By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
MARTIN, Tenn. – Kurt McGuffin has been tabbed to two national leadership roles for the 2023-24 season as the University of Tennessee at Martin vice chancellor and director of athletics is serving as the chair of the NCAA Division I Women’s Softball Committee and the 2nd Vice President of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletic Directors Association (FCS ADA).
McGuffin was initially appointed to a four-year term on the NCAA Softball Committee in September 2022 and has been elevated to chair for this upcoming season. He is part of a 10-member board that includes at least one representative from each of the five softball regions (East, South, Midwest, Southeast and West). He is one of two athletic directors on the panel, joining Missouri’s Desiree Reed-Francois.
Serving on the FCS ADA board since 2020, McGuffin is now third in command on the 16-member committee. Joining McGuffin as FCS ADA executive officers for the 2023 season are President Ryan Ivey (director of athletics, Stephen F. Austin State University), 1st Vice President Mark Benson (director of athletics, University of Albany), and 3rd Vice President Sherryta Freeman (director of athletics, Lafayette College).
McGuffin has previously taken part in the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee, the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Ranking Committee and the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Committee during his 25-year career as a collegiate athletics administrator.
“It’s an honor to represent UT Martin and the Ohio Valley Conference on a national level,” McGuffin said. “Being a part of these committees is a responsibility I do not take lightly and I look forward to contributing for many years to come.”
Since taking over as Skyhawk athletic director in May 2017, McGuffin has overseen seven different athletic programs combine for 14 conference or regional championships. In 2022-23, UT Martin produced its highest finish in the OVC Commissioner’s Cup standings for the second season while also generating a departmental Grade Point Average above 3.20 for the seventh consecutive semester. Skyhawk Athletics has also been at the forefront of community service during McGuffin’s tenure, highlighted by student-athletes heading cleanup efforts during the aftermath of the tornado that touched down in nearby Dresden in December 2021.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information
