UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT CHATTANOOGA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director - Athletics Performanc
- Assistant Director - Athletics Performance
Abby Bateman received the Dayle May Award, given to the UTC senior student-athlete with the top GPA. She was named CoSIDA Academic All-American for the second time and was joined on the All-District Team by Nathan Watson and Jonathan Boyd. The women's track and field eam posted the second-highest GPA in the nation and was named an All-Academic Team by the USTFCCCA.
Job Titles:
- Production Specialist
- Title / Production Specialist
Abby Walker took on the role of production specialist in August 2018 in the MocsVision office. She is part of a creative team that produces digital and graphics work for all 16 NCAA DI programs working in conjunction with marketing and promotions and communications departments, while also producing all Mocs home games airing on the ESPN family of networks.
Walker is no stranger to MocsVision. She worked for three years as a student intern in a variety of roles. Most prevalent was her outstanding contributions in the production of games for video board and ESPN3 across all sports. She earned the 2018 Communication Department Student Service Award.
The Soddy Daisy, Tenn., native is a 2018 graduate of UTC with a degree in Communication, as well as a 2016 graduate of Chattanooga State Community College. She utilizes chocolate covered espresso beans for both fuel and hype during game-time production.
Job Titles:
- Men 's Basketball Director of Basketball Operations
Alan Treakle enters his second season on the Chattanooga bench and first as Director of Basketball Operations ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. Treakle earned the promotion to DOBO following last year's stint as a Graduate Assistant during the 2022-23 season.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director - Student - Athlete Academic Enhancement
Job Titles:
- Assistant Men 's Basketball Coach
Galfsky was named interim head coach of the VMI basketball program on March 31, 2022 following Earl's departure to the Scenic City before accepting his new role at UTC.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Assistant Ticket Manager
- Deputy AD - External Operations
- Marketing & Promotions
- Title
Andrew Horton is in his 21st year in athletics at UTC and currently serves as the Mocs' Deputy Athletics Director for External Operations. He provides oversight for ticketing and sales, with a primary focus on marketing, as well as the men's basketball and soccer programs. It is one of many hats he's worn with the "Power C" on it.
Horton joined the department in the summer of 2003 as assistant ticket manager, and was promoted to director of ticket operations spring 2004. In this post, Horton oversaw the promotion and sales of season, group and single-game ticket for all athletic events. He also aided with ticket operations at the annual NCAA FCS National Championship Football Game, hosted by UTC and the City of Chattanooga.
Horton was promoted to assistant athletics director of external operations in 2008. His responsibilities included branding, licensing, marketing, promotions, corporate sales and development. As part of his duties, Horton oversaw the transition of multimedia rights to the third-party vendor Learfield Communications with its formation of Mocs Sports Properties.
He became the Associate Athletics Director for External Operations in February 2009. He was later promoted to Senior Associate A.D. for Development and Sales in September 2012. He earned the title of Deputy A.D. in April 2021.
Horton moved to the Athletics Department from the Admissions Office where he worked for one year as an admissions counselor for the east Tennessee area.
A 2002 Chattanooga graduate, he earned a degree in Sports Administration. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and served as its president from 1999 to 2000. Horton completed his master's degree in Public Administration from UTC in 2009.
Horton is a native of Chattanooga and graduate of Soddy Daisy High School. He is married to the former Jennifer McGinnis of Pulaski, Tenn. and the couple has a son, Braeden Cooper, and a daughter, Blakely Quinn.
Andy Meyer was named the Chattanooga cross country and track and field head coach on September 7, 2016.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director - Strategic Communications ( Women's Soccer, M / W Cross Country, Women 's Indoor / Outdoor Track and Field, Softball )
- Assistant Sports Information Director
Anne Wehunt was hired as an Assistant Sports Information Director in 2004, after working for three years as an assistant.
She is responsible for the day-to-day media and public relations efforts for women's basketball, soccer and softball as well as men's and women's cross country and women's indoor and outdoor track and field. A member of the College Sports Information Directors Association of America, she also assists with the daily operations of the Strategic Communications Office, as well as gameday operations for football and the technological applications of the department.
In 2021, she earned the second of her three awards in the Tennessee Sports Writers Association writing contest in the Sports Information division for event writing.
Wehunt served for two years as the assistant to the executive director of the Nationwide Tour's (now Web.com) annual Chattanooga Classic Golf Tournament held in Chattanooga.
She is a 1996 graduate of UTC with a degree in Communications and a minor in English. While a student, she was a member of the Public Relations Society of America and served as the executive director of Rising Star Communications, a student-run public relations firm.
In 1997, she returned to her alma mater, Notre Dame High School, and taught all grade levels until 2001. In addition to teaching Art, Religion, Contemporary Issues and serving as the yearbook and newspaper advisor, Wehunt was the school's assistant volleyball coach and junior varsity volleyball coach for two years. She helped lead the Irish to the Region title and advance to the state tournament in 1999.
Wehunt worked for the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association State Softball Tournament. For nine years, she served as the media coordinator for the state championships. She gathered stats and information for all games through four divisions to organize and distribute to print, radio and television media across the state. Her first two years were also spent coordinating media contacts at the state championships for baseball, boys and girls tennis, girls soccer and track and field.
While a student at UTC, she gained valuable experience in the Sports Department of the Chattanooga News-Free Press, writing briefs for local high school football and basketball games as well as other sports for high school and collegiate teams. She served as an intern with local ABC affiliate WTVC-TV NewsChannel 9, in Chattanooga. She wrote stories for the weekend broadcasts as well as editing film and working behind the scenes during the program in various roles.
She enjoys paddle boarding, hiking and biking.
One of 10 children, she was an All-City point guard for the Notre Dame High School basketball squad. She was a three-sport athlete for the Irish and voted "Most Athletic" by her peers. She was involved in several academic clubs and community service organizations.
Job Titles:
- Accounting Assistant
- Title / Accounting Assistant
Job Titles:
- Assistant AD - Development
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Defensive Lin
Job Titles:
- Assistant AD - Marketing & Promotions
Job Titles:
- Head Coach - Ladies of GOLD
Ashley McKnight is proud UTC Alumnae that joined the Mocs Community in 2014.
Before coming to UTC, she was a competitive classically trained studio dancer for 11 years, where she had the opportunity to compete on the national level for 6 of those years. Ashley also was able to represent the Clarksville High School Wildcats as a varsity cheerleader; completing her high school journey with an All-American Cheerleader recognition her senior year and invited to participate in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York City.
Arriving in Chattanooga for her freshman year, Ashley joined the Elite majorette dance team; the team that inspired the introduction of Ladies of GOLD.
In addition to serving as the inaugural Head Coach for Ladies of GOLD, Ashley currently serves as the Coordinator for Recruitment and Programs for the Gary W. Rollins College of Business on UTC's campus. She began her professional journey in 2018, working in the Undergraduate Admissions Office at UTC. She has also served as program coordinator in the Orientation Office.
Job Titles:
- Head Coach - Cheerleading & Sugar Mocs
Ashli Adams Brown is starting her 15th season as head of the Mocs' Spirit Squad. She is a Chattanooga native and a graduate of UTC, earning a B.S. in Sports Administration and a minor in Coaching. She was a cheerleader and appointed to serve on the Chancellor's Student Advisory Council during her time as an undergraduate.
Prior to returning to her alma mater, Adams taught and coached cheerleading at Loftis Middle School where her teams won a National Championship and two Grand National Championships.
Since returning to the Mocs, Adams has focused on making the Cheerleaders and Sugar Mocs a stronger presence for every UTC game day experience. In 2018, the cheer team placed second at the UCA College Nationals and in 2019 the cheer and dance teams earned a top 10 placement in combined game day at the UCA/UDA nationals.
Ashli's greatest joy is her daughter Reese, who is on the varsity swim team at the Baylor School and both are active members at Stuart Heights Baptist Church.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director - Athletics Performanc
- Assistant Director - Athletics Performance
Job Titles:
- Director of Equipment & Facilities
- Title / Director of Equipment & Facilities
Billy Wilson enters his first year as the Director of Equipment and Facilities in the fall of 2021 after originally arriving in Chattanooga in 2013 as a Student Equipment Manager under the direction of former UTC legend Mike Royster.
Wilson was elevated to Assistant Director of Equipment and Facilities after graduating from UTC with a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Administration in 2018. Wilson has had a wide variety of experiences in his time as an Equipment Manager, including spending 2014-2017 as a summer intern in the Tennessee Titans equipment room, as well as time spent with the Arena Football League and the Professional Bull Riders.
Originally from Plum Borough, Pa., Wilson likes to spend his free time cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins, Steelers, and Pirates and playing golf at nearby Creeks Bend Golf Club where he is a proud member. Billy and his wife, Kati, greatly enjoy living in downtown Chattanooga.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director ( XC / T & F, Women 's Golf & Football )
Brenda Rademacher enters her seventh year at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga ahead of the 2023-24 season, currently working with the football, cross country/track and women's golf programs as an Associate Director of the Chattanooga Sports Medicine department. Brenda serves as the Certified CPR Instructor for the sports medicine and athletic departments and has served as an adjunct professor with the Department of Health and Human Performance.
Brenda is a KAATSU certified Blood Flow Restriction Specialist, Functional Movement Screen Specialist, and a QPR Trained Layperson. Prior to her arrival at Chattanooga, Paider spent two years as a graduate assistant at Belmont University. At Belmont, she worked with women's soccer and men's and women's tennis. Prior, as an intern athletic trainer at Catawba College, she worked with the men's football and women's softball teams.
In 2013, Brenda earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, emphasis in Athletic Training, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she was also a member of the university's club bowling team. She then went on to earn her Masters of Sports Administration from Belmont University where she was a graduate assistant athletic trainer.
A native of Weyauwega, Wisc., Brenda currently resides in Chattanooga with her husband, Michael Rademacher and their dog Milo. In her free time, Brenda enjoys distance running, hiking the many trails around the city and visiting the weekly farmer's market downtown!
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( Softball & Football )
Brittney Wilson enters her third year as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2023-24, working with the softball program. A seasoned veteran with the Chattanooga Mocs, Brittney is a former UTC graduate student and severed as a certified athletic training intern for the men's and women's cross country and track and field teams. Brittney serves as the supervisor for the track and field intern.
The Californian was a four-year NCAA student athlete at Alabama State, playing in the outfield and earning a spot on the SWAC All-Academic Team. Brittney also graduated magna cum laude from Alabama State with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies-Recreational Therapy and Psychology. Brittney went on get her Master's in Athletic training here at UTC.
Brittney is from Rialto, Calif., and currently lives in East Chattanooga with her cats Flynn and Bruni. In her free time Brittney enjoys traveling, spending time at Disneyland, and visiting local coffee shops.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Coach
- Title / Assistant Coach
Caitlyn Merzbacher enters her second season with the women's tennis program ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, and first as an Assistant Coach after spending last season under the Volunteer Assistant title.
A collegiate product out of Minnesota, Merzbacher enjoyed a lengthy and very successful career with the Golden Gophers from 2015-2019. During her senior season, she was named a team co-captain and earned the 2018-19 B1G Sportsmanship Award following the campaign.
Merzbacher saw extended action in both singles and doubles play at Minnesota, achieving most of the success between the No. 4, 5, and 6 positions in singles action and the No. 1 slot in doubles. During the 2019 spring season, her highlights included going undefeated over a stretch of three weeks, four-straight singles victories including two coming in B1G matches against Maryland and Indiana, and cracking Minnesota's all-time list for single wins in a season (28) and doubles wins in a career (67).
Merzbacher advanced to the 2018 ITA Central Regional Tournament quarterfinals in doubles play alongside partner Tiffany Huber. The duo finished with a 3-1 record which included a victory over the regional 8-seed team from Big 12 member Kansas. The run in the ITA Central Regional Championships was the second of her career after advancing to the Round of 16 with partner Jessika Mozia in her freshman fall season of 2015.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator of Partnership Services
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( Soccer & Tennis )
Caroline Bass enters her second season at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as an Assistant Athletic Trainer in 2023-24 and will oversee training duties for the women's soccer and men's and women's tennis programs. Caroline completed her internship with UTC from 2021-2022 working with the football and women's tennis squads. From 2020-21, Caroline worked as an Intern Athletic Trainer at Appalachian State serving the women's soccer program while assisting with football and both the men's and women's basketball programs.
Caroline completed her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Missouri - Columbia in 2020. She then earned her Master's in Education with a focus in Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology also from the University of Missouri - Columbia in 2021.
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Caroline currently resides in Hixson, Tenn., with her dogs Paisley and Kai. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, and finding fun things to do in Chattanooga.
Chad Camper wrapped up his seventh season as the head coach of the Mocs women's tennis program following the 2022-23 season. He joined UTC on Aug. 4, 2016 after spending the previous three seasons as the head coach at Louisiana Tech.
Camper led the Mocs to a 14-8 overall record in the 2022-23 season and a 3-4 mark inside Southern Conference action. Camper earned his 100th career collegiate victory as a head coach with a season-opening 4-3 win at UNC Asheville on January 15, 2023.
The 2022-23 season featured an eight-match win streak which spanned nearly a month and led the team to a No. 70 ITA National Ranking, the program's best since a No. 66 position in 2020-21. Camper led the team to four All-SoCon selections which included familiar program faces in Jessie Young and Caroline Gibbens, in addition to transfer students Rozalie Dohnalova and Lucia Garrigues-Melendez.
The academic laurels continue in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association ranks as the program has been named an ITA All-Academic team every season under Camper. The program set a record in 2022 with 10 student-athletes earning ITA Scholar-Athlete honors, improving on the old record of seven which was set in 2021.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Ticket Sales and Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Coach
- Title / Assistant Coach
Camp works primarily with the pitching staff, and also assists with the offense, after a highly successful pitching career across various playing levels in the sport. The Anaheim Hills, Calif., native previously coached at the University of Louisville from 2016-18 while continuing her professional playing career.
She last pitched professionally with the Cleveland Comets as part of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league in 2019 and Team Mexico from 2015-19. In addition, Camp logged professional stints in the Italian and New Zealand professional softball leagues from 2018-19.
Camp helped lead the Lady Vols to three WCWS appearances during her career in Knoxville from 2011-15. She was a dual-threat player at UT, going 14-5 in 55 appearances (17 starts) with a 3.47 career ERA and 86 strikeouts over 135.1 innings and hitting .239 (108-for-452) with 19 homers, 19 doubles, 89 RBIs, 55 runs scored, 67 walks and a .786 OPS over her four years. She holds Tennessee's all-time record for times hit by a pitch in a career at 35.
Following her collegiate career, Camp anchored the pitching staff for the Mexico National Team from 2015-19. The team captured a silver medal at the 2018 Central American Games and ranks No. 5 in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) World Rankings.
Camp received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Tennessee in Education Health and Human Development Recreation with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation in 2015 before earning her Master's Degree from the University of Louisville in Sports Administration in 2016.
She currently resides in Chattanooga with her husband, Michael Camp.
Job Titles:
- Golf Player Development Complex Superintendent
Chuck Merzbacher wrapped up his sixth season at UTC following the 2022-23 season. The 2023 and 2019 Southern Conference Coach of the Year has made a tremendous impact on the program in a very short time.
Merzbacher, the 2023 Southern Conference Coach of the Year, led the team to a historic 2023 season after concluding the season 18-7 overall and 6-1 in Southern Conference action. Behind the 6-1 league record, Merzbacher notched the program's first ever Southern Conference Regular Season title. He would lead the team to its first appearance in the SoCon Tournament title match since 2006 as the top-seeded team in the event.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director - Strategic Communications ( MBB, M / W TEN )
Corey Belonzi came to Chattanooga in August 2016 as communications assistant before elevating his role to Assistant Director of Strategic Communications in July 2019. In this current position, he oversees the publicity for the Mocs men's basketball and men's and women's tennis programs while serving as secondary contact for football.
Belonzi previously served as the communications contact for the softball and volleyball teams from 2016-2020. He is a May 2016 graduate of California (Pa.) and worked in the sports information office there under the guidance of Matthew Kifer. Corey served as secondary contact for all 16 Vulcans' sports.
He ran the stat crew for volleyball, soccer, football, both basketballs, baseball and softball during his final three undergraduate years. Belonzi worked alongside the NCAA Division II National Champion women's basketball team in the winter of 2016.
Corey earned his Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management with a sports information focus and Business minor. A native of Ellwood City, Pa., he is a 2012 graduate of Riverside High School and was a member of the two-time Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) AA state baseball championship teams in 2011 and 2012. Following the pair of titles, Riverside became the only baseball program in the state's history to capture four total PIAA championships while also becoming the first baseball program in the state to win titles in back-to-back seasons twice (2005-06 & 2011-12).
Belonzi, a former PGA Teaching Apprentice and current proud member at nearby Creeks Bend Golf Club, carries a golf handicap that has registered as low as +1.0 and has captured various tournament victories during his playing career including the 2023 Bethel Bible Village Classic, 2022 Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) Tournament, 2021 Creeks Bend Member-Guest Par 3 Championship, and 2017 Wampum Open, among others.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Running Backs
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Head
- by - YEAR HEAD COACHING RECORD
Chattanooga Mocs men's basketball has found its new leader. Dan Earl became the 22 nd head coach of the program on March 31, 2022.
A familiar name and face, Earl came to the Scenic City following a seven-year stint as the head coach of Southern Conference foe VMI. Earl led the Keydets to its first winning season since 2013-14 after finishing 13-12 (11-1 at home) and claiming SoCon Coach of the Year honors in 2020-21. That team also made a semifinal appearance for the first time since 2003.
"After looking at many great candidates interested in our men's basketball head coaching position, Dan Earl stood out among an impressive group," stated Vice Chancellor & Director of Athletics Mark Wharton. "We conducted a thorough search process, but it was quickly clear that Dan was the best person to lead our program.
"He is extremely well-respected among his peers and comes with years of head coaching experience at our level. I look forward to watching him continue to build on the foundation of success Chattanooga Basketball has built over the years," added Wharton.
Earl previously served as an assistant at his alma mater Penn State from 2006-11 before obtaining associate head coach responsibilities at Navy from 2011-15. At Navy, Earl served as the recruiting director and played a vital role on the offensive side of the ball. He helped the Midshipmen double conference wins in each of the first four seasons under head coach Ed DeChellis.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Business Development
- Title / Manager of Business Development
Job Titles:
- Head Beach Volleyball Coach / Assistant Indoor Coach
- VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACHING RECORD
Darin was named Chattanooga's first head coach for the newly-established Beach Volleyball program in July of 2019 after joining the indoor program in June 2015 as an assistant coach. He works in all aspects of both programs with an emphasis on training the outside hitters and liberos, as well as defensive efforts and serving tactics. He will remain on both the indoor and beach coaching staffs.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Coach
- Title / Assistant Coach
Bennett joined the Chattanooga volleyball staff in August 2023 after being hired by Mocs head coach and director of volleyball Julie Torbett.
Bennett had racked up over a decade of playing and coaching experience prior to joining UTC's staff, including stops at Florida State, Saint Leo and Southeastern Oklahoma State.While on staff at these programs, Bennett brought a level of success that included deep tournament runs and national recognition.
Prior to his hiring at UTC, Bennett held the role of technical coordinator with the prestigious Florida State University indoor volleyball program during the 2021 season. It was there that Bennett helped with opponent scouting and analyzing individual and team performance data. In 2021 the Seminoles finished with a record of 20-10 on the year, reaching the Second Round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
Before joining the Seminoles Bennett held the role of volunteer assistant coach at Saint Leo University for multiple seasons, coaching both the indoor and beach programs from 2019 to 2021. During the 2019 season, Bennett helped the Lions finish with a record of 24-11 on the indoor side, capturing their first NCAA South Region Championship along with an NCAA Elite Eight appearance.
While with the beach program, Bennett helped the Lions finish 12-5 in 2021 enroute to placing fifth at the 2021 AVCA National Championship. In his time at Saint Leo, Bennett guided a total of four players to achieve South Region All-Tournament honors, as well as helping one player be named First Team All-Sunshine State Conference, First Team All-Region by the AVCA and D2CCA, as well as AVCA All-American Honorable Mention.
Bennett's first collegiate coaching stop was at Southeastern Oklahoma State from 2014 to 2015, where he held the role of volunteer assistant coach. While there, the Savage Storm finished third in the Great American Conference with a record of 10-4. Bennett also helped a total of four players get recognized with All-GAC honors.
Bennett is a 2008 graduate of Warner University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science along with a minor in coaching. Bennett also played on Warner's men's volleyball team during his time at the university, serving as a defensive specialist and libero for the Royals.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Coach
- Title / Assistant Coach
Job Titles:
- Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapist With Erlanger Outpatient Physical Therapy
Dr. Chad McDaniel, PT, DPT is a physical therapist with Erlanger Outpatient Physical Therapy and the operating physical therapist for Chattanooga Athletics. Entering his second season in 2023-24 with the Mocs, Dr. McDaniel operates out of McKenzie Arena and provides physical rehabilitative services to UTC student-athletes. He has a passion for working alongside athletic trainers and team physicians to bridge the gap and provide the highest quality rehabilitative and sports medicine services.
Dr. McDaniel attended Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tenn., from 2009-2013. He received his Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Strength and Conditioning in 2013. Throughout his time at Trevecca, Dr. McDaniel competed all four years as an NCAA baseball student-athlete. He moved to Chattanooga in 2014 where he began physical therapy school at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He then earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UTC in 2017, and has now been practicing orthopedic physical therapy for six-plus years across the Chattanooga region.
Dr. McDaniel is the recipient of the 2013 Trevecca Nazarene University Excellence in Exercise Science Award, chosen by the University faculty and awarded to the top student in the Exercise Science program. He is also the recipient of the 2017 Results Physiotherapy Orthopedic Excellence Award. Dr. McDaniel is also Level 1 Dry Needling certified.
Dr. McDaniel is originally from Hendersonville, Tenn., and currently resides in Chattanooga with his wife Jordan and their two dogs (Petra and Charlie). In his free time, he enjoys hiking, fishing, golfing and camping with his wife and dogs. He is also an avid Ironman Triathlete.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Vice Chancellor - Athletic Academic Enhancement
- Student - Athlete Academic Enhancement Center
Emily Blackman, Ph. D., is in her 14th season at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Athletic Academic Enhancement. She was promoted to her role from Senior Associate Athletics Director in January 2020.
Dr. Blackman currently oversees all of the academic support for the Mocs student-athletes and is the sport administrator for the men's and women's tennis programs. She began her current role at UTC in January 2010, and also serves on the NCAA Progress Towards Degree Committee.
The Athletic Academic Enhancement position was a new job created to direct the academic guidance given to Mocs student-athletes. She was promoted to Associate Athletics Director in September 2012 and Senior Associate AD in January 2018.
The Mocs have set or tied school-records for student-athlete grade-point-averages in 14 of Dr. Blackman's 26 semesters at UTC. This includes a school-record 3.421 overall g.p.a. in the spring of 2020. Over half of all UTC student-athletes have made the Athletics Director's Honor Roll with a 3.0 g.p.a. greater in each term since she joined the Mocs. The graduation rates for Mocs student-athletes also climbed from 48% at the beginning of her tenure to an all-time high of 91% in 2022.
Dr. William Hunter Garrett, MD is a dual board-certified physician specializing in sports medicine and family medicine. Dr. Garrett grew up in Brownsville, Tenn., where he was heavily involved in sports, including golf, football, basketball, and baseball. After playing collegiate baseball, Dr. Garrett's high affinity for the training room led him to pursue a career in sports medicine. This choice nurtured a passion for research, ultrasound-guided procedures, and regenerative medicine. But most importantly, Dr. Garrett enjoys journeying with his patients on the road to improvement and recovery.
After attending medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tenn., Dr. Garrett completed a family medicine residency at Erlanger Health System, affiliated with the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga. He then traveled to Birmingham, Ala., where he completed primary care sports medicine fellowship training at the Andrews Sports Medicine Institute.
During fellowship, Dr. Garrett provided team coverage for Samford University, Birmingham Barons Baseball, SEC championship athletics, Homewood High School, and the American Athletic Conference indoor track championships. He currently cares for local high school athletes and collegiate athletes of Bryan College and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
In his free time, Dr. Garrett enjoys spending time with his wife, a native of Chattanooga, and their two sons. He also maintains his competitive status in golf and many other sports.
Areas of expertise:
• Sports medicine
Job Titles:
- Deputy AD - Internal Operations
- Strategic Communications
- Title
Dr. JAy Blackman was named Deputy Athletics Director for Internal Operations in April 2021 and is in his 15 th season with the Mocs. He began his career at UTC as the Director of Communications and Media Relations in December 2008 and was named Assistant A.D. in July 2010.
Blackman continues to oversee Chattanooga's communications and digital media services efforts, as well as sport oversight of the wrestling program and Tournament Director of the Southern Scuffle. In addition, he oversees the Mocs' football program, budget & finance, athletic performance, facility projects, McKenzie Arena and other internal initiatives as needed.
Promoted to Associate A.D. in 2012, Blackman has held oversight of marketing and promotions and the tennis and basketball programs at different points during his tenure at Chattanooga. He was named Senior Associate A.D. for Strategic Communications in 2015 and was the recipient of the Chancellor's Blue Ribbon Award in May 2016,
Blackman is responsible for implementing the Southern Conference's agreement with ESPN3 to produce home events in all sports. He also serves on the SoCon's Awards Committee.
Blackman solidified the communications and digital media units as a key members of the Mocs' external staff. This group has put together marketing and communications plans that resulted in record attendance at home events and earned 20 NACMA "Best of" Awards over the last 10 years. The media relations office has earned 16 national and regional honors for publications, design and writing during his tenure.
During his career, Blackman has worked directly with 23 conference players of the year, 18 conference championship teams, four individual NCAA Champions, two NCAA Woman of the Year candidates, 18 Academic All-Americans, two NBA Lottery Draft Picks and five NFL Draft selections.
Prior to UTC, Blackman spent seven years at the University of New Mexico where he was the primary communications contact for men's basketball, men's soccer and men's golf. He also oversaw the athletics department official website, www.GoLobos.com.
As the Lobo men's basketball contact, Blackman was in charge of the communications efforts for the most high profile sports entity in the state of New Mexico. He also worked with New Mexico's 2005 men's soccer team that advanced to the finals of the College Cup and UNM's 2004 ski team, the first team national champion in school history.
Blackman has been very involved with hosting postseason events during his career. At UTC he has served as the media coordinator for the 2008 & 2009 NCAA Football Division I National Championship Game and the 2009 NCAA Women's Basketball First & Second Rounds. He also helped run the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships hosted at the famed Honors Course in Chattanooga.
Job Titles:
- Assistant AD - Sports Medicine ( Football )
Job Titles:
- Associate AD - Business Affairs
Job Titles:
- Faculty Athletics Representative
Job Titles:
- Director of Football Ops / Recruit Coord. / NFL Liaison
Job Titles:
- Equipment & Facilities Assistant
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director ( Women's Basketball & Men 's Golf )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director ( Football )
Head Coach Frank Reed announced the addition of Cheyanne (Tarango) Camp to his staff on August 19, 2020. Camp has spent two full seasons with the Mocs and played a crucial role in the 2022 SoCon Tournament Championship Team.
Job Titles:
- Assistant AD - Athletic Performanc
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( Men 's Basketball & Spirit )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director - Marketing
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant ( MBB, SOC, WR, TF / XC )
Job Titles:
- Coordinator of Event Operations
Job Titles:
- on Campus Recruiting Assistant
Job Titles:
- Assistant AD - Strategic Communications ( Football, Wrestling, Golf )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Offensive Coordinator
Jonathan Boyd earned his third straight CSC Academic All-America selection, named to the Second Team. He is a four-time CSC Academic All-District and was joined on the men's team by Jasper Wilson and Eric Mitchell. Also named to the CSC All-District Team were Imani Bryant, Emmy Davis, Lesley Green, Julianna McReynolds and Emma Russum.
Jonathan Boyd was named the Dayle May Award recipient as the senior with the highest GPA.
Jonathan Boyd is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, earning the honor in each of the last two seasons as a Third Team member. He is a three-time CoSIDA All-District and was joined in 2021-22 by Emma Russum.
Jonathan Boyd earned CoSIDA Academic All-America Third Team honors. He was named Academic All-District for the second straight year.
Job Titles:
- Defensive Quality Control
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( Wrestling & Tennis )
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Coach
- Assistant Beach Coach
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( Volleyball & Beach Volleyball )
Job Titles:
- Associate AD - Complianc
- Compliance
Kennedy Thomson was selected to represent her home country, Canada, in the 800 meter run at the North America Central America Caribbean Championships held in Mexico.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Offensive Lin
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director - Athletics Performanc
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Secondary
Job Titles:
- Executive Associate AD - SWA
Job Titles:
- Assistant AD - Digital Media Services
- Digital Media Services ( MocsVision )
Lesley Green claimed the women's 10,000 meter title in the Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships and ranked 54th in the nation in that event. She was also named All-Conference with a third place finish in the 5,000 meter run. Maddie Wheatcroft and Leah Boyd each earned All-Freshman Team honors in the 1500 meter. Lesley Green was named the SoCon Track Athlete of the Week after placing third in the 10,000 meter at the Raleigh Relays.
Lesley Green was named the SoCon Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week after finishing second in the 5000 meter run at the Samford Invitational at the season's start. She posted a personal best in the event and had the top time in the league.
Lesley Green earned All-Conference honors with a third place finish in the 10,000 meter run at the SoCon Outdoor Track and Field Championships, her second straight. Gracie Morse was named to the All-Freshman Team in the long jump.
Job Titles:
- Assistant AD - Student - Athlete Academic Enhancement
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Defensive Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Vice Chancellor & Director of Athletics
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant ( AD, FB, M / W Golf )
- Administrative Support
Job Titles:
- Director of Ticket Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Special Teams / Inside Linebackers
Job Titles:
- Production Team Assistant
Job Titles:
- Asst. Recruiting Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Offensive Quality Control
Job Titles:
- Assistant Men 's Basketball Coach
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Wide Receivers
Job Titles:
- Associate AD - Development
- Development & UTC Mocs Club
Job Titles:
- Events and Operations Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant Men 's Basketball Coach
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant ( WBB, Tennis, SB, VB )
Job Titles:
- Golf Player Development Complex Assistant
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Outside Linebackers
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director - Strategic Communications ( VB, WBB, Beach VB )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Tight Ends