SHUMATE ACCEPTS JOB AT TENN.-CHATTANOOGA

Former Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball coach Ron Shumate has accepted the position of Director of Promotions for Athletics at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Shumate was head basketball coach of the Moccasins seven years before a 16-year stint at Southeast. He accepted the job Friday and will begin duties Wednesday.

"I still know a lot of people in Chattanooga," said Shumate. "I will be working hand-in-hand with the athletic program raising money and promoting the athletic program.

"It's an opportunity to get back on the university level and Dr. Stacy was kind enough to give me the opportunity, and I'm thankful for that."

Dr. Bill Stacy, president of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, said the hiring decision was made by Chattanooga's Vice Chancellor Vince Pellagreno. But Stacy, former president at Southeast, thinks Shumate will help build excitement for the school's athletic program.

Stacy hired Shumate as head basketball coach during his tenure as president of Southeast.

Shumate became the winningest basketball coach in Southeast history before being fired last May amid an NCAA investigation into the program.

"When Ron was here for a Hall of Fame meeting recently, he found lots of friends and lots of support among the people here," Stacy said from his home in Chattanooga. "That's probably what prompted our development director to instigate the talks."

Shumate is a member of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Hall of Fame. He resided in Chattanooga for 11 years before accepting the head basketball position at Southeast. His wife, Peggy, is also from Chattanooga.

Stacy said he didn't know the details about Shumate's firing or the NCAA investigation.

"I'm not going to take sides," he said. "I think our vice president thought he could raise some money and generate some season ticket sales."

Stacy said Shumate certainly put lots of excitement into the program at Southeast and Chattanooga. "People here say Ron was the energy that built this arena," he said.

Shumate said, "I'm excited about their athletic program, and anything I can do to enhance it and contribute to it, I will."

He had been working at Crown Cadillac in Cape Girardeau since his dismissal from Southeast. He thanked the dealership's owners, Gary and Jane Stanley, for their support.

"They gave me a position when I didn't have one," he said. "Naturally, I will miss a lot of people here, but I have to move forward and try to put things behind me."