WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa - Southeastern Community College has named John McVey as its next Athletic Director, effective June 1. McVey succeeds Joe O'Brien, who will retire July 1 after nearly three years leading SCC athletics.
McVey, who joined SCC in 2014 as a volunteer baseball assistant, has served most recently as residence life coordinator and assistant baseball coach. His path to the AD role spans 13 years and reflects the kind of growth the college has seen across its athletics programs.
"I feel like I've grown up here," McVey said. "I went from a bachelor living in a dorm to a married man with an acre of land in Iowa. This is where my heart is."
SCC President Dr. Michael Ash praised the selection. "We are thrilled to welcome John into this role. His deep commitment to SCC athletics and his track record of building strong programs make him exactly the right person to lead our athletics department forward.
Ash also expressed appreciation for O’Brien’s contribution to strengthening SCC athletics. “Joe set a strong foundation to allow us to continue to build and expand our programming."
McVey takes the helm of a program that has experienced a decade of growth, going from a handful of sports to 19 men's and women's programs, ranging from the upstart men’s and women’s wrestling programs to a number of storied national championship-winning programs in men's basketball, men's baseball, men's soccer, and women's softball.
McVey said he plans to build on that momentum by strengthening the connection between athletics, the campus community, and the region.
"There's no reason we can't have the kind of success basketball and baseball and soccer have had in recent years across all our programs," he said. "We have the right facilities and a great coaching staff. It takes someone willing to think about how we make things happen, not just what we can afford."
He cited SCC's history of community partnerships as a model, including agreements that have expanded facilities and created opportunities that would otherwise have taken decades to develop.
McVey also wants to close a gap he sees in how the college tells the stories of its student-athletes.
"We have 100 stories of student-athletes who not only went off to be successful in their athletic careers, but who have accomplished great things after their time at SCC," McVey said. "People need to know them."
McVey earned a bachelor's degree in history and an MBA from Warner University in Lake Wales, Florida. He is originally from West Palm Beach. He and his wife, Mariah, live in the West Burlington area.
McVey is grateful for the opportunity to serve in his new role.
“I want to thank the interview committee for believing in me, Dr. Ash for the opportunity, Men’s Baseball Head Coach Justin Schulte for his leadership and mentorship over the years, and my wife Mariah for her ongoing support,” McVey said.
