BEAUMONT — BEAUMONT — Lamar University has named Jason Henderson director of athletics effective

Monday, June 18. Henderson served as Lamar's associate athletic director for

compliance from July 2007 to May 2011 when he was elevated to interim athletics

director.

As the athletics director, Henderson is responsible for the day-to-day

operations of Lamar’s 17 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

"Jason has been at the heart of so many of the significant accomplishments of

Lamar athletics since joining LU in 2006," said James Simmons, president of the

university. "He is an outstanding leader and, as interim athletics director, has

helped move LU to the next level. I am looking forward to what he will help us

accomplish in his new role as AD."

Henderson is in his seventh year as a member of the Lamar athletic department,

joining the staff in April 2006 as the compliance coordinator. In this role,

Henderson oversaw NCAA compliance and scholarships.

Henderson serves as the Southland Conference representative to the NCAA

Division I Amateurism Cabinet. The cabinet reviews issues relating to NCAA

rules involving student-athlete amateurism and ways to ensure that

student-athletes remain true to the NCAA philosophy of amateur athletic

competitions.

While serving as associate AD, Henderson played a major role in the return of

Lamar football and the addition of the Lamar women’s soccer program. He was a

key figure in the planning of the new athletic complex, the updating of what is

now known as Provost Umphrey Stadium and the construction of the Lamar Soccer

Complex.

Henderson has also led coaching search committees that landed Lamar

football coach in Ray Woodard and proven coach Pat Knight.

In addition, the athletic department has added several staff positions under his

watch.

Prior to coming to Lamar, Henderson served as the academic coordinator and

CHAMPS Life Skills Coordinator at Texas A&M-Kingsville, where he collected and

maintained data on student-athletes, assisted with updating and maintaining

compliance documents and assisted with rules education for department staff and

student-athletes.

Henderson was also an intern at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Ky., and

Texas A&M. During this time, Henderson was involved primarily in assisting in

the marketing of the NAIA and NCAA programs, respectively.

Henderson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology with a

specialization in sports management from Texas A&M in 2003 and a Master of

Business Administration from Texas A&M-Kingsville in 2005.