Finley Resigns as Director of Athletics at Newberry College

Newberry College President Dr. Maurice Scherrens has announced he has accepted the resignation of Matthew Finley from the position of director of athletics, effective August 1. Finley has accepted a position in the athletic administration at Anderson University.

Scherrens anticipates naming an interim director of athletics in the immediate future prior to conducting a national search for a director of athletics in a permanent capacity.

“Matt has served the College well and has always done what he thought was best for Newberry College,” Scherrens said. “He has become a valued member of the Newberry College family and I am confident he will similarly become an asset to the Anderson University community. We wish Matt all the best in this new opportunity."

“I would like to thank the Newberry College community for a great experience over the past decade,” Finley said. “It has been a blessing to work with the student-athletes and coaches. It is bittersweet to be leaving such a great place full of great people that will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Finley has served as athletic director at Newberry College since the fall of 2012, when he was named as one of the youngest collegiate athletic directors in the nation.

Finley has overseen the expansion of the Wolves’ sports offerings with the addition of varsity field hockey and the Scarlet Poms dance team in 2014. Additionally, the spirit programs have been expanded to enhance the gameday experience across Newberry’s sports platform. 

Finley also organized Newberry’s induction to the Eastern College Athletic Conference for field hockey and wrestling competition leagues, while also enjoying participation in the ECAC’s awards programs and postseason tournaments. The football program was named the 2015 ECAC Division II Team of the Year and the women’s soccer team participated in the 2014 ECAC postseason tournament.

Finley was appointed to the NCAA Division II Field Hockey committee in 2015 and previously served on the regional advisory committee for women’s golf. Finley is also the athletic director liaison to the South Atlantic Conference’s men’s and women’s tennis coaches’ committee (since 2012) and the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division II Wrestling League’s coaches’ committee (since 2015).

Finley had previously served Newberry College as assistant wrestling coach (2005-10), assistant athletic director for business (2010-11) and associate athletic director for compliance and academic services (2011-12).