Foster named interim director of athletics for The W
Mississippi University for Women has named Buddy Foster as interim director of athletics and campus recreation, effective Friday, Sept. 29. Foster was the Owls’ assistant director of athletics since 2022.
“This is an exciting time for Owls Athletics as we have earned full membership in the NCAA Division III and in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC). Buddy’s experience with the NCAA, the SLIAC, and Owls Athletics will have a positive impact as we move forward,” said Nora Miller, university president.
Previously, Foster served as the Owls’ interim A.D. during the spring of 2021, sitting as a member of the President’s Cabinet. Prior to joining The W, Foster spent the 2015-16 school year as the Athletics Director at Morthland College.
Fosterjoined The W Athletics in 2020-21 as the head coach of the Owls softball program, prior to being elevated to a full-time administrative role July 1, 2023. In January of 2022, he first added part-time assistant athletic director duties to his responsibilities within the Owls’ Athletics program, before stepping away from the coaching portion after the 2023 season.
Among his duties as assistant A.D. for the Owls, Foster has overseen day-to-day operations, including gameday and staffing, internal operational procedures by staff members, and cultivating relationships with businesses and former student-athletes. He has also been key in dealing with facility issues and needs, as well as scheduling.
His recent efforts can be seen in revamped décor and branding in the Owls’ athletics offices and facilities, working hand-in-hand with University Relations. His work has also streamlined gameday procedures and brought them to a level expected of The W’s new status as full NCAA III and SLIAC members.
In his three seasons (2021-23) at the Owls’ softball helm, Foster’s teams made trips to the USCAA tournament each year, placing second in 2023, third in 2022, and sixth in 2021. Foster’s squads were a combined 60-54.
His players earned a total of 11 USCAA All-American awards and 28 USCAA All-Academic Team nods, as well. Foster produced back-to-back USCAA Student-Athlete of the Year recipients in 2022 (Amelia Stalter) and 2023 (Madison Crosby).
Foster came to The W after spending four seasons at current SLIAC member Greenville University (2017-20). While at Greenville his teams succeeded both on the field and in the classroom, as well. At Greenville, Foster coached 16 All-SLIAC players, one Player of the Year, and nine All-Midwest Region players.
Foster’s coaching career began at his alma mater Southeast Missouri State University. He had three different tenures at SEMO. He began as a student assistant from 1988-1990. In 1993, he spent one season as a graduate assistant. He became a full-time staff member in 1997 and spent two seasons with the Red Hawks. In 1999, Foster’s career moved him to Southern Illinois University where he spent six seasons. During his time in Carbondale, three of those teams advanced to the NCAA Division I tournament, and the 2005 squad went to the Sweet Sixteen.
Following his tenure at SIUC, he accepted the head softball position at Bradley University in 2006. In all three seasons, the Braves finished ranked in the Top-25 nationally for team GPA with at least a 3.5 or above. After the stop at Bradley, Foster went to Kansas University as associate head coach for one season, before four years as associate head coach at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. While at SIUE he helped transition the softball program from the Division II level to Division I. He returned to SIUC in 2013 for two years as an assistant coach.
Foster earned his Master of Arts in Education from Greenville College in 2014. He completed his bachelor’s work in Liberal Arts at Southeast Missouri State University in 1991.