South Carolina Gamecocks

June 6, 2011

Duane Grooms has been hired as Assistant Athletics Director for Facilities Services, it was announced today. Grooms comes to the University of South Carolina after a five-year tenure with the College of Health and Human Performance at East Carolina University.

Grooms will oversee the Gamecock athletics facilities, serving as the managing director for daily facilities services operations for the athletics department; including the daily management and personnel supervision for maintenance, custodial, auxiliary services, special events as well as project oversight. Responsibilities include facility readiness of all athletics department facilities/venues currently totaling 1,540,000 square feet.

"We are very pleased that Duane has joined our staff," said Jeff Davis, Associate Athletics Director for Operations and Facilities. "His wealth of experience, along with his facility management and personnel skills will be a tremendous asset to our operation; particularly as we continue to expand and upgrade our facilities."

Grooms has served in several administrative and director roles during his twenty-eight year career, with extensive experience with over 19 years of service in the areas of facilities management. He has served as Director of Student Activities-Berns Student Center at Methodist University; Director of Athletic Facilities and Events Management as well as the Assistant Director-University Union and Center Operations at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Assistant Director-Russell Student Union Operations at Georgia Southern University; Director of Student/Special Activities/Intramurals along with the Director of the Hamlin Student Center at Barton College.

Additionally, he has served as Facility Director and Assistant Athletics Director for the City of Greenville, NC Recreation and Parks Department; and Coordinator of Facilities and Equipment for the Department of Intramural and Recreational Services at East Carolina University.

A native of Jamesville, North Carolina, Grooms holds a MAEd in Athletics Administration and a BS degree in Recreation Administration from East Carolina University. He has held numerous professional memberships and has served on a multitude of committees during his career.

"I am thrilled to become a part of the Gamecock family," said Grooms. "I am eager to share my passion for Carolina and our athletics program, while continuing to showcase some of the finest collegiate athletics facilities in the country."

Grooms replaces Jim Shealy, who retired after serving Gamecock Athletics for over 28 years.