WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Salem College President Dr. Summer McGee announced two major changes to the structure of the Department of Athletics on Monday, August 21st.
The first of these changes came after Director of Athletics JJ (Archibald) Antoine announced her departure from the program to accept an Associate Commissioner role with the Commonwealth Coast Conference. Following that announcement, former Director of Athletics at Meredith College, Jackie Myers, was named as Interim Director of Athletics for the fall semester while Salem College conducts a national search to fill the vacancy.
"We are thankful for the hard work JJ did resuming our athletics program post-COVID," said McGee. "Salem College has benefited tremendously from JJ's leadership and passion for supporting women student athletes in the last two years. We are also thrilled that Jackie will be guiding us through this transitional period, bringing a wealth of experience working at a women's college and leading a successful collegiate athletics program at Meredith."
Antoine Accepts Position with Commonwealth Conference
Antoine was named as the Director of Athletics for both Salem Academy and College on August 4, 2021 after serving as the Assistant Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator at the State University of New York at Oswego since 2018. She assumed the reins of the program after its 18-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During Antoine's two-year stint as Director of Athletics for Salem College, she hired new coaches for the basketball, cross country, softball, soccer and volleyball programs. Those new coaching hires resulted in 94 new student-athletes coming to Salem College in her two-year tenure. Those 94 incoming student-athletes accounted for 34 percent (274 total new incomers) of the incoming class for Salem College since returning from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Antoine and the Department of Athletics' staff also maintained the high-level academic integrity at Salem College along the way, witnessing 59 student-athletes being named USA South Academic All-Conference during her tenure.
One of the highlights of Antoine's time at Salem College came by virtue of the volleyball program, which posted a 21-10 overall mark and 12-6 record in USA South Conference play in 2022.
After finishing 1-23 in 2021, the Spirits had the best turnaround in program and USA South Conference history by finishing 21-10 in 2022. Salem was picked to finish ninth in the 2022 preseason polls, however, Barry Rymer's unit finished 12-6 in league action—which resulted in the most conference wins in program history—and established the single-season mark for the best turnaround in league history along the way.
Antoine returns to her native New England to serve as the Associate Commissioner at the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC). The CCC is a 20-sport NCAA Division III that includes Curry College, Endicott College, Gordon College, the University of Hartford, Nichols College, Roger Williams University, Suffolk University, the University of New England, Wentworth Institute of Technology and Western New England University.
"It has been the greatest honor to serve as the Director of Athletics for Salem Academy and College these past few years," said Antoine. "I am so grateful for the athletics team who worked so hard to reinvigorate Salem Athletics and the support of the greater Salem community. The student athletes at the Academy and the College are truly special and are poised to change the world in so many ways and I cannot wait to follow along on their journey. Thank you again for a life changing experience and I am humbled by your support of me in my next adventure."
Myers Named Interim Athletic Director at Salem College
Myers, a native of Eden, N.C., served as the Director of Athletics at Meredith College for 20 years (2002-22). Her move to the Triangle came after nine years at Geneva College (Penn.), where she served as both Assistant Athletic Director and women's basketball head coach.
Myers' familiarity with the landscape of athletics also includes time at both Pfeiffer (1983-85) and Elon (1985-94) where she served as coach for both women's tennis and women's basketball at both institutions. She was inducted into the Elon Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and to the YMCA Sports Hall of Fame in Eden, which came in 1992.
During her time at Geneva College, Myers was named Keystone Empire Conference Female Administrator of the Year (1997). While at Meredith, Myers served on Academic Council (2005-08), Honor Council (2009), USA South Conference / Great South Conference Merger Working Group (2009) and as a member of the USA South Conference Hall of Fame Committee (2009).
"I am excited about the opportunity to help and serve another single-gender institution," said Myers. "It is very important for me to help the USA South Conference remain strong and being able to assist in this process is key."
National Search Begins for Salem Director of Athletics
Salem College will conduct a national search for its new Director of Athletics beginning this week. Any individuals interested in submitting their resume for the vacancy can do so by emailing Gary Daynes, Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at gary.daynes@salem.edu.