The University of Memphis athletic department has faced a few transitions behind the scenes this summer.
In May, University’s deputy athletic director Wren Baker accepted the deputy athletic director position at the University of Missouri. Baker explained in a press release how grateful he was for the opportunity he was given at Memphis.
“It has been a tremendous experience,” Baker said. “Our family has loved our time in Memphis. It’s a special city with a special affinity for the University. The leadership at Memphis is strong and I look forward to following the program as it reaches even greater heights.”
While at Memphis, Baker played an instrumental role in procurring the largest donation in the athletic department’s history, as well as in the departments $40 million capital campaign.
Under Baker, the University increased ticket sales in football and annual fund support and donations. Baker isn’t the only loss Memphis suffered to Missouri. Earlier this month, Senior Associate Athletic Director Ryan Bradley accepted a position as Missouri’s new senior associate athletics director of strategic communications.
At Memphis, Bradley managed multiple external promotions, including branding, marketing, public relations, ticketing and digital media. He oversaw the creation and development of both the Tailgate Concert Series and the 901 Club. Another huge loss for Memphis Athletic Department is the departure of Stacy Martin, the senior associate athletic director for finance and business administration.
After three successful years at Memphis, Martin accepted her new role as chief financial officer of the American Athletic Conference. While at Memphis, Martin was tasked with making the athletic department more financially efficient. In 2013, Martin was named the College Athletic Business Management Association’s Manger of the Year.
“Stacy Martin has done an extraordinary job during her tenure at the University of Memphis,” Bowen said in a press release. “We are deeply indebted to her for the work she has done to make our department more efficient and effective. We are very happy for Stacy and her opportunity with the American Athletic Conference, but at the same time we will greatly miss her.”
Bowen and the University have already filled one of these positions by adding former Southeast Missouri State University Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt. Replacing Baker, Alnutt will serve as Memphis Deputy Director of Athletics. Throughout Alnutt’s tenure, student- athletes at Southeast Missouri State succeeded not only on the field, but in the classroom as well.
During the 2014-15 school year the schools’ student-athletes recorded a 3.15 cumulative GPA and 71 studentathletes graduated in the last year.
“Mark is one of the best young athletics directors in Division 1 and brings a tremendous set of skills and leadership experience to our department,” Bowen said in a press release. “I am confident Mark will be a great resource and mentor to our coaches, student-athletes and staff and will continue the upward trajectory of our programs.”
