University of Tennessee at Chattanooga vice chancellor and athletics director Mark Wharton announced Tuesday a number of changes to the athletic department, including a pair of additions.
Senior associate athletics director Scott Altizer's title has been changed to deputy athletics director, while fellow senior associate athletics director Laura Herron - also the school's senior woman administrator - is now the executive associate athletics director/SWA.
Altizer is in his fourth year at UTC as the Mocs' lead administrator for internal operations and served as the interim athletic director after the resignation of former AD David Blackburn in June. Herron is in her 23rd year at the school, also once serving as interim AD after Rick Hart departed for Southern Methodist University during the 2012-13 school year.
"Having individuals with Scott and Laura's knowledge and experience has been a tremendous asset in my transition to Chattanooga," Wharton said in a release. "They both have spent time as interim AD, and they both know what it takes to run an outstanding athletics department."
After nine seasons as the associate athletics director of student support services at UTC, Dr. Emily Blackman has been promoted to senior associate athletics director in charge of the oversight of academic support for student-athletes, as well as serving as the sport administrator for the women's tennis program.
The Mocs have set or tied school records for athlete grade point averages in 10 of Dr. Blackman's 16 semesters at UTC, which includes a 3.113 overall GPA in the fall 2015 semester. UTC's athletes have eight consecutive semesters with aggregate GPAs over 3.0
"We have outstanding people in place at UTC, and Dr. Blackman has certainly earned this promotion," Wharton said. "The academic success of our student-athletes is one of our crown jewels, and she has been the driving force in the growth in this area."
New to the department are Lee Roberts, who will be the new associate AD for development, and Beth Luehrs, the director of business affairs. Roberts comes from the University of Michigan, Luehrs from UTC's College of Business.
In addition, senior associate AD for external operations Andrew Horton now has spring oversight of men's basketball and soccer, while Jay Blackman's title has been adjusted to senior associate AD for strategic communications.
"As we continue our mission of comprehensive excellence for our 300 student-athletes - in the classroom, on the playing field and in the Chattanooga community - I feel strongly that we have an extremely talented executive team to ensure our success at the highest levels," Wharton said in the release. "The additions of Lee and Beth complete our team, and I am excited about the future of Chattanooga athletics."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.