MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas University Director of Athletics, Steve Browning has announced the hiring of Haley Holzem as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Internal Operations, Compliance, and Senior Woman Administrator, effective February.
"I am excited to welcome Haley to our team here in Mulerider Country," stated Director of Athletics Steve Browning. "Her experience and passion for improving the lives of student-athletes, along with her commitment to making those around her better, make her an immediate fit for our department. There are great days ahead for Haley and for Mulerider Athletics."
A native of Normal, Illinois, Holzem has five plus years of experience at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. During her time at OLLU, Holzem served as the school's Senior Women's Leader as well as the conference Senior Women's Leader. Starting as an administrative assistant with OLLU in 2019, she quickly worked her way to the role of Senior Women's Leader in February of 2021. In 2022 she was promoted again to her most previous role as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance. She also served as the Title IX Deputy for the San Antonio campus.
Holzem played a pivotal role at OLLU overseeing the integrity and adherence of the OLLU Athletics program to university, conference and NAIA regulations while also developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure full compliance and support processes that monitor and verify student-athlete eligibility. Additionally, she led initiatives aimed at improving student-athlete retention. She also was responsible for community service initiatives for all programs, promoted leadership and was an advocate for women's athletics.
During her time at OLLU, the school added five athletic programs while also doubling their athletic numbers.
Haley earned her degree from Eureka College where she was a member of the volleyball teams. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Sports Management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Management.
"I am thankful for the opportunity to join SAU and look forward to supporting our coaches and student-athletes while upholding the highest standards of integrity and compliance," states Holzem. "I have worked under amazing leadership at OLLU and will take the skills I have learned to my new position at SAU."
