Released: July 30, 1999

McDaniel becomes Centre athletic director

DANVILLE, KY - Joe McDaniel, who has served as Centre College's acting athletics director for the last seven months, will take over the position on a permanent basis, President John Roush said Friday.

McDaniel replaces Ray Hammond, who will become chair of the Health and Human Performance program, beginning Jan. 1. In the meantime, Hammond, who served as athletics director for five years, will continue teaching in the school's biology department, prepare for his new assignment, and assist with McDaniel's transition into his new post.

"We're very fortunate at Centre to have people like Dr. Hammond and Coach McDaniel who have such outstanding leadership and administrative ability," Roush said. "Coach McDaniel has done a tremendous job as athletics director over the last few months and we feel Dr. Hammond is the ideal person to head and enhance our Health and Human Performance program."

The program is currently chaired by Kitty Baird, who recently announced her plans to retire after 40 years of service on Dec. 31.

Hammond has taught biology at his alma mater for 27 years. He said he is excited about the opportunity to expand his academic role as head of the HHP program at Centre.

"I'm excited to be able to use my academic background in what will be a new approach to teaching physical education," Hammond said. "Really, it's not just physical education anymore. It's health and wellness, lifestyle issues, and teaching a better understanding of the human body. And it's totally consistent with our goal at Centre to focus not just on the mind, but on the overall person."

Hammond is married to the former Carolyn Gray, another Centre graduate, and has two sons.

McDaniel retired as Centre's head football coach following the 1997 season. He has been the school's assistant athletics director for five years and spent 11 years as athletics director at Mariettta College prior to coming to Centre in 1980. He and his wife, Pat, have five children, three of whom graduated from Centre College.

"This is a challenging and exciting time for the athletics department at Centre," McDaniel said. "I've enjoyed the challenges of the last seven months and I am looking forward to being a part of moving this department forward. I appreciate the confidence President Roush has shown in me by giving me this opportunity."

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Communications Office
Centre College
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Danville, KY 40422

Coordinator of Public Information: Patsi Barnes Trollinger
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