The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Shannon James Ealy Named Interim Director of Athletics
12/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | General
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Shannon James Ealy, a veteran athletics administrator who has held a variety of senior leadership positions in UAB Athletics the past seven years, has been named Interim Director of Athletics at UAB.
For the past five years, Ealy has managed the day-to-day operations of the athletics department and served as second in command for the Blazers' athletic program.
"It is a sad and challenging time for UAB Athletics and a lot of people are hurting," Ealy said. "It is my responsibility and obligation to lead and serve our student-athletes, coaches, staff and supporters during this most difficult time. I am confident that we have capable and quality people willing to work diligently through this transition to ensure that brighter days are ahead for Blazer Athletics.
"Bill Clark is a friend and I am so proud and appreciative of him, his staff and student-athletes. It was a privilege to support and serve them. I would like to personally thank Coach (Michelle) Crews and Coach (Lori) Goodwin for the blood, sweat and tears they have given this program. My heart aches just as much for these student-athletes in bowling and rifle. Unfortunately, they don't get as much recognition, but they still hurt as much."
Ealy joined the UAB athletics staff in the fall of 2007 as Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs and in 2009, he also assumed responsibilities for Internal Operations. Ealy has held the title of Senior Associate AD for Internal Operations since 2013.
Most recently, Ealy has had oversight for several sports (football, men's basketball, baseball and softball), as well as a number of individual department units (business operations, academics, facilities and operations, sports medicine, strength and conditioning and equipment operations).
While overseeing external affairs, he managed the offices of Blazer Boosters, marketing, media relations, ticket operations and IMG. The only area Ealy has not overseen is compliance, which has been a direct report to the athletic director's office in the past.
Ealy was involved extensively in the search process for recent head coaching hires Bill Clark, Jerod Haase and Garrick McGee.
Ealy crafted UAB's successful bid to host the 2015 Conference USA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships which will be held in Birmingham in March.
Other duties for Ealy since he arrived at UAB have been serving as the liaison to agreements to Nike, LRG and Fanatics. He has served as the point of contact for the Athletic Facilities Master Plan and coordinated facility projects and improvements that have included: football and men's basketball locker rooms, softball facility, baseball and softball hitting facilities, sand volleyball courts, and video boards at Bartow Arena, Young Memorial Field and UAB Softball Field.
Ealy has played a major role in the creation and adherence of the athletic department's $30 million budget.
Ealy has an extensive background in athletics, including event planning and management. Prior to coming to UAB, Ealy served as an executive at Bruno Event Team under the leadership of Ronnie Bruno and Gene Hallman.
While with the Bruno organization, Ealy held a role of President of Birmingham Sports Ventures (2004-2007), where he coordinated and evaluated strategic planning, feasibility studies and funding models for downtown Birmingham multi-purpose dome stadium. He also served as Vice President of Alabama Sports Foundation (2000-2007), where he managed and promoted marquee events such as the SEC Baseball Tournament, SEC Gymnastics Championship, NCAA Basketball Championships, Magic City Classic, U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and U.S. Soccer matches.
From 1996-2000, Ealy worked at the Southeastern Conference office where he served as Director of Championships, Marketing and Operations. While at the SEC, managed ticket operations and assisted with event management and marketing for the SEC Football Championship game, SEC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, as well as the SEC Baseball and Softball Tournaments.
Ealy spent one year at the University of Florida as a marketing assistant for various Gator sports, such as football, baseball, gymnastics and soccer.
Ealy began his career in athletics administration at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, as Assistant to the Athletic Director and coordinated marketing and event management efforts for home contests.
Bill Clark, who came in January as UAB's head football coach, said, "I have the utmost respect for Shannon Ealy as a collegiate athletics administrator. He played an instrumental role in our success this year. He has a successful future in front of him and possesses good leadership qualities. He will do a great job in this new role of Interim Athletic Director."
Ealy earned his Masters of Sports Administration degree from Ohio University in 1995. He received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration in 1991 from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where he was a football student-athlete.
Ealy is married to the former Carolyn Wall of Birmingham. They have three children: Brian, Caitlin and Alyssa.
