FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – University of Montevallo Athletic Director Jim Herlihy announced the promotion of Patricia Hughes to the newly created Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations position Nov. 19.

“Trish has played a key role in our growth and success here at Montevallo,” Herlihy said. “I am excited that she has accepted a more prominent role as we work to build an aggressive vision for Montevallo athletics as it relates to raising money for facilities, identifying new revenue streams, engaging with our communities, and leading our new strategic plan.”

In her new capacity, Hughes will manage and coordinate the external relations for the athletic department, including community engagement, game environment, sponsorships, fund raising, tickets and special events.

Hughes has spent the past 12 years as the Falcons’ head women’s soccer coach, with two previous stints as an assistant coach at Montevallo before taking over as the head coach in 2001.

Hughes, who served as the school’s Senior Woman Administrator in 2004, also served as Interim Director of Athletics in 2007 and has served as an Assistant Athletic Director assisting Herlihy in all facets of administration and governance of the 12-sport Montevallo athletic programs with an emphasis on community relations. Under Hughes’ guidance, the Montevallo athletic department has won the Peach Belt Conference Community Connection Award the past two times it has been presented, during the 2009-2010 season and the 2011-2012 season.

Hughes has also been heavily involved with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the National Association of Collegiate Woman Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) during her time as an administrator at Montevallo.

Hughes, a 1993 graduate of Coker College, received her master’s degree in education from the University of Montevallo in the spring of 2001.