Zac Selmon named Athletics Director at Mississippi State

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State College President Mark E. Keenum immediately [Jan. 13] introduced Zac Selmon — the scion of a legendary school soccer household and a rising star in athletics administration — as MSU’s new Director of Athletics. The appointment follows a nationwide search.

“In searching for a brand new Director of Athletics, we talked with a number of the nation’s best possible athletics division directors,” stated Keenum. “After an intensive evaluate of these excellent candidates, I’m satisfied that in Zac Selmon we discovered an impressive chief with a servant’s coronary heart – a pacesetter who has intensive expertise at two Energy 5 universities and who understands and shares our relentless dedication to attaining and sustaining excellence in our Bulldog athletics applications – all of them.”

As a son and nephew of the famed “Selmon Brothers” (College of Oklahoma’s Lucious, Lee Roy, and Dewey Selmon of Eufaula, Oklahoma), Keenum stated Zac Selmon “grew up with highly effective examples of profitable on the highest ranges and doing so with a deep dedication to sportsmanship and scholarship. Profitable and profitable the suitable method is in Zac Selmon’s DNA.”

Keenum stated Selmon’s “servant’s coronary heart” and his related Energy 5 athletics administration expertise have been “key parts” within the appointment of Selmon.

“We’ve talked concerning the Selmons and their nice soccer legacy. Zac’s expertise as a profitable student-athlete at Wake Forest is a vital part as is his related athletics administration expertise,” Keenum stated. “However I believe my focus through the interview course of was how seamlessly Zac’s values of household, religion and character align with these of Mississippi State College.”

Together with his prolonged household, Selmon has been an energetic a part of a multi-generational effort to carry assist and therapeutic to these at house and overseas who battle with poverty, homelessness, lack of schooling, and for a lot of, a scarcity of hope. He and his sister Shannon are co-founders of the Shine Basis, a nonprofit devoted to serving these in want, particularly youngsters, at house and overseas.

Selmon accepted the place as MSU’s 18th athletics director after having an achieved profession on the College of Oklahoma on the manager management crew. As deputy athletics director for exterior engagement and development, he led OU Athletics’ stakeholder relations together with the Sooner Membership and annual giving. Selmon supplied sport oversight for soccer and led strategic communications, advertising, licensing, multi-media rights, model administration and fan engagement.

In his earlier five-year place as senior affiliate athletics director for administration and improvement, Selmon led the fundraising technique for OU Athletics’ $200 million capital marketing campaign, setting annual giving data in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, philanthropic giving reached its highest in college athletics historical past.

“That is an extremely thrilling alternative and an expert journey that I’m prepared to start,” stated Selmon. “I wish to thank Dr. Keenum for his confidence in me. I’m grateful to my household for making ready me from an early age to work arduous and belief in God. I’ve a deep and abiding respect for Mississippi State’s traditions and the function this college performs in taking good care of what issues on this state and nation. My household and I are keen to affix the Bulldog household.”

Alongside along with his celebrated household, Zac Selmon has realized from and labored for 2 well-known and revered college athletics administrators—North Carolina’s Bubba Cunningham and OU’s Joe Castiglione. He served as affiliate athletics director and particular assistant to Cunningham at UNC earlier than heading west to OU to affix Castiglione as senior affiliate athletics director, chief of operations, in 2015.

At Wake Forest College, Selmon not solely grew to become a four-year starter at tight finish for the Demon Devils, however a dean’s checklist scholar graduating in 2007 with a level in faith and worldwide research. He additionally holds a 2010 OU grasp’s diploma in schooling with an emphasis in intercollegiate athletics administration.

Selmon and his spouse Rachel have two daughters, Shayne and Rylee. 

Keenum thanked Interim Athletics Director Bracky Brett for his service: “The continued success MSU has loved through the search wouldn’t have been doable with out the regular hand, arduous work and knowledge of Bracky Brett. Our college, our fan base, owes you an incredible debt of gratitude.” Brett, a 20-year veteran administrator at MSU, serves as government senior athletics director for compliance.

MSU is Mississippi’s main college, obtainable at www.msstate.edu. MSU Athletics is on the market at www.hailstate.com.