FLORENCE, Ala. (January 13, 2025) – The University of North Alabama Department of Athletics officially announced the promotion and addition of two alumni on Monday, as Ryan Adams has been elevated to the position of Director of Athletic Facilities and Events.
 
As Adams moves into the director's chair, former UNA student worker and 2024 graduate Isaac Holloway will take over as the Coordinator of Athletic Facilities and Events. Adams and Holloway will lead all efforts regarding game day operations and various facility projects at UNA.
 
Adams has worked his way up the ladder since 2017, working as an intramural sports official and game operations intern for athletics as a student. That experience led him to a graduate assistant position with UNA in facilities and event operations.
 
In 2024, Adams was promoted to a full-time assistant position and will now lead the department less than a year later.
 
"Ryan is a rising administrator in our athletic department," said UNA Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney. "His work ethic, loyalty and positive solutions-oriented approach have quickly propelled him from a student employee to a full-time coordinator, and now into a director role. He's earned the trust of our staff and coaches and is poised to continue to accomplish great things at the University of North Alabama."
 
In his previous role, Adams worked directly with the football, soccer, golf, men's and women's basketball, baseball, and beach volleyball programs.
 
"Ryan has grown to earn and deserve this promotion," said Dr. Janae Lyde, Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations. "He has worked hard and showed his dedication and commitment to his work. I look forward to working with him in this new role!"
 
Adams takes over for Wes Brennan, who has accepted a position as the Director of Events at the Tyson Event Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Brennan grew up near the area and attended Buena Vista College about an hour from Sioux City.
 
"Ryan has shown tremendous growth during my time with him at UNA," said Brennan. "He is extremely passionate about his school and takes deep pride in the work that he does. He is a great leader and a great friend, and Lion Athletics has only gotten better with him in this role. He has more than earned this opportunity and will do everything within his ability to help UNA succeed."
 
Adams said the mentorship of those before him has prepared him for this step in his journey.
 
"I'm thankful for this opportunity from Dr. Looney and the athletics staff to continue advancing my career," said Adams. "I wouldn't be able to do that if it wasn't for Alexa Moates and Jeremy Provence hiring me on as a student worker and intern, which led to me being offered a graduate assistant position. I would also like to thank my mentor, Wes Brennan, who took me under his wing when he didn't have to. He helped me grow into the professional I am today. As I get started in my new role, I am looking forward to continuing to work alongside my colleagues and keep the momentum going."
 
While Adams transitions into his new role, Holloway will take on new responsibilities as his new assistant.
 
"I'm thankful for this opportunity from Dr. Looney and the athletics staff to begin my career as the new Coordinator of Athletic Facilities and Events," Holloway said. "Without Wes Brennan and Ryan Adams accepting me as a student employee, it wouldn't have been possible for me to be selected for this position. I will continue to display the hard work that brought me here. As I get started in my role, I'm excited to begin working with my new peers and contribute to this organization."
 
Holloway played football for one season at Alabama A&M before transferring to UNA in 2018 and joining the rugby team. He graduated from UNA in Fall 2024 on the President's List. Holloway has served multiple operation roles as a student employee. He was also a game day operations volunteer for the Birmingham Bowl and a Youth Football Champions Ceremony Volunteer for the Music City Bowl in 2023.
 
"Isaac Holloway has done an exceptional job as a student worker by going above and beyond in his student role," said Adams. "I'm excited to have him come join our staff and contribute to the success here at UNA. His future is bright as an athletic administrator."
 
Over the last six months, Holloway worked as a ticketing and events intern for FanGate Solutions in Florence, Kentucky.
 
"Extremely excited for Isaac to have this opportunity as well, having watched him grow from a student worker to now," said Brennan. "Isaac is an extremely driven person that will work hard to accomplish tasks. His dependability and charismatic attitude will help Ryan make a seamless transition for his new-look facilities and game ops department."
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.