University of Memphis names Dr. Ed Scott next Athletics Director
Credit: University of Memphis Athletics
June 26 – The University of Memphis has named Dr. Ed Scott as its next Senior Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, effective July 22. Scott has served as Deputy Athletics Director at the University of Virginia since January 2022 and comes to Memphis with previous athletics director experience at Morgan State University.
Scott will be introduced during a press conference on Friday, June 28. Details will be shared with the media once they are finalized.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Scott and his family to Memphis,” said U of M President Bill Hardgrave. “Our goal in this extensive search was to find a forward-thinking, transformative leader with the vision to help us achieve the full potential of Tiger Athletics. While there were many exceptional candidates, we found that leader in Dr. Scott. We are fortunate to have him join the Tiger Family, and we look forward to continuing toward our promising future in athletics under his guidance.”
Scott’s responsibilities at Virginia have included oversight of sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition, sport psychology, men’s basketball, baseball, swimming & diving, track & field and cross country and diversity, equity and inclusion. He also assisted in football oversight as a special advisor to the head football coach.
Prior to his time at Virginia, Scott served as the Vice President and Director of Athletics at Morgan State from October 2016 until assuming his current role at Virginia. As a result of achieving unprecedented levels of success at Morgan State, he was named the 2021-22 Cushman & Wakefield Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.
“The University of Memphis is a destination for me, and it has been on my radar for some time,” Scott said. “With exceptional student-athletes, coaches and staff that have the backing of a proud and motivated city, the opportunity is here to accomplish great things as we continue forward in a new era of intercollegiate athletics. I want to thank President Hardgrave for giving me this opportunity. My family and I are excited to join Tiger Nation.”
Scott was the first athletics director to serve on the President’s Cabinet at Morgan State while overseeing the day-to-day operations of the athletics department and its 14 Division I programs. He also launched the department’s first annual fund (Morgan Bear Club) and negotiated Morgan State’s first-ever comprehensive apparel deal with Under Armour®. Several Morgan State facilities were improved or renovated under Scott’s leadership, totaling approximately $25 million of improvements to athletic and recreational facilities over his five years.
“When we started this search, I said we were looking for an innovative, bold leader who will bring our athletic program into the next era, and Ed Scott is that leader,” said Dave North, Chair of the Athletics Director Search Advisory Committee and UofM Board of Trustees member.
A standout baseball student-athlete at Albany, Scott earned CoSIDA Academic All-American status, was named America East Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year and received America East First Team All-Conference honors as a centerfielder. In addition to earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Albany, Scott has a PhD from Binghamton University’s School of Community and Public Affairs. He and his wife, Tara, have a daughter, Tia.
