COLUMBUS, Miss. – Buddy Foster, Mississippi University for Women Athletics Department's interim director of athletics, has been promoted and named to the permanent position to lead the Owls' 17-sport NCAA Division III intercollegiate program. Foster, who served as the interim A.D. in the summer of 2021, previously held the positions of head softball coach and assistant director of athletics for the Owls over his four years with the department.
"Buddy's experience in athletics administration and commitment to our Division III model will serve our student-athletes and campus well. I anticipate growth in our community relationships through his leadership," said Jess Harpole, vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students.
Foster joined The W Athletics in 2020-21 and most recently assumed the role of interim athletics director in September 2023 (a position he also held in the summer of 2021). He joined The W as the head coach of the Owls softball program – a position he held for three seasons - and was elevated to a full-time administrative role in July 2023 as the assistant athletics director.
Among his duties as interim and assistant A.D. for the university, Foster oversaw gameday operations and staffing, internal operational procedures for staff members, represented the Owls' program in the community, conference, and nation, and cultivated relationships with businesses and former student-athletes. Additionally, he has been key in dealing with facility issues and needs, as well as scheduling and budgets.
"As commissioner of the SLIAC, I am extremely pleased that Buddy Foster will be the new Athletic Director at Mississippi University for Women," St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Commissioner Dr. Dick Kaiser stated. "He brings a tremendous amount of previous experience and overall knowledge concerning athletics - and specifically the SLIAC - into his new position. I believe Buddy is a great fit at The W, and I look forward to continually working with him in his new position."
Foster will oversee an Owls' staff of 13 full-time members, as well as the department's graduate assistant program and contracted employees.
In Foster's recent time at the helm, the university began play as full NCAA Division III members, as well as members of the SLIAC. Foster has also advocated for a stronger presence by Owls' student-athletes and staff at campus and civic activities, along with a renewed effort to enhance the athletics' branding and marketing.
A veteran of more than 35 years of intercollegiate athletics experience, Foster earned his master's degree in education from Greenville College in 2014. He completed a bachelor's degree in liberal arts at Southeast Missouri State University in 1991.
"I am truly thankful to President (Nora) Miller, Vice President for Student Affairs Jessica Harpole and the entire search committee, for entrusting me with this position," Foster said. "I've said many times that The W has so much potential and opportunity – especially in Athletics – to take off and become a standard-bearer as an NCAA Division III program, both in competition and in the classroom. I am fully invested in the mission of the department and the University. While there have been many great accomplishments in The W's athletics history, I believe our best is still ahead of us. I embrace the chance to lead Owls' Athletics to that bright future."
Foster and his wife Patty reside in Amory, Mississippi. The couple are "fur parents" to dogs Katie, Lucy and Harper, along with their cat Maui.
