The Principia
Interoffice Correspondence

To: College Faculty, Staff, and Students
From: Tom Fuller, Interim Dean of the College
Re: New Athletic Director Lee Ellis

Dear Friends,

Lee Ellis, head women’s soccer coach at Principia College since 1996, has been appointed Director of Athletics, effective July 1. “I am thrilled and honored to be given the opportunity to lead Principia’s Athletic Department. Our brand new facilities are absolutely first rate, we have new leadership energy throughout the institution, and our athletic programs are moving forward. This is an exciting time for Principia,” stated Ellis.

Current Athletic Director Lee Suarez is retiring after 36 years of service to Principia, the last eight years in a leadership role, overseeing the $25 million construction of the Coach Crafton Center and the renovation of Hay Field House. “I am especially grateful to Lee Suarez for her vision, dedication, and long years of service to the College. She was instrumental in paving the way for me. She put Principia athletics on the map and has been a terrific mentor,” said Ellis.

Ellis is a five-time St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Coach of the Year. His teams have won the prestigious National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award 12 consecutive years. The 2007 team GPA of 3.58/4/0 was eighth highest in the country. Ellis-coached teams also have been recognized for sportsmanship and ethical conduct by both the SLIAC conference and NSCAA in 2006 and 2007.

Within the Athletic Department, Ellis has served as the NCAA Compliance Coordinator for the past two years, and most recently was Associate Athletic Director. He chaired the Sports Management program for eight years and continues to teach courses, holding the rank of Associate Professor.

His leadership roles in the SLIAC conference include chairing the Women’s Soccer Committee and service as a member of the Long-term Planning Committee. From 2003-2006, Ellis served as a member of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Rules Committee and in 2008 will begin a four-year stint as a member of NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Committee.

Prior to his arrival at Principia, Ellis spent 15 years as a sales and marketing professional in the electrical construction supply business. In 1979 he developed the intercollegiate athletic program at the State University of New York Institute of Technology and served as its first Athletic Director.

Ellis holds graduate degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (M.B.A.) and the University at Albany (Ed.S. and M.S.). Ellis is also a 2007 graduate of the Executive Program of the Sports Management Institute.

Please join me in extending our warm thanks to Lee S. for 36 years of service to Principia athletics and in welcoming Lee E. to his new post.

Thanks,
Tom