July 21, 2004

University of Texas - Pan American Director of Athletics William J. Weidner announced on Monday (July 19) that Tish Brewer has joined the UTPA athletic staff as its Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Support and Student Services.

Her appointment concludes a national search for the position. She will succeed Chris Uchacz, who resigned to become in the Director of Athletic Academics at Texas Christian University.

"I am very excited about the opportunity that UTPA has given me to become a member of the athletic administration," Brewer said. "My goal is to bring my current knowledge of academic services and my experience as an administrator and former student-athlete to UTPA in order to help further the mission of the athletic department as well as the university. UTPA is growing at an astounding pace, and I look forward to contributing to the growth as a team member in the athletic administration."

"I am pleased to announce the naming of Tish Brewer as our Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Support and Student Services at the University of Texas - Pan American. Tish is well versed in all aspects of a comprehensive academic support system for student-athletes and is well prepared for her new role at UTPA. Her specific experience as an Assistant Athletic Director for Academics while serving at Liberty University will serve her well. On behalf of the University of Texas - Pan American and our athletic department, we welcome Tish as the newest member of our Bronc and Lady Bronc family," said Weidner.

In her new role, Brewer will be in charge of the implementation and monitoring of a comprehensive academic support system for over 170 student-athletes representing 14 NCAA Division I athletic programs. She will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Student-Athlete Academic Learning Center and its staff as well as coordinate academic and personal advising of student-athletes, gather essential data and prepare various academic reports on academic progress.

Brewer will also be responsible for the NCAA Champs/Life Skills Program along with the Student-Athlete Discovery Program, which features a ten-week orientation seminar series for all incoming freshmen and transfers. She will serve as a liaison between UTPA's head coaches and the university's faculty members in monitoring and evaluating the continuing eligibility status of all student-athletes.

Prior to coming to UTPA, Brewer was the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics/Senior Woman Administrator at Liberty University, a NCAA Division I institution, in Lynchburg, VA from 2000 to 2002. She was responsible for supervising all operations for academic services of Liberty's 16 intercollegiate sports, coordinating all aspects of academic administration for the athletic department, organizing all aspects of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and serving as a liaison for the student-athletes in both the athletic and academic communities.

During her time at Liberty, Brewer was also in charge of organizing all aspects of administration for three NCAA volleyball tournaments while directing the Big South Conference volleyball tournament. She represented the athletic department in all conference administrative business and served as an active member on the conference committees in each of her three years.

From 1998 to 2000, Brewer was the Assistant Director of Academic Support Services at Liberty where her duties included advising and monitoring the progress of student-athletes toward earning their degrees, corresponding with coaches and faculty members during the academic year and assisting with various aspects of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Brewer has been a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) along with the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A).

A graduate of Liberty University in 1998, Brewer earned her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and Fitness Programming. She received her master's degree from Liberty in January of 2001 in School Counseling.

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