TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Earlier today, Florida A&M University (FAMU) Athletic Director Milton Overton notified Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., of his plans to accept a position at Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, Georgia as athletic director. Overton’s last day at FAMU is December 1, 2017. He began his tenure at FAMU in August 2015.“We are highly appreciative of the work AD Overton has done during his tenure at FAMU and wish him well in his future endeavors,” Robinson said. “This opportunity moves him closer to his family.”
Overton thanked Dr. Robinson, Board of Trustees Chairman Kelvin Lawson, and the FAMU community “for embracing our department’s effort to build champions in the classroom, on the field and in life with academic excellence and integrity.”
Robinson has named FAMU graduate John Eason as the interim athletic director. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from FAMU and served as a member of the Rattler football team. He retired at the end of 2015 from the University of Georgia as its director of player development.
“Mr. Eason is well-equipped to help keep our program moving forward,” said Robinson, who announced that he would immediately launch a national search for Overton’s permanent replacement.
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Milton Overton Named Director of Athletics at Kennesaw State
KENNESAW, Georgia -- — Kennesaw State University President Sam Olens announced Tuesday that Milton Overton has been named as the new director of athletics.Overton, a 25-year veteran of college athletics administration, has spent the last two years as director of athletics at Florida A&M University. He will be formally introduced at a press conference on KSU's campus Thursday, November 9 at 10 a.m. He is the fourth individual to hold the position at Kennesaw State.
"Milton Overton brings extensive skills and experience to our growing athletics program," said Olens. "We are confident that he will provide the leadership needed to continue Kennesaw State's competitive spirit for athletics and take the Owls to greater heights in collegiate sports."
Following a six-year stint as senior associate athletics director at the University of Alabama, and six years prior as associate athletics director at Texas A&M University, Overton was hired to lead Florida A&M Athletics in June 2015.
Overton has guided a remarkable transformation at FAMU. By instilling a sense of accountability and fiscal responsibility, the Rattlers made monumental strides in the areas of fundraising and fan development. For the first time in more than decade, the athletics department boasted a balanced budget in 2016-17, while achieving three consecutive years of record-breaking fundraising and ticket-sales growth.
"Kennesaw State University is uniquely positioned to reach extraordinary heights and I am proud to have an opportunity to play a role in the University's success through the Department of Athletics," said Overton. "President Olens' vision for KSU and his passion for academics and athletic excellence clearly align with my own personal mission to inspire difference-making leaders in our nation and across the globe. I believe a comprehensive world-class education, combined with a great college athletic experience, helps mold champions in life and on the field. I look forward to serving Owl Nation as we build champions together."
Florida A&M's revenue has increased by $2 million dollars under Overton's watch and fan participation has soared with the football team finishing among the top five in FCS attendance in 2015 and top three in 2016. One of his benchmark initiatives was the establishment of FAMU's giving program, "Investing In Champions," that was a key component of the increased revenue.
Thanks in part to Overton's emphasis on academics and NCAA compliance, FAMU boasted higher team grade point averages and increased APR scores across every sport. Under his watch, each Rattler team remained eligible for NCAA postseason competition for the first time in several years.
At Alabama from 2009 to 2015, Overton provided oversight for $25 million in budgets and equipment, while producing $6 million in new revenue-generation and cost-saving initiatives. He oversaw seven units, including the No. 1 trademark licensing program for intercollegiate athletics – Crimson Tide Productions – marketing and branding, outbound ticket sales, photography, coaches film video group, athletics information and event technology, track and field, and cross country.
As a member of Texas A&M's senior staff, he raised $250,000 for men's tennis facility upgrades and led the technology renovations and construction for several other facilities, including Kyle Field. He also provided oversight of seven TAMU sports programs.
Overton is a 2009 graduate of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Pathway Program – formerly known as the NCAA's Fellows Leadership Development Program. The Pathway Program provides senior-level athletics administrators with a rigorous curriculum and mentorship for preparation on becoming a director of athletics. As a 2007-2008 NCAA Fellow, Overton participated in a yearlong, intensive learning opportunity for 12 selected senior leaders representing NCAA Divisions I, II, and III.
A four-year starter as an offensive lineman at the University of Oklahoma, Overton earned a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1995. He then went on to earn two master's degrees from OU in 1998, one in higher education and administration and the other in human relations. Overton worked in academic services and as the CHAMPS/LifeSkills Coordinator for OU before joining the athletics department at Texas Christian University in 1999. Overton was director of academic support at TCU, where he also served as an adjunct professor.
Overton was the founder and CEO of Enki System Inc., from 2000-2011, which provided software solutions for athletic and academic support programs across the country, generating over $1 million in gross sales.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Overton has two sons—Micaiah and Lebbeus.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT OVERTON...
Eric Hyman, Former Director of Athletics, Texas A&M University
"Congratulations to President Olens, Board of Trustees and Kennesaw State University on selecting Milton Overton as your new Director of Athletics. Milton and I worked together at Texas Christian University to raise the level of academic achievement and retention among our 350 student-athletes. Milton's genuine commitment to the overall welfare of our student-athletes, his work ethic and innovative programs made a positive impact on the lives of our student-athletes. I have no doubt that Milton will make a positive contribution towards the success of Kennesaw State University."
Dave Hart, Former Director of Athletics, University of Tennessee and Florida State University
"Congratulations to President Olens and Kennesaw State University on the hiring of Milton Overton as Director of Athletics. Milton is a very bright, creative administrator who will prioritize the mission of the University while building upon the vision of the athletics department."
About Kennesaw State University
With 35,000 students, Kennesaw State University is the third-largest university in Georgia and one of the fifty largest public universities in the country. KSU offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and boasts more than 100,000 alumni. The Owls offer 18 Division-I intercollegiate sports, including a football program that debuted in 2015. KSU competes in the ASUN Conference and is a member of the Big South Conference for football. Kennesaw State teams have won 20 conference titles and made 23 NCAA postseason appearances over the last seven seasons.
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