BLUEFIELD, WV (LOOTPRESS) — Bluefield State University today announced that Ryan Bailey has been named Acting Director of Athletics, effective immediately. Bailey, who has served the university in a series of increasingly senior athletics roles since 2016, will oversee the department’s day-to-day operations, strategic direction, and continued commitment to the success of Big Blue student-athletes.
The appointment continues Bailey’s steady rise within the athletics department and comes as the university works to ensure continuity of leadership across its programs.
Bailey most recently served as Associate Director of Athletics, a role he has held since April 2021, and previously served as the university’s Interim Director of Athletics from October 2024 to May 2025. Over his nine years at Bluefield State, he has held a wide range of responsibilities within the department, including compliance oversight, game management, and service as the university’s Title IX Coordinator. He currently serves as sport administrator for baseball, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s wrestling.
Before transitioning into athletics administration, Bailey served as Bluefield State’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach from 2017 to 2021, where he rebuilt a struggling program into a consistent winner, guiding the Big Blue to the USCAA Final Four in 2019-2020 after the team had won just three games combined over the two seasons prior to his arrival. Before coming to Bluefield State, Bailey built programs at Malone University, the University of Charleston, and Mercyhurst North East College, where he founded the school’s basketball, volleyball, and golf programs.
“I am humbled and honored to be entrusted with this responsibility,” Bailey said. “Bluefield State has become home to my family and me, and I care deeply about this University, our coaches and, most importantly, our student-athletes. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve, and I look forward to working alongside our outstanding athletics staff to build upon the progress we have made.”
Bailey holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ohio University’s College of Business. A native of Zanesville, Ohio, he is active in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the National Association of Athletics Compliance (NAAC), and has represented Bluefield State at numerous NCAA leadership conferences, including as an invited presenter. He resides in Bluefield, Virginia, with his wife Jessica and three children.
Bluefield State University thanks Ryan for his continued dedication to Big Blue Athletics and looks forward to his leadership as the department moves into the new academic year.
