Emory Associate AD Myra Sims Resigns Position -- Will Assume Athletic Director Duties At Emory & Henry College

Myra Sims, the Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Emory University, has announced her resignation effective March 3.  Sims will assume the athletic director duties at Emory & Henry College.  

Sims has been a mainstay in the Emory athletic department with an affiliation that has spanned over 20 years.   She has the distinction of starting up two different varsity sports programs at the university.  In 1987 she began the Eagles volleyball program and served as head coach for three years.  In 1988, she assumed the head coaching duties for the school's first-ever women's basketball program and held that post through the end of the 2002-03 campaign.  During her tenure, she guided Emory to a pair of Sweet 16 berths and amassed a total of 204 victories.

Among her many responsibilities during her stint at Emory, Sims has taught classes in the department of Physical Education and started and run a variety of camps at the school.  She became Assistant Athletic Director for facilities in 2003 and was the key department liaison on a $15 million renovation of the Woodruff Physical Education Center which took place from 2004 through 2005.

She was named Emory's Senior Associate Athletic Director in January, 2007.  Prior to that appointment, she had served as Associate Athletic/Administration and Facilities and Senior Woman Administrator since November, 2005.

"It is truly bittersweet for me to be leaving Emory University," Sims said.  "I am so thankful to have gotten that first opportunity to come here as a coach in 1987, and then for the chance to move into an administrative position in 2003.  I am confident that the experience I have gained while working in this department for the last 23 years has prepared me well for this next step in my career. 

"I am most deeply indebted to the many individuals who I have encountered along the way," Sims continued.   "I had the good fortune to coach some wonderful student-athletes, and to work along side many tremendous colleagues.   These wonderful relationships have given me the inspiration to strive to be better at my work.  What I will miss most will be these people with whom I forged strong ties and friendships, and who have helped me so much."

 A native of Hiltons, Virginia, Sims was on the first team of female athletes to receive scholarships at UNC-Asheville in 1976.  She played basketball for four years and then used her fifth year to compete in volleyball.

"Emory & Henry is very fortunate to be getting someone who has played such an important role in the development of one of the finest athletics programs in the country," said Tim Downes, Emory University's Athletic Director.  "Myra's impact on Emory University will be lasting and we can all thank her for 22 years of service that touched the lives of so many. She will do great things at Emory & Henry but will be missed here."

She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from UNC-Asheville in 1981, she served as her alma mater's head volleyball and assistant women's basketball coach from 1982-84.   Sims then obtained her master's degree in recreation administration from Georgia State in 1997.

Emory & Henry College is located in Emory, VA, and sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports while competing in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. 

"I am extremely excited and honored to be going to Emory & Henry College," Sims said of her new endeavor.  "When I thought of taking the next step in my career, I always envisioned becoming the Director of Athletics at a small DIII school that was located somewhere closer to my family.  Emory & Henry College has had a long history of academic excellence, a rich tradition of strong athletics, and plays an important role in the educational and cultural development of the Appalachian region.   The institution is growing under the strong leadership of President Rosalind Reichard and I am proud to become part of her team."