McEvoy has served Methodist for 25 years, including the last 19 as its director of athletics.
Methodist University Vice President and Director of Athletics Bob McEvoy has announced his retirement from the University.
McEvoy has served Methodist for 25 years, including the last 19 as its director of athletics. Promoted to director of athletics in 1998, he was given the title of vice president in 2014. Prior to assuming the top position in the department, he served as the head men’s basketball coach from 1992-1999, and as an assistant professor of physical education from 1995-2000.
“It has been an honor and pleasure to serve MU for the past 25 years during a period of the institution’s unprecedented growth and success,” McEvoy said. “Thank you to all the student-athletes, coaches, and faculty and staff that have taught me so much through the years as we pursued excellence both on and off the playing fields.”
“Bob McEvoy epitomizes the best of Methodist University. He is student-centered and is committed to the holistic development of each and every student,” said University President Dr. Ben Hancock Jr. “He has not only been an outstanding coach and administrator, but also a valued and thoughtful educator. He has led Methodist to national prominence in athletics, and what’s more, he has made us a better University by example. On a personal level, I will miss him as a trusted colleague for his wise counsel and “can do attitude.” The Board of Trustees and I wish him the very best as he embarks upon the next leg of his journey.”
Rita Wiggs, who was the athletic director at Methodist when McEvoy was hired,and later served as the commissioner of the USA South Athletic Conference commented, “Bob led the Methodist University athletics program through a period of great growth and success. His leadership skills have been valuable not only on campus but within the Conference and NCAA committees’ structure. He is a man of integrity and compassion. His legacy at the University will be his support and guidance for student-athletes and the opportunities provided to empower them. There is no better colleague and friend.”
Under McEvoy’s stewardship, Methodist captured 15 NCAA National Championships and 13 other top-5 finishes in NCAA Championship competition. The Monarchs brought home the Conference’s Overall Presidents Cup for athletic excellence on five different occasions, including a run of three straight from 2013-2016. Methodist has won 100 conference championships since 1998, more than any other member of the conference.
McEvoy’s leadership acumen was not limited to success on the playing field. His career was highlighted by an incredibly wide-ranging list of experiences, both administratively and coaching, across high school, junior college and NCAA Division I, II and III levels.
He helped with the expansion of the department, bringing in both men’s and women’s lacrosse and ensured the Monarchs maintained a national presence with the NCAA. During his time at MU, McEvoy served on the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball National Committee, the NCAA Division III Men’s Golf National Committee, he served as the tournament director for such events as the Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division III Golf Championships (2009, 2013), NCAA Division III Softball South Regionals (2007, 2008), NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championship (2005), NCAA Division III Baseball South Regionals (2010) and served as a facilitator for the NCAA Division III National Regional Leadership Conferences from 2005-08. At the conference level, he served as the president of the conference from 2005-07, and again from 2016 until his retirement.
His involvement on campus was extensive. In addition to his teaching, he was a member of the Administrative Cabinet and assisted with the startup of the MU Journey program. In 2007, he was named the MU Staff Member of the Year by the MU Alumni Association.
In addition to adding two new sports in men’s and women’s lacrosse, McEvoy has helped usher in a new era at MU Athletics as the department has added to and improved upon its athletic facilities. The department has seen the construction of the football field house and the resurfacing of the track. Most recently, the department unveiled the Armstrong-Shelley Baseball Field House in November of 2015 and is nearing completion of the new tennis facility.
Before becoming the Director of Athletics, McEvoy was the men’s basketball coach for seven seasons, compiling a record of 88-85. During the 1996-97 season, he led the Monarchs to a 22-8 record, conference regular season and tournament championships and a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight. That year, his team set an MU record with 20 consecutive wins, and he was named the National Association of Basketball Coaches South Region Coach of the Year for his efforts. Additionally, he was a two-time conference Coach of the Year in 1997 and 1999.
His time as the head basketball coach at Methodist followed stops at Cape Fear High School (1991-92) and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1984-1991), where he served time as both the men’s basketball and men’s tennis coach. Twice he was named the conference Coach of the Year in basketball as he accumulated the second-most wins of any coach at UNCG, and he was also named the conference Coach of the Year in men’s tennis on one occasion.
McEvoy also served as basketball coach and director of athletics at then-Mount Olive College (1982-84), an assistant basketball coach at then-Pembroke State University (1980-82), basketball coach at Douglas Byrd High School (1976-80), graduate assistant coach at East Carolina University (1975-76) and a teacher and assistant coach at Zanesville High School in Zanesville, Ohio from 1973-75.
A 1973 graduate from Kent State University with a B.S. in secondary education, McEvoy was a four-year letterwinner on the Golden Flashes’ basketball team. He served as a tri-captain during the 1972-73 season and was an honorable mention all-conference pick in 1971. He earned his M.A. in counselor education from East Carolina in 1976 and was a doctoral candidate in pupil personnel services at The University of Alabama in 1980.
“I especially thank former President Elton Hendricks and former Athletic Director Rita Wiggs for giving me the opportunity to call Methodist my home since 1992, and current President Dr. Hancock for his terrific support of MU athletics in recent years. It has been a good run for my family and me, and I look forward to supporting Monarch Nation in the years ahead,” concluded McEvoy.
A search for McEvoy’s replacement will be begin immediately, and Hancock stated, “Our first step will be to reach out to the various stakeholders in MU athletics and the University at large to secure their input as to what characteristics are desired for the next Director of Athletics. We are optimistic that given the high regard for Monarch Athletics, we will be successful in attracting a person worthy of continuing Bob McEvoy’s legacy.”