Newton Has New Role At EKU
– Photo & Story by EKU –
As both a player and an assistant coach, Austin Newton played a key role on some of the most successful men’s basketball teams in the history of Eastern Kentucky University.
Now, in a new role focused on the EKU Athletics Annual Fund and the Colonel Club, Newton will take on the challenge of securing private support to help the University’s entire athletics program reach new heights of excellence.
“Eastern Kentucky University Athletics is very excited about Austin Newton joining the Colonel Club as director of annual giving,” said EKU Director of Athletics Steve Lochmueller. “Austin brings a long history of playing, coaching and mentoring young men while at EKU. This will certainly be an asset as he starts his new position, increasing donations in support of moving Colonel Athletics to the next level. We need all the Colonel Nation to join us in this effort.”
Newton said he was “excited” to begin his new role.
“Eastern Kentucky University is a special place to me and my family,” Newton said. “This university and community have allowed me so many wonderful opportunities over the years. I’ve been fortunate enough to see many EKU athletic programs have success and win multiple championships. My new position will allow me the chance to help our current student athletes and coaches get the resources that are necessary to win and represent our University at a high level.
“As a former student athlete and coach, I understand and very much appreciate the importance of the people who support the Colonel Club. The contributions and commitment from these loyal Colonels are crucial to our success. I promise to bring a ton of energy and work diligently to develop new ideas and strategies to make the Colonel Club the best it’s ever been. I look forward to being a part of the Colonel family for many years to come.”
After an outstanding prep career at Campbellsville High School, Newton played at EKU 2001-05 and was a senior captain on the 2004-05 squad that earned a spot in that season’s NCAA Tournament and won what was at that time a school-record 22 games. He excelled in the classroom as well: the three-year Colonel Scholar-Athlete graduated cum laude in August 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations.
He then began his coaching career at the University of Massachusetts, where he served under former EKU Head Coach Travis Ford. After two seasons in Amherst, he re-joined the EKU basketball family as a Basketball Operations Assistant 2008-10 and has served as Assistant Coach since 2010. The 2012-13 team won 25 games, followed by seasons of 24 wins and 21 victories. The latter was tied for the fourth most in program history.
In 2011-12, Newton was one of approximately 85 NCAA Division I coaches from across the nation to volunteer to keep a running journal on CollegeChalkTalk.com, discussing life as a college basketball coach and addressing some of the hot-button issues related to today’s game.
Nick Perlick, vice president for development and alumni relations at EKU, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Austin to the EKU Development staff. This is an extremely exciting time in Colonel Athletics, and we see tremendous fundraising potential for our athletics program. Austin’s unique experience as a student athlete and coach, his passion for EKU, and the relationships he holds with many EKU fans and supporters make him an ideal candidate to lead our new Colonel Club efforts. I’m confident that with his leadership, our athletic donors will quickly notice some new and dynamic components to their Colonel Club experience.”