On Feb. 23, President Nayef Samhat announced that Scott Kull would be Wofford’s next director of athletics, with Kull starting the position on April 1.
Kull has now started his work as director of athletics, and there is a lot of excitement around his start, especially with it being in the middle of the spring sport season. This made for an exciting transition for a number of sports, including lacrosse.
“A fresh face brings new energy and that will be super exciting to have on campus,” said Women’s Lacrosse Coach Jessie Aguglia, “It’s a super exciting time. Everything that he’s said I think is going to be really productive for our athletics department.”
Players on the lacrosse team have also expressed excitement for the new director of athletics.
“We’re definitely very excited, he’s shown a lot of love to our team in the short time he’s been here,” said Ella Smithers ‘25.
“I really love the support he’s shown to our program so far,” said Vivian Chiomento ‘26
Kull has 31 years of experience working with college athletics and the experience of working different positions during those years. He has also worked at a number of other higher education institutions before coming to Wofford for the position of director of athletics.
As director of athletics, Kulls interests lay not only with winning championships, but he will be focused on the people who will make the championships possible: student athletes and their coaches.
“The most exciting thing is just working with our student athletes, you know, to help them achieve their goals and win some championships,” said Kull. “I also want to make sure our coaches have everything they need to compete for SoCon championships.”
Kull has placed emphasis on the connections he wants to create with student athletes, coaches and other athletic staff. He is excited to meet with all of his staff one-on-one and to build relationships with them.
Kull’s first week at work was during spring break, and, while students were away that week, spring sports were still in full swing. Though it might have been a quieter week to start, there was a special surprise in store for Kull.
“My first day, we announced a gift to endow the athletic director position, so it’s the Robert D. Atkins director of athletics position,” Kull said. “I mean, how cool was that on your first day to have that?”
With this new endowment, Wofford is one of only a few higher education institutions that have an endowed director of athletic position. Keeping this trend going, Kull aims to endow all head coach positions.
Kull highlighted that, in addition to being the first Robert D. Atkins director of athletics, many of the spring sports got wins that first week and that it has been a memorable start to this new position.
“It’s been a great first week,” Kull said. “I don’t think I could have ever imagined how special this first week has been.”
With a strong start in this new position, the future of the athletic department is looking bright with Kull at its head. His experience will help lead the department into this new chapter for athletics, which is exciting and comes with high expectations that are likely going to be easily met with Kull.
