ACU Adds Ferguson to Administrative Team

ABILENE – Sam Ferguson, who has served as director of intercollegiate athletics at McMurry since 2014, joined the staff at Abilene Christian University as associate vice president and deputy athletic director for revenue generation, ACU announced today.
 
Under Ferguson's leadership, McMurry saw a 400 percent jump in giving from 2016 to 2019. McMurry's War Hawks Club raised more than $1M in 2019 through annual gifts, endowments, corporate sponsorships and sport-specific donations. Those contributions helped Ferguson oversee the construction of Edwards Field Softball Complex, videoboard installations at Wilford Moore Stadium and the Phillips Family Swim Center, the redesign of Kimbrell Arena and Ron Holmes Court and several other major projects. He also struck an exclusive apparel deal with Adidas, developed the Scholar-Athlete Leadership Academy, organized a new booster club and created an athletics sponsorship program that generates more than $100,000 annually for the department.
 
"Sam's passion for our mission, his more than 10 years as an athletic director and his deep connections in the Abilene community make him the ideal individual to serve in this very important role within our department," said Zack Lassiter, ACU vice president for athletics. "In order to continue to invest in resources for our student-athletes to achieve the bold goals we have for our department, a heightened effort around maximizing all our potential revenue streams is critical. I'm extremely confident in Sam's ability to lead this effort. Please join me in welcoming Sam, Kim, Angelo and Kaden to the Wildcat family!"
 
Additionally, Ferguson was instrumental in implementing McMurry's "Developing Champions for Life" mission and RISE (Responsibility, Integrity, Service and Excellence) core values.
 
"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. Since moving to Abilene nine years ago, I've been impressed with ACU's growth and its economic impact on the city of Abilene. What I am more impressed with is the quality of people I meet from ACU and their amazing support of Wildcat Athletics. My family and I are honored to be joining the ACU family and working alongside an extraordinary group of people to develop Christian leaders through intercollegiate athletics. Go Wildcats!"
 
Before McMurry, Ferguson served as Averett University's director of athletics from 2006-2011. supervising a 14-team athletics department that included approximately 300 student-athletes and nearly 40 full and part-time employees.
 
 
Ferguson grew the visibility of the Averett Athletics program through the development of Averett's athletics website, social media platforms and a rebranding of the institution's athletics logo. The increased visibility helped bring a substantial increase in donor and corporate sponsorships. Working as part of the strategic planning committee, Ferguson assisted in the development and promotion of Averett's Big Dreams Bold Futures Campaign, which included $6 million of planned athletics facility upgrades.
 
Ferguson served as Averett's director of annual giving programs and got his start in athletics in 2000, as Averett's first full-time sports information director. Outside of athletics, Ferguson has experience with the Clement & Wheatley Law Offices in Danville, Virginia.
 
Ferguson currently serves on both the Abilene Convention and Visitor's Bureau and the United Way of Abilene board of directors. He has also served on the executive committee of both the Danville, Virginia, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Habitat for Humanity boards of directors. Ferguson was a member of the Riverview Rotary Club and was chair of Danville's Riverview Rotary Christmas Parade.
 
Ferguson graduated from Averett in 1997 and was a two-year member of the institution's golf and basketball teams. He later earned a master of science degree in sports management from Nova Southeastern University in 2006 and a doctor of education degree from East Tennessee State University in 2019.
 
Ferguson is married to the former Kimberly Parker, who is an elementary school administrator. The couple have two fabulous sons – Angelo and Kaden - and reside in Abilene. They are members of Beltway Park Church.
 
What they're saying about Sam Ferguson
 
"I have been around many great leaders in my life both as a football coach and as the executive director of the American Football Coaches Association. Honestly, I have met none finer than Sam Ferguson. I have worked with Sam as he implemented his great vision for McMurry and I was always so impressed by his ability to lead and communicate. I consider Sam a valued friend and so appreciate all he did for my alma mater. Sam has character and passion for people. ACU has got themselves a great one."
--Grant Teaff, Baylor (and McMurry, Angelo State) coaching legend
 
"McMurry University has appreciated Sam Ferguson's leadership and creativity for over nine years. Whether it was leading us in the transition to Division Three, adding softball and esports, supervising the construction of the Edwards Softball Field, or hiring conference championship coaches, the impact of Sam Ferguson on McMurry athletics has been profound. More recently, his role expanded as the leader of our student affairs division during an especially challenging time of the global pandemic. We appreciate Sam's work ethic and wish him well in his new position at ACU."
--Sandra Harper, president, McMurry
 
"I am so excited for Sam, Kim and their two amazing sons, Angelo and Kaden!
Sam is an incredible addition to the Wildcat family…a man of faith and integrity who I have always looked up to as a husband, father and leader. With over 20+ years of athletic administration experience, Sam brings a wealth of knowledge and a work ethic to match his continuous pursuit of excellence. An elite competitor and determined leader, Sam will prioritize serving student-athletes, staff and supporters. I am extremely grateful for Sam's friendship and delighted for the Abilene Christian and Ferguson family partnership and wish them all many blessings in this next chapter of life!"
--Jeramiah Dickey, director of athletics, Boise State
 
"Abilene Christian University has landed a diamond for their athletic department. I have been coaching for over 70 years and Sam Ferguson is one of the very top in his athletic field. Sam has done wonders with the athletic program at McMurry University. He will be deeply missed. He is a great leader and puts his all in his work. Good luck Sam."
--Bev Ball, Abilene coaching legend and Big Country Hall of Fame inductee
 
"ACU hit a home run by hiring Sam Ferguson! It's not often that someone in our profession is both universally respected and highly liked. Sam has a strong and pure heart for people that will have a direct impact on the lives of ACU staff and student-athletes. Homerun hire. Highly respected and liked. Strong pure heart for people."
--Laird Veatch, athletics director, Memphis
 
"Zack Lassiter made a terrific hire in adding Sam Ferguson to his senior leadership team. Sam has outstanding relational skills, external experience and exemplary character that will make him highly successful in generating resources for ACU. More importantly, Sam has a deep faith in Jesus Christ and is an ideal fit at ACU."
--Ian McCaw, director of athletics, Liberty