Ronnie Mayers | Rose Strahan |
Mayers will replace Dr. Brad Teague, who resigned Tuesday, Jan. 22 from his post as Delta State athletic director to accept Division I-AA University of Central Arkansas’ offer to head its athletic department.
Currently the assistant athletic director, Mayers served as the head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams for over 20 years. Under his leadership, the swimming and diving program experienced expansive growth, including the construction of a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art natatorium. The program also produced 56 individual All-Americans and 21 academic All-Americans.
“Coach Mayers has the experience and the leadership we will need to transition the Delta State athletic department,” Delta State President Dr. John M. Hilpert said. “He will be a steady hand at the helm of the department.”
Dr. Rose Strahan, chair of the mathematics department at Delta State and NCAA faculty athletic representative for Delta State, has agreed to chair the search committee. This will be the second search committee Strahan has chaired, having led the charge to find a new head men’s basketball coach following the retirement of former Statesmen head coach Steve Rives in April 2006.
“We are pleased Dr. Strahan has accepted this charge,” Hilpert continued. “She has impeccable qualifications and a proven track record in leading a search of this scope. We are confident she will lead the group well.”
Strahan will be assisted by Greg Redlin, Vice President of Finance and Administration at Delta State. Redlin, who served as interim athletic director at the University of South Dakota, will provide staffing to the committee.
Members of the search committee will be announced early next week and are expected to be representative of both campus and community.
“We recognize the level of interest the position of athletic director has, both on campus and in our community. We look forward to an open and productive search,” Hilpert concluded.