2021-22 Hawk Hoops Game Program

JIMMY BASS Director of Athletics Seasoned collegiate administrator Jimmy Bass begins his second decade as the leader of UNCW Athletics in 2021-22.

The second longest-tenured athletic director in the history of the program behind founder William J. Brooks, the energetic Bass took over the helm of the program in October of 2010 and has helped the Seahawks achieve tremendous success in the playing arena and in the classroom.

The native North Carolinian introduced a comprehensive strategic plan during his inaugural year and unveiled another five-year plan in late July 2018. Under Bass' leadership, the Seahawks have captured 27 Colonial Athletic Association championships during his tenure.

With a recognized expertise in marketing and fundraising, Bass immediately restructured the department's fundraising arm and orchestrated a $2 million renovation to venerable Trask Coliseum. The Seahawks also reached a sponsorship consulting partnership with IMG Worldwide.

From 2012-14, he served as president of the CAA, assisting the league with its expansion and other key initiatives. He is currently a member of the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Committee.

Bass came to UNCW after spending three years as senior associate athletics director for external operations at East Carolina. He has had held previous positions at Mississippi State, NC State, Pittsburgh, UNCW and Davidson.

Bass, 65, is in his second stop in the Port City after serving as UNCW's first full-time athletics fundraiser in 1986. As executive director of the UNCW Student Aid Association (Seahawk Club) and associate director of athletics, he bolstered the school's athletic scholarship efforts and pushed membership in the Seahawk Club from 250 to 1,100 during his three-year stay.

Bass has had a wide variety of experience in his administrative career, including development, ticketing, marketing and fundraising.

Bass earned a bachelor's degree in speech communication from NC State in 1978 before completing his master's degree in sports administration from Ohio University in 1980. He is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

Bass is married to the former Sarah Ruark, and the couple has a son, Corey, daughter-in-law, Marianne, and two grandsons, Easton and Preston. uncwsports.com 15