GAFFNEY, S.C. – Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Hailey Martin and the Limestone University Athletic Department have announced that Matthew Farris has been named the new Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations, effective August 9.
"Matthew has proven to be a leader in our athletic media relations department," stated Martin. "His commitment to our department and university has been instrumental in helping us successfully cover and support our 25 teams. He is very deserving of this promotion, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to create unique ways to showcase our department and student-athletes."
Farris, who has served two years as the Coordinator for Media Relations with the Saints, will now head the Sports Information Department while assisting with complete coverage of the Blue and Gold's 25 varsity sports. Farris will now serve as the direct liaison to University and Athletic Department administration as well as to members of the media.
His new duties will include handling the majority of the day-to-day administrative responsibilities and developing strategies to grow fan engagement and student staff.
Following a 12-year career in the United States Army, Farris came to Limestone as a student in 2012. Farris served under Ernest Meyers, former Assistant A.D. for Media Relations, while earning a bachelor degree in Sport Management. During his time as a student assistant he quickly began to learn the ins-and-outs of the profession, ultimately leading the charge for several sports.
Upon completion of his degree in 2015, Farris accepted the position of Assistant Sports Information Director at Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, N.C. While with the Lions, he was the primary contact for men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and field, women's basketball, women's soccer, softball, and volleyball. He also helped to manage game programs and all media publications from print to digital. Farris also helped to oversee a team of student workers and gameday staff and collaborated a new design for the official Mars Hill Lions website.
Prior to his arrival at Limestone in October 2021, Farris spent his past three seasons at Converse College. As the Sports Information Director, Farris was the primary contact for all 13 Valkyrie sports. While at Converse, Farris oversaw all the Athletic Department media publications from media guides, game notes, releases, interviews, and ran the athletics website. Farris also worked closely with the student-athlete end of the year award banquet. During his time with the Valkyries, Farris also oversaw a team of student workers and gameday staff. He also managed the athletic communication budget and helped collaborate on the new design for govalkyries.com.
Farris graduated from Limestone College in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management. He was a part of the Saints Athletic Department during the back-to-back Limestone men's lacrosse national championship teams in 2014 and 2015, as well as the inaugural Limestone football team.
"It is an absolute honor to accept this position at my alma mater," said Farris. "I want to thank Hailey Martin for having the faith and trust in me to run, in my opinion, the best Athletic Department in the conference. I look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence that has been established at Limestone University. Once a Saint, Always a Saint!"
