Asbury Hires Former SEC Associate Commissioner as VP of Athletics
Asbury University’s reputation for excellence in and out of the classroom was re-enforced again on Thursday, March 29 as former Southeastern Conference (SEC) Associate Commissioner for Men’s Basketball, Mark Whitworth, was introduced as the school’s new Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Whitworth, a 1984 Asbury graduate and former member of the university’s board of trustees, worked with the SEC for 25 years and played an integral part in the conference’s multimedia rights agreements before becoming Chief Operating Officer at Knight Eady (a national sports marketing and event management firm) in 2016.
“While in the national spotlight, Mark Whitworth has continually exemplified the same positive integration of faith, learning and athletics that Asbury is known for,” said Asbury President Sandra Gray.
“Mark understands the unique mission and atmosphere surrounding Asbury and its athletics department.”
While Asbury finds success on the field – with multiple conference championships, national tournament appearances and All-American selections in the past few years alone – the private, Christian university’s slogan “Start here. Impact the World” is ever-present with teams serving in the local community and traveling on international mission trips each year.
“In the world of business, media, coaches and administrators, there are many people who put athletics on a pedestal,” Whitworth said. “It has always helped me to see the world in the context of the life which God calls each of us to as Christians.”
In the classroom, nearly 100% of Asbury’s 17 intercollegiate athletic teams finished the most-recent fall semester with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The university is also annually honored as an NAIA Champions of Character school – a national designation for schools that best represent the characteristics of respect, integrity, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.
“Mark’s background of excellence as a manager and mentor is perfect for an athletics department centered on the mission of equipping students for a lifetime of learning, leadership and service,” said Asbury basketball coach Will Shouse.
“His experience and goals are in perfect alignment with how we have always viewed student-athletes and the athletic programs at Asbury.”
Asbury offers varsity athletic teams (all offering scholarships) for baseball, softball, women’s volleyball, plus men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis and lacrosse.
There are also six JV programs (in men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and volleyball) plus cheerleading and tumbling.
Asbury is a member of the NAIA Division II in basketball and Division I in all other sports. The Eagles compete within the River States Conference (RSC) for most sports, and in the Appalachian Athletic Conference for men’s and women’s lacrosse and swimming.
“We’re excited to follow the leadership of such an accomplished individual,” said junior volleyball player Katie Billman. “He certainly has a history and passion for Asbury, but he’s also shown in his life and career that while success can include wins and losses on the field, it’s more about being prepared to serve others and advance the cause the Christ the rest of our lives.”
Whitworth steps into the leadership role of the department vacated by former Athletics Director Mark Perdue, the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (now the RSC) Athletic Director of the Year in 2015-16, who recently accepted the same position at Lincoln College in Illinois.
“Asbury offers a Biblical worldview that serves its students well for a lifetime, and the mission of the university has never been more relevant,” said Whitworth.
“I’m the son of an Asbury professor, was in school at Asbury with my future wife (Tyanne), my brother (Kent) and his future wife (Sarah). I have always appreciated the many things Asbury taught me that I continue to use on a daily basis in my professional life and with my family. I’m appreciative of the opportunity and can’t wait to get started.”