College Sports Information Directors of America

Story and Photo Courtesy of ASU Athletics

BOONE, N.C. -- Appalachian State University athletics mourns the loss of former director of athletics Jim Garner, who died Monday at age 63 in his current hometown of Tucson, Ariz.

Garner served as Appalachian's director of athletics from 1982-90. During his eight-year tenure, ASU claimed seven Southern Conference Commissioner's Cups (awarded to the league's top all-around men's sports program) and the conference's first four Germann Cups (awarded to the top all-around women's sports program). He also hired legendary Mountaineer coaches Mack Brown, Sparky Woods and Jerry Moore (football) and Linda Robinson (women's basketball).

In addition to his stint at Appalachian, Garner also held various administrative positions at West Texas State (assistant athletics director), TCU (sports information director), Texas Tech (assistant
athletics director) and Oklahoma State (athletics director). He also served as executive vice president of the Shreveport Pirates of the Canadian Football League, regional vice president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and chairman and president of Sports World Ministries.

"On behalf of the entire Appalachian family, I extend my deepest condolences to the Garner family," ASU director of athletics Charlie Cobb said. "In his eight years at ASU, Jim Garner laid the groundwork
for many of the successes and opportunities that Mountaineer student-athletes, coaches, alumni and fans now enjoy."