Rhodes named new Sports Information Director

By Joel Beachum
Staff Writer

Many changes to UNCP athletics have been made in recent months.

In addition to the retention of the Braves name and logo and the forthcoming additions of football and women's golf programs, a new sports staff member has come aboard at UNCP.

Kevin Rhodes was recently named as the new Sports Information Director. He will be in charge of releasing news, scores and all that comes with athletics for the Braves.

Courtesy of UNCP Kevin Rhodes

Rhodes joins the UNCP staff after being a member of The Citadel's Media Relations office for the last five years.

"I've been working at The Citadel and had progressed up the chain of command," Rhodes said. "I wanted to be able to run my own program. After doing some research and having the chance to come in to build the football program from the ground up, it was a great opportunity."

"We had an extensive search and we were very flattered by the high quality of applications that we received. (Rhodes) rose to the top with having five years of experience at a Division I school," said Dan Kenney, UNCP's athletic director. "It was clear that he had a high competency when it came to putting together media guides, web sites and had a working knowledge of statistics software."

Rhodes worked with basketball and baseball primarily while at The Citadel. However, he became the primary contact for the football program near the end of his term at the school.

According to Kenney, Rhodes' work at The Citadel, including creating the media guide and his work with the football program at the Charleston-based school, helped to make the decision to hire Rhodes easier.

"He is very personable and he has good writing skills," Kenney said. "He has experience working with football. That is important because we are bringing football here in the next couple of years."

Rhodes graduated from Clemson University in 2000. He earned his bachelor's degree in parks, recreation and tourism management with a minor in sports management.

In 2003, Rhodes earned his master's degree in sports administration from The Citadel.