and we will do all we can to make it even better both in the classroom and in competition,” O’Malley said. “I met many great people through this process, and I would like to thank Dean Spina and Don Shaver for their work co-chairing the search committee. I also would like to thank President Taylor for providing me with the opportunity to work with him again and share his vision for Lamar University. I am looking forward to meeting our student-athletes, collaborating with the campus community and working with our coaches and staff to provide a first-class student-athlete experience.”

O’Malley comes to Beaumont with a long-standing history of overseeing many facets of the Marshall University Athletics program including men’s basketball, men’s soccer, men’s golf and baseball, as well as the department’s academics and compliance offices. In July 2021, he was named interim athletics director for Marshall University Athletics. During his tenure as interim athletic director, he successfully navigated conference realignment and negotiated Marshall’s move to the Sun Belt Conference, in addition to leading the department through the challenges of COVID-19 and a transition in university leadership.

In August 2021, O’Malley was also named NCAA Secretary Rules Editor for Men’s Basketball. This is a role he will begin Sept. 1 in addition to his duties as Athletic Director.

In recent years, both the Marshall men’s basketball program and the men’s soccer program reached the NCAA tournament, the former of which snapped a three-decade NCAA tournament drought, and the latter of which won the 2020 NCAA National Championship defeating Indiana 1-0 in overtime. In 2017-18, the men’s basketball program won the Conference USA championship and upset No. 4 seed Wichita State in the first round of the NCAA tournament to capture the program’s first NCAA win.

Taylor said O’Malley was instrumental in cultivating a winning culture in athletics at Marshall University and has an unwavering commitment to student-athlete well-being. “He worked behind the scenes to ensure all the pieces came together. The student-athletes and coaches knew they were supported, which inspired a level of confidence and camaraderie that wins championships.”

During his tenure, O’Malley developed partnerships with several outside vendors in an effort to educate, protect and empower student-athletes as they navigated name, image and likeness. He also collaborated with the Student Affairs Office to appoint two mental health specialists to support student-athlete well-being.

“I am very excited not only for Jeff, but for Lamar University. He is an outstanding college administrator and he was very instrumental in all the athletic success we had here at Marshall University,” said Mike Hamrick, former director of athletics at Marshall University. “We won a lot of championships, we built a lot of facilities and most importantly, we graduated a lot of student-athletes and Mr. O’Malley was a big part of that. I have no doubt he will bring a vision to Lamar University that will enhance and take your intercollegiate athletic program to a high level.”

O’Malley came to Marshall University after serving as Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Regulatory Affairs for six years at the University of Massachusetts. In addition to his time at Massachusetts, he also served as Compliance Coordinator at the University of Dayton from 1994-96, he serves on the board of directors of the Marshall University Child Development Academy and was a member of the Southeastern Babe Ruth Board of Directors. He also served two terms on the board of directors of the United Way of the River Cities, was a member of the National Association of Sports Officials and has worked as a college basketball official for 24 years. A 1990 graduate of Miami (Ohio) with a degree in Accounting, O’Malley received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Dayton in 1994 and is a member of the Ohio Bar.

Today’s announcement follows a nation-wide search that began in April with CarrSports Consulting, LLC leading the search process and a search committee comprised of Lamar University administrations, faculty, staff and alumni who are an integral part of the Beaumont community.

“We were honored to have LU alumni David Bernsen, Jerry Dearing, David Montagne, Glen Morgan, and Don Shaver on the search committee. This caliber of business leaders on the committee helped us to attract a candidate with Jeff’s sterling credentials,” Taylor said. “I am grateful that Don Shaver and our faculty athletic representative, Dean Robert Spina, agreed to co-chair the committee. Both perspectives are vitally important if we want collegiate athletics to strengthen the bond between Lamar University and southeast Texas.”

Spina, who serves as dean of the LU College of Education and Human Development, said the committee worked diligently, enthusiastically and responsibly to sort through a strong pool of candidates in a short amount of time. “It was a privilege for me to co-chair this search committee with my good friend Don Shaver –– the quality of the applicant pool was incredibly strong due to the draw of Lamar University and the efforts of CarrSports Consulting. We are delighted to welcome Jeff O’Malley as our new athletic director. The experience and expertise he brings is exactly what LU needs at this time. We wholeheartedly welcome Jeff to the Cardinal family!”

Beaumont community leader Senator David Bernsen expressed his gratitude for serving on the search committee and said Lamar University plays a key role in Beaumont with athletics being a crucial link between LU and the community.

“As a student athlete, I benefitted from the important connections between LU and our local business community and am pleased to have participated in extending that legacy through the selection of Jeff O’Malley as our next athletics director,” he said. “The commitment and concern that each member of the search committee devoted to the process is evident by the outcome of the committee’s work. We were pleased to present to President Taylor four strong candidates from which he and his leadership team selected our new AD. As a life-long Cardinal fan, I look forward to working with Jeff O’Malley to elevate LU athletics to the next level.”

 


About CarrSports Consulting, LLC
Founded in 1997, CarrSports Consulting, LLC is recognized as a standard of excellence in executive search and management consulting services to intercollegiate athletics. CarrSports is well-respected and known for integrity, expertise and creativity. Our unique record of achievement includes the successful completion of over 130 leadership searches and 70 intensely-focused management consulting projects conducted from coast to coast, providing our clients with outstanding service and best options for meaningful solutions.

CarrSports remains dedicated to its deliberate, yet cutting-edge approach to excellence through professional objectivity, practical application and innovation. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

25 year

cosida logo

CarrSports Assists CoSIDA in naming Erik Christianson as New Executive Director

CarrSports assists CoSIDA in naming Erik Christianson as new Executive Director

erik christiansonChristianson, a nationally recognized leader in strategic communications and advocacy leadership who has served as the NCAA Managing Director of Communications since 2012, will assume CoSIDA leadership duties in June as he replaces retiring Executive Director Doug Vance.

Erik Christianson, a nationally recognized and award-winning strategic communications leader who has served in senior leadership positions at the NCAA since 2004, has been named executive director of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The announcement was made by CoSIDA 2021-22 President Cindy Potter, Columbia College (Mo.) Senior Deputy Athletic Director, and the CoSIDA Executive Board of Directors.

Christianson has significant experience leading integrated and collaborative communications efforts at local, state and national levels. A longtime advocate for and advisor to CoSIDA, Christianson currently serves as the NCAA managing director of communications, a role he has held since November 2012.

With an extensive background in helping guide communication policy and outreach, Christianson oversees NCAA public and media relations, content and engagement, issues and crisis management related to all the core functions of the national organization, including regulatory and legal affairs, academics, championships, inclusion and financial.

Erik Christianson with his wife, Rachel, during the 2022 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four in New Orleans in early April.

In his CoSIDA position, Christianson will provide strategic leadership, oversee CoSIDA’s many initiatives and manage the daily operations of the 3,100-plus member international organization. In its 65th year, CoSIDA is the national organization comprised of the athletic communications, sports creatives and media relations professionals throughout all levels of collegiate athletics in the United States and Canada.

Christianson will assume his CoSIDA executive director duties on June 13. He will succeed Doug Vance, who in October announced his retirement from the leadership position, effective July 2022. In this summer transition, Vance will stay on with CoSIDA through July to complete his eight-plus years of service as executive director.

“We are so pleased to announce the appointment of Erik Christianson as CoSIDA’s next executive director,” noted Potter, who chaired the selection committee. “When Doug (Vance) announced his retirement, the CoSIDA Executive Board of Directors knew it would be a tall task to find the right person to assume Doug’s role. We wanted to find a bold leader to guide the organization through this exciting time of new brand identity and initiatives. The process began back in the fall of 2021 with the hiring of CarrSports Consulting to assist with the process and the goal of finding a dynamic new leader.

“Erik rose to the top throughout the selection process. His passion, dedication and connections to the communications profession, and especially to CoSIDA, is impressive. And his widespread network of respected friends and colleagues is unmatched. We have no doubt that our organization will be in great hands with Erik at the helm. I want to thank the selection committee, as well as the Executive Board of Directors, for their work in finding our next leader, assuring that CoSIDA’s future continues to be bright.”

“I’ve worked alongside CoSIDA for nearly 20 years, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as a strong voice for the organization and its members at a pivotal time for athletics communications and all of college sports,” said Christianson. “The ways we communicate continue to change, and we need to maximize all of them, but the why behind our work remains the same: we are telling the story of the student-athlete and providing communications solutions for college sports.”

Christianson becomes the third executive director of CoSIDA. Vance took the head position in October 2013 as he followed the organization’s first executive director John Humenik. Humenik served from February 2008 through June 2013.

“Erik has been a valued advocate for the profession and staunch proponent of CoSIDA in his role with the NCAA,” Vance stated. “He’s nationally respected and is well versed in the complex issues that are impacting not only communications, but also the overall big picture of college athletics. Erik has the experience and skills to be an impactful torchbearer for the association at a critical time when strong leadership and advocacy are needed.”

Christianson began his tenure at the NCAA as director of public and media relations, serving in that role from April 2004-November 2012.

In 2015, Christianson received the distinguished CoSIDA Keith Jackson Eternal Flame Award, presented to an individual who, or an organization which, has made a lasting contribution to intercollegiate athletics, and has demonstrated a long and consistent commitment to excellence and has been a loyal supporter of CoSIDA and its mission.

“Erik Christianson is an outstanding choice to lead CoSIDA as its new executive director,” noted Bob Williams, NCAA senior vice president for communications. “Erik is a dynamic leader, strategic thinker, and seasoned communications professional who will do a superb job leading CoSIDA into the future.”

“Erik is a highly respected leader in the athletic communications community. He brings a trusted career of leadership and advocacy for student-athletes across all sports and divisions,” said Gina Lehe, NCAA managing director of communications – strategy and branding and a 2022 CoSIDA Hall of Fame inductee.

Before coming to the NCAA, Christianson served as director of communications for the University of Wisconsin System, one of the nation’s largest public university systems. Before joining the UW System, he was employed in the main communications office at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Wisconsin system’s flagship campus. At both the campus and system levels, he worked regularly on athletics issues.

His experience also includes serving in state government and working as a print journalist at the Tribune-Star (Terre Haute, Indiana) and the Chicago Tribune.

Christianson completed his bachelor’s degree at Northwestern College, now known as the University of Northwestern-St. Paul, where he studied communications and was a baseball student-athlete. He earned his master’s degree in public affairs reporting at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

He and his wife, Rachel, live in Zionsville, Indiana, and have three sons, Sten, Gunnar and Anders.

Christianson will assume his CoSIDA executive director duties on June 13. He will succeedDoug Vance, who in October announced his retirement from the leadership position, effective July 2022. In this summer transition, Vance will stay on with CoSIDA through July to complete his eight-plus years of service as executive director.

“We are so pleased to announce the appointment of Erik Christianson as CoSIDA’s next executive director,” noted Potter, who chaired the selection committee. “When Doug (Vance) announced his retirement, the CoSIDA Executive Board of Directors knew it would be a tall task to find the right person to assume Doug’s role. We wanted to find a bold leader to guide the organization through this exciting time of new brand identity and initiatives. The process began back in the fall of 2021 with the hiring of CarrSports Consulting to assist with the process and the goal of finding a dynamic new leader.

“Erik rose to the top throughout the selection process. His passion, dedication and connections to the communications profession, and especially to CoSIDA, is impressive. And his widespread network of respected friends and colleagues is unmatched. We have no doubt that our organization will be in great hands with Erik at the helm. I want to thank the selection committee, as well as the Executive Board of Directors, for their work in finding our next leader, assuring that CoSIDA’s future continues to be bright.”

“I’ve worked alongside CoSIDA for nearly 20 years, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as a strong voice for the organization and its members at a pivotal time for athletics communications and all of college sports,” said Christianson. “The ways we communicate continue to change, and we need to maximize all of them, but the why behind our work remains the same: we are telling the story of the student-athlete and providing communications solutions for college sports.”

Christianson becomes the third executive director of CoSIDA. Vance took the head position in October 2013 as he followed the organization’s first executive director John Humenik. Humenik served from February 2008 through June 2013.

“Erik has been a valued advocate for the profession and staunch proponent of CoSIDA in his role with the NCAA,” Vance stated. “He’s nationally respected and is well versed in the complex issues that are impacting not only communications, but also the overall big picture of college athletics. Erik has the experience and skills to be an impactful torchbearer for the association at a critical time when strong leadership and advocacy are needed.”

Christianson began his tenure at the NCAA as director of public and media relations, serving in that role from April 2004-November 2012.

In 2015, Christianson received the distinguished CoSIDA Keith Jackson Eternal Flame Award, presented to an individual who, or an organization which, has made a lasting contribution to intercollegiate athletics, and has demonstrated a long and consistent commitment to excellence and has been a loyal supporter of CoSIDA and its mission.

“Erik Christianson is an outstanding choice to lead CoSIDA as its new executive director,” noted Bob Williams, NCAA senior vice president for communications. “Erik is a dynamic leader, strategic thinker, and seasoned communications professional who will do a superb job leading CoSIDA into the future.”

“Erik is a highly respected leader in the athletic communications community. He brings a trusted career of leadership and advocacy for student-athletes across all sports and divisions,” said Gina Lehe, NCAA managing director of communications – strategy and branding and a 2022 CoSIDA Hall of Fame inductee.

Before coming to the NCAA, Christianson served as director of communications for the University of Wisconsin System, one of the nation’s largest public university systems. Before joining the UW System, he was employed in the main communications office at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Wisconsin system’s flagship campus. At both the campus and system levels, he worked regularly on athletics issues.

His experience also includes serving in state government and working as a print journalist at the Tribune-Star (Terre Haute, Indiana) and the Chicago Tribune.

Christianson completed his bachelor’s degree at Northwestern College, now known as the University of Northwestern-St. Paul, where he studied communications and was a baseball student-athlete. He earned his master’s degree in public affairs reporting at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

He and his wife, Rachel, live in Zionsville, Indiana, and have three sons, Sten, Gunnar and Anders.

About CarrSports Consulting, LLC
Founded in 1997, CarrSports Consulting, LLC is recognized as a standard of excellence in executive search and management consulting services to intercollegiate athletics. CarrSports is well-respected and known for integrity, expertise and creativity. Our unique record of achievement includes the successful completion of over 130 leadership searches and 70 intensely-focused management consulting projects conducted from coast to coast, providing our clients with outstanding service and best options for meaningful solutions.

CarrSports remains dedicated to its deliberate, yet cutting-edge approach to excellence through professional objectivity, practical application and innovation. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.


NCCU Names Dr. Louis "Skip" Perkins as Director of Athletics

NCCU Announces Perkins as Director of Athletics 

Dr Louis 'Skip' PerkinsDURHAM, N.C.– North Carolina Central University announced veteran athletics administrator and NCCU alumnus Dr. Louis “Skip” Perkins as the university’s next Director of Athletics during a press conference on Wednesday, concluding a competitive national search led by CarrSports Consulting. Perkins will begin at NCCU on June 1.

A dynamic higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics and institutional advancement, Perkins has served as Director of Athletics at three different NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) institutions with teams capturing 10 conference championships during his tenure.

“Dr. Perkins is a passionate and dynamic leader who is fueled by building winning programs focused on student-success,” said NCCU Chancellor Dr. Johnson O. Akinleye. “This ‘homecoming’ of sorts for Dr. Perkins brings him back to a place where he was not only cultivated as a student, but also grew to become a distinguished athletics and development administrator regionally and nationally.”

A 1994 graduate of NCCU, Perkins holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and master’s degrees in public administration and instructional media, also from NCCU. He earned his Doctor of Education from Delaware State University, with a focus on educational leadership.

As a four-year team captain on NCCU’s tennis team, Perkins received multiple academic all-conference honors. He was also a recipient of NCCU’s inaugural Forty Under Forty Alumni Awards in 2012, and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the NCCU Alumni Association, Inc., and the United States Professional Tennis Association.

“I am truly thankful and excited to be back where I started my journey in intercollegiate athletics, as a student-athlete on North Carolina Central’s tennis team,” Perkins said. “The foundation that was instilled in me during my time competing on and off the court at NC Central has helped me become the person and leader I am today.

“One of my goals when I left NCCU in 2007 was to one day return to ‘The Nest,’ bringing back with me all of the experiences and knowledge I gained from a far to help return NC Central to its championship ways,” added Perkins. “I look forward to not only helping my alma mater win on its various fields of play, but to continue its focus on turning student-athletes into scholar-athletes.”

Perkins will join NCCU from his current role as assistant vice president for development at Morgan State University since 2020. Under his leadership, he worked in conjunction with the president of the university and the MSU Foundation Board to secure more than $67 million in fundraising contributions during the 2020-2021 academic year, which set a new university record.

Prior to his role as senior development officer at Coppin State University, Perkins was the associate vice president and director of athletics at Delaware State University from 2015-17. During that time, the Hornets secured four Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships, boasted the highest grade point average (3.1) in the athletics program history, and more than $5 million was raised in athletics development.

As director of athletics at Howard University from 2010-15, Perkins oversaw more than $10 million of renovations to Burr Gymnasium, while the Bison added another conference title to his ledger. In the same role at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff from 2007-10, the Golden Lions achieved one of the highest graduation rates in school history and won five conference championships under his leadership.

Perkins also served as an assistant athletics director for development at NCCU from 2006-07, and as executive director of communications and external affairs at Saint Augustine’s University from 2005-06.

He is the proud father of three children, Alexia Perkins, Peri Perkins and Louis Tripp Perkins, along with a granddaughter, Anastasia.

For more information about NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app. 

 


About CarrSports Consulting, LLC
Founded in 1997, CarrSports Consulting, LLC is recognized as a standard of excellence in executive search and management consulting services to intercollegiate athletics. CarrSports is well-respected and known for integrity, expertise and creativity. Our unique record of achievement includes the successful completion of over 130 leadership searches and 70 intensely-focused management consulting projects conducted from coast to coast, providing our clients with outstanding service and best options for meaningful solutions.

CarrSports remains dedicated to its deliberate, yet cutting-edge approach to excellence through professional objectivity, practical application and innovation. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

25 year

CarrSports assists Marshall Athletics in choosing Christian Spears as Athletic Director

CarrSports assists Marshall Athletics in choosing Christian Spears as Athletic Director

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Following a national search, Marshall University today named Christian Spears its next athletic director. The school’s Board of Governors voted to approve the hire earlier today.

“Christian Spears is a transformational leader who exhibits a deep respect for tradition, combined with an ability to architect a vision to unleash potential,” said Marshall President Brad D. Smith. “I am excited to welcome Christian to Marshall to serve in this pivotal role.

“Christian’s leadership philosophy and his drive for Marshall to build on its storied foundation of winning mirror my own. I look forward to working with him to usher in the next chapter of great for Athletics at our university.”

Spears has more than 25 years of experience at all levels of intercollegiate athletics administration. He comes to Marshall most recently from the University of Pittsburgh, where as deputy athletic director and chief operating officer he manages all revenue generation and external operations, primarily focused on strategic partnerships to help reduce expenses and supplement revenue streams. His areas of responsibility at Pitt include marketing and branding, media relations, fundraising, ticket operations, licensing, merchandising, game presentation, broadcast services and multimedia rights.

Spears is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of raising funds, forming corporate partnerships, and developing and executing strategic plans. In his five years at Pitt, he was instrumental in a capital campaign to support Pitt’s $250 million “Victory Heights” initiative to build and upgrade athletic facilities, helping to raise nearly $15 million of the $25 million goal to-date, as well as assisting with the development of the champions advisory board that has engaged 24 new alumni/donors with the goal of completing the campaign by 2024.

He also worked with the department’s fundraising arm to raise more than $100 million since 2017, including the largest gift in Pitt Athletics history ($20 million) and played an influential role in the development of an Athletics strategic plan, core values and set of strategic initiatives.

He negotiated a 16-year multimedia rights agreement worth more than $106 million with JMI Sports, developed and led Pitt Athletics’ partnership with media production giant NEP, resulting in a $12 million project that created Pitt Studios and five dedicated broadcast control rooms, and formed a partnership with Ideal Integrations and Extreme Networks for a $2 million capital project to bring Wi-Fi to the Petersen Events Center.

In addition, Spears led negotiations for a new arena management company (ASM Global), resulting in $3 million in new capital projects at the Petersen Events Center. As part of a six-year, $12 million agreement with Nike’s Global Identity Group (GIG), he worked on a series of new marks and logos that led to the successful rebranding of the University of Pittsburgh and Pitt Athletics. He also has played a major role in the hiring of 10 head coaches during his time at Pitt and is the sport administrator for both football and men’s basketball.

University of Pittsburgh Director of Athletics Heather Lyke said, “I am thrilled for Christian and Marshall University. Christian has been a trusted colleague and friend for decades and an invaluable leader in our department. Marshall University is getting an experienced and visionary leader who brings positive energy, intellect and a can-do mindset, but most importantly, someone who has a genuine interest for the well-rounded success of student-athletes. I look forward to following his progress. He and his family will be deeply missed.”

At Marshall, Spears will take over a storied 16-sport athletics program with a $30 million budget. He will begin his tenure March 14 and will succeed Jeff O’Malley, who has led the department as interim athletic director since July 2021.

Over the past eight months, O’Malley successfully navigated conference realignment and negotiated Marshall’s move to the Sun Belt Conference, in addition to leading the department through the challenges of COVID-19 and a transition in university leadership.

Smith added, “I want to extend a heart-felt thank you to Jeff O’Malley for his leadership during this interim period. We have a proud legacy of great leaders like Jeff in our Athletics department, so Christian Spears will be standing on the shoulders of giants when he assumes the duties as the next athletic director for The Herd.”

Prior to joining Pitt in 2017, Spears served Eastern Michigan University as deputy athletic director. In leading the EMU Athletics department’s external division, he had oversight of development, marketing, corporate partnership efforts, fan experience and media relations. He also assisted with the administration of the football program, was responsible for football scheduling and served for a time as interim athletic director.

On the strength of its first bowl berth in nearly three decades, the Eagles’ football program experienced a 100% increase in total season ticket growth from 2014 to 2016. In 2016, Eastern Michigan achieved a 7-5 regular season and earned a berth in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, EMU’s first postseason invitation since 1987.

Spears was instrumental in helping Eastern Michigan produce record-breaking fundraising results, including the highest number of donors and most cash received in program history. EMU Athletics garnered the largest cash gift in the university’s history ($6 million) in 2017. When his mentor Lyke accepted the director of athletics position at Pitt, Spears assumed the responsibilities of interim director of athletics at Eastern Michigan.

Prior to EMU, Spears spent five years at Northern Illinois University (2009-14) as deputy director of athletics. There, he served as the lead administrator for the Huskies’ football team—including the nationally ranked 2012 squad that earned an Orange Bowl berth—as well as the men’s basketball, baseball, cross country, and track and field programs.

Spears had direct oversight of no fewer than seven areas at Northern Illinois, including academics, compliance, life skills, strength and conditioning, sport psychology, football operations and equipment. He also was the lead coordinator for NIU’s Academic Progress Rate (APR) and Graduation Success Rate (GSR). Spears served as Northern Illinois’ acting director of athletics for nearly five months in 2013. During that time, the Huskies’ football program had record-breaking efforts in both season-tickets and ticket revenue when compared to prior years.

From 2003-09, Spears was an assistant athletic director at Southern Illinois University, where he had administrative oversight of compliance as well as student-athlete financial aid and eligibility. He was an assistant director of athletics for compliance at Harvard University from 2002-03.

Spears launched his collegiate athletics career as an assistant director of marketing at Long Beach State (1996-99). He then served as the Big Ten Minority Intern for Ohio State University, working in their athletic compliance office while he matriculated through the school’s Moritz College of Law.

Spears graduated from the University of Washington in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from California State University Long Beach in 1998 and his juris doctor from Ohio State in 2002.

He has been a member of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association since 2003 and currently serves college football on the national level as a member of the College Football Playoff Advisory Committee. He formerly served as president of the National Association for Athletics Compliance and is an alumnus of the NCAA Pathway Program, which is intended to prepare participants to become directors of athletics or conference commissioners.

Spears and his wife Julia have three children, Rainier, Kai and Skyla.

A media event is being planned to introduce Spears to the Marshall and Huntington communities. Details will be shared as the program is finalized.

To view original press release Pitt’s Christian Spears named athletic director at Marshall University – Marshall University Athletics (herdzone.com)


About CarrSports Consulting, LLC
Founded in 1997, CarrSports Consulting, LLC is recognized as a standard of excellence in executive search and management consulting services to intercollegiate athletics. CarrSports is well-respected and known for integrity, expertise and creativity. Our unique record of achievement includes the successful completion of over 130 leadership searches and 70 intensely-focused management consulting projects conducted from coast to coast, providing our clients with outstanding service and best options for meaningful solutions.

CarrSports remains dedicated to its deliberate, yet cutting-edge approach to excellence through professional objectivity, practical application and innovation. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.


Furman names Drew Ingraham Senior Associate AD for External Affairs

Furman names Drew Ingraham Senior Associate AD for External Affairs

drew ingrahamGREENVILLE, SC. – Drew Ingraham has been named Furman’s new senior associate athletics director for external affairs, it was announced today by director of athletics Jason Donnelly.

Ingraham, who emerged from a field of high caliber candidates developed through the assistance of Carr Sports Consulting, comes to Furman following four years at Texas Tech University, where he served as associate athletics director for marketing, communications, and creative services.

“Furman Athletics is excited to introduce Drew Ingraham as our new senior associate athletics director for external affairs,” said Donnelly. “Drew brings a wealth of knowledge, experience with several collegiate athletics programs, and a vital skill set that will support the continued growth of our department. We are excited to hire a candidate of Drew’s caliber and appreciate the commitment of the university to continue to grow the Furman Athletics brand by investing in revenue generation, increased fan engagement, and a first class student-athlete experience.”

“I am truly grateful and honored for the opportunity to join Furman,” said Ingraham.  “I would like to thank Jason and the staff at Furman for the opportunity to lead such a talented external team.  I look forward to contributing to the enhanced growth of the Furman Athletics brand locally, regionally and nationally.”

A key member of the director of athletics’ executive leadership team, the senior associate athletics director for external affairs will assist the department in providing strong vision, leadership, management, coordination, and oversight of athletics external operations. These responsibilities will include oversight of athletics revenue generation, marketing, communications, promotions, game day experience, athletics ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, licensing, and branding with a focus on Greenville, Upstate South Carolina, and national growth and recognition.

A large of part of Ingraham’s role will be to build upon the success of Furman Athletics during the past few years. Athletics has demonstrated remarkable growth in external affairs with its Furman Family culture, connection to the community, and emphasis on engagement with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and fans.

During the past year, Furman Football experienced a 60 percent increase in pre-COVID attendance due to significant changes in the game day experience and facility upgrades at Paladin Stadium. Athletics has focused its strategy on being “Greenville’s Team” by returning men’s and women’s basketball games to downtown Greenville at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena for its “Weekends at the Well” series. Furman has increased corporate partnerships though Van Wagner Sports Properties and strategic partnerships throughout the Upstate with partners such as ESPN Upstate Radio, which broadcasts all Furman Football and Men’s Basketball via FM Radio. Furman Athletics, along with the Southern Conference, will also co-host the NCAA Basketball Tournament in Greenville in 2022, 2023, and 2026.

At Texas Tech Ingraham oversaw three operations within the Red Raider athletics department — communications, promotions & fan engagement, and recently created creative services — with a combined staff of 16 full-time employees.

He coordinated the planning and execution of Red Raider football and men’s basketball game day, as well as year-round promotional efforts for all 17 programs.

Ingraham directed marketing efforts in football that generated $16.7M in revenue for the 2018 & ’19 seasons and constructed and implemented marketing/ticket sales plans that added 8,837 new season ticket accounts over those two campaigns.

In 2020 he designed the implementation and education plans for Texas Tech’s transition to mobile ticketing.

For basketball, Ingraham led marketing and outreach that netted a 12 percent increase in student attendance and 16 percent increase in overall attendance for Red Raider hoops during the 2018-19 season, and a 2019-20 basketball campaign that averaged 14,057 fans.  For the 2021-22 season, Texas Tech netted a program record 8,150 season ticket holders.

He also crafted marketing and sales strategies that played a vital role in a four-year, season ticket sellout for Red Raider baseball.

A member of Texas Tech’s senior athletics team, as well as the department’s “Beyond Verified” committee overseeing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), Ingraham has played a central role in the tremendous growth in Texas Tech’s social media accounts that recently topped 1.3 million combined followers, including the fifth highest TikTok college athletics account in the nation with over 100,000 followers.

Through his social media initiatives, the Red Raiders netted over eight million interactions and almost 30 million video views across Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

In addition, he managed Texas Tech’s Athletics strategic fundraising relationship with CaringCent College Athletics.

Prior to his tenure at Texas Tech, Ingraham served as associate athletics director of marketing & fan engagement at the University of New Mexico from 2014-17, where he was heavily involved in all aspects of ticket sales, marketing, and social media strategy development and execution.

He spent over six years (2007-13) as associate athletics director for marketing & operations at Montana State University, in Bozeman, his hometown.

He began his collegiate administrative career as an external athletics marketing manager at Colorado College in 2005.

Ingraham majored in English and secondary education at Boston College, from which he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2001.  He added a Master of Science in physical education/sports administration from Springfield (Mass.) College in 2004, and is a 2017 graduate of the Sports Management Institute.

 


About CarrSports Consulting, LLC
Founded in 1997, CarrSports Consulting, LLC is recognized as a standard of excellence in executive search and management consulting services to intercollegiate athletics. CarrSports is well-respected and known for integrity, expertise and creativity. Our unique record of achievement includes the successful completion of over 130 leadership searches and 70 intensely-focused management consulting projects conducted from coast to coast, providing our clients with outstanding service and best options for meaningful solutions.

CarrSports remains dedicated to its deliberate, yet cutting-edge approach to excellence through professional objectivity, practical application and innovation. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.