Lowery named new AD at UTB-TSC

Todd Lowery has been named director of intercollegiate athletics at University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College and will now serve a dual role with his position as head volleyball coach.

Lowery has been serving as interim director of athletics for the last six months. The announcement comes almost exactly one year after he was introduced as the Scorpions volleyball coach in March 2009.

"I’m honored and excited to be given the opportunity to lead the Scorpion athletic programs," Lowery said. "It is a great time to be at the helm. I welcome the challenge of leading Scorpion athletics into the future as we look forward to an exciting time of growth development."

Lowery will be directing a Scorpions athletic program that joined NAIA in 2006 after more than three decades in the NJCAA.

"We are just now entering our fourth year in the NAIA — the potential here at UTB-TSC is unbelievable," Lowery said. "The same potential that drew me here as a volleyball coach exists for the entire department the opportunities for success and growth are limitless."

In his first year leading the Scorpions volleyball team, UTB-TSC finished with a record of 34-3 and a fifth-place tie in the NAIA national championship tournament. The Scorpions won the Red River Athletic Conference with a perfect 16-0 record in the regular season and won two tournament games. In the 18 matches against conference opponents, the Scorpions did not lose a single set.

"We are extremely pleased to have Todd at the helm of our athletic program," UTB-TSC Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Vince Solis said. "He brings with him a wealth of coaching and administrative experience. He has a proven track record of success as a coach and is highly regarded by his colleagues in the NAIA. I look forward to working with him as we continue the tradition of excellence in our athletic program."

Lowery came to UTB-TSC after a successful six-year stint as women’s volleyball coach for at National American University in Rapid City, S.D. His 2002 and 2006 teams won NAIA national championships with undefeated 41-0 record.

Lowery will look to help continue the success of the Scorpions volleyball team, as well as the men’s and women’s soccer teams, and the other six Scorpions athletic programs.

"Scorpion athletics is on the verge of exploding onto the national scene," Lowery said. "The administration and coaching staff that is place here at UTB-TSC are second to none and has already established a rich history. It is my goal to enhance what is all ready in place here, and help UTB-TSC break into the top 25 rankings in each sport."

Lowery’s won-loss record is astounding. In six years at NAU, his career record was 211 victories and 22 losses, a winning percentage of 90.5 percent. He has also coached two NAIA players of the year and six NAIA Region III most valuable players.

But as impressive as his coaching record is, Lowery is more proud of the academic achievements of student-athletes in his programs.

"It’s always been very important for me to see our student-athletes succeed in the classroom," Lowery said. "There will also be an increased focus to improve the overall academic successes and graduation rates of all of our student-athletes," Lowery said.

Lowery’s 2007 National American team had a GPA of 3.77, and the teams for the previous three years had GPAs of 3.24, 3.42 and 3.61. His first UTB-TSC team in 2009 posted a GPA of 3.1.

Lowery has amassed a career record of 245 wins and 25 losses for a .907 winning percentage. Aside from his two national champion teams at NAU, his four other teams advanced to the NAIA national tournament. His 2003 team went 39-3 and lost in the quarterfinals; his 2004 team went 31-5 and advanced to the semifinals; his 2005 team went 33-3 and advanced to the semifinals; and his 2007 team went 26-11 and advanced to the quarterfinals.

After the 2007 season, NAU dropped its volleyball program, leaving Lowery without a team and his players without a school play for. He did not coach during the 2008 season.

Lowery was named RRAC coach of the year in 2009, and outside hitter Arlene Ferreira received RRAC player of the year honors. He also received NAIA Mid-South Region coach of the year honors.

He was named NAIA national coach of the year in 2006 and is a six-time recipient of the NAIA Region III coach of the year from 2002 to ’07.

Prior to his six years at NAU, Lowery served as the graduate assistant coach for the Chadron State College (Neb.) volleyball program from August 2000 to May 2002 while working in the Nelson Physical Activity Center.

Lowery earned his Master of Education degree in education administration in 2002 from Chadron. He received his bachelor of arts degree in physical education with a minor in athletic coaching, chemistry, and health and wellness from Black Hills State University (S.D.) in 2000.