Drury University hired Mark Fisher as its next director of athletics, recruiting him from Springfield Public Schools.
Director of athletics for SPS since 2003, Fisher starts at Drury July 1, according to a news release.
“I like both the leadership and management qualities he brings to the table,” Drury President David Manuel said in the release. “He has a breadth of experience dealing with a wide array [of] sports and administrations during his career.
“Mark has deep local and statewide connections at both the collegiate and high school levels, and a proven track record in fundraising and managing high-profile events.”
Former Drury Director of Athletics Edsel Matthews will return to the school Jan. 5 to work in the the position on an interim basis, taking over for interim director Scott Puryear, the university’s associate athletic director for marketing and communications who has served as interim head director for the past five months. Puryear took over for Pat Atwell, who left in July to pursue other opportunities, said Drury spokesman Mike Brothers.
“I’m certainly thrilled that Mark Fisher will take over,” said Matthews, who headed the department 2002-10 and retired from the school in 2012, in the release. “He’s a great hire who will do a great job. I’ll work very closely with Mark in the interim and try to set the table as best I can for what he and the university want to accomplish.”
At SPS, Fisher spearheaded a $3.5 million campaign for stadium improvements and implemented systems to efficiently evaluate student athletes and coaches. He also is the director of high school basketball event Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, according to the release.[[In-content Ad]]
