Methodist University President Dr. Ben E. Hancock, Jr. announced the appointment of Dave Eavenson as the University’s new Vice President and Director of Athletics on Friday afternoon.
Methodist University President Dr. Ben E. Hancock, Jr. announced the appointment of Dave Eavenson as the University’s new Vice President and Director of Athletics on Friday afternoon.
A 1996 graduate of Methodist with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in professional golf management, Eavenson has served as the assistant director of athletics since 2013. He earned a master’s in education/physical education with a concentration in athletic administration from Brockport State in 1999.
“Methodist University has been my home for 22 years. It is a very special place with special people,” said Eavenson. “I would like to thank Dr. Hancock for affording me the opportunity to serve as the director of athletics and lead our great department. I’m really humbled and excited to have the opportunity to serve Methodist in this capacity.”
“Methodist is very fortunate to have someone of Dave Eavenson’s caliber to step into this leadership position and continue the tradition of excellence,” said Hancock. “He will be a great successor to Bob McEvoy as he shares the same values, especially putting the students first and preparing them to be successful in every aspect of their University experience.”
Eavenson assumes the position held for the last 19 years by Bob McEvoy, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
“Dave Eavenson is an outstanding individual and will do a great job of leading Monarch Nation in the years ahead,” said McEvoy. “I look forward to following the progress and success of our teams and university under his leadership.”
Since returning to his alma mater in 2000, Eavenson served as the associate head football coach for 12 years before assuming the head coaching position for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Eavenson helped develop the Monarchs into one of the top offensive teams in the USA South Athletic Conference/Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference over the years. In 2005, Methodist produced 2,000 yards rushing in a season for the third straight year, and the Monarchs set individual records for single-season yards rushing, passing completions and passing yards. Throughout Eavenson’s tenure, the Monarch offense ranked consistently in the upper tier of the conference, and during the 2003 season it spent much of the season ranked in the Top 15 in the nation in rushing offense.
As Assistant Director of Athletics, Eavenson assisted with the management of the department’s 20 NCAA Division III athletic teams. His responsibilities included the oversight of student-athlete recruitment and compliance duties, team travel, advisor for Student Athlete Advisory Committee, home event management, director of football operations, oversight of the athletic fields and other athletic affairs.
“During my time here, I’ve had the opportunity to work with, and for, tremendous people,” added Eavenson. “The heart and soul of our athletic department is our student-athletes and coaches. We have a rich tradition of success and excellence, and it is a pleasure to be associated with such a fine group of people. We are all here to make a difference in the lives of young people. I’m ‘All In’ and am looking forward to working with the coaches and players every day.”
“These are exciting times for Monarch Athletics – new leadership, new facilities, and the same commitment to excellence. The best is yet to be for our students and entire campus community,” concluded Hancock.