Watch the entire press conference

RICHMOND, Ky. – Matt Roan was introduced on Wednesday as Eastern Kentucky University's new director of athletics.
 
Roan was chosen as director of athletics on Jan. 7.  He returns to EKU after three-plus years as director of athletics at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.  Roan will assume the duties from EKU Interim Director of Athletics Mark Sandy in early February.
 
At his introductory press conference, Roan laid out his vision for EKUSports. 
 
"EKU is a school of opportunity which fosters growth, and prepares its students of diverse backgrounds to contribute to their communities and the world.  This mission is particularly special to me as a first generation college student myself, and our mission inside athletics is going to align very closely with this.  We will support student-athletes and help them become the best versions of themselves academically and as individuals because they are competing for and winning championships.  I promise you we will win championships.
 
"As an integral part of the institution, our athletics department will strive daily to be brand ambassadors for university advancement, and shine a light on the great things that happen here daily in teaching and learning, in research and in service.
 
"We're going to focus on people, the tools with which we equip them and the processes we're going to follow on a daily basis.  We're going to invest in our student-athletes experience here, as well as their personal development."
 
Roan was a deputy director of athletics at EKU in 2015 and 2016, after serving as a special assistant to the president and working with the counsel's office for two years.  He earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky School of Law after a standout football career at Southern Utah University, where he graduated summa cum laude with a political science degree.