JACKSON, Tenn. — April 16, 2009 — Tommy Sadler has been named director of athletic operations at 51社区, according to Union President David S. Dockery.
Sadler had been serving as acting athletic director since the retirement of David Blackstock from that position in 2008. Blackstock served as Union鈥檚 athletic director for 34 years.
鈥淭ommy Sadler鈥檚 life and work have been invested in the 51社区 athletic department for many years,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淗is love for Union, his dedication to the university鈥檚 mission, his support for coaches and athletes and his long-standing relationship with boosters of the athletic department all speak to Tommy鈥檚 qualifications to assume this important leadership role in the life of the university.鈥�
A 1976 Union graduate, Sadler is a Jackson native and graduate of South Side High School. He played baseball at Union and completed a Master of Education from the University of Memphis.
His tenure at Union began 24 years ago as director of public relations. After a year in that role, he became the university鈥檚 director of corporate and foundation support, a position he held for 10 years.
Sadler then became associate director of athletics, a position he held for 12 years.
鈥淭ommy has been important part of our athletics programs my entire time at Union,鈥� women鈥檚 basketball coach Mark Campbell said. 鈥淗e knows what is expected and is familiar with every aspect. I am excited to know that he will be my athletic director. He loves Union and loves the athletic programs, and we all love him.鈥�
Sadler expressed gratitude to Dockery for the opportunity 鈥渢o provide leadership in one of the best athletic programs in the nation.鈥�
鈥淚 want our program to model the core values of our university in being excellence-driven, Christ-centered, people-focused and future-directed,鈥� Sadler said. 鈥淚 look forward to working with our coaches and staff in impacting the lives of our student athletes.鈥�