Fields, who has worked in athletic communications/sports information at Western Kentucky and USC-Aiken, was named AD of NCAA Division III Eastern University (in St. Davids, PA) on June 3.
see online story: Fields Selected to Lead Athletics (www.goeasterneagles.com)
ST. DAVIDS, PA- Vice President for Student Development Bettie Ann Brigham announced the selection of W. Bradley Fields as the next Director of Athletics and Director of Athletic Development for Eastern University.
Fields comes to Eastern from Western Kentucky University where he was the Director of Athletic Media Relations for the Division I Hilltoppers. Fields will be Eastern's first full-time Athletic Director.
Fields replaces Mark Wagner. Wagner announced earlier in the year that he would be stepping away from his administrative role, but would be continuing as Eastern's head men's soccer coach.
"Brad comes to us with a breadth of experience that will serve Eastern well." Brigham noted, "Eastern Athletics is right now, through the former AD leadership of Harry Gutelius and then Mark Wagner, poised to take off into a very positive future. Brad is just the person to guide the program to new levels of excellence in all areas."
Brigham, in a letter to the Eastern community, cited the myriad accomplishments of the Department under Wagner's leadership. In his three years at the helm of the department, he led the transition to a new conference, oversaw the creation of more full-time coaching positions, created the Varsity Club, and established a Hall of Honor for the Athletic Department. As Director of Athletic Development, Wagner orchestrated the construction of a pair of artificial grass playing fields, oversaw the renovation of locker facilities, and the development of
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Brigham noted that even with the increased success of Eastern's teams in competition and in the classroom, that Wagner's most significant contribution to the department was the way he helped to sharpened the focus of the department on the spiritual formation of student-athletes.
Fields took his undergraduate degree in Economics and Spanish at Centre College and his Masters in Sports Management from California University (PA). Prior to his time in media relations at Western Kentucky, Fields served as Assistant Athletic Director for Communications and Promotions at University of South Carolina-Aiken. In his nine years at USC-Aiken, Fields earned recognition for his work in sports information.
“I would first like to thank President Black, Bettie Ann Brigham, and all the other members of the search committee for placing their trust and confidence in me to lead Eastern Athletics," Fields commented. "I believe this department is bursting at the seams with potential and I cannot express enough my excitement to roll up my sleeves and get started. Eastern is a special place and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to serve side-by-side with some wonderful people in the pursuit of glorifying God through athletic excellence. My wife, Julie, and I are looking forward to having our family become part of the Eastern family.”
Fields comes to Eastern after a national search. He impressed the committee with his experience, personality, and enthusiasm for and commitment to intercollegiate athletics. He and his wife and daughter will be moving to the St. Davids area over the next month and will begin in his new role on July 1st.