EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Dr. Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried has announced the hiring of Kim Smith as the Associate Athletics Director for Compliance & Student-Athlete Services for the University of Evansville Athletics Department.

“Kim will be a difference-maker for the future growth of our department in the areas of compliance, student-athlete services, and leadership,” Siegfried exclaimed. “I feel very fortunate that we were able to hire someone with her level of experience, and someone who understands what it means to be a Purple Ace.”

Smith returns to the Purple Aces following a 4-year tenure at DePaul University where she was the Associate Athletics Director for Compliance.  While overseeing the entire framework of the compliance department at DePaul, Smith was on the cutting edge when it came to the changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics.  She introduced policies in fields that included Name, Image and Likeness, Alston academic incentives and more.  As a member of the senior leadership team, she assisted in the implementation of a 5-year strategic plan for the department.

“I am so excited to have the opportunity to come back to UE, where I started my athletics administration journey with all that I have learned in my time away,” Smith said. “I am mostly looking forward to working with our students on their academic success and development while continuing to advocate for an outstanding student-athlete experience.”

Along with her duties within the Blue Demons Athletics Department, Smith was active in multiple facets within the NCAA.  She participated in the NCAA investigation and adjudication of the NCAA Level II infractions case and new processes that were implemented.  Additionally, Smith has participated in committees at DePaul, the Big East Conference, Valparaiso, the Missouri Valley Conference and the Horizon League.

Prior to her time at DePaul, Smith served in the Valparaiso University Athletics Department for over six years.  Starting as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance in May of 2012, she was promoted to the Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance/Senior Woman Administrator in April of 2015.  She worked in that capacity until October of 2018.  Along with being the primary compliance liaison within the department, she was a key member of the staff who presented and ultimately made the transition to the Missouri Valley Conference in 2017.

She worked as a sport supervisor for eight programs within the Valpo department in capacities that included mentorship, budget oversight, team development and annual review.

From 2008 through 2011, Smith was the Assistant Director of Compliance at Old Dominion University.  Her initial experience in NCAA compliance came at the University of Evansville where she was the Assistant to the Director of Compliance from 2007-08.  In her first two years at UE, she was a Graduate Assistant Swimming Coach.

Smith earned her Master of Science in Public Service Administration from UE after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Valparaiso University.

Athletics day of giving set for October 28

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the first time, the University of Evansville will conduct an athletics-specific day of giving with the third annual Support Your Sport competition taking place between Monday, October 24 through Friday, October 28.

The #SupportYourSport competition involves all 17 Purple Aces athletic programs. The team that receives the most total donors ($10 minimum) between Monday and Friday of next week will receive the grand prize of $5,000 to use as needed for their program. Last year, baseball won #SupportYourSport and the $5,000 prize bringing in a staggering 436 gifts for over $21,000.

Through the entirety of the #SupportYourSport initiative last year, a total of over 1,000 gifts were received for $53,000.  This year’s winner will be announced on Monday, October 31.