General | 2/28/2025 3:45:00 PM
Lisa Varytimidis named Deputy AD at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore
PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland - Lisa Varytimidis has been selected as the new Deputy Director of Athletics at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
"We are proud to announce and welcome Lisa Varytimidis as our new Deputy Director of Athletics at UMES," Vice President and Director of Athletics Tara A. Owens said. "Lisa brings a new dynamic to Hawk athletics and is a proven, experienced, and knowledgeable leader in athletic administration. Lisa is a great addition and will elevate our efforts in providing a quality collegiate experience for our student-athletes."
Varytimidis comes to UMES with extensive athletic administrative and coaching experience spanning nearly 30 years. She will oversee the UMES student-athlete support initiatives, compliance procedures, and Title IX protocols. As Deputy AD, she will also be instrumental in assisting VP Owens with the overall daily operations of the athletics department as well as sport administration for a variety of Hawk programming.
"I would like to thank President Heidi M. Anderson and Vice President Tara Owens for the opportunity to join the University of Maryland Eastern Shore athletic program," said Varytimidis.."UMES has a strong reputation for academic excellence, and I look forward to fostering positive experiences and creating pathways for student-athletes to excel in academics, athletics, and community engagement. Under VP Owens' leadership, who emphasizes a culture of excellence, I'm excited to be part of a diverse and dynamic team dedicated to integrating athletics and recreation into the overall student experience and educational journey."
Varytimidis previously served as senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator (SWA) at Florida State University from 2022 until 2024. In addition to her responsibilities with Title IX and Gender Equity as part of her role as SWA at Florida State, Varytimidis oversaw all initiatives in the areas of student-athlete development and compliance while serving as the sport administrator for various Seminole athletic programs.
From 2018 to 2022, Varytimidis served as deputy director of athletics for student welfare and senior woman administrator at Austin Peay State University. Varytimidis was the primary contact and oversight of Austin Peay's student-athlete experience and welfare and conduct issues. She also oversaw the athletic department's internal operations including academics, compliance, athletic training and sports performance. She was the primary oversight of the Governors' men's and women's basketball and tennis programs in addition to serving as the department's liaison to the University provost, office of student-affairs, housing and office of admissions. She also served as the interim athletic director in 2018.
Lisa Varytimidis was at the University of Louisiana Monroe from 2013 to 2018. She joined the ULM staff as an athletic academic counselor and was quickly promoted to Assistant Athletics Director of Compliance and SWA. Varytimidis also had direct oversight of the indoor and beach volleyball programs as well as the women's basketball program. In addition, she was the Title IX Coordinator for the ULM athletics department and Title IX sexual assault investigator for the university. She coordinated the NCAA Academic Progress Rate Enhancement plans for men's track and field and men's basketball programs, with the men's basketball team posting an unblemished mark in 2013-14 and earning academic awards from the Sun Belt Conference and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
It was Varytimidis' second stint at ULM. She was also the head volleyball coach from 2000-04. It was the final step in her collegiate coaching career that saw her lead programs at Nicholls State (1999-00) and Bethune-Cookman (1997-99).
Upon moving out of coaching, Varytimidis began work on her master's degree in Sports Administration, completing work on her degree from Grambling State in 2006. She began her administrative career as Athletics Director at Grace Episcopal School in Monroe, Louisiana before joining the ULM athletics department.
Varytimidis was a collegiate volleyball athlete as well, beginning at Barton County Community College before playing her junior year at Georgia and her senior season at then-Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM). In 2005, she trained and practiced with professional volleyball Team Iraklis in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Varytimidis has represented her institutions at national forums and conventions while discussing topics ranging from eligibility to Title IX which includes presenting the topic African Americans in Sport Management and Their Experiences in Doctoral Programs in Nicosia, Cyprus. She is an active member of Women Leaders in Sports, the National Association of College Director of Athletics (NACDA), and the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA).
ABOUT HAWK ATHLETICS
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 14 sports: women's volleyball, women's bowling, men's and women's golf, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track & field, softball, baseball, and men's and women's outdoor track and field. The UMES volleyball, bowling, basketball, softball, and cross-country teams compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). UMES golf and baseball currently play as members of the Northeast Conference (NEC). Track & field holds dual membership and compete in the MEAC as well as the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). UMES recently announced the addition of men's volleyball which will begin competition in the NEC beginning in the 2025-2026 season.