MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia College & State University President Cathy Cox has announced that Director of Athletics Wendell Staton will retire from his position effective June 30, 2027. 

"I often joked that the hardest part of my job was trying to bring Wendell out of his shell (and you all know that is said with a laugh)," said Cox. "But truly, Wendell's optimism, his big heart, his dedication and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on decades of students, coaches, colleagues and supporters. The longest-serving athletics director in the USG, he has also willingly shared his love for GCSU with prospective and incoming families in innumerable visitation programs over the years. I am deeply grateful for his service to Georgia College and look forward to celebrating his many contributions more fully as his retirement approaches."

Staton was named Director of Athletics in the fall of 2009 and will step away after nearly 18 years leading Bobcat Athletics. His decision centers on a deep desire to devote more time to family. 

"When next June arrives, I will have had the pleasure of holding the best job in the country for nearly 18 years," Staton said. "GCSU is an absolutely incredible place, and there has never been a better time to be here under the leadership of President Cox. I have never seen anything like what we are experiencing as a university. Anyone joining our university in any capacity is stepping onto a rocket ship headed straight north. Being a good steward of any leadership position means knowing when the time is right to pass the baton. I am confident the time is right for new energy, new ideas, and a new leader to take our programs to even greater heights. Announcing this now gives the campus and potential candidates ample time to navigate the transition.  GCSU and Milledgeville/Baldwin County has been wonderful to our family.

"I am so blessed that my wife Yvette has been by my side for 37 years.  Our children, Ellen (Michael) and Charlie (Hali), have blessed us with four grandchildren," added Staton. "We have been fortunate to enjoy excellent health, and we are incredibly excited about this next chapter, where we can be fully present for our children and grandchildren on a schedule we control." 

Since joining GCSU in 2009, Staton has served as the face of Bobcat Athletics and one of the university's most enthusiastic and dedicated ambassadors. Under his leadership, GCSU Athletics has become a model of holistic success—achieving excellence in the classroom, competing at a high level athletically, and consistently representing the university with outstanding sportsmanship. 

During Staton's tenure, GCSU Athletics has ranked among the nation's strongest programs in academic achievement, earning the highest Academic Success Rate among NCAA Division II public institutions for each of the past five consecutive years. Since 2015, GCSU student-athletes have produced 13 university valedictorians, a clear reflection of the program's commitment to academic excellence. On the field and court, GCSU teams have consistently competed in postseason play while representing the university with class, integrity, and pride. That commitment to sportsmanship has also been recognized throughout the Peach Belt Conference, with GCSU earning the Conference's Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award six times—including each of the past four years. 

A true campus and community partner, Staton supported efforts across the university. He served as host and emcee for every major admissions event, including student preview days and parent orientations. His authentic delivery provided thousands of parents with reassurance as they prepared to send their students to Milledgeville. He was one of the faces of Move-In Day, greeting families and leading volunteers as they unloaded boxes for students arriving on campus for the first time. A friend to every office and person on campus, he seemed to know everyone, and every corner of campus knew they had the full support of the athletics department under his leadership. 

On the athletics front, he created the wildly popular Education Day, bringing thousands of local elementary and middle school students to campus for basketball games. Fundraising has reached all-time highs, reflecting the strongest alignment ever with the Office of Advancement. One of his most significant accomplishments was the creation of the GCSU Athletics Association nearly three years ago. Operating within the GCSU Foundation, the Association unites 24 influential supporters who combine their time, talents, and resources to elevate GCSU Athletics.

Staton was also extremely active in NCAA committee service. He served on the NCAA Implementation Committee which was charged with leading Division II's work following the association-wide vote on a new constitution. He chaired the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Committee and was as a member of the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Committee. He also participated in the Division II ADA Mentor/Mentee Program and the Peach Belt Conference SWA Mentor/Mentee Program. 

While holistic success has been a hallmark of his leadership, the defining signature of Staton's tenure has been relationships and his ability to connect with people through his infectious positive energy. He was a constant presence on campus and in the community, regularly engaging student-athletes in conversations that went far beyond their sports. The phone calls and notes he continues to receive from scholar-athlete alumni and colleagues are the "emotional paychecks" that have always fueled his work in intercollegiate athletics. 

The firm of Academic Search has been retained to assist in the search for the next leader of GCSU Athletics, which will formally launch later this fall.

The university looks forward to celebrating Staton's many contributions more fully as his retirement approaches. 

What others are saying about Wendell Staton

"Wendell is a true reflection of what Georgia College is all about. The genuine emphasis he places on forming lifelong relationships, building community and creating opportunities for athletes made him an outstanding Athletics Director and even better support system. I am incredibly grateful for the role he played in bringing me to Georgia College, the four years of amazing experiences I had as a volleyball player, and the many ways he invested in me beyond the court. We have been lucky enough to quickly catch up several times in the years since my graduation. Each conversation still contains just as much energy, enthusiasm and excitement surrounding my updates. With Wendell, you're not just his athlete during the years spent in Milledgeville, you're stuck with him for life! Congratulations on an incredible career and an even greater legacy. Thank you for believing in so many of us, investing in our futures, and making Georgia College feel like home. Wishing you all the best in retirement. Go Bobcats! -  Dr. Libby Bochniak '21, Resident Physician, UAB Hospital, former GCSU volleyball player that was named 2020-21 Peach Belt Conference Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, 2021 GCSU Valedictorian, and two-time CSC Academic All-America honoree

"Wendell is truly one of a kind. His positive attitude was absolutely infectious, and his Bobcat pride could not be beat. Wendell was a huge supporter of his athletes, on and off the field. One of the best memories that I have of Wendell was when he announced my acceptance into the University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine. It was one of the most special moments of my life, and I'm so glad he was there to share it with my team and my family. I hope he knows that he has positively impacted so many student athlete's lives, and that he will be greatly missed at GCSU. Happy retirement, Wendell!" - Dr. Kristen Humphries '16,  DMV Chief of Staff, Northridge Veterinary Center, former GCSU softball player

"Wendell has done an incredible job as Athletics Director, but what makes him truly unique is the genuine interest he takes in the student-athletes at GCSU. He doesn't simply oversee athletics from an office; he gets to know the young people who represent the university. He cares about them as individuals and always seems to have their best interests at heart. The first time I met Wendell was when I was visiting GCSU with my daughter while she was being recruited to play volleyball. From the very beginning, Wendell went out of his way to make us feel welcome. What struck me most was the way he interacted with the players. He took the time to know them personally, to learn about them, and to make sure they knew that he genuinely cared about them. If there was an athletics event happening at GCSU, Wendell was there. He was interacting with parents, students, coaches, and players. Most athletic directors don't have that kind of day-to-day connection with student-athletes. Wendell is different. He simply can't stay away—and that is part of what makes him so effective. Wendell truly cares about people—all people. He has a remarkable ability to find the good in everyone. He walks the walk and talks the talk. His faith is evident in the way he lives his life, and he encourages others to seek that same kind of faith and purpose. Wendell is also someone you can always count on. He has been a true friend to my daughter and to my son-in-law, providing both of them with valuable friendship, encouragement, and guidance. His influence on their lives has gone far beyond athletics, and for that I will always be grateful. Wendell emulates what true friendship looks like. He gives of himself, he shows up, and he genuinely cares. Those qualities are rare, and they are what people will remember long after his time as Athletics Director has come to an end. Thank you, Wendell, for everything you have done for GCSU, for its student-athletes, and for our family. Your impact is far greater than any title or position could ever capture." - David Moellering, father and father-in-law of GCSU student-athletes and current GCSU Athletic Association Board Member

"You occasionally cross paths with leaders who have a lasting impact on your life through their guidance, care, and belief in you. Wendell has undoubtedly been that person for me. When Wendell hired me as the head women's basketball coach, I initially saw it as an incredible professional opportunity. It quickly became something much more meaningful. He didn't just give me an opportunity—he invested in me as a professional and, more importantly, as a person. Wendell's intentionality, constant positivity, and holistic perspective were qualities I looked forward to every single day.  One of the things I respected most about Wendell was how much he valued family and relationships. He genuinely cared about investing in people. He consistently kept the student-athlete experience at the forefront of his decisions and leadership. He believed in this to his core and consistently encouraged his coaches to remember that, at the end of the day, our greatest responsibility was to provide student-athletes with an experience that helped them grow as people, students, and athletes.That perspective had a tremendous impact on me and continues to influence the way I lead my program today. Wendell wasn't just an athletic director; he became a trusted mentor, a constant source of wisdom, and a true friend. Many of the values and lessons he shared with me continue to shape who I am today, both as a coach and as a person." - Flagler College head women's basketball coach Mo Smith, who was the first head coach at GCSU hired by Staton  

About GCSU Athletics 
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for five consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 13 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won six consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and six-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.