CONTACT: Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at meubanks@caiyo.net, 256-606-2033 or 256-765-4392 May 21, 2020

FLORENCE, AL - University of North Alabama Athletics Director Mark Linder will step down from his duties in that role, effective Tuesday, June 1. Linder will shift into the classroom as a Lecturer in Sport and Recreation Management in the Department of Kinesiology.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as the Athletics Director at North Alabama. I am so honored to have been a part of the success of our transition to Division I, our teams, our staff, and most important, our student-athletes over the past 14 years," Linder said. "The time is right for me to request this change in responsibilities in order to focus my attention on other aspects of my life. North Alabama Athletics will always graduate champions, and I am proud to have been part of the success of these teams, coaches, and student-athletes."

Linder joined the UNA Athletics family as the Athletics Director on Aug. 27, 2007, leading the North Alabama program through 11 years as an NCAA Division II institution. Since 2018, he has helped guide the Lions' transition to NCAA Division I status as members of both the ASUN Conference and the Big South Conference. During his tenure, North Alabama completed facilities upgrades at Mike Lane Field, the Hilda B. Anderson Softball Complex, and the Bill Jones Athletic Complex. The UNA athletic staff has also expanded.

"Mark has worked tirelessly to lead our athletics department, and our student-athletes have much to be proud of as we head into this final year of transition to NCAA Division I," said UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts. "We continue to be in a positive and healthy position as we look to continue our long tradition of success in North Alabama Athletics. I wish Mark and his family all the best as he makes this transition to the classroom."

Kevin Haslam, Vice President for University Advancement, will serve as the interim Athletics Director. A national search will be initiated June 1, and the expectation is to have an Athletics Director named and in place by the fall 2021 semester.

About The University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Sciences, and the Anderson College of Nursing and

Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of the NCAA Division I's ASUN Big South Conference. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: f5x.caiyo.net and f5x.caiyo.net/unaworks/