ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Henderson State University has announced the hiring of Seth Dutton as its new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Dutton has served since August of 2019 as the Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. His official start date with the Reddies is April 1, 2024.

"We are excited about the future of Henderson State University Athletics under the leadership of Seth Dutton," Henderson State chancellor Dr. Trey Berry said. "He is a proven leader who holds great respect among his peers. All of us on the Henderson campus were inspired by Seth's vision, energy and warmth. There is no doubt that he will engage our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to support HSU Athletics at new levels. Indeed, great days are ahead within the Reddie Family!"

During nearly five years at his alma mater Southeastern, Dutton helped move the needle in a big way for the Savage Storm through his fundraising and community engagement efforts. As Senior Associate Athletic Director, Dutton was solely responsible for generating revenue through ticket sales, corporate partnerships, and philanthropic giving.

"I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to be the Director of Athletics at Henderson State," Dutton said. "I want to thank Dr. Berry and the committee for their efforts and for putting their trust in me to enhance an athletic department with such a terrific tradition of success. I knew the moment I left my first meeting on campus that this is a special place to be. I cannot wait to get to Arkadelphia and begin building relationships with our faculty, staff, students, coaches, and student-athletes. I am also looking forward to meeting our many fans, partners, and supporters of the Reddies, who invest so much of themselves into helping us achieve our goals. I am excited to begin working together as we strive to raise the bar for Reddie Athletics competitively, academically, and in the community. Go Reddies!"

Under Dutton's leadership, Southeastern exceeded all revenue goals and set records in multiple revenue generating areas, including ticket sales for men's basketball and football in each of the last three years. Dutton signed the largest corporate partnership contract in school history in 2022, which included naming rights for the basketball and volleyball courts, and helped implement giving campaigns which led to the construction of a student-athlete nutrition center, a state-of-the-art weight room and turf training facility, as well as major overhauls to the Savage Storm's volleyball facility. In the four years since Dutton's arrival, participation in Southeastern Oklahoma State's letterman's club rose by 127% and basketball season ticket sales exploded from 30 total in 2019 to 279 in 2024 — an increase of 830%.

In addition to his extensive resume of revenue generation, Dutton was tireless in his efforts to incorporate the community and the student body into Southeastern Oklahoma State game day environments. He created and executed multiple campaigns that exposed businesses and community groups to Savage Storm athletic events, including yearly "Night with the Chamber of Commerce" games and "Choctaw Nation Night Out" promotions that brought more than 25 businesses and 250 Choctaw Nation members to Southeastern sporting events. Dutton was recognized by Southeastern Oklahoma State's student government association in 2022 for his dedication to creating student engagement, awareness, and support across campus through athletics.

Prior to his time at Southeastern Oklahoma State, Dutton spent one year in 2018 as the Director of External Operations at Texas A&M-Commerce, where he managed the Lions' Sales and Service Box Office. His areas of oversight included all ticket sales as well as partnership revenue.

Dutton's first role in athletic administration came in the Natural State, where he served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Academic Services at Arkansas-Monticello from 2015 to 2018.

Before entering college athletics as an administrator, Dutton was a two-sport student-athlete for the Southeastern Oklahoma State in baseball and football. He graduated from Southeastern with his bachelor's degree in Physical Education in 2013 and his master's degree in Sport Studies and Athletic Administration in 2015.