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  • New Texas A&M University-Commerce Athletic Director Ryan Ivey answers questions from members of the Commerce Lions Club meeting held on Tuesday. Ivey will hold the first of his nine scheduled town hall meetings at the Sands Hill Country Club in Campgell on Feb. 18. at 6 p.m. Joseph Hamrick

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February 14, 2013

Ivey’s next frontier

Athletic director: “We didn’t come here not to win”

By Joseph Hamrick The Commerce Journal

COMMERCE — Ryan Ivey, the new Athletic Director for Texas A&M University-Commerce, said creating school traditions is key to building a new and lasting image for the university.

“We need to push it forward to the next frontier,” he said. “There is an opportunity for growth.”

Ivey shared his ideas with the Commerce Lions Club at their meeting on Tuesday inside the Ben E. Keith Reception Room in Commerce.

Ivey said he has ways to  increase the university’s fan base.

Last year, the A&M-Commerce football team played four home games. Ivey said he wants to increase that number, along with the number in the win column.

“I want to have six home games this year,” he said. “We didn’t come here not to win.”

According to Ivey, people who would like to keep the status quo for the A&M-Commerce athletic department are in for a rude awakening.

“I’m going to push you like you’ve never been pushed,” he said. “If you don’t like that, then we’re probably not going to be the best of friends.”

Getting more funding to make additions to the athletic department is something Ivey said he will be looking for.

“We are revamping our fundraising campaign and our athletic organization,” he said, adding that he would like to see the athletic department have an updated workout facility and training room as well as an academic enhancement room for players to study together.

Ivey also said he would like to see an expanded football locker room and football stadium, and an upgrade to the Field House in the near future.

Ivey stressed cooperation between the city and university, and guaranteed he would bring results.

“We have an opportunity to make a difference in A&M-Commerce and Commerce,” he said. “But we have to do this together. I know we’re going to do it. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Ever since the university’s club baseball team stopped playing five years ago, alumni and students have expressed interest in a baseball/softball team.

“I have an idea that folks want to have a softball and baseball team brought here,” Ivey said, adding that he would like to see a baseball and softball team in the next three to five years.

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