Nov. 27, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -
Samford director of athletics Bob Roller announced two appointments within the athletics department on Tuesday, both are effective immediately.
Michelle Durban has been named assistant athletics director for compliance. Durban, who served for the past four years as the Bulldogs' head volleyball coach, will oversee all areas of NCAA compliance and will also remain as senior woman administrator. She will relinquish her head coaching duties to concentrate on this full-time role. Roller will begin an immediate national search for her replacement.
Durban, who played collegiate volleyball at Indiana University, also served as associate head coach at the University of Alabama from 2000-2004. She led the Samford women's volleyball team to its finest season in school history this fall and will turn over a veteran team to the new coach as the Bulldogs move to the Southern Conference in the fall of 2008.
"Michelle brings the perfect blend of administrative leadership and the ability to work with coaches due to her years of experience in that role," Roller said. "She will be a tremendous asset to our senior staff in this role and it comes at the right time for her and her family."
"I am very excited about my new position," Durban said. "Bob Roller has been great to work for as a coach and I look forward to working with him on a day to day basis."
Roller also promoted Grant Lyons to the role of assistant athletics director for marketing. Lyons will oversee marketing, game-day operations, campus-wide promotions and ticket sales in his new role.
A 2004 graduate of Samford, Lyons has worked his way up the ranks from serving as a game-day assistant to director of marketing to his current role.
"Grant is the consummate employee who gives his all to Samford athletics," Roller said. "We have a great learning curve for our student body and our fan base as we head into the Southern Conference, and I'm very comfortable giving him the reins to make this happen."
"I would like to thank Bob Roller for this opportunity," Lyons said. "I look forward to the challenge of this new position and I hope to further enhance the awareness of the Samford athletics department. I have truly enjoyed my time at Samford, both as a student and as a member of the athletics department. I am excited about what the future holds for Samford and our staff."
