Spring Break
New AD discusses passion for role
Brent Wilburn
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: News
When solicited for what career path he wanted to follow while in the third grade, Mississippi State University athletic director Greg Byrne had already made his decision.
When his third grade class was asked to write a paper on their future careers, most of the students went the generic route with their choices.
"I wrote mine on being an athletic director when most of my classmates wrote about wanting to become a veterinarian or a policeman," he said.
Byrne can now look back on that moment 26 years ago and realize that his dreams of becoming an AD, like his father who works at Texas A&M, finally came to fruition.
On Feb. 21, he was chosen to succeed Larry Templeton at Mississippi State and will assume that role no later than July 1.
"It was very humbling, and I felt truly honored," Byrne said. "My wife has been so supportive, and my family and I have really come to like Starkville. I feel truly blessed and excited to work with these kids, [MSU President Robert 'Doc'] Foglesong, the university and the fan base."
The transition period from current AD Larry Templeton to Byrne, who is currently Mississippi State's associate athletic director for development and external affairs, doesn't feature a definite timetable when Byrne will officially take over his new duties.
Byrne's appointment came after a six-month search by a selection committee and Foglesong. The search featured candidates from various U.S. locations, but Foglesong ultimately selected a candidate who was already in the Bulldog fold.
"I liked his energy and his enthusiasm most of all," Foglesong said. "He brings a lot of passion to this job."
At 36 years old, Byrne will become the youngest AD in the Southeastern Conference.
"I think my young age gives me high energy, and I think this is a high-energy job," he said. "My youth puts me in a good position to really devote the energy that is needed for this position."
Foglesong said age isn't an area that weighed very heavily in his mind. He said his chief concern came in the maturity aspect.
When his third grade class was asked to write a paper on their future careers, most of the students went the generic route with their choices.
"I wrote mine on being an athletic director when most of my classmates wrote about wanting to become a veterinarian or a policeman," he said.
Byrne can now look back on that moment 26 years ago and realize that his dreams of becoming an AD, like his father who works at Texas A&M, finally came to fruition.
On Feb. 21, he was chosen to succeed Larry Templeton at Mississippi State and will assume that role no later than July 1.
"It was very humbling, and I felt truly honored," Byrne said. "My wife has been so supportive, and my family and I have really come to like Starkville. I feel truly blessed and excited to work with these kids, [MSU President Robert 'Doc'] Foglesong, the university and the fan base."
The transition period from current AD Larry Templeton to Byrne, who is currently Mississippi State's associate athletic director for development and external affairs, doesn't feature a definite timetable when Byrne will officially take over his new duties.
Byrne's appointment came after a six-month search by a selection committee and Foglesong. The search featured candidates from various U.S. locations, but Foglesong ultimately selected a candidate who was already in the Bulldog fold.
"I liked his energy and his enthusiasm most of all," Foglesong said. "He brings a lot of passion to this job."
At 36 years old, Byrne will become the youngest AD in the Southeastern Conference.
"I think my young age gives me high energy, and I think this is a high-energy job," he said. "My youth puts me in a good position to really devote the energy that is needed for this position."
Foglesong said age isn't an area that weighed very heavily in his mind. He said his chief concern came in the maturity aspect.
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