BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford University has extended the contract of Director of Athletics Martin Newton, the university announced Monday.
 
Newton's contract extension is for five years and began on July 1, 2022.
 
"Martin Newton has proven himself to be a great leader for Samford athletics, and I look forward to working with him and his staff to continue Samford's ascent among the country's best Division I athletic programs," Samford President Dr. Beck A. Taylor said. "The future for the Bulldogs is bright, and under Martin's leadership, the sky is the limit. With new facilities coming in the near future, a great set of coaches and the finest student-athletes we could hope for, Samford fans have a lot to look forward to."
 
Newton took over the position in April of 2011 and the Bulldogs have experienced unprecedented success during his time in charge of the department. Over the last 11 years, Samford teams have won an impressive 58 Southern Conference regular season, tournament or division championships. Additionally, in the most recent Southern Conference season, Samford finished first in the Germann Cup standings for the SoCon's best women's athletics program, and third in the Commissioner's Cup for the league's best men's program.
 
"I want to thank Dr. Taylor and the Board of Trustees for providing me the opportunity to continue to serve my alma mater as the Director of Athletics," Newton said. "We have a tremendous team that embraces the mission of this great institution, and I am so grateful that I get to work with them and some of the best student-athletes in the country. I'm excited about the next chapter for Samford University under Dr. Taylor's leadership, our athletics department and the impact we can make on the lives of our student-athletes." 
 
Bulldog student-athletes have also performed well in the classroom. In the annual NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report, Samford's student-athlete have consistently scored among the best in the nation. In the most recent report, the Bulldogs posted an impressive 97 percent in the GSR report.
 
Facility enhancements have also been a hallmark of Newton's tenure with the Bulldogs. In his time in charge of the department, Samford has opened a new soccer and track stadium as well as a new softball stadium, indoor hitting facility for the baseball and softball programs and an indoor practice facility for men's and women's golf. A new academic center was also recently built in Bashinsky Field House. Additionally, state-of-the-art video boards have been added to the Pete Hanna Center (men's and women's basketball/volleyball), Seibert Stadium (football), Joe Lee Griffin Field (baseball) and in Shauna Yelton Field at the Cameron Bean Track (soccer/track and field).
 
The football video board was a part of Phase I of the Seibert Stadium project, which was completed in August 2019 and was 100 percent donor funded. The new state of the art Daktronics video board is the second largest in the Southern Conference and included a significant upgrade to the sound system. Phase II, which was completed prior to the 2021 season, included a complete renovation of the Bashinsky Press Tower, new premium seating on the west side of the stadium and renovations to the east side Gate House. 
 
Newton was instrumental in a rebranding initiative for both athletics and the university as a whole in 2016. The year-long effort produced, with the help of Samford alumni, staff and students, Samford's athletic and university marks used today. Newton also engineered a rejuvenation of Samford's S-Club, which is the official letter winners club for former Samford student-athletes. For the first time, all former Samford student-athletes are automatically members of the S-Club upon their graduation from Samford.
 
Newton has also made an impact nationally as he will begin a five-year appointment to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee on Sept. 1. Additionally, he currently serves on the NCAA Division I Council and the Men's Basketball Oversight Committee. He was also recently appointed to the NCAA Council Coordination Committee (CCC). 
 
Newton also implemented the Samford Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017, a goal he had since taking over the department. The Hall of Fame is located on the third floor of the Hanna Center and has since inducted five classes, including a total of 30 inductees. 
 
Newton also started the Samford Strong Leadership Academy in 2014. The academy is a program jointly developed between the Athletics Department and the Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership. Its mission is to bring successful athletes to campus to share their personal stories and the importance of faith and character to success in all areas of life for Samford's student-athletes.