Partridge to Retire

LIVINGSTON, Ala. – After 40 years of working in intercollegiate and professional sports, University of West Alabama Director of Athletics Kent Partridge has announced his retirement effective June 1, 2024.

"While I am excited about my impending retirement, I want to thank all that is UWA for the opportunities I have experienced as both an administrator and student," Partridge said. "I have enjoyed my time at UWA as Assistant AD for Communications, Deputy AD and Director of Athletics over the last 14 years."

Partridge returned to his alma mater in 2010 after athletic administrative stints at Auburn, Texas Tech, Samford, Montevallo, the XFL and the National Basketball Association (NBA). While spending most of his career in athletic communications, Partridge took over the Tigers' AD role in June 2021.

"It has been a pleasure to have worked with Kent over the last few years in his current position as Director of Athletics, a role he has successfully undertaken with professionalism, commitment, collegiality, and a tireless work ethic, and always with what is best for the University uppermost in mind," UWA President Dr. Ken Tucker said.

An inducted member in both the University of West Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame and The UWA Society of the Golden Key, Partridge graduated from UWA in 1983 as the first male graduate in a now-defunct print journalism curriculum.

"I wish the best for the future of my school and its student-athletes," Partridge said. "I won't be far away because Teresa (wife) will be working at UWA for a little while longer.

"I have genuinely enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to come home and work at my alma mater after decades in intercollegiate and professional sports around the country and other parts of the world," Partridge said. "The administrative staff and coaches assembled to lead Tiger Athletics are second to none, and I will miss that daily interaction."

Partridge was named UWA's deputy athletic director in February 2019, and in addition to duties in sports communications, he was also the sport administrator for football, baseball and men's basketball.

"Kent Partridge has been a tremendous asset not only to our Athletic Department, but also the University as a whole," Tucker said. "We are exceedingly grateful for his years of dedicated service to his alma mater."

Partridge also serves on the UWA President's Council, the University Marketing Committee, the UWA Athletics Hall of Fame Committee, UWA Space Management Committee and the Gulf South Conference Joint Administrators and Awards Committees.

He has vast experience in communications, marketing and event management, as well as working in print media. His work in print media allowed him to cover beats that included University of Alabama football, Mississippi State baseball and work in layout and design. He also covered minor league baseball for the Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier.

Partridge worked six years as a Vice President for Communications for the National Basketball Association. Part of his responsibilities at the NBA was serving as coordinating producer between ESPN and NBA TV for a 16-episode all-access documentary on the North Charleston Lowgators of the NBA G League and ghostwriting a weekly column for NBA Hall of Famer Alex English.

Before the NBA, Partridge was public relations director with the Birmingham Thunderbolts of the XFL, owned and operated by NBC and World Wrestling Entertainment. He was also the radio play-by-play voice for West Alabama baseball for eight years.

"I have especially valued Kent's leadership, communication skills, and ability to maintain and grow successful relationships. His knowledge and expertise will be difficult to replace," Tucker said. "The University will expeditiously begin the challenging task of finding his replacement, but now is the time to thank Kent for his valuable service and wish him well in his upcoming retirement."

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