Peter Yazvac
308/865-8334
University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor Gladys Styles Johnston and Athletics Director Mike Sumpter announced today that Sumpter will leave UNK effective February 25. Sumpter has resigned as UNK’s athletics director in order to pursue other professional opportunities.
“Mike Sumpter brought unique experience and perspectives to UNK athletics,” Johnston said. “We certainly appreciate his contributions. Most importantly, in his tenure our student athletes have continued and even strengthened the long UNK tradition of excellence in the classroom as well as in competition. We wish him well in his new endeavors.”
Sumpter joined the UNK athletics department in the summer of 1998. Since then the program’s record of success in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, which UNK joined in 1996, has continued. UNK has now won the RMAC All-Sports Championship Trophy for six straight years. UNK teams also have made successful appearances in post-season NCAA Regional tournaments in basketball, volleyball, wrestling, track, softball and golf. And Loper athletes have continued to excel in the classroom, leading the RMAC in Academic All-Conference honorees each year. “From both personal and professional standpoints, my family and I have truly appreciated our time at UNK and in Kearney,” Sumpter said. “Loper coaches, athletes, fans and supporters are the best.”
Chancellor Johnston will announce an interim director of the athletics department very soon. Plans to fill the position on a permanent basis will be finalized in the near future.
