July 16, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford athletics department has hired Larry Long as the executive director of its athletic foundation, Director of Athletics Bob Roller announced Monday.

"This is another significant step in the process of upgrading Samford athletics with the hiring of Larry," Roller said. "He brings years of fundraising experience to our program and can hit the ground running on day one to support our 17 sports."

Long will be responsible for all athletics fund raising for Samford's nine women's and eight men's sports.

"My family and I are excited about the opportunity afforded me by Dr. Westmoreland and Bob Roller to be a part of Samford University and its athletic program," Long said. "This gives me the opportunity to re-establish relationships with both Pat Sullivan and Casey Dunn. I also look forward to being associated with all of our coaches and helping them reach their goals."

Prior to coming to Samford, Long has worked for the Buffalo Rock Company since January of 2000. Since January of 2007, he has been the Tournament Director for The Boeing Championship at Sandestin.

From September of 2005 to January of 2007, Long was the director of business development for outside bottlers and premise.

Long served on the Emerald Coast Classic Foundation and the Blue Angels Classic Foundation from January of 2000 to September of 2005.

Long worked in the Auburn University student affairs and athletics departments from 1985 to 2000. While at Auburn, he served as the director of athletic development and placement director.

His duties at Auburn included being responsible for all fund raising for athletics, the ticket priority system, the sales and operation of 78 executive suites, scholarship donors and the Greater Auburn Fund. He was also in charge of the development of Tigers Unlimited and its Athletic Council.

From 1980 to 1985, Long worked at Blount International, Ltd. as an employment manager. During his time there, Blount International was rated in the top 30 engineering, design and construction firms in the world.

Long coached high school football and basketball in the state of Alabama from 1971 to 1980.

Long received his bachelor's degree in education from Montevallo in 1971. He earned his master of science in education degree from Troy University in Montgomery in 1976.