Former SMU Asst. AD Gets Top Post at Kansas Wesleyan College

[MrMustang1965]

Gary Gallup, associate athletics director for external relations at Nicholls State University for the past five years, has been named the director of athletics at Kentucky Wesleyan College, according to Scott Kramer, dean of student life and chair of the search committee.

"Gary is an athletic administrator with a record of successes in every detail of intercollegiate athletics," said Kramer. "His abilities of leadership, fund raising, marketing and promotion, and the academic emphasis of student-athletes fits our vision for a strong, complete Division II athletics program."

Gallup comes to KWC with 30 years of experience in Division I intercollegiate athletics, including 10 years as a director of athletics. He starts his new job on Aug. 1.

“We are very excited about joining the athletic family at KWC," said Gallup. "Sharon (his wife) and I were extremely impressed by the staff, administration and people in the community. I look forward to developing the best possible environment that will afford all of our student-athletes an opportunity to pursue academic and athletic excellence and enjoy a positive college experience.

"I also look forward toward helping restore credibility to a great athletic program, working toward returning the basketball program to the status that everyone has come to expect and enjoy, and at the same time, improving all Panther sports programs. With the help of the entire athletic staff, college community, and people in the Owensboro community who have a passion for Panther athletics, we can achieve these goals and enjoy some fun and exciting times ahead. I can hardly wait to get started."

His duties at the Thibodaux, La., school included the development and implementation of strategies to generate external financial support for the athletic department in addition to the overall operation and supervision of NSU’s 15-sport program.

Since 2001, he has generated over $3,000,000 in revenue and has increased corporate sponsors from eight to 60. Gallup also increased booster club membership from 90 to over 200 members annually and quadrupled revenues in the Colonel Club.

Gallup established an athletic merchandising program, organized annual athletic department fundraising events plus other fan participation activities. He expanded the Colonel Sport Radio Network, placing football and basketball games on two cable TV stations and two internet outlets.

A native of Roswell, N.M., he also served as the radio “Voice of the Colonels” for baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, football, and softball during his five seasons at NSU.

Before joining Nicholls State, Gallup spent three years as director of athletic marketing at the University of New Orleans. Prior to UNO and a brief stint with Golden Gloves Boxing, he was the director of athletics at Texas-Pan American (1992-98), Lamar (1989-92) and Southern Utah (1987-89).

Gallup’s athletic administration resume includes positions as assistant athletics director at Southern Methodist (1983-87), director of media relations and advertising at Wyoming (1981-83) and director of athletic promotions at Texas-El Paso (1977-81).

His career began in 1966 where he was the sports director for KDBC-TV and KROD radio in El Paso, Texas for eight years (1966-74). He then became sports director at WMTV-TV in Madison, Wis. (1974-77) before entering athletic administration.

Gallup graduated from the University of Texas-Dallas with a degree in management. He and his wife, Sharon, also a Roswell, N.M. native, have four children.

Kentucky Wesleyan competes in 13 NCAA Division II sports including baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, women’s tennis, and volleyball. The Panthers are charter members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference and the Great Lakes Football Conference.