UAFS athletic director Dustin Smith has announced the resignation of assistant athletic director and senior woman administrator Beth Presley.
            Presley, who has been a part of the UAFS athletic staff for almost four years, has accepted the position of vice president for marketing at Arvest Bank. She will begin her new position on March 26.
            “Beth has been a very valuable member of our athletic department the past three and a half years,” Smith said. “Her efforts were instrumental in our successful transition from a junior college athletic program to an NCAA Division II athletic program. We appreciate all of her hard work in moving the Lions brand forward on campus and in the community. I am thankful for her efforts on behalf of our student-athletes who were always her top priority.”
            Presley joined the UAFS staff in July of 2008 as assistant athletic director and the program’s first senior woman administrator. She also served as marketing and sponsorship coordinator and was in charge of planning and execution of the program’s fundraising and community relations development.
            During her tenure at UAFS, Presley was instrumental in the creation of the Lions Athletic Advisory Council, a board of local business leaders, civic leaders and physicians whose purpose was to promote and provide support for UAFS athletics.
            Presley also worked diligently to create a relationship between UAFS athletics and area businesses and media outlets through game sponsorships and worked to generate growth in fan support through community nights designed to spotlight area cities and their schools.
            She served as the athletic department liaison for the Lions Athletic Club, which is the UAFS athletic booster club, and was in charge of member services and new member recruitment.
            “Beth flourished in her role as assistant athletic director and senior woman administrator,” Smith said. “Her tireless efforts on behalf of our athletic program will be missed by all of our coaches, administrative staff and student-athletes. We wish her well in all of her endeavors and are glad that she will still be connected to our Lions family.”
            Prior to joining the UAFS athletic staff, Presley was the executive director of The First Tee of Fort Smith. Under her leadership, The First Tee of Fort Smith went from being a fledgling program in 1999 to being recognized as the No. 1 chapter of the organization’s 255 chapters in 2006.