Kollmeyer Named AD At Blue Mountain College

PRESS RELEASE

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – Blue Mountain College has hired Will Kollmeyer as its new Athletic Director, following Lavon Driskell, who recently stepped down from the position to continue coaching basketball at the college.

Kollmeyer becomes only the third AD in the college’s history.

“I’m extremely grateful to Dr. McMillin and everyone involved for this opportunity to be a part of the Blue Mountain College family. They have made me feel welcome since day one of this process,” Kollmeyer said.

Currently, he is in his third year of play-by-play for Ole Miss Athletics on their SEC Network+ broadcasts, which are seen on WatchESPN.

Kollmeyer has also called the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s state football, basketball and baseball championships on state-wide television and the NFHS Network the last six years.

He was previously the director of public relations, marketing and sports information at Itawamba Community College for 10 years, where he was also the “Voice of the Indians” for its 70-plus annual award-winning radio broadcasts.

A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Kollmeyer’s career highlights include interning with CNN Sports, hosting a halftime segment on the Jefferson Pilot SEC basketball Game of the Week, serving 18 years as sports director at WTVA and more than three years as sports director at WCBI.

Kollmeyer was the youngest sports director in NBC affiliate history when he accepted the job with WTVA at the age of 21. He received Associated Press awards in anchoring or reporting or both in 20 of his 21 years in the TV business.

He has also freelanced for Comcast cable stations throughout the south, has provided national updates for key SEC football games for Fox Sports Radio over the last 13 years and was the only TV sportscaster in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Louisiana who had Heisman Trophy and Wooden Award votes.

BMC President Dr. Barbara McMillin commented this week, “Under Lavon Driskell’s capable leadership the athletic component of the GROW BMC initiative has had a very successful start. With Will Kollmeyer now at the helm, we will certainly maintain our current momentum as we continue to develop a thriving and competitive athletic program at BMC. Will’s experience, integrity, and reputation will undoubtedly enable him to hit the ground running as he implements his vision for Topper athletics. We are delighted to welcome him to Blue Mountain College and look forward to watching our programs flourish under his leadership.”

Driskell said of Kollmeyer, “When you have worked and served for a total of 15 years at a place like Blue Mountain College, you care a great deal about who will replace you and take over your duties. Knowing that Will Kollmeyer will be that person gives me complete peace and confidence. Our many prayers were answered when Will agreed to become the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Blue Mountain College. He will be such an integral and valuable part of Grow BMC. I look forward to working with him and supporting him as he works to continue and build upon the vision for Blue Mountain College Athletics. I do not believe we could have found a better person to fill this role. I am excited about what he will bring to Blue Mountain College and our Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.”

Following a year where it expanded the department with tennis, JV basketball and bowling, the North Mississippi Christian institution, which was founded in 1873, plans to make additions in the future to its athletic programs.

“I think it’s something special when you have a job where your core values intersect with your faith. I’m also honored to be a part of an athletic department whose coaches and student athletes were recognized number one in all of the NAIA for their character and sportsmanship,” Kollmeyer stated.

Living in Mississippi since 1983, Kollmeyer is married to the former Tina Seale of Pontotoc, Miss. The couple has one son, Collin, who is 12.