May 21, 2001

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Stephen F. Austin State University athletic director Steve McCarty announced today the hiring of Dan Eason as the director of the Jimmy W. Murphy Wellness Center. Eason takes over the duties of Wellness Center director and head strength and conditioning coach for SFA athletic teams from Britt Patton, who resigned last month.

"We are once again very fortunate to add a person of Dan's qualities to our staff. Dan is a young man with a great deal of enthusiasm and energy, and someone with a number of new ideas concerning the operations of the Jimmy W. Murphy Wellness Center. Not only does Dan bring with him a fresh approach, he also brings with him the value of his experience with the strength programs at the University of Tennessee and the University of Central Florida," said McCarty.

Eason comes to SFA after having spent the past year as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach at the University of Central Florida. During his tenure there, Eason was responsible for the design and implementation of sport specific programs for both men's and women's teams at the university. Eason also handled all administrative duties associated with the day-to-day operations of the strength and conditioning facility.

Prior to his stay at Central Florida, Eason also spent two years as an assistant on the strength and conditioning staff at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

The 1995 graduate of Southwest Missouri State holds a bachelor of science degree in dietetics, and also holds a master's degree from the University of Tennessee in Human Performance and Sport Studies.

At SFA, Eason will assumes duties as the Director of the Jimmy W. Murphy Wellness Center, a weight and training facility on the campus that is open to all SFA students, faculty and staff. He will also serve as the head strength and conditioning coach for the university's 14 intercollegiate sports.