Associate ADs Take On New Responsibilities
1/20/2016 5:32:00 PM | Athletics
To better serve an athletic department whose staff has grown from 28 individuals to 81 full time employees since 1999, Sam Houston director of athletics Bobby Williams has announced a reorganization of the athletic department's senior management team.
Associate athletic directors Chris Thompson and Greg Hinze will be assuming additional responsibilities in the move to strengthen the senior management structure for a department which serves more than 400 student-athletes competing for 17 sports teams at the NCAA Division I level.
“With the incredible growth of this department in the last 18 years and the need to take steps to insure continued improvement and success, this reorganization of our senior management will improve communication throughout the department and enhance our ability to implement daily operations,” Williams said. “I greatly appreciate the willingness of both Chris Thompson and Greg Hinze to take on new challenges and responsibilities in their new roles.
“Due to our emphasis in generating external revenue the past five years for facility improvements, overall department budgets, scholarships, staff increases and coaching salary escalation, the need for a broader focused leadership team is necessary.”
In addition to current duties, both Thompson and Hinze will provide senior leadership roles in department strategic planning and budgeting along with evaluation and supervision of individual sports and overall departmental areas.
Thompson, who has served on the Bearkat athletic staff as both a coach and an administrator since 1982, is a Sam Houston graduate and a member of the Sam Houston Athletic Hall of Honor. She currently oversees academic services, NCAA compliance, NCAA certification, student-athlete welfare and Title IX and serve as the liaison with both the Sam Houston Athletic Advisory Council and Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
“Being part of Sam Houston athletics for more than 38 years as a player, coach and administrator, there is nothing more important to me than student-athlete welfare and their environment,” Thompson said. “I have seen and been part of the growth of this program over the years. It has been amazing. I am glad to continue to be a part of the opportunities we have and will provide for our university, the department, the staff and the student-athletes.”
Hinze, who first came to the athletic program as the Bearkats' head track and field coach, has served as both an assistant and associated athletic director for Sam Houston for thirteen years. He currently oversees internal operations, game management, facilities and NCAA post-season play.
“I appreciate the confidence Bobby Williams has shown in me with this promotion,” Hinze said. “I look forward to tackling the additional responsibilities and working to improve the overall student-athlete experience.”
Sam Houston's athletic success is well documented with 32 Southland Conference championships and 21 NCAA post-season appearances since 2000. In addition, the department has seen continued growth in fundraising, ticket sales and media exposure through successful athletic teams, television and the internet. The department also has provided an environment for student-athlete success in the class room that has resulted in record athletic grade point averages and academic honors.
“Our mission is described in our goal – Bearkat Athletics: Defining the Student-Athlete Experience,” Williams said. “With Chris and Greg working with our outstanding staff of coaches, trainers and administrators, we are excited about what the future holds for the department.”
