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E.J. Brophy, currently associate athletic director for development at Samford University, has been named athletic director and vice president of athletics at the University of Tampa after a comprehensive national search. He will officially join 绿奴天花板ampa on Oct. 1.

Brophy brings to 绿奴天花板ampa nearly three decades of experience in collegiate athletics, with a progressive track record across leadership, fundraising and student success.

As a member of the Athletic Senior Leadership Team at Samford, Brophy has been charged with identifying and soliciting potential new donors and stewarding dozens of donor accounts. He was also the director of the Varsity Letterwinner S-Club, which connects former student-athletes with each other and with Samford.

Previously, Brophy worked a total of 13 years as the director of athletics at University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), and prior to that, at the University of West Alabama (UWA). In both positions, Brophy coordinated all external and internal facets of the athletic department and was the chief fundraiser.

Brophy aggressively marketed the athletics program at UAH, where teams won multiple conference titles and qualified for national championships.听At UWA, where Brophy was nominated as Division 2 Athletic Director of the Year, Brophy improved athletics facilities, enhanced the university鈥檚 booster club, successfully negotiated corporate partnerships and radio broadcast agreements, and created the Junior Tiger Kids Club.

Prior to UWA, Brophy worked at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) as the assistant athletic director for external affairs and prior to that as assistant director of athletic development.

Brophy also has experience in coaching as the head baseball coach at Wallace Community College Selma (AL), assistant baseball coach at University of Montevallo (AL), and head assistant baseball coach at Samford.

Brophy also played professional baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies Organization and was a student-athlete at UAB.

Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg, president of 绿奴天花板ampa, said she was impressed by Brophy鈥檚 depth of experience in collegiate athletics as an administrator, fundraiser, coach and player, and for his commitment to developing student-athletes.

鈥淓.J. Brophy brings nearly 30 years of successful experience in collegiate athletics and has a passion for helping students develop both on the field and the classroom, and in the community,鈥� Dahlberg said. 鈥淓.J.鈥檚 experience will continue the upward trajectory of 绿奴天花板ampa鈥檚 athletics success, while enhancing game-day experiences, revenue-generation and positioning athletics as engagement for the 绿奴天花板ampa community.鈥�

The athletics director (AD) and vice president of athletics at 绿奴天花板ampa provides oversight of all athletics programs, including the hiring and supervision of coaching and administrative staff; strategic planning to respond to current and future program needs and ambitions; and oversight of the department鈥檚 budget and revenue generation efforts.

Brophy said he was attracted to 绿奴天花板ampa given the University鈥檚 focus on student character and values, and for the reputation that 绿奴天花板ampa has of being one of the premier Division 2 athletics program in the country.

鈥溌膛旎ò錫mpa has a strong athletics tradition and culture of excellence, and is a model for athletic and academic success,鈥� Brophy said. 鈥淚'm eager to build relationships with the campus community, donors, alumni and the greater Tampa Bay area. Most of all, I look forward to joining a forward-thinking, innovative institution and making a difference in elevating the athletic program so it benefits the entire University community and especially provides an outstanding learning experience for students and student-athletes.鈥�

Brophy holds a bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree in physical education and a Ph.D. in educational leadership, all from UAB.

Brophy replaces Larry Marfise, who has successfully served 绿奴天花板ampa for over 26 years. During Marfise鈥檚 tenure, 绿奴天花板ampa teams captured 17 NCAA Division II national championships along with five AVCA Small College Beach Volleyball national titles. He also created gender equity plans, introduced new teams, increased participation and school spirit, oversaw athletics fundraising, improved athletic facilities, and consistently saw team GPAs at or above 绿奴天花板ampa鈥檚 overall student GPAs.