NEW ORLEANS — University of New Orleans Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Tim Duncan announced today that he has accepted the position of Senior Deputy Athletics Director at the University of Memphis, a member of the American Athletic Conference.
"I am endlessly grateful to Tim Duncan for his vision and strategic leadership for Privateer Athletics," said President Kathy Johnson.
"He is that rare leader that can balance an appreciation for data, evidence, and metrics with outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate others to do their best. He has been an outstanding athletic director and member of my executive cabinet, and he will be greatly missed."
Duncan, a Memphis native and University of Memphis alumnus, leaves behind a legacy of significant accomplishments at New Orleans.
During his five-year tenure, Duncan made a substantial impact on the Privateers' athletics programs. He oversaw three regular season Southland Conference (SLC) championships, two SLC tournament championships, and three SLC runner-up finishes.
"My family and I moved to New Orleans five years ago with an open mind ready to embrace a city, a university and the people who occupy both," Duncan said. "Since that time, I have come to love all of it. The best part has been assembling and working with a team that consistently gave everything they had to provide a great experience to Privateer student-athletes.
"It was going to take a very special opportunity for me to leave this place, and returning to my hometown, my alma mater, and the place my parents, my older kids, and extended family still live, is that special opportunity. After discussing it with my wife, Lisa, and the kids, we decided that we did, in fact, want it.
"I would like to thank Dr. Nicklow, former University of New Orleans President, for providing me the opportunity to become a Division I Director of Athletics. I will forever be grateful to him for his faith in me. I would also like to thank Dr. Kathy Johnson. She is a visionary who is unafraid to make difficult decisions for the betterment of the University. I am confident she will lead the University into smoother waters in the very near future. Finally, I would like to thank Privateer Nation. You have supported me, challenged me, and helped to make me a better administrator. I gave everything I have and will always be a fan of New Orleans." Under his leadership, 205 New Orleans student-athletes earned All-SLC selections. Both the men's tennis program and two track and field student-athletes competed in the NCAA championships in the last four years.
Academically, the university had 62 SLC All-Academic selections, five student-athletes of the year, and 649 Privateers student-athletes achieved GPAs over 3.0.
Duncan was also instrumental in hiring key coaching staff. He brought on women's volleyball head coach Ashley Preston, track and field/cross country head coaches Brock Moreaux and Ben Hibbert, head women's basketball coach Trelanne Powell, head men's basketball coach Stacy Hollowell, and head beach volleyball coach Ryan Havice.
Preston led the Privateers to their first SLC tournament appearance, Moreaux won the university's first-ever women's cross country conference championship, and Powell, in her first year, exceeded the overall win record of the previous season. Hollowell and Havice, both in their first year, joined New Orleans as national championship coaches.
Duncan's contributions extended beyond the field. He implemented a five-year strategic plan focused on academic excellence, dynamic student-athlete experiences, a championship culture, and facilities investment.
His efforts led to renovations of Lakefront Arena, the Human Performance Center and the HPC Strength Room, and new facilities for golf putting, beach volleyball, and tennis.
The rebranding of the athletics department as #NOLAsTeam and the "We Are Your Krewe" campaign further connected the university with the New Orleans community.
Duncan also managed significant challenges, including the cancellation of the 2020 spring campaign due to COVID-19. His decision to cover the cost of senior spring sport scholarships — an expense exceeding $200,000 — garnered national attention and made New Orleans the first school in Louisiana to do so.
WE ARE YOUR KREWE
For 54 seasons, Privateer student-athletes have had the unique experience of wearing New Orleans across their chests. Like the city itself, our sports teams have been fueled by resiliency, grit, and the unquenchable desire to win. Our city also houses the nation's biggest celebration each year. And much like a Mardi Gras parade krewe, we are tethered to our community through pride, tradition, a culture of acceptance, and finally our commitment to show that New Orleans is a world-class city to live, learn, play, and work. We invite you to become more involved with the only University that truly represents New Orleans all day, every day. Join #NOLAsTeam, We Are Your Krewe!
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