“Seahawk Nation” gives a thumbs up for the new UNCW A.D.

Wilmington, N.C. – Jimmy Bass, a veteran collegiate administrator with close ties to eastern North Carolina, has been named the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s new athletics director, Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo announced Tuesday.

Bass has spent the last three years as Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations at East Carolina after holding previous positions at Mississippi State, N.C. State, Pittsburgh, UNCW and Davidson. The appointment of Bass follows an extensive national search that drew about ninety applicants, and included the hiring of Bill Carr and Associates, a highly regarded search firm, and the compilation of a 10-person search committee chaired by Board of Trustees member David Swain.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Jimmy Bass back to our Seahawk family,” said DePaolo. “He understands the passion and dedication that Seahawks everywhere have for our teams. He also has the highest respect for our student-athletes, coaches and athletics staff. Most importantly, he values UNCW’s commitment to academics as well as to athletics.”

Bass becomes UNCW’s sixth athletics director, following William J. “Bill” Brooks, Paul Miller, Peg Bradley-Doppes, Mike Capaccio and Kelly Mehrtens. Deputy Athletics Director Pat Howey has served in the role since the resignation of Mehrtens on Sept. 27.