General 4/19/2021 2:07:00 PM

Wallace to Retire, Partridge to Assume UWA AD Position

LIVINGSTON, Ala. – University of West Alabama Athletic Director Bobby Wallace has announced that he is retiring and will step away from his role as head of Tiger athletics effective May 31.

On the recommendation of Wallace and many others, University President Dr. Ken Tucker has named Kent Partridge to replace Wallace as UWA's Athletic Director. Partridge will move into the position from his current role as deputy athletic director/communications on June 1.

"It has been an honor to be part of the University of West Alabama Athletic Department, first as a head football coach and most recently as the athletic director," Wallace said. "I believe we have accomplished a great deal. We have won a lot of games and graduated a lot of student-athletes, and due to the generosity of so many donors in the UWA family, we are in the process of making major improvements to our athletic facilities which will impact Tiger student-athletes for years to come."

Wallace's three main goals when coming on board in the summer of 2018 were to restore morale within the athletic department, bring the budget back under control and raise money. He has accomplished all three.

"I really don't have the appropriate words to say thank you to several people for making my job much easier over these last three years," Wallace said. "We couldn't have accomplished what we did competitively, much less navigated through the COVID pandemic, without the assistance of Kent Partridge, Janet Montgomery, Christi Wade, Penny Dew and Mike Jones.

"I also owe a massive debt of gratitude to our coaching staff," Wallace said. "A major component of my mission when we came back three years ago was to re-establish trust and relationships between the athletic administration and our coaches. I believe we have done that."

Wallace departs with a balanced budget and second-to-none facility upgrades underway that are a result of his tireless efforts as a relationship builder and fund raiser. Improvements are about to get underway at Tiger Stadium and Pruitt Hall Gymnasium, along with plans also in the works for a new track and soccer multipurpose facility.

"Our University is extremely grateful for the leadership that Coach Bobby Wallace has shown to our athletes, students and supporters throughout his tenure as athletic director," UWA President Ken Tucker said. "He has helped guide our athletic programs to unprecedented growth and success on the fields and courts, but he has also led varsity athletics with high standards of self-discipline, academic achievement, financial support, and a spirit of excellence that helps our student athletes reach their potential and become successful in their unique career paths."

"Coach Wallace has also been invaluable in the ongoing Tiger Stadium renovation project, from vision and design to fundraising, and he certainly leaves a lasting positive legacy on our campus," Tucker said. "His numerous records and achievements speak for themselves, but his character and integrity and leadership style set him apart even more. He will be greatly missed, but we wish him much happiness in his well-deserved retirement."

Construction on renovations to Tiger Stadium that promise a more fan-friendly experience on game day to a space more conducive to academic progress and success when the scoreboard and upcoming new video boards are turned off. New turf and updated general admission bleachers were installed last summer and will complement the renovations planned to begin the second week of May.

"I remember Dr. Tucker approaching me about taking this position and the confidence he had in me to be able to perform the job at a high level and I appreciate how that confidence has never wavered," Wallace said. "Our UWA administration, faculty, staff and community has been on board since day one and never flinched. That is something I can never repay or be grateful enough for.

"Kent has been an integral part of what we have accomplished and a reliable sounding board for me," Wallace said. "I look forward to watching the program continue to grow under his leadership and I hope he knows that I'm just a phone call away."

Partridge brings over 30 years of athletic administration experience from the National Basketball Association, NCAA Division I programs at Auburn, Texas Tech and Samford, as well as the XFL and other stops at NCAA Division II and NAIA institutions. He has been back at UWA for the last 11 years after gaining athletic administrative experience all over the country.

"I really appreciate the confidence that Dr. Tucker and the Board of Trustees has placed in me to assume this role," Partridge said. "This is my school, and that makes this position very, very important to me. Both Teresa and I are UWA alumnus, so we are proud to assume the responsibility that goes with this position."

"Kent Partridge has served the University exceedingly well in his role as deputy athletic director for communications, far beyond what is typical," Tucker said. "In this role, he has helped elevate our student-athletes and coaches alike to garner the support and recognition that they deserve for their talents. He supports and encourages in a way that truly exemplifies leadership, and I have complete confidence in his ability to lead UWA Athletics in its next chapter."

"Kent's experience in other leagues and divisions, along with his background and affinity as an alumnus of this University, makes him rather uniquely qualified for this role," Tucker said. "He brings to the table a positive collegiality, undeniable expertise, and commitment to our student-athletes and coaches that will help the University provide exceptional athletic opportunities to our students, and successful and enjoyable events and programs to our supporters."

Partridge graduated from Livingston University (UWA) in 1983 with a degree in physical education and journalism. Teresa, his wife of almost 40 years, is a 1981 LU graduate in accounting and is also currently employed by the University.

"Coach Wallace has done tremendous things for our department and university over the last three years and he will probably never know how much it meant to me to have him as a mentor," Partridge said. "He is truly a legend in collegiate athletics and it's my honor to try maintain the course he has set for us.

"There is already a rock-solid athletic administration and coaching staff in place that I have worked side-by-side with for the last decade, folks who love UWA and what it stands for," Partridge said. "Continuing to work for them, our student-athletes and the greater UWA community is an opportunity I treasure."

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