FLORENCE, Ala. (September 19, 2023) – North Alabama Athletics recently completed a reorganization of its administrative leadership structure ahead of the 2023-24 academic year. UNA Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney announced the changes with goals of prioritizing growth, fostering greater collaboration and strengthening organizational efficiencies within the athletic department.
 
The new organizational structure is highlighted by the elevation of Dr. Janae Lyde, Anna Milwee and Benjamin Ray into assistant athletic director roles. Each will serve on the department's core leadership team with Lyde and Milwee taking on sport administrator duties.
 
"Over the past two years, we have placed great emphasis and focus on building an external administrative structure that positions North Alabama on a path to successfully compete and accomplish institutional goals at the Division I level," said Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney. "With the growth and successes we're experiencing in development, ticketing, and corporate partnerships, this is a natural time to position other areas of our administrative team for Division I success.
 
"Anna, Benjamin and Dr. Lyde represent UNA Alumni accomplishing great things in our athletic department. Each has led in their respective areas and gained great respect from their colleagues in the athletic department and throughout campus. I'm excited for each of them to take on increased leadership responsibility at UNA as we work to Raise The ROAR!"
 
Dr. Lyde wrapped up a standout playing career with UNA women's basketball in 2016 and served as the athletic ticket manager through the end of 2022. Her new role as Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations includes oversight of the athletic facilities and events teams, athletic department human resources operations and contracts, departmental diversity initiatives, ticket operations partnerships, and staffing. She contributes to department-wide administration, policy development and strategic planning in addition to serving as the University's designee for compliance with NCAA directives on diversity. Dr. Lyde will serve as the sport administrator for volleyball and men's golf.
 
"I am very thankful and blessed to continue to serve my alma mater that has given so much to me," said Lyde. "I appreciate Dr. Looney's leadership and guidance, and this opportunity is not one that I take lightly, but one that I take a lot of pride in. I look forward to continuing to Raise The ROAR!"
 
Milwee is a 2014 graduate of UNA and will lead athletics compliance as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Success following five years of serving UNA student-athletes in academic support and student success roles.  She returned to UNA in 2018 following time in the athletic departments at Tulane and UAB. In addition to leading NCAA and ASUN compliance efforts, Milwee provides oversight for the department's community engagement program and student-athlete success events, among being the athletics administrative liaison to a number of campus departments, and is the primary liaison to the student-athlete advisory committee. Milwee will serve as the sport administrator for baseball and beach volleyball.
 
"I'm incredibly thankful for this opportunity and look forward to continuing my growth in this role," said Milwee. "I'm thankful for Dr. Looney's leadership in our department and the vision he has for North Alabama. I'm excited to continue to Raise the ROAR!"
 
Ray, best known as "Voice of the Lions," is a 2012 UNA graduate and has led the department's broadcasting efforts since 2018. His new role as Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Director of Broadcast includes oversight of all external UNA broadcasts and manages the athletic department's relationship with ESPN. He provides strategic oversight for the department's media and public relations strategy and will lead a variety of external engagement efforts for the athletic department.
 
"I love UNA and am thankful for the opportunity and trust from Dr. Looney," said Ray. "I am lucky to have learned from the best and look forward to working each day with an incredible team."
 
In addition to these changes, Megan Dye's title has been changed to Associate Athletic Director for External Relations to better reflect her core duties and leadership of external events and operations. She works closely with all areas of the athletic department's external teams. Dye will serve as sport administrator for women's golf, cheer and dance.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.