Campbell Names Interim Athletic Director, Begins National Search

BUIES CREEK – Campbell University has launched a national search for its next Director of Athletics and named Melissa Wendt to lead the department on an interim basis.

Wendt will become Interim Athletic Director effective Sept. 17 and will remain in the position until Campbell hires a permanent replacement.

Her appointment follows the previously announced departure of Athletics Director Hannah Bazemore, who has led Campbell Athletics since 2022. Bazemore will leave the university effective Sept. 16 to become senior deputy athletics director and senior woman administrator at Florida State University.

Campbell has retained Collegiate Sports Associates to assist with the national search and recruitment process.

University President William M. Downs said Wendt’s experience within the athletics department made her a strong choice to oversee the program during the transition.

“Melissa has served with distinction as Senior Associate Athletic Director and as Senior Woman Administrator for the Fighting Camels, and she has been our leader in the complex and ever-changing world of NCAA compliance,” Downs said.

Wendt joined Campbell in January 2023 as Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and was promoted to Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator in July 2024.

She currently oversees the day-to-day operations of Campbell’s compliance office and serves as the compliance liaison for all 21 varsity teams.

Wendt also serves as Campbell’s Deputy Title IX Coordinator and has oversight responsibilities involving sports performance and sports medicine. She is the program administrator for women’s basketball, women’s soccer, track and field, and cross country.

Downs said Campbell will look for its next athletics director to continue building the university’s programs across all 21 sports.

“CSA will work tirelessly to assemble a strong and diverse pool of candidates for us to consider as we look to secure our next leader,” Downs said.

Campbell Athletics supports approximately 550 student-athletes competing in 21 NCAA Division I sports.

Twenty Campbell programs compete in the Coastal Athletic Association, while the wrestling program competes in the Southern Conference.

The university is entering its 50th season at the NCAA Division I level. Campbell said 18 of its programs have advanced to NCAA Championship competition, while Fighting Camel teams have won 65 conference championships since 2011.