Hollins University has appointed Myra Sims as the school’s new director of athletics. She will officially assume full-time oversight of the athletic department’s day-to-day operations in mid-May.
“I am pleased that Myra will be heading our athletic department and am excited that Hollins is able to have such an experienced, successful, and respected leader,” said Trish Hammer, the university’s vice president for academic affairs. “She’s the right person to take us into the future and guide Hollins Athletics to new heights.”
Sims comes to Hollins from Emory & Henry College, where she has been director of athletics since 2010. Sims led the strategic planning process at E&H that resulted in expanded and more competitive sports offerings, facility upgrades, and successful fundraising.
“It is a great honor to have been selected to lead the athletics program at Hollins University,” Sims said. “I was convinced during my interview that there is institutional commitment to having an athletics program where student-athletes feel empowered by competitive success on the field or court. I am excited to begin work with President Pareena Lawrence and Vice President Hammer to help make the vision they have for athletics come to fruition. I am especially excited to have the opportunity to work at a strong women’s college with a rich tradition of excellence in so many programs. Hollins stands out in so many areas, and I am confident that athletics can become a stronger point of pride for the university.”
Sims is a graduate of the University of North Carolina – Asheville, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and was a member of several athletic teams. After graduation, she began her coaching career at her alma mater, serving as head volleyball coach and as an assistant women’s basketball coach. In the latter role, she was part of the UNC-Asheville team that won the NAIA National Championship in 1984.
In 1987, Sims moved to the NCAA Division III ranks and created and coached the women’s volleyball program at Atlanta’s Emory University. The following year she started the women’s basketball program at Emory and led the Eagles until 2003; highlights of her coaching tenure include two trips to the NCAA Division III National Tournament’s “Sweet 16” round. Sims subsequently was Emory’s associate director of athletics and recreation and senior woman administrator before becoming senior associate director of athletics in 2007.
Sims has served on numerous committees in the NCAA and in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), and also served for two years as president of the National Association of Division III Athletics Administrators. She completed a master’s degree in recreation administration in 1997 at Georgia State University.
“While I am sad to leave Emory & Henry because of the relationships I have with coaches, students, colleagues, and alumni, I very much look forward to engaging with the community at Hollins,” Sims stated. “Success comes only when people are working together with common purpose, and I look forward to building connections and developing a strategic path forward with the help of Hollins students, athletics staff, alumnae, and administration. I am excited to start learning the culture and traditions of the institution, and getting to know the community.”
Hollins recognizes intercollegiate athletics as an avenue for the empowerment of women. Hollins Athletics is dedicated to the pursuit of academic achievement and athletic excellence, and is committed to the overall success of the student-athlete. Hollins is an NCAA Division III school and is a member of the ODAC, competing in nine varsity sports: basketball, cross country, equestrian, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, and volleyball.
