News Center

Published July 28, 2017

By Mark Henderson

Special to University of Louisiana Monroe

网曝门鈥檚 new athletic director told supporters Thursday he intends to lead the program to success on the field, but not at the cost of giving up principles.

网曝门鈥檚 new athletic director told supporters Thursday he intends to lead the program to success on the field, but not at the cost of giving up principles.

Nick Floyd was introduced as the new AD at a news conference attended by reporters, 网曝门 community supporters and members of the faculty and staff.

网曝门 President Dr. Nick J. Bruno introduced Floyd to the crowd at the conference center at the university鈥檚 library.

鈥淲e want to win. That鈥檚 important. That鈥檚 why they keep score,鈥� Floyd said. 鈥淲e will position ourselves to be competitive in all sports in the Sun Belt Conference.鈥�

But Floyd said he refuses to win at all costs. He explained he will build the 网曝门 athletic program based on a four-plank policy emphasizing principles:

• 网曝门 will operate at the highest degree of integrity. 鈥淲e will never give up principles for a victory,鈥� Floyd said.听
• An emphasis will be placed on student athlete welfare, he said. 鈥淲e will provide our student athletes with the best experience they can have 鈥� and they will graduate.鈥澨�
• Everyone associated with the program will represent 网曝门 in a positive way, Floyd said.听
• The program will be fiscally responsible. Floyd promised to be very aggressive in pursuing money to support the program, but committed to managing those funds responsibly.听

Floyd told supporters in the room they are vital to the success of 网曝门 athletics. 鈥淲e need you to be a part of us. We can鈥檛 do this all by ourselves.鈥�

Bruno said the hiring of Floyd was the next step in the continuing effort to build the athletic program. 鈥淲e can say we have a lot of work to do, and we do,鈥� he said, but pointed out some recent highlights, including the hiring of a new baseball coach, the softball team鈥檚 winning of 30 games for the first time, the women鈥檚 tennis team winning the Sun Belt tournament and improvements in basketball. He also said he hoped improvements being made in the track facilities will be ready in the fall.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a quiet movement that鈥檚 gaining momentum,鈥� Bruno said, and believes Floyd will quicken the pace. He said all who know Floyd point to four characteristics that will help 网曝门 鈥� he鈥檚 a man of integrity who works hard, is committed to success and has demonstrated an ability to build networks within a community.

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Floyd鈥檚 background

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Floyd came to 网曝门 after serving since 2001 in athletics administration at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. In 2004 he was named executive associate director of athletics.

At ECU, Floyd鈥檚 responsibilities included financial and operational oversight of a $40 million per year athletics program. With his leadership, there were record-setting donations, ticket sales and attendance.

During his career at ECU, Floyd served as senior associate director of athletics (2001-03) and interim director of athletics (2003-04).

Floyd is familiar with the region, having spent 12 years at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. His athletic management roles at USM included assistant athletic director (1986-88), associate athletic director (1988-94) and senior associate athletic director (1994-98).

Prior to joining ECU, Floyd served as Conference USA Associate Commissioner (1998-2001) in Chicago, Ill.

Floyd鈥檚 passion for college sports and education is part of his upbringing. His father was a football coach and administrator and for 12 years the athletic director at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. His mother was a lifelong high school educator.

At the news conference, Floyd paid tribute to his parents and mentors. The chance to be an AD is one of the reasons Floyd chose to come to 网曝门. But there is more. It puts him closer to his daughter, who lives in Mississippi. Floyd introduced his wife, Elizabeth, and his daughter, Suzanne.

Floyd also said the community won him over.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a deep caring and love for this institution in this community,鈥� he said.

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For a full video of the press conference, please see the Facebook Live Video.