ITTA BENA, Miss. - Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) is thrilled to announce that Dr. Jerryl Briggs, Sr., has appointed George Ivory, a proud MVSU alumnus ('88) and current head men's basketball coach, as the interim Athletic Director. Coach Ivory will officially assume this role on July 1, 2024.
Dr. Briggs expressed strong confidence in Coach Ivory's abilities, stating, "Coach Ivory is a dedicated and experienced leader with a profound passion for MVSU. Undoubtedly, he will excel in this role, continuing to drive our athletic programs to new heights."
In his new capacity, Ivory will continue leading the men's basketball team while steering the athletic department. He shared his vision and goals for MVSU athletics, saying, " Our athletics department is experiencing positive momentum, and I am eager to build on that success. My focus is on providing continuous support and enhancements for our campus community, alums, and other supporters."
Ivory brings a unique perspective on building successful programs. He has a rich history of contributing to championship teams as a player, graduate assistant, assistant coach, and head coach. He is a 2019 inductee into the SWAC Hall of Fame and an MVSU Hall of Fame member. Notably, Ivory is one of only five SWAC coaches to have won an NCAA tournament game in the past 31 years, achieving this feat by leading the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff to a victory over Winthrop in 2010.
"We have a dedicated team of coaches who work tirelessly to prepare their teams, supported by an administration committed to athletics. We must trust the process and support the university that has provided us with an exceptional education and a president who strongly supports MVSU athletics," Ivory remarked.
In his interim role, Coach Ivory will oversee personnel management, budgeting, partnerships, SWAC communications, gameday operations, and more. He highlighted the importance of teamwork in his leadership approach, saying, "Hakim (McClellan) has been an invaluable resource during this transition. We have a fantastic team of coaches and support staff, and I am committed to leading collaboratively with them."
MVSU anticipates continued growth and success for its athletic programs under Coach Ivory's interim leadership.
"With the university's full confidence in his abilities, we look forward to a bright future for MVSU athletics," said Briggs.