University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Associate Athletics Director Matthew Pope has been appointed Interim Athletics Director, Dr. Roger Brown, UTC Chancellor, announced Wednesday.
Pope, currently the Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations and Finance, will assume his duties May 1. Current Athletics Director Steve Sloan announced his retirement from UTC in February and is expected to leave the University in early May.
“We are sorry to see Steve Sloan leave as he has elevated our athletics program to new heights,” Dr. Brown said. “Matt Pope has been fully involved in the operations of the athletics department, and his designation as the interim director will help ensure a smooth transition until the permanent successor is in place.”
Pope has been a UTC administrator since January, 2001. Sloan was hired in April, 2002.
Dr. Brown had announced earlier that the University has contracted the search firm of Baker-Parker out of Atlanta, Ga., to assist the University in its search process.
Dr. Brown also said that the search committee expects to name a new Athletics Director by the end of May with the person in place at UTC by July 1.