SBU appoints athletics director

Provided by Southwest Baptist University

Clark Sheehy is SBU's new director of athletics.

Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar announced the appointment of a new director of athletics.

Clark Sheehy, the school’s head men's basketball coach, was selected for the post, according to a news release. He succeeds 12-year director Mike Pitts. It’s unclear why Pitts is vacating the role; an SBU spokesperson could not be reached for comment by deadline.

"Clark will continue to serve as the men’s basketball coach and will lead our athletics at SBU in the same way he leads and coaches our men’s basketball team – with servant leadership, character and teamwork," SBU President Rick Melson said in the release. "Clark brings a wealth of experience to the role and will advance SBU athletics into the future."

Aaron Niven, assistant coach of the men's basketball team, is being promoted to associate head coach as part of the transition.

As director of athletics, Sheehy will oversee 17 varsity sports, which have more than 400 student-athletes, according to the release. The SBU Bearcats compete on the NCAA Division II level and in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

As head coach of the SBU men's basketball team, Sheehy has posted a 118-105 record over eight years. During the 2021-22 season, he was named the GLVC men’s basketball Co-Coach of the Year – the first in SBU program history.

"I am excited about the opportunity to serve and help lead our athletic department," he said in the release. "SBU has meant so much to our family – my parents met here as students. Since we moved here eight years ago, we have absolutely fallen in love with the school and our Bolivar community."