Ackerman Takes Over Greenville Athletic Director Duties
Greenville College has announced that Tom Ackerman, Associate Athletic Director and Head Women's Volleyball Coach, has been promoted to the position of Athletic Director in a realignment of leadership in the department. Current Dean of Athletics and Professional Studies Doug Faulkner is going to reassume responsibilities as Dean of Professional Studies and Professor of Sport Management.
Effective June 1, 2017, and in conjunction with Greenville's transition to Greenville University, Ackerman will be assigned to his new role and continue to hold his position as head women's volleyball coach.
During Ackerman's tenure as head women's volleyball coach, the volleyball team has experienced a formidable amount of success. The accomplishments of Ackerman's teams have included seven consecutive SLIAC regular season championships, NCAA tournament bids in 2010, 2015, and 2016, seven consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins, and a record of 166-56 in the last seven seasons. Coach Ackerman is also a five-time SLIAC "Coach of the Year" award recipient, and his teams have accrued a SLIAC record of 110-10 over the seven seasons that they were conference champions.
Ackerman also served as head men's volleyball coach for it's inaugural season in 2016, and the team finished with a 16-11 record and was seventh in the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League. They topped all first year conference programs with their seventh place position in a league of 14 teams.
"It is an absolute honor to accept the Director of Athletics position as our institution becomes Greenville University," said Ackerman. "The athletic department has given so much to me, and I appreciate the opportunity to give back."
"I am surrounded with an excellent staff and we are truly blessed with some of the best coaches that I have ever known. I am confident we can continue our success in women's volleyball, and the culture we have built there will continue to thrive."
Ackerman will be supported in his new role by B.J. Schneck (Director of Athletic Event Management and Sports Information), Skylar Bareford (Senior Women's Administrator), Hayle Ward (Coordinator of Athletics Recruitment for New Programs) and Stephen Groves (Assistant Athletic Director and Conference Services).
These changes are influenced by the continuous improvement efforts triggered by the Higher Learning Commission.
"Over the last 12 months, great work guided the Athletics Department.," said Provost and COO Edwin Estevez. "As we continue positioning people around their strengths, we thank Dr. Faulkner for his contributions during this past year in athletics and look forward to a stronger positioning through a collection of efforts in athletics and focused attention to the aforementioned academic programs."
STORY COURTESY OF GREENVILLE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION
