Dr. Sergio L. Molina has been named interim director of athletics at University of the Ozarks, effective immediately.

Molina has been an assistant professor of physical education at U of O since 2021 and has served as the University's faculty athletics representative (FAR) since February of 2022. He replaces Jimmy Clark, who transitioned to a new position earlier this month as a major gifts officer for athletics after 17 years as athletics director at the University.

"I am grateful to have the opportunity to move over to athletics in a leadership role," Molina said. "Over the past two and a half years I have been able to get to know the coaches and many of the student-athletes in my role as faculty athletics representative. I am looking forward to continue working with them in a different capacity."

Molina also has nearly a decade of high school and college coaching experience in football and track and field, including a stint as a defensive coordinator at Southwestern College in Kansas where he also served as an adjunct instructor. He has also been an assistant professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Missouri Western State University.

"Sergio brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to both athletic excellence and the academic success of our student-athletes," said Amy Lloyd, vice president for marketing and enrollment. "I am confident his leadership will provide the stability and guidance needed during this period."

Molina will lead an athletic program that will debut the Thomas and Frances Wilson Athletic Complex this upcoming academic year as well as transition to a new NCAA Division III conference on July 1 - the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.

"It's an exciting time for Eagle athletics with the new outdoors facilities and moving to a new conference," Molina said. "I am looking forward to working collaboratively with the University community and the accomplished coaches, sports medicine and communications teams, and administrative staff as we prepare our student-athletes for an exciting 2024-25 year in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference."

A native of Wichita, Kan., Molina earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from Wichita State University in Kansas before earning a master's degree in physical education from Pittsburg State University in Kansas. In 2015, he earned his Ph.D. in physical education pedagogy from University of South Carolina.

Nearly 300 students compete in the 19 varsity sports offered at Ozarks.

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