Varady named executive director and general counsel for Razorback Foundation

University of Arkansas alumnus and longtime senior administrator Scott Varady has been named executive director and general counsel for the Razorback Foundation, according to a Tuesday (Oct. 6) announcement from the Foundation.

Varady will begin his tenure with the Razorback Foundation on Dec. 1, taking over for interim executive director Norm DeBriyn. Named interim executive director in July, DeBriyn has announced retirement from the Razorback Foundation effective this January.

Varady has served more than 19 years with the University of Arkansas’ Office of the general counsel including his role as associate general counsel. Varady was a member of the University’s Executive Committee and was responsible for developing and implementing University legal strategies and advising the chancellor, the university’s executive committee, senior-level administrators, faculty, and staff, on all university legal matters. Varady also coordinated the legal operations of the Fayetteville office with the general counsel of the UA system.
 
 “As a native Arkansan and lifelong Razorback fan, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the team of dedicated professionals at the Razorback Foundation,” Varaday said in the statement. “With the support of the outstanding membership of the Razorback Foundation, I am confident that we can build upon a tradition of excellence to achieve new heights of success and enable Razorback student-athletes to achieve their full athletic and academic potential.  I am grateful to the Board for this opportunity and excited for the future of the Razorback Foundation and Razorback Athletics.”
 
In his previous role, Varady provided legal advice and representation to the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics including negotiating and drafting coaching employment agreements, sponsorship and media rights agreements, and worked on trademark and licensing issues. In addition, he coordinated and represented the university in three major NCAA infraction cases. Varady also consulted with the legal counsel of the Razorback Foundation on an ongoing basis in matters relating to the department.
 
“Scott is a very positive addition to the Razorback Foundation,” Razorback Foundation Board Chairman Ken Mourton said. “He is certainly familiar with the Razorback Foundation after working closely with it on behalf of the university for many years. He has been very active in matters related to the athletics department. Scott has always had a tremendous relationship with the leadership and membership of the Razorback Foundation and I’m confident that will continue in his new role as executive director and general counsel. I believe it will be a seamless transition and that the Razorback Foundation will continue to grow and prosper under his leadership.”

Prior to joining the University, Varady worked as an associate at Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. in Little Rock with a focus on commercial litigation.  Prior to joining the Mitchell Firm, Varady worked as an associate with the firm of Swidler & Berlin, Chartered, in Washington, D.C. Varady also served as a staff member for former U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers, D-Ark., on the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee and for former U.S. Rep. Bill Alexander. Varady received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1993, graduating magna cum laude, and he was inducted into The Order of the Coif, and was a member of The Tax Lawyer law journal.
 
Prior to attending law school, Varady received a master’s degree in foreign service while concentrating in international business diplomacy, finance, and trade from Georgetown University in 1988, where he also earned the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence.
 
A Little Rock native, Varady earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in political science from the University of Arkansas in 1985. Varady is admitted to practice in Arkansas, the District of Columbia, the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
 
Varady and his wife, Melissa, have two children, Nathan, a senior mechanical engineering major at MIT who is a captain of the MIT football team, and Emily, a freshman in the Honors College who is majoring in international studies and is a member of Tri Delt at the University of Arkansas.