General | 5/1/2025 8:47:00 AM
May 1, 2025-After three transformational years as the leader of Hornet Athletics,
David Spafford has announced his plans to retire as the Director of Athletics at Emporia State University effective June 25, 2025.
"I've been discerning on this since last November. After evaluating a multitude of items over that time frame, this is a good time to pass the baton to the next person to lead the Hornets." said Director Spafford. "I'd like to thank President Hush for the opportunity and the athletic staff for their support over the last three years."
Under his leadership, Emporia State has shown continued growth while competing in one of the strongest conferences in the nation. Every sport has made their respective postseason conference tournament during his tenure with nearly every sport showing year-over-year improvement in wins over the last three seasons. Emporia State has had a department wide GPA of over 3.30 in each of Spafford's first five semesters highlighted by a school record 3.49 this past fall.
Several capital improvement projects have occurred under Spafford's leadership. Most recently the entire baseball playing surface at the Trusler Sports Complex was converted to artificial turf and was rededicated as Turnbull Field on April 12, 2025. New Musco LED lights have been installed at the Trusler Sports Complex and Welch Stadium while new chairback seating was installed and resurfacing of the track and throws areas at Welch Stadium were completed for the 2024 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.
Thanks to his efforts Emporia State has expanded its reach across the state of Kansas and the region on television and radio. The Hornets 2023 Heritage Bowl appearance on television in Kansas City led to talks with 38 The Spot for reestablishment of the MIAA Game of the Week on television. This past year marked the first year of the Hornet Sports Network on radio with affiliates in Wichita, Topeka and Kansas City.
Emporia State has played host to many additional events such as the 2024 Kansas Shrine Bowl which led to a multi-year partnership to host the all-star game in 2026-2028. The KSHSAA 4A, 5A, and 6A State Football Championships were secured for 2025 and 2026 with nearly 20,000 fans filling Welch Stadium over the two-day event in 2025.
Behind the scenes he has grown the Athletic Department, re-organizing the athletic staff and responsibilities, balancing the budget, and completing a department wide facility master plan with potential phased options.
Moving forward, please note the following leadership changes:
Colleen Mischke &
Steve Rodecap will co-lead and serve as Interim Athletics Directors for Hornet Athletics.
Additionally, Men's Basketball Coach Tom Billeter and Football Coach Garin Higgins will take on additional responsibility serving as strategic advisors to the Athletics Directors.
Coach Billeter will serve as Strategic Advisor – ONE ESU Team Culture.
Coach Higgins will serve as Strategic Advisor – Community Engagement.
The university will appoint a seven-person advisory group to evaluate the search process for the selection of our next permanent Athletics Director for Emporia State University.
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