ThankYouMark

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ATHLETICS STAFF THANKS LINDER

The members of the University of North Alabama athletics staff would like to express their sincere appreciation to Mark Linder for his service as the school's Director of Athletics. We have truly been blessed over the past 14 years as our department has expanded its horizons and reached new heights.
 
During the almost 90-year history of UNA Lion Athletics, Linder's service was the second-longest term at the helm of the program. Since coming to Florence, Ala., in 2007, the Linder family has been a part of 15 conference championships, five regional titles and one national championship.
 
Whether it was upgrading facilities, expanding financial support or transitioning to the highest competitive level in college sports, Mark has been with us every step of the way. He has been a passionate leader who always had an open door for anyone in need. He and Michele have been proud members of the Lions Athletic Club and the Circle of Champions while also volunteering their time to support the community they have called home.
 
The Linder family has also grown up before our eyes and has even bled purple and gold with Braxton lettering in cross country and Breylee playing volleyball for the Lions.
 
Under Linder's watch, UNA produced 188 All-America selections in eight different sports and had 12 earn Academic All-America honors. The department recorded at least a 3.0 grade point average in 11 consecutive semesters, including a 3.29 in the Spring of 2020, marking the highest average in school history. We truly witnessed your motto of 'Graduating Champions' come to fruition.
 
From the bottom of our hearts, we say Thank You.
 
The Linder Legacy:
 
Second-Longest Tenure as Athletic Director
Lion athletics began in 1932 under Eddie Flowers and in 1949 he was named the first athletic director at the school, serving in that role for 20 years. Subsequent athletic directors include Eddie Flowers (1949-69), Hal Self (1969-73), Mickey Andrews (1973-77), Wayne Grubb and Bill Jones (Associate Directors 1977-87), Bill Jones (1987-94), Dan Summy (1994-2002) and Dr. Joel Erdmann (2002-07). Linder was hired in August of 2007.
 
Improved/Upgraded Facilities
Over the last 14 years, UNA has completed facilities upgrades at Mike Lane Field (baseball), the Hilda B. Anderson Softball Complex and the Bill Jones Athletic Complex (women's soccer). UNA has also renovated Flowers Hall (men's and women's basketball, volleyball) with new seating, new flooring, and the addition of the Pierce Hospitality Suite. Locker rooms at Flowers Hall were also renovated for men's and women's basketball, volleyball and soccer. Additionally, UNA has constructed a new strength and conditioning weight facility for all sports and developed a beach volleyball facility that includes three beach courts and a locker room.
 
Increased Annual Giving
Financial support for the UNA athletic program has grown as well, with contributions to the North Alabama Lions Club having increased by more than 63 percent since 2007.
 
New Staff Additions
Under Linder, the UNA athletic staff has also expanded. Full-time positions of business manager, athletic development, strength and conditioning coach, corporate relations, video coordinator, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinators have been added, along with part-time support staff that includes financial aid, academic advisor and Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development. Associate and Senior Associate Athletic Directors were also named.
 
A New Era in Division I
On December 6th, 2016, the University of North Alabama Board of Trustees voted to accept an invitation from the ASUN Conference and begin the transition of UNA to an NCAA Division I institution. Linder has led the transition process, that included the Lion football team joining the Big South Conference. In the first three years of the transition, UNA has qualified for the ASUN post-season tournament in 11 sports. The Lions soccer (2019) and men's basketball (2021) teams were ASUN Tournament runner-up. North Alabama also added beach volleyball and women's golf, giving the department 14 intercollegiate teams. The Lions are scheduled to complete the Division I transition by the end of the 2021-22 academic year.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 



 
 
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