Scott Stricklin is being named the 16th director of athletics at Mississippi State University Friday by MSU President Dr. Mark Keenum, pending formal approval by the state Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning.
Stricklin has been senior associate athletics director for external affairs at MSU since 2008. He replaces Greg Byrne who left to take the athletic director's job at the University of Arizona.
Keenum said Stricklin was chosen after a nationwide search and in consultation with an advisory committee representing all segments of the MSU family. "Scott emerged from a field of outstanding candidates by sharing his vision about how to capitalize on the momentum that surrounds our athletic program today," Keenum said. "He worked alongside Greg Byrne to create the strategies that have energized MSU fans over the past two years. Scott is highly motivated and well prepared to continue to build on that success."
Stricklin is a 1992 Mississippi State graduate who was employed in media relations and marketing positions at Auburn, Tulane, Baylor and Kentucky before returning to MSU to head fundraising for the Bulldog Club and serve on Greg Byrne's executive staff.
"This will be a seamless transition to an individual who knows and loves Mississippi State and who is highly regarded among his SEC peers as well as alumni and friends of our university," Keenum said. "I look forward to working with Scott to give our athletic programs the resources and support necessary to win championships."