Avery Dugan has been hired as the Associate Athletic Director for Santa Fe College. Dugan was previously a graduate assistant of broadcasting for Mississippi College's athletic department, where he assisted in producing video and audio broadcasts for athletic events, as well as doing the play-by-play for volleyball. He thoroughly enjoys broadcasting and hopes to be a voice for the community throughout the athletic year.

"We are excited to welcome Avery Dugan to Santa Fe College as our Associate Athletic Director. His experience as a student-athlete in a co-curricular athletic department was attractive to me. I am also thrilled that he has a solid awareness of all five sports we offer, as he has played a couple and broadcast others. Additionally, his experience as a professor bodes well for how he will serve and run our intramural department," stated Chanda Stebbins.

Dugan is from Jacksonville, IL and received his bachelor's degree in communication from Blackburn College. Dugan played baseball for the Beavers, and during his time at Blackburn he worked as a sports editor for a local newspaper and was a part of the college's radio staff. He also served as a student manager for an athletic department that emphasized co-curricular activities as part of the student's educational experience.

Dugan is excited to serve Sante Fe Athletics because its' academic mission and goals matches his passions and vision. He likes the idea of working in an environment where diversity, inclusion, and innovation are sought after and valued, which creates an environment for students to become the best version of themselves on and off the field or court. Dugan views being a part of Santa Fe Athletics as an honor and a privilege, and he is excited to learn and grow in a successful and historic environment. "I am so thankful and blessed to serve as the Associate Athletic Director at Santa Fe. I am thankful to Dr. Naima Brown, Athletic Director Chanda Stebbins, and the entire search committee at Santa Fe for entrusting me with this role. I am looking forward to working and growing relationships with the great people at SF. I'm excited for the future of Saint Athletics #SicEmSaints," stated Dugan.

As a former student-athlete, Dugan brings knowledge and experience from his time in college athletics. Working with DII programs at an administrative level has allowed him to see the vision of both coaches and students. He has experience under multiple management styles, facilities, and circumstances. He hopes to bring to the table consistency, discipline, and most importantly, passion. Throughout his time in high school and college, Dugan had the opportunity to play, learn, and develop in multiple sports. Sports have played an important role in his life and he looks forward to being someone the coaches and students can rely on to give them his best every day.

Dugan looks to bring his wide array of sports experience to the intercollegiate as well as intramural settings at Santa Fe. "I am excited to join a great college like Santa Fe, in the heart of a great place I already call home – Gainesville," said Dugan. At Santa Fe, he hopes to become a better administrator, as he grows and matures as a professional and broadens his impact.

Dugan has family members from the Gainesville area, and he truly feels like this move is him coming home. He is ecstatic to dive into the community and to pour everything he has into helping the Saints receive the attention they deserve.

Article By: Bryan Denton

Graphic By: Bryan Denton