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Kenyon Spears, a 2001 ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University (LU) graduate, former Cardinal men’s basketball player, and former LU assistant coach, has been named director of athletics at Newman University. Spears brings over two decades of experience in college athletics, spanning Division I coaching and senior-level administration, and now joins an exclusive group of LU alumni who have led NCAA athletic departments.

Spears suited up for the Cardinals from 1997 to 2001, playing a key role in one of the program’s most memorable seasons. During his senior year, he helped lead LU to a Southland Conference Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2000–01, one of just six March Madness appearances in school history. Following graduation, he returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach from 2002 to 2005, laying the foundation for what would become a long and varied career in college athletics.

“My experience at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ gave me the foundation for everything I’ve done since,” Spears said. “From the coaching staff to my teammates to the support system on campus, those were formative years that still shape how I lead today.”

With his appointment at Newman, Spears becomes one of three former ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ student-athletes currently serving as NCAA athletic directors, joining Texas State University’s Don Coryell, a former Cardinal teammate, and the late Billy Tubbs.

“Don and I were college teammates, and he’s someone who helped me through this process,” Spears said. “I also coached and worked for Coach Tubbs. To now be part of that small group, representing ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ at this level, it means a lot.”

Prior to taking the reins at Newman, Spears served as senior associate athletic director for external relations at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio. There, he played a pivotal role in the department’s external operations, securing sponsorships with national brands like Adidas and Pepsi, overseeing sport administration for multiple programs, and guiding strategic initiatives tied to marketing, game day operations, and community partnerships. He also helped land UIW’s first-ever FCS Playoff home game and served as the university’s point person for the 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four.

He officially moved into administration in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, after nearly 20 years as a Division I men’s basketball coach. His final stint on the sidelines came at UIW, where he helped engineer a marked program turnaround.

“I actually didn’t aspire to be an administrator,” Spears said. “But Richard Duran [UIW’s Athletic Director] kept telling me, ‘You’re good with people, you build trust quickly, and you understand more than just one team.’ Once I made the move, it felt like a natural fit.”

During his UIW tenure, Spears also launched the “As One We Will” initiative to promote equity and belonging across campus. He championed student-athlete mental health, built a reputation for comprehensive leadership, and was a visible, relational presence throughout the university.

When asked why he chose Newman, Spears said the decision was both strategic and personal.

“I got asked a lot, ‘Why leave Division I? Why Kansas? Why Newman?’” he said. “But this place felt right. It’s a Catholic institution grounded in service and transformation, and it’s growing more diverse. That’s important to me. Newman reminded me of UIW—just smaller, but with the same heart.”

A longtime friend, former Newman player and current coach Marlon Sears, also played a role in Spears' decision. The two have remained close since working together in 2007.

“I knew more about Newman than they knew about me,” Spears said. “I trusted the things I’d heard from people I respect. When the opportunity came, I took a deep dive, and it confirmed everything I believed.”

Now in Wichita, Spears is focused on building culture, strengthening campus partnerships, and increasing community visibility. His first priorities are internal: aligning values, setting expectations, and fostering connection.

“I’m a relationship-first person,” he said. “I want to be present and consistent. I don’t want the first time I meet someone to be when I need something. The goal is to build trust and make progress the right way.” 

Newman President Kathleen Jagger praised Spears’ background and student-centered approach in the university’s announcement of the hire.

“His holistic approach to student-athlete development perfectly aligns with Newman’s mission and values,” Jagger said in a release.

Spears’ career from playing on Southland courts to managing athletic programs, all rooted in his years at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator.

“Whether I’m in Beaumont, Wichita, or anywhere else, I'll always carry ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ with me,” Spears said.