By CHASE UPTON/Sports Editor
Dr. Sam Ferguson is stepping into his first full year as UT Tyler’s athletic director with a clear vision: raise the standard and create memorable experiences for fans and student-athletes. Originally from Chase City, Virginia, Ferguson brings nearly 25 years of experience in college athletics and more than 15 years as an athletic director. His career took him from Averett University to McMurry and Abilene Christian before arriving in East Texas.
UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley officially introduced Ferguson as its new athletic director on April 7. Less than two months later, he celebrated a national championship as Patriot softball clinched it’s second straight NCAA Division II title on May 28. The win gave Ferguson his first national championship in Tyler before starting his first full school year, setting the tone for what he hopes will be a tenure that brings many more rings.
The Draw to Tyler
Ferguson said leaving Abilene was not an easy decision. The people at UT Tyler made the opportunity irresistible. “It was gonna take something really special to pull me away from Abilene… man, it’s the people… after I’d met the people here, I would’ve done this job for free,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson sees himself stepping into a strong program with a foundation already in place. “There’s nothing I need to fix,” he said, describing the department as a “well-oiled machine.” His background as a two-sport athlete at Averett University in basketball and golf gives him a unique perspective when connecting with student-athletes. “I know what they’re going through,” Ferguson said. Noting that his own playing experience allows him to understand the challenges and excitement of balancing sports and academics.
Leadership Philosophy and Standards
Ferguson credits his time at smaller schools with shaping his hands-on leadership philosophy. “I’m not here today without my experiences at Averett and McMurray… I had to get my hands dirty. There were times you would go to a McMurray basketball game, and you might see Sam Ferguson, the athletic director, with a broom in his hand, mopping up sweat,” he explained. He added that the experience taught him the importance of humility and being willing to do whatever is necessary to support his teams and student-athletes.
At Abilene Christian, Ferguson focused on revenue generation and learned how to maintain Division I expectations; that experience translates well to UT Tyler. “At the Division I level, you realize quickly the standard is high,” he said. “UT Tyler is a place that is deserving of a high standard.” Ferguson’s goal is not only winning championships but also ensuring that student-athletes, staff, and the community experience a program that meets those high expectations.
Community Engagement Plan
Ferguson emphasized that one of his main priorities is connecting with both students and the Tyler community. “We want to get our students really excited about UT Tyler athletics, and we want to get the city of Tyler on board… we’ve got great teams, but we need to do a better job engaging with our stakeholders,” he said. Ferguson emphasized that his immediate goal is to foster relationships and get fans involved. “We want to win, and there are some things we need to do from a facility standpoint, but those are more long-term. Immediately, we are working hard to try to connect with the city of Tyler and our students,” Ferguson said.
That commitment to outreach was evident earlier this summer when UT Tyler hosted the Patriot Sports Camp for a Cause. It generated $8,385.50 to support flood relief efforts in Central Texas. Over two days, 136 kids between the ages of 5 and 12 took part in a variety of activities led by Patriot coaches and student-athletes, ranging from baseball and softball to soccer, volleyball, tennis, basketball, disc golf and swimming. The event’s proceeds were directed to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. For Ferguson, the camp was more than just a fundraiser. In a release from the UT Tyler athletics department, he said, “We not only raised money for our neighbors in Central Texas, which was the original goal, we also provided a service to this amazing community.”
Photos Courtesy of UT TYLER ATHLETICS
Media and storytelling also play a key role in his vision for the program. When asked how local and student outlets, such as The Patriot Talon, can help give UT Tyler athletics the recognition they deserve, Ferguson said, “Tell the story… not only reporting the results but sharing the stories of our student-athletes. We’ve done a great job reporting results, but we’ll have some stories out there that deserve to be told.” Ferguson hopes that over the next year, fans and students will feel more connected to the athletes themselves. “What I like to see in the next year is our fans, our students, our community getting to know the people behind the number,” he said.
Looking Ahead
As Ferguson leads UT Tyler into his first full year, he is focused on building stronger connections, maintaining high standards, and creating memorable experiences for everyone involved. “If we can show them they’ll have a good time here, I promise they’ll love the product,” Ferguson said. “We’ve got great teams and great student-athletes.” With early championship success already under his belt and a clear plan for engagement and development, Ferguson’s tenure is off to a promising start.
For more from Ferguson, including a full conversation about his vision for UT Tyler athletics, watch the latest episode of Behind The Call, where Talon Student Media Sports Editor Chase Upton sits down with the new athletic director.
