TAMIU Seeks Director of Dustdevils Athletic

Ryan Romero serves as Interim Director of Athletics at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), providing leadership and oversight for the Sharks’ 18 NCAA Division II athletic programs, student athletes, coaches, and administrative staff.

A 26-year member of the NSU community, Romero has served Athletics in a wide range of roles, including Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Operations, Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and External Operations, Athletic Equipment Manager, and assistant baseball coach. His career path has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of collegiate athletics from both the operational and administrative perspectives.

Since assuming leadership of NSU Athletics in February 2025, Romero has guided the department through significant institutional transition while maintaining its tradition of academic and competitive excellence. Under his leadership, NSU has continued to compete at the highest levels of NCAA Division II, capturing conference and national championships while Shark student athletes have maintained a cumulative departmental GPA above 3.5.

Throughout his career, Romero has emphasized student-athlete success, developing people, collaboration, accountability, and stewardship, while building strong relationships across the university and throughout the South Florida community.

Tyler Unsicker has served as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics at LSU Alexandria for the past five years, leading Generals Athletics to unprecedented success in academics, competition, fundraising, and improving the overall student-athlete experience.

Under his leadership, LSUA achieved the highest cumulative GPA in school history, with student-athletes earning a 3.32 GPA during the 2025–2026 academic year. He expanded academic resources through enhanced tutoring, academic advising, and the creation of a dedicated Student-Athlete Academic Success Center.

Unsicker has also helped generate more than $1.5 million in athletic fundraising, supporting major facility projects, including a $1 million baseball and softball locker room renovation and a $1 million tennis and pickleball complex.

Competitively, all seven LSUA teams have advanced to the NAIA National Tournament during his tenure. Highlights include the Women’s Tennis team reaching the 2022 NAIA National Championship semifinals and Men’s Basketball advancing to the 2024 national quarterfinals.

Prior to LSUA, Unsicker served at NCAA Division II Central Washington University (2015–2021) as Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs and the University of North Alabama (2009–2015) as Assistant Athletic Director for External Affairs.

A first-generation college graduate, Bill Petitt has worked in collegiate athletics at West Texas A&M, UT San Antonio and UT Arlington, and spent the past 18 years at UT Dallas, including eight years as Director of Athletics.

Currently, Petitt oversees all aspects of external affairs, including revenue generation, media relations, marketing and promotions, and social media.

During his tenure as athletic director, Petitt oversaw more than $5 million in facilities upgrades, including a new strength and conditioning facility, expanded seating and new scoreboards at the baseball and soccer facilities, a gym renovation, and an expansion of the athletic training facility.

Under his leadership, 13 of UTD’s 15 sports programs qualified for NCAA postseason competition. In all, UTD captured 24 conference championships and finished as conference runner-up 16 times.

Petitt also helped expand the department through the addition of a strength and conditioning program, an expanded athletic training staff, and a marketing and promotions office. Track and field was added in 2019, and the department oversaw the addition of esports at UTD.

He orchestrated UTD’s move to New Balance as the department’s official athletic apparel provider and secured a $1.7 million gift for a multiuse field facility. Annual giving reached record levels in consecutive years from 2024-26, while corporate sponsorships reached an all-time high in 2025-26.

Petitt also oversaw the department’s 25th Anniversary marketing campaign and the “Move to Division II” campaign, which included a “Live from Times Square” segment.