UCA AD Teague accepts new role in aviation program, Whiting will replace him

The University of Central Arkansas Director of Athletics, Dr. Brad Teague, has accepted a new role as director of the new UCA Aviation Academy and will transition out of athletics.

Matt Whiting, currently UCA’s associate athletic director for External Relations, has been named to replace Teague as Director of Athletics, effective July 1, 2024. The university made the announcements Wednesday (April 3).

Teague has led the UCA athletics program since 2007 and guided the department through its transition from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I, which began in 2006.

The program has expanded to feature 19 sports (11 women’s, 8 men’s), won numerous championships, dramatically improved its facilities and fundraising efforts and heightened its academic strength across all sports.

“My 17 years as the athletic director at UCA have been the privilege of a lifetime,” said Teague. “I didn’t expect to fall in love with a campus and city, but it was certainly the case for my wife Gina and me. Our family is fortunate to have grown up in and around this great university. I could not have asked for a better place to grow personally and professionally and am very excited I will continue to be a part of this outstanding community.”

Teague, who has served as acting director of the UCA Aviation Academy since the program’s inception, will now be the first full-time director. The first class of the flying school opened in March.

Teague will also remain as an instructor in the master’s program in sports administration and will still be involved in the athletics program as the Senior Advisor to the Athletics Director as well, according to a university press release.

“A special thank you to our great staff and coaches for being the inspiration for success in athletics here at UCA,” said Teague. “I also want to thank our president, Dr. Houston Davis and the Board of Trustees for their faith in me to deliver success in this exciting new aviation program at our university. ”

Teague has been a licensed pilot for 20 years with a commercial license and multi-engine and instrument ratings. He is a former member of the Airport Advisory Committee for the Conway Municipal Airport at Cantrell Field. He received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and master’s of education in administration from Delta State University and his Doctor of Philosophy in leadership from the University of Mississippi.

Whiting, a Monticello native, has an undergraduate degree in marketing from the University of Arkansas at Monticello and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Whiting has been at UCA since June of 2016, serving as assistant athletic director for development and in his current role, which oversees fundraising, donor relations, marketing, creative services and corporate partnerships.

“I am honored and extremely appreciative of the opportunity to become the Director of Athletics at UCA,” said Whiting. “I owe a deep level of gratitude to Dr. Houston Davis for his trust in me to take on this leadership role.

“Dr. Brad Teague is a great friend and mentor to me, and the positive impact he has had on this athletics department is immeasurable. He is a man of integrity, high character and tremendous work ethic. I am thankful for the lessons he has taught me over the last eight years and appreciate his belief in me to take on this position,” Whiting added.