Shorter College Announces Restructuring of Athletic Leadership Team

Shorter College President Harold E. Newman announced the restructuring of the college’s athletic leadership team, effective Friday, March 16.

Seasoned business executive Bill Peterson will now serve as Athletic Director, overseeing the college’s intercollegiate athletics program. Peterson has served as recruiting coordinator and running backs coach for Shorter’s football team since 2004 and has been an integral part of that program’s early successes. As the first assistant hired by Head Coach Phil Jones, Peterson has distinguished himself in not only the recruitment of the program’s players, but in a wide variety of other functions, including the formation of the Hawk’s highly successful Football Booster Club. Previously, he was president and co-founder of Horizon Medical Products, a publicly traded corporation headquartered in Atlanta. Under his direction, that organization grew to more than $75 million in sales and 150 employees. Peterson has also served as a National Board member of Florida State University’s Seminole Booster organization and is a certified public accountant. “Shorter’s athletic programs have grown exponentially over recent years, and we are fortunate to have a person with Coach Peterson’s business expertise to serve in an executive role within our athletic program,” Dr. Newman said. “His administrative skills and experience leading a large organization will be extremely valuable to Shorter College.” The college now fields 16 intercollegiate teams that include more than 420 athletes.

Ricci Lattanzi, who has served as the college’s athletic director, will now become Director of Operations for the department. Reporting to Peterson, he will be involved in many of the hands-on operations of the athletic department, including game day operations, facilities management, concessions and community relations.

As the college’s Athletic Director, Lattanzi has overseen the growth of the program from approximately 85 student-athletes to the current levels. He has twice been named Athletic Director of the Year and is given credit for bringing a number of sports onto the Shorter campus. During his tenure, Shorter has added cross country, football, soccer, softball, track and field, and volleyball.

“Ricci Lattanzi has guided Shorter’s athletic programs through a crucial growth phase, and we are grateful for his many significant contributions to the success of Shorter College,” Dr. Newman said. “He excels in the day-to-day operations of our many sports, and the new structure will allow him to focus his energies in that area.”

In addition to these changes, Phil Jones, head coach for football, and Vic Mitchell, head coach for women’s basketball, have been named Senior Associate Athletic Directors. Both will continue their head coaching duties.

“I thank each of these individuals for their willingness to serve the college in these important new roles,” Dr. Newman said.

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