UNCW Promotes Trio

Second-year Director of Athletics Kelly Mehrtens has announced the promotion of three veteran members of the UNCW Wilmington’s athletic department.

Pat Howey has been named Deputy Director of Athletics, Joe Browning has been elevated to Senior Associate Athletic Director and Rob Brickels has been promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Development.

“I’m very pleased to recognize these individuals for their hard work and contributions to our department,” said Mehrtens. “Our growth has been phenomenal over the last 10 years and Pat, Joe and Rob have been at the forefront in that expansion. We are very fortunate to have a very dedicated staff to assist our student-athletes as they represent our program and university.”

A native of Wilmington, Howey is beginning her 23rd year with the Seahawks. As UNCW’s senior women’s administrator, she oversees the compliance area for the department and serves as the sports supervisor for men’s basketball, women’s basketball, softball and track and field.

Howey served on the NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification for four years and currently chairs the Initial Eligibility Waiver Appeals Subcommitee on the NCAA Division I Academic Cabinet. She is also a peer reviewer for Athletics Certification.

A three-sport standout locally at John T. Hoggard High School, Howey competed in softball, basketball and volleyball for the Vikings. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at UNC Chapel Hill in 1985 and completed her M.Ed. in Educational Administration from UNCW in 1993.

Browning, meanwhile, has been with the Seahawks since 1986 and handles the department’s communications component, including media relations, radio, television and internet properties, publications and photography. He also serves as the sports supervisor for the men’s and women’s soccer programs, along with supervising strength and conditioning.

Browning founded the UNCW Athletic Hall of Fame and served as the first president of the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association. He has also received awards from the Virginia and Idaho Press Associations and the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1978 and completed his Master’s Degree in Mass Communications from Shippensburg University in 1984.

Brickels enters his 13th year at UNCW and adds the development realm to his responsibilities. He already heads up the marketing and promotions arm of the department, including merchandising, ticket campaigns and marketing and advertising strategies.

Brickels, who also oversees men’s tennis, women’s tennis and volleyball, earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from UNCW in 1985.

- Courtesy UNCW

-- Jesse Jones, CAPE FEAR SPORTS REPORT