Abilene Christian lures away McMurry athletic director Ferguson
Sam Ferguson, McMurry’s athletic director since 2014, has been named associate vice president and deputy athletic director for revenue generation at the Abilene Christian University, the school announced Wednesday.
“I am truly grateful for Zack Lassiter and everyone involved in the search process for this amazing opportunity to serve the student-athletes, coaches and staff at ACU,” Ferguson said. “It is a tremendous blessing to join an athletics department and university that is enjoying tremendous momentum, while also supporting a Christ-centered mission.”
McMurry had a 400% increase in revenue from 2016-19 while Ferguson was at the school. The school’s War Hawks Club raised more than $1 million in 2019 through gifts, endowments, corporate sponsorships and sports-specific donations.
The money helped the school build its softball complex, add video screens to its football field and swim center, while also redesigning Kimbrell Arena.
“Sam’s passion for our mission, his more than 10 years as an athletic director and his deep connections in the Abilene community makes him an ideal individual to serve in this very important role within our department,” said Zack Lassiter, ACU’s vice president for athletics.
Ferguson also worked out an exclusive apparel deal with Adidas, developed the Scholar-Athlete Leadership Academy, created a booster club and created an athletics sponsorship program that generates more than $100,000 each year for the sports department.
Before joining McMurry, Ferguson from 2006-11 was the athletic director at Averett University in Danville, Va. He also graduated from Averett in 1997, after playing golf and basketball at the school for two years. He got his master’s degree in sports management at Nova Southeastern University in 2006 and doctorate in education from East Tennessee State in 2019.
Ferguson currently serves on both the Abilene Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and United Way of Abilene board of directors.
Ferguson and his wife, Kimberly, have two sons – Angelo and Kaden.
She also is taking a new job in the Wylie ISD for 2023-24. Son Angelo graduates Friday from Wylie High School.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene Christian adds McMurry athletic director Ferguson to staff
