BANNER ELK, N.C. – Lees-McRae College Associate Director of Athletics Ed Winters has been promoted to Director of Athletics and Club Sports. Winters arrived in Banner Elk in July 2024 with over 20 years of experience in coaching and athletic administration at the collegiate level. Winters is replacing Marty Favret, who is stepping down for personal reasons.
"I am extremely grateful to President Lee King and Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management Kevin Phillips for the privilege of leading Lees-McRae Athletics," said Winters. "This is an incredible opportunity to partner with our devoted Bobcat coaching staff, faculty, Bobcat friends, family, and most importantly, our student-athletes in building something truly special here in Banner Elk."
Before stepping into his role at Lees-McRae, Winters served as the Director of Athletics at New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI), a two-year college in Concord, New Hampshire.
"I am excited that Ed Winters will be our next Director of Athletics and Club Sports," said Phillips. "Ed brings a great deal of experience that we need to continue our pursuit of excellence at the NCAA Division II level. As a former coach and current administrator, he is well respected among our coaches and staff and understands the needs of today's student-athletes and Lees-McRae College as an institution. He is the right person to follow Marty Favret, who guided us through a challenging time in the aftermath of the incredible damage caused by Hurricane Helene last fall. We look forward to exciting times ahead for Lees-McRae athletics with Ed at the helm."
Prior to NHTI, Winters served as the Assistant Director of Athletics, Assistant Director of Recreational Sports, and Game Day Operations Coordinator at Colby-Sawyer College, an NCAA Division III school in New London, New Hampshire. Winters arrived on the Colby-Sawyer College campus in the fall of 2001 when he started out as an Assistant Men's Basketball Coach under Head Coach Bill Foti. During his twelve seasons with the men's basketball program, he helped guide the Chargers to a 204-120 record, including a pair of conference championships and two NCAA tournament appearances.
Winters received his bachelor's degree in Sport Management from Southern New Hampshire University and his master's degree in Sport Management from California University of Pennsylvania.
"Lees-McRae Athletics will work tirelessly to provide our student-athletes with a positive, highly rewarding experience," said Winters.
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