McNeese hires new Deputy AD, COO

Published 12:38 pm Thursday, April 21, 2022

When Tanner Stines returned to work for the University of Georgia, McNeese State Athletic Director Heath Schroyer went looking for somebody to run the department’s day-to-day operations.

He found his man in Allen Ward.

On Wednesday, Schroyer named Ward as Deputy AD and Chief Operating Officer.

“This is big for us,” Schroyer said in a news release. “To be able to get somebody like him is a big get.”

Ward has 31 years of experience in athletic administration including 17 as an athletic director.

“I couldn’t be more excited to add Allen to my staff,” Schroyer said. “Allen is an accomplished, successful administrator who will truly complement myself. To get someone of Allen’s experience, reputation, and skill set at McNeese in this role is a huge win for our department and university.

“I’m looking forward to having a new set of eyes from the outside looking at how we are doing things and make suggestions to me on how we can be better. I learned a long time ago great leadership is all about who you surround yourself with and I couldn’t be more excited to have Allen join our administration staff.”

Ward was the athletic director at Murray State and most recently Abilene Christian when it was in the Southland Conference. Schroyer said Ward will oversee the internal operations of the department.

Like Stines, Schroyer said Ward will also oversee football and men’s basketball.

“I couldn’t be more excited about the next step in my professional career,” Ward said in a statement issued by the school. “What intrigued me the most about this position is how McNeese athletics is uniquely positioned to positively impact the university in so many ways. It has the opportunity to capture lasting and transformative momentum and I’m hopeful my knowledge and experience play a part in taking both athletics and the university to unprecedented heights.”