BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Samford University Director of Athletics
Martin Newton has initiated a restructuring of the athletics department's administrative staff to better serve the needs of the Bulldogs' 17 Division I sports and 350+ student-athletes.
The restructuring plan comes after the announcement of the athletics department entering in to a multi-media rights agreement with Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment for Samford sponsorships.
"The addition of VWSE allows us to reallocate some resources and personnel which will allow us to achieve our goals called out in our current strategic plan", Newton said. "As we look to the future with an emphasis on student-athlete well-being and revenue growth, we felt the need to make some adjustments to our current structure."
Newton has promoted
Bo Kerr to Deputy Director of Athletics for Revenue Generation and
Michelle Durban to Deputy Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Well-Being/Senior Woman Administrator (SWA).
"Bo and Michelle are both excellent leaders and have the respect of our coaches, staff and student-athletes," Newton said. "Their tireless work ethic, passion for Samford and our mission, and wealth of experience have been a tremendous asset to our department."
Kerr will primarily oversee all aspects of revenue generation while having sport oversight for baseball and women's soccer. Durban will primarily oversee the administrative areas of academics, compliance and sport performance, and have sport oversight of women's basketball, track and field, volleyball, women's golf and women's tennis, while maintaining her role as SWA.
Newton also announced staff promotions for
Hal Langston (Associate AD for Development & Strategy),
Harold Goss (Associate AD for Academics & Compliance) and
Joe Davidson (Associate AD for Operations).
As part of the restructuring an emphasis will also be placed on fan engagement, marketing and strategic communications.
"We are currently in the process of hiring an Assistant AD for Marketing & Strategic Communication", Newton said. "With the rapidly changing landscape of new media, this new position will allow us to address our needs for strategic communications.
"We have an incredible group of people that represent our university and athletic department in a first-class manner," Newton said. "My goal is to put them in the best position possible to provide for our student-athletes, coaches and fans better than we've ever done."
