Towson Strengthens Athletic Leadership, Hires Veteran Administrator Ken Tyler to Lead Tiger Athletic Fund

The future of Towson Athletics extends far beyond wins and losses on the field, and the Tigers made that clear with one of the most important offseason additions to the department.

Towson University announced that Ken Tyler has been hired as the school’s new Senior Associate Athletic Director for Athletics Development, beginning Aug. 5. Tyler will oversee the Tiger Athletic Fund (TAF), the fundraising arm of Towson Athletics that supports more than 500 student-athletes across the university’s 20 NCAA Division I programs. The move signals another major investment by Vice President and Director of Athletics Steven C. Eigenbrot as Towson continues building its athletic department during one of the most transformative eras in college sports.

A Critical Position in Today’s College Athletics

College athletics has changed dramatically over the past several years.

Between NIL opportunities, the transfer portal, revenue sharing and increased operating costs, fundraising has become more important than ever. Athletic departments can no longer rely solely on ticket sales or institutional support. Instead, successful programs must cultivate donors, corporate partners and alumni while finding creative ways to generate additional revenue.

That makes Tyler’s position one of the most influential jobs inside the Towson athletic department.

As the leader of the Tiger Athletic Fund, Tyler will oversee donor relations, annual giving campaigns, capital fundraising projects and major gift initiatives that directly impact scholarships, facilities, recruiting resources and the overall student-athlete experience. The Tiger Athletic Fund has become a key component of Towson’s long-term strategic plan, helping ensure the university remains competitive within the Coastal Athletic Association and Division I athletics.

Extensive Leadership Experience

Towson is bringing in someone with decades of experience across virtually every aspect of collegiate athletics.

Tyler arrives after serving nearly three years as Vice President and Director of Athletics at Barton College, where he oversaw more than 700 student-athletes, managed a budget approaching $10 million and served on the President’s cabinet. During his tenure, Barton captured eight conference championships, expanded its athletic offerings and secured multiple six-figure philanthropic gifts while improving facilities across campus.

Prior to Barton, Tyler accumulated experience as an athletic director at multiple institutions while also holding advancement and fundraising positions in education and sports organizations.

His résumé includes leadership roles at:

• Barton College
• University of Mary Washington
• West Virginia Wesleyan College
• The St. James Sports Complex
• George C. Marshall International Center
• Episcopal High School

That diverse background gives Towson someone who understands coaching, administration, budgeting and donor development from every perspective.

Basketball Coaching Roots

Long before becoming an administrator, Tyler built a successful coaching career.

A former Division I basketball player at William & Mary, Tyler spent 16 seasons coaching college basketball. His coaching stops included East Stroudsburg, Roanoke College and James Madison, where he worked under Hall of Fame coach Lefty Driesell.

Tyler later became head coach at Albright College, compiling an 87-64 record and leading the Lions to the 1997-98 Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth Championship. He then coached seven seasons at Shepherd University, winning 99 games before transitioning full-time into athletic administration in 2008.

That coaching experience gives him credibility with coaches and student-athletes while helping him communicate the needs of athletic programs to donors.

A Proven Fundraiser

Perhaps the biggest reason Towson targeted Tyler is his fundraising track record.

Throughout his administrative career, Tyler has led facility campaigns, cultivated major donors and secured transformational gifts for athletic departments.

Before arriving at Barton, he served as Senior Advancement Officer for Major Gifts at Episcopal High School, helping support a $150 million capital campaign. He also held fundraising leadership positions with The St. James sports complex and other nonprofit organizations.

Those experiences align perfectly with Towson’s current priorities as the university continues expanding the Tiger Athletic Fund and investing in its athletic facilities.

Why This Hire Matters

Towson Athletics has experienced significant momentum under Steven Eigenbrot’s leadership.

The university has increased investment in athletics, improved facilities, expanded donor engagement and continued emphasizing competitive excellence across its Division I programs.

Adding an experienced development executive allows Eigenbrot to strengthen another critical area of the department while positioning Towson for the future.

In today’s NCAA environment, fundraising success often translates directly into competitive success.

Scholarships, nutrition programs, sports medicine, recruiting budgets, travel accommodations, technology and facility upgrades all require substantial financial support.

Tyler’s job will be helping provide those resources.

Praise from Athletic Director Steven Eigenbrot

Eigenbrot believes Tyler’s experience makes him an ideal fit.

The athletic director said Tyler’s combination of fundraising expertise and athletic administration experience will strengthen Towson’s leadership team while helping continue the department’s “Campaign for Excellence.”

Those comments reflect Towson’s confidence that Tyler can elevate donor engagement while building relationships throughout the Baltimore region and beyond.

Tyler Excited for the Opportunity

Tyler expressed similar enthusiasm about joining Towson.

He praised the momentum surrounding the athletic department and said he immediately recognized the energy surrounding the university during his campus visit.

Tyler also emphasized that his experience as a former student-athlete, coach and athletic director allows him to tell Towson’s story authentically while helping identify new funding opportunities in the rapidly changing world of college athletics.

Replacing an Established Leader

Tyler succeeds Meredith Crawford, who moves into a new role within Towson University’s Division of University Advancement as Senior Director of Development for Major Gifts.

Rather than an overhaul, the move represents a continuation of Towson’s commitment to strengthening donor relations while keeping experienced leadership within the university.

Looking Ahead

The hire of Ken Tyler may not generate the headlines of a coaching change or star recruit, but it could become one of the most significant additions Towson Athletics makes this year.

Success in modern college athletics increasingly depends on financial resources, donor engagement and long-term strategic planning. Tyler has spent nearly two decades building those areas at multiple institutions and now brings that experience to one of Maryland’s premier Division I athletic departments.

If he can help grow the Tiger Athletic Fund, secure additional major gifts and expand support for Towson’s student-athletes, the impact of this hiring decision will be felt across every Tigers program—from football and basketball to lacrosse, volleyball, swimming and beyond.

As Towson continues positioning itself for sustained success in the Coastal Athletic Association, the addition of one of the region’s most experienced athletic administrators represents another important step forward.