LAKELAND, Fla. — Southeastern University President Dr. Kent Ingle announced today that long-serving Director of Athletics Drew Watson has been promoted to Vice President of Athletics. The elevated role recognizes Watson's profound impact on the university's athletic ecosystem, driving unprecedented program expansion, academic achievement, and national prominence over his tenure.
Since taking the helm of the athletic department in 2012, Watson has worked to transform Fire Athletics from a regional competitor into a model institution within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
"Drew represents the very best of Southeastern University," said Ingle. "Under his vision, Fire Athletics has grown exponentially in both scale and prestige, all while keeping a Christ-centered mission at the core of the student-athlete experience. This promotion is a reflection of his exceptional leadership, and we are thrilled to have him guide our athletic programs into this next chapter of excellence."
Under Watson's leadership, SEU launched men's and women's cross country (2012), football (2013), women's golf (2013), softball (2014), wrestling (2015), and men's and women's track and field (2018), growing the department from 10 to 18 sports and from 150 to 550 student-athletes during his tenure.
Additionally, there have been three NAIA Team National Championships won during his tenure, including two in baseball (2018, 2022) and one in Men's Indoor Track & Field (2023), alongside numerous individual national titles in wrestling and track.
Under his leadership, Southeastern captured the coveted Sun Conference Commissioner's Cup four times (2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2023-24). The university has also consistently placed among the top tier nationally in the Learfield Directors' Cup standings, including top-ten finishes in 2021-22 (10th), 2022-23 (5th), 2023-24 (5th), and 2025-26 (6th).
"I am incredibly humbled by this announcement," said Watson. "I want to thank Dr. Ingle, Dr. Steiner, and our university administration for their steadfast belief in the mission of Fire Athletics. We have world-class coaches, staff, and remarkable student-athletes who sacrifice so much to achieve excellence on and off the field. I look forward to continuing to build a healthy culture of purpose, gratitude, and excellence while maintaining a high standard in the Sun Conference and the NAIA."
