UAM Names Padraic McMeel as Associate Vice Chancellor and Athletics Director

MONTICELLO, AR — Padraic McMeel, deputy athletics director at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, has been named associate vice chancellor and director of athletics at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM). McMeel’s career in athletics has also included stops at Kennesaw State University, Missouri State University and the University of Central Florida, all NCAA Division I schools. UAM Chancellor, Dr. Karla Hughes said, “I am excited that Padraic McMeel has agreed to lead UAM Athletics into a new era. He recently served as the interim athletics director at Oakland University, and with his background and experience I am sure he will continue to build on the UAM traditions of athletics excellence and student success. I also want to thank Dr. Kurt Patberg for his assistance in our search for a new athletics director. Athletics Staffing Consultants’s assistance was vital in helping us find the right candidate for UAM.”


In addition to serving as the interim athletics director and deputy athletics director at Oakland University, McMeel was instrumental in fund raising for a new football stadium at the University of Central Florida, new basketball arenas at Missouri State University and the University of Central Florida as well as starting a new football program at Kennesaw State University.

“I am humbled and honored to be chosen to lead UAM’s athletics programs, and I am excited about building on the already rich tradition in southeast Arkansas, “ said McMeel.

Prior to taking the position at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan in 2014 he worked as the associate director of athletics for external operations (2011-2014) at Kennesaw State University. He was the assistant athletics director for external affairs at Missouri State University (2008-2011). He also served as director of premium seating and associate director of the Golden Knights Club (2006-2008) and was the assistant director of athletic development for the Golden Knights Club (2005-2006) at the University of Central Florida.