KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – After conducting a national search for the position of Director of Athletics, Texas A&M-Kingsville has found its man in former Central Methodist University Athletic Director, Dean of Students and Vice-President of Campus Life, Kenneth R. Oliver.
“We were blessed with a deep, experienced pool of applicants, which allowed our search committee to move quickly and effectively. The strength of the pool is also a powerful compliment to the commitment and quality of our Javelina athletic staff, alumni and Kingsville community,” said Texas A&M-Kingsville Interim Vice-President for Institutional Advancement and former Athletic Director, Scott Gines. “Ken’s personality and professionalism made a powerful impression, and I’m confident his energy and vision will be a great asset.”
Javelina Athletics completed 2008-09 with a combined winning record across 10 programs and currently leads Division II in community engagement “Ideas that Work.”
“We’re very excited to have Ken Oliver joining Javelina Athletics. He shares our vision of intercollegiate athletics and understands the importance of community engagement and compliance. We’re looking forward to getting him on board and moving forward with building the best Division II program possible,” said University President Dr. Steven Tallant.
Oliver has diverse experience in college athletics and higher education. Over the past 16 years Oliver served as an assistant coach, head coach, assistant professor, director of student-athlete retention, dean of students, director of athletics and vice president for campus life. His leadership in retention and enrollment efforts helped CMU have the largest enrollment in school history for the 2008-09 school year.
“My family and I are extremely humbled and excited about being a part of the Javelina family and a member of the Kingsville community,” said Oliver. “One of the deciding factors to come to A&M-Kingsville was during my visit, I really felt the family atmosphere throughout the entire community.”
"I was impressed with the energy and experience of Ken Oliver,” said selection committee member Scott Dodds. “He will extend the present momentum we have in athletics as a result of hard work and great vision by the existing administration and staff. Ken will be a terrific asset to A&M-Kingsville.”
Another committee member had this to say about Oliver, “Ken Oliver will bring energy and enthusiasm to the position,” said Dr. Albert Ruiz. “He held several positions at Central Methodist which I feel will make him a great fit with the A&M-Kingsville community. The university and the Kingsville community will be impressed with the selection of Ken as the next athletic director for Javelina athletics.”
During his tenure as Central Methodist University's athletic director, Oliver made a big impact on Eagle Athletics. He led the “Campaign for Eagle Athletics” a $5.2 million enhancement project to improve all of the CMU athletic facilities. He increased athletic scholarships; created the Champions of Character Council and hired a Champions of Character coach; implemented a Drug Education, Prevention and Testing Program; hired a full-time sports information director and a full-time certified strength and conditioning coach; reinstated the men’s and women’s golf programs (fall 2009); increased the number of coaches in each of the athletic programs; and increased the marketing efforts for Eagle Athletics.
Oliver led the CMU Athletic Department to its first-ever Heart of America Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Trophy in 2007-08. Every athletic program finished higher in the conference in 2007-08 than in the previous year. During the 2008-09 year, seven programs finished in the top three in the conference. In addition, the overall grade-point averages of both the men and women athletes have increased each of the last three years. This past spring, Oliver served on the National Administrative Council of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
Oliver began his professional career as a football coach working at CMU, Northwest Missouri State, Fort Scott Community College and William Penn College. As a defensive coordinator he developed 5 All-Americans and 7 Academic All-Americans. His 2004 defensive unit led the nation in interceptions, takeaways and turnover margin. Oliver’s 12-year coaching career also includes tenures as head men’s and women’s track-field coach and women’s head golf coach. For the past decade Oliver served as director of the Eagle Football Camp, averaging over 1000 campers per summer. Oliver assumed a full-time administrative role in 2005.
Oliver received a B.A. in Communications and Theatre and a B.S. in Physical Education and Health from Central Methodist College in 1993. He received his Master’s Degree in Science Education from Northwest Missouri State in 1995. Oliver lettered in both football and track for Central Methodist and graduated as the top student in Physical Education and Health. He received his Master’s Degree in Administration and Wellness from Northwest Missouri State in 1995, and he received the Outstanding Teacher Award at William Penn College.
Oliver and his wife Michelle have one son, Brady.
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