KMOX Episode of "Sports Open Line" Spotlights Star Quality of SIUE Athletics Director
During the third inning of the St. Louis Cardinals spring training opener against the Miami Marlins on Feb. 24, the host of KMOX radio’s “Sports Open Line,” Matt Pauley, interviewed Andrew Gavin, director of athletics at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The setting, which included more than 150 SIUE alumni, was SIUE Day at Cardinals Spring Training in Jupiter, Fla. The interview covered the dedication of Cardinals fans based in the Metro East, the state of SIUE sports 15 years into its Division 1 status and the multiple times host Pauley and Gavin have crossed paths during Gavin’s burgeoning career.
Gavin began his role at SIUE in April 2023 and shared that SIUE’s athletic department has been successful for 70 years, with the last 15 years as Division 1.
“On our side of the river on the Metro East, we are the Division 1,” said Gavin. “We’re the group there that you can some support on a daily basis.”
Gavin shared the fact that more than 43,000 SIUE alumni live in the region, "so there’s a really successful alumni base there that I think are excited about what’s next for us as an institution under Dr. Minor’s leadership as well as in athletics."
Gavin credits SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, as a formidable teammate in continuing to build programs to support student athlete success. A recent report to the SIU System Board of Trustees stated SIUE athletes have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for 35 consecutive semesters.
Pauley wrapped the interview crediting Gavin as “a star in sports administration.”
Gavin’s interview with Pauley on “Sports Open Line” may be found here.
PHOTO: Andrew Gavin, director of athletics at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
