LAKE CHARLES – Allen Ward, a veteran athletic administrator of 31 years including 17 as a Director of Athletics at Murray State and Abilene Christian, will join McNeese's admin staff as Deputy AD and Chief Operating Officer, McNeese AD Heath Schroyer announced on Wednesday.
 
"I couldn't be more excited to add Allen to my staff as Deputy AD and COO," said Schroyer. "Allen is an accomplished, successful administrator who will truly complement myself. To get someone of Allen's experience, reputation, and skill set at McNeese in this role is a huge win for our department and university.
 
"I'm looking forward to having a new set of eyes from the outside looking at how we are doing things and make suggestions to me on how we can be better. I learned a long time ago great leadership is all about who you surround yourself with and I couldn't be more excited to have Allen join our administration staff."
 
Ward will oversee the internal day-to-day operations of the athletic department and department finances. He'll also oversee the two biggest revenue generating sports – football and men's basketball.
 
"I couldn't be more excited about the next step in my professional career," commented Ward. "I want to thank Director of Athletics Heath Schroyer and President (Dr. Daryl) Burckel for this incredible opportunity to be part of the McNeese family. What intrigued me the most about this position is how McNeese athletics is uniquely positioned to positively impact the university in so many ways. It has the opportunity to capture lasting and transformative momentum and I'm hopeful my knowledge and experience play a part in taking both athletics and the university to unprecedented heights.
 
"As I've experienced many times throughout my career, success in Division I athletics provides unparalleled national exposure for universities and generates a level of pride and support among a fan base like nothing else. I believe that's about to happen for McNeese and Poke Nation!
 
"I'm going to work incredibly hard to compliment AD Schroyer's leadership while using my experience and knowledge to achieve something very special at McNeese. My family and I look forward to becoming part of the Lake Charles community and proudly wearing the Royal Blue and Gold!"
 
Ward spent 25 years at Murray State and North Texas, 13 as the Murray State AD, before taking the same position at Abilene Christian from 2018-21. There, he helped lead the athletics program through some historic early days in NCAA Division I, a recent transition to the Western Athletic Conference, and a pandemic.
 
Wildcat programs under his watch achieved remarkable success in the classroom and in competition around the nation, and in its NCAA Tournament appearances during March Madness.
 
In 2019, Abilene Christian was one of just three NCAA Division I universities to have both men's and women's basketball teams win conference titles, and one of six Texas universities in 2019 and seven in 2021 to earn a March Madness bid. In 2019 the men's team played No. 2 seed Kentucky and the women played eventual national champion Baylor in the first round. In 2021, the No. 14 seed men's team shocked the college basketball world when it upset No. 3-seeded Texas in the East Regional to advance to the second round against UCLA. 
 
The two March Madness games in 2021 created $200.89 million in advertising value equivalent for ACU and national television audiences totaling 12.09 million, generating international visibility and brand awareness for Abilene Christian not seen in more than 60 years.
 
Prior to arriving in Abilene, Ward served 13 years as AD at Murray State, where the Racers won 39 Ohio Valley Conference championships and participated 29 times in NCAA postseason play, including four times in March Madness for men's basketball. Under his leadership, MSU was one of the top overall athletics programs in the Ohio Valley Conference.
 
"I think this says a lot about what this administrative team has accomplished in a short amount of time and our future to be able to recruit someone of Allen's stature," said Schroyer.
 
Ward fills the spot vacated by Tanner Stines who returned to his Alma Mater at the University of Georgia as an Associate AD after spending the last seven years at McNeese.