Tennessee Wesleyan University celebrates the remarkable career of Vice President and Director of Athletics Donny Mayfield as he prepares to depart the University after 27 years of dedicated service to become the next Commissioner of the Appalachian Athletic Conference.

      Mayfield’s departure marks the conclusion of a remarkable career at Tennessee Wesleyan.

    “Donny Mayfield’s impact on Tennessee Wesleyan University cannot be overstated,” said Dr. Tyler Forrest, President of TWU. “His leadership has helped shape Tennessee Wesleyan Athletics into the nationally respected program it is today. While we will greatly miss him, we are incredibly proud of him and excited to see him take this next step as Commissioner of the Appalachian Athletic Conference.”

    Mayfield’s journey at Tennessee Wesleyan began in 1999 when he joined the University as Head Athletic Trainer and Assistant Professor of Health and Human Performance. He served as Head Athletic Trainer for nine years and as a faculty member for nineteen years. He became Director of Athletics in 2007. In 2022, he was promoted to a Vice President position.

     Mayfield guided Tennessee Wesleyan Athletics through significant growth. Under his leadership, the University added seven varsity sports, including men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, men’s and women’s bowling, and bass fishing. He also helped guide the Bulldogs to numerous milestones, including NAIA National Championships, Appalachian Athletic Conference All-Sports Trophies, and AAC Institutional Champions of Character recognition.

     His contributions have been recognized at both the conference and national levels. Mayfield was named NACDA NAIA Athletic Director of the Year in 2022-23 and earned AAC Athletic Director of the Year honors six times throughout his career. In 2023, he was inducted into the Tennessee Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame.

     Beyond his work at Tennessee Wesleyan, Mayfield has been a respected leader within the NAIA and Appalachian Athletic Conference. He has served in numerous national and conference leadership roles, including membership on the NAIA National Administrative Council and Executive Committee, as well as Chair of the AAC Advisory Committee.

      As Mayfield prepares to begin his new role as Commissioner of the Appalachian Athletic Conference, Tennessee Wesleyan University is taking the next steps toward identifying its future athletics leader. Dr. Stan Harrison will serve as Interim Director of Athletics until the position has been filled.

     The University has also launched a national search for its next Vice President and Director of Athletics. Interested candidates should contact:

Rob Miller
Comprehensive Athletic Consulting
913-449-3356
[email protected]

    Tennessee Wesleyan University extends its deepest gratitude to Mayfield for his 27 years of service and congratulates him on this well-deserved, exciting next chapter.