LANCASTER – Jeff Bussell is replacing Chase Tigert as Director of Athletics for the University of Antelope Valley, officials announced.
“[Tigert] served UAV well as the assistant baseball coach, associate professor of Health and Fitness, assistant athletic director and concluding as athletic director,” said UAV President Marco Johnson. “Tigert made the difficult decision to step down to focus his efforts on his family. Tigert will be missed and we certainly wish him well.”
With more than 18 years of experience as a collegiate and high school athletic administrator/director and coach with NAIA, NCAA DIII and NCAA DII programs, Bussell plans on playing an integral part in the success of the UAV Pioneers athletic program.
“I am humbled and honored to be selected as the Director of Athletics at the University of Antelope Valley. I want to thank President Marco Johnson and the hiring committee for believing in me and giving me this opportunity,” Bussell said, adding that he is looking forward to working with the Pioneer coaching staff and interacting with the student-athletes, faculty, staff and the community.
“The Pioneer Athletic Department has so much potential for growth. This is an exciting time to join the University of Antelope Valley family,” Bussell said.
Bussell was part of a highly successful era at William Jessup University (WJU), where he was instrumental in building the championship athletic department. Bussell held a variety of roles, including sports information director, game management director, marketing coordinator and coach. Within the past two years, WJU has won the All-Sports Award in the California Pacific Conference.
Bussell led the WJU Warriors men’s basketball team to the 2012-2013 California Pacific Conference Championship; and he was named the 2012-2013 California Pacific Conference Coach of the Year and the 2013-2014 California Pacific Conference Sports Information Director of the Year.
Bussell also coached three All-American player, 28 All-Conference players and 18 Academic-honor players. He knows what it’s like to build a winning team and he brings a winning attitude and track record as proof, UAV officials say.
Before joining WJU, Bussell helped to build a new program at Sierra Christian Academy, where he served as vice principal, athletic director and coach. He spent two seasons coaching in Minnesota at Concordia University-St. Paul (NCAA DII) and the College of St. Scholastica (NCAA DIII/NAIA).
In addition to his success on the playing field and student academics, Bussell played an integral fundraising role in WJU’s athletic programs. He initiated the WJU Warriors’ sponsorship programs and was extremely instrumental as a member of the Warrior Golf Classic committee, which is the Warriors’ largest fundraiser for the Athletic Department, raising funds through corporate and private donations.
“Jeff is an excellent addition to UAV’s athletic department. He brings the coaching and fundraising expertise of which our young program is in need,” said UAV President Marco Johnson.
The University of Antelope Valley is proud to welcome Bussell, his wife Nicole and their two daughters, Grace and Samantha,to the local community and the University of Antelope Valley family, Johnson added.
To find out more about the athletic programs offered at the University of Antelope Valley, visit www.uav.edu.