FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 16, 2008

Contact: Dwayne Hanberry, SCAC Interim Commissioner

Argo resigns as Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Commissioner
Hanberry named Interim Commissioner

SUWANEE, Ga. – Steve Argo, the first and only full-time commissioner of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, has submitted his resignation to the conference. Argo was hired in 1991 when the College Athletic Conference restructured and became the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.

”I am very thankful to the presidents, athletics administrators, coaches and student-athletes of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference for the tremendous opportunity that was presented to me over these last 17 years,” said Argo. “You can only imagine the memories that I have from a 17-year career with the SCAC, particularly since I began in a start-up situation with the charge of providing structure and stability to the conference and its members. Everyone associated with the SCAC should be very proud of their commitment to membership in this conference and providing student-athletes with a wonderful environment to continue their educations and compete in intercollegiate athletics.”

During his 17-year tenure, the SCAC grew from an eight-team conference to a 12-team conference and sports sponsorship increased from 14 to the current 19. New sports of men’s and women’s swimming and diving, softball, women’s golf and field hockey have been added since 1991. Along with his assistance in the expansion process for the conference on four different occasions, Argo brought women’s athletics on board as a part of the 1991 restructuring. He also began the process of creating a constitution, bylaws and policy manuals for all sports during this time.

In addition to his role as SCAC commissioner, Argo served on various NCAA committees during his tenure, including Division III Management Council, Championships Committee, Interpretations and Legislative Committee, Playing and Practice Seasons Subcommittee (served as chair) and Future of Division III Committee. He also served as president and on the executive committee of the Division III Commissioners Association over a five-year period.

“The SCAC Board of Directors is very appreciative of the 17 years that Steve has given to the conference and its membership,” said Austin College President Oscar Page who serves as Executive Committee chair of the conference.

Following Argo’s decision to leave the conference, the SCAC Executive Committee has appointed Dwayne Hanberry as interim commissioner.

”The SCAC is in great hands with Dwayne Hanberry stepping in to lead the conference for the remainder of this academic year and I owe him a great deal of gratitude for his commitment and dedication since 1995,” said Argo. “I couldn’t have succeeded without him and I wish him well.”

Hanberry has been at the SCAC office since 1995, most recently serving as the league’s associate commissioner.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the SCAC as its interim commissioner and I appreciate the trust bestowed upon me by the league’s presidents and athletics directors,” said Hanberry. “I have had the good fortune of working with Steve for 13 years and much of what I have learned concerning athletics administration I owe to him.”

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