Purdy Tapped to Lead Piedmont University’s Athletic Department

Piedmont University has announced the appointment of Jamie Purdy as its new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. Purdy is a 2000 graduate of Piedmont College, and a longtime leader within the department. 

Purdy steps into the position after a decade as the Assistant Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), where she has played a vital role in the oversight and growth of Piedmont's 22 intercollegiate sports.

“Both on the court and off, Jamie's commitment to integrity, excellence and achievement are trademarks of her leadership,” said Piedmont University President Marshall M. Criser, III.

Purdy has also served as the head women's basketball coach since 2005 and has established one of the most successful programs in the South Region. Entering her 21st season in 2025–26, she holds a career record of 398–190 (.676) and ranks among the top 50 winningest active NCAA Division III coaches by winning percentage.

Her teams have earned seven NCAA Tournament appearances, nine 20-win seasonsand championships in three different conferences. This past season, Purdy led the Lions to a share of the CCS Regular Season crown, as the Lions validated the accomplishment by cruising to the CCS Conference Tournament Championship in front of the home fans at Cave Arena. The team was rewarded with their seventh NCAA Tournament appearance under Purdy's watch.

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected to lead a department that means so much to me,” Purdy said. “This place has been home for more than two decades, and I am excited to continue building on the foundation of success that's been laid.

In her administrative tenure, Purdy has helped oversee day-to-day department operations and served as a key figure in departmental planning, compliance and student-athlete development.

Purdy was inducted into the Piedmont Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 and was most recently honored with induction into the Statesboro Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024. As a student-athlete, she was a four-year basketball letterwinner and two-year softball letterwinner, helping lead the Lions to a Georgia Athletic Conference title in softball.

She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Piedmont in 2000 and her M.S. in Kinesiology with a focus in Sport Psychology from Georgia Southern in 2002. Before returning to her alma mater, Purdy served as head women's basketball coach at Middle Georgia College, leading the program to a GJCAA Championship Game appearance. She resides in Habersham with her husband Ben, and five children.

Her appointment as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics is effective immediately. She will continue to serve as head women's basketball coach. 

For more information about Piedmont Athletics, please visit: Piedmont University Athletics – Official Athletics Website