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Webb named new Florida Southern athletic director
Former AD Roberts returning to North Carolina

LAKELAND, Fla. (June 20, 2001) - Florida Southern College President Thomas L. Reuschling announced today that Lois Webb has been promoted to athletic director for the college. Webb replaces Mike Roberts, who resigned to move back to North Carolina.

“The experience of working at Florida Southern has been extremely positive, but I’m looking forward to moving back home to be closer to my family,” said Roberts. “I have almost 26 years in the North Carolina system, and as I look toward retirement, it’s just more prudent for me to continue my career in North Carolina. It’s the best thing for me to do - personally and professionally. It will also give me the flexibility to return to coaching either during the school year or in the Cape Cod Collegiate Baseball League, where I coached in the summer of 2000.”

Roberts joined Florida Southern in August 2000, after serving as assistant athletic director and head baseball coach at North Carolina Asheville. Prior to UNCA, Roberts had a 21-year career at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

“We appreciate Mike and his hard work for Florida Southern,” Reuschling said. “Mike works extraordinarily well with the students. He began some great initiatives and dealt with some difficult issues. We wish him the best in his new endeavors.”

Webb, who served as head coach of the Florida Southern College women's volleyball team for 24 years, was promoted to assistant athletic director in February 2001. Since then, she has worked directly with Roberts in many areas including fund-raising, facility improvements, personnel, and NCAA and Sunshine State Conference issues among others.
“We believe Lois’s extensive knowledge of the college and the surrounding community make her an excellent choice to lead the athletic department,” Reuschling said. “She is a strong leader and has the respect of Florida Southern coaches, faculty and staff.”

“As FSC’s senior woman administrator in athletics since 1984, I believe I’m well prepared for this position, and I am looking forward to the challenges it holds,” said Webb.

A graduate of The Florida State University, Webb earned her master's degree from the University of Central Florida. She has been a member of the Florida Southern faculty since 1977. Selected as the NCAA South Region Coach of the Year in 1989, 1990 and 1993, Webb is a five-time Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year in 1982, 1984, 1986, 1989 and 1990. She earned similar honors from the AIAW in 1980 and 1981. In 1991-92, Webb was inducted into the Inaugural Class of the SSC Hall of Fame.

About Florida Southern College
Florida Southern College is a member of the NCAA Division II and competes in the Sunshine State Conference. Florida Southern sponsors 13 intercollegiate sports including seven for women and six for men. Moccasin athletic teams have won a combined 23 NCAA National Championships, including a record 11 by the men's golf team, a record 8 by the baseball squad, two by the women's golf team and one each by the men's basketball and women's softball teams.

A private, four-year, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Florida Southern college offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and a master of business administration degree. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Located in Lakeland, Fla., the college is home to the largest, single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world.

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